Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,40
some lotions or candles to add to Meena’s, her mother’s, and Brian’s mother’s gifts too.
A minute later she saw the gate open, Livi come running through and then Blair waving her arm. “She’s not going to bug you, right? Send her home if she overstays her welcome.”
“She’s fine. The dogs love her.”
Blair nodded her head and went back to her shop, Livi running in circles and the dogs chasing her, barking, and jumping at her legs. Robin took that time to find the balls and then start rolling them around, handing one to Livi to do the same.
Thirty minutes went by easily and Livi showed no signs of stopping her racing around the yard and the dogs didn’t either.
But Blair came over with a basket in her hand, saying, “Livi, your father is looking for you. He said you two had something planned today?”
“Oh,” Livi said, “I’m going to pick out your Christmas gift. Thank you, Robin, for letting me play with Luke and Leia.”
“My pleasure,” she said and watched Livi run back home.
“And thank you for letting her play with the pups. She is still on our case wanting one. I know Philip is thinking of it, but I’m just not sure now. Definitely not something big. And this is for you.”
She reached for the basket and saw a variety of lotions and candles in there. “Thank you. I was just thinking I needed to run to your shop to pick up some gifts for Christmas.”
“You can come right to the back and shop if you truly want to. But no pressure.”
“Really?” she asked. “That would be nice. If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. I’m home most mornings working in there.”
“Then maybe Tuesday I could sneak over before I go volunteer at the shelter. And speaking of that, do you have time for a cup of coffee or tea? We’ve got a Christmas fundraiser and I said I’d hand out invitations, but please don’t feel like you need to go or contribute. I just want to do my part and spread the word.”
“I’d love a cup of coffee and a visit,” Blair said and followed her into the house.
“Does it feel weird coming in here now with another owner?” she asked.
“No. Philip wasn’t here long enough to get attached to it. Nor did he decorate much. But it looks so festive in here. If Livi saw it she’d never leave.”
“It does sort of look like a child did it. But I was having so much fun. It’s the first time I’ve been able to let go with decorations.”
“Hmm,” Blair said and sat down.
“I know you want to ask why. I guess the truth is I’ve never felt like I had a place of my own before. Not like here.”
“Have you always lived in apartments?” Blair asked.
She was debating on what to say. Her new neighbors seemed nice enough. They obviously knew she paid cash for this house, which was a big chunk of money. And they probably wondered what she did since she only worked part time.
“No. I mean I did and then I was married for a short period of time. I divorced earlier in the year and was back in an apartment again. Before that, the house I lived in with my husband, well, it was like a showpiece. I didn’t have much say in the decorating. My ex did most of it. Or the decorators he hired did.”
Blair smiled. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t tell many people this. At least anymore. But I feel like I can confide in you. I always have these dreams and most times they come true. Or parts of them do. Anyway, I had a dream about you the other night. One where you were changing so much in it. Kind of like Cinderella.”
She started to laugh. “Well now. That might be somewhat accurate. I don’t tell too many people who my ex was.”
“Alex Fischer? As in the convenient store empire? I think I remember hearing about the marriage a few years ago and some talk, then a sudden divorce. Part of the gossip that goes on in my shop. I believe a woman named Robin Masters was his ex. I must confess I did a little bit of snooping on that part. When Philip said who’d signed the contract on the house I did a google search and, well, it was right there.”
Robin felt her face flush. She hadn’t been recognized yet. “That’s me. I don’t talk much