Diana’s story was another reminder of how the choices a person made could impact her life.
“Kelly, are you done back there?” Pepper’s voice interrupted Kelly’s thoughts. She gave one final look at the display before turning and rushing through the short hallway that connected the addition to the main rooms of the boutique.
Pepper was at the sales counter closing the register, and Breena was vacuuming.
“It’s snowing.” Kelly stopped and looked out the front window.
The weather channel had forecasted a white Christmas Eve, and Mother Nature was delivering.
“Tori will be thrilled. She can make snow angels on Christmas morning.” Breena dragged the vacuum into the main sales area. “I’ve finished up with the vacuuming, and I wiped down the mirrors in the changing room. I’m going to put this away and head out. Okay?”
“Absolutely.” Kelly hugged Breena. “Thank you for everything you’ve done. The Edit was a tremendous success.” A few days ago, the boutique had closed early, and seventeen women came for the private shopping experience. Kelly had had no idea how the event would go; after all, she owned a consignment shop, not a specialty boutique on Madison Avenue. But she was pleasantly surprised.
Each woman made a purchase and enjoyed the feeling of being special with the exclusivity, the appetizers, and a cocktail. The sales Kelly made put a dent in the financial hole she was trying to scrape out of. She’d have to brainstorm more ideas with Breena, come the new year.
Breena’s head bobbed up and down. “It sure was.”
“Don’t forget the bag for Tori when you leave.” Kelly let go of Breena. She’d done a little shopping for the sweet little girl and went a tad overboard, but everything was so cute, and she couldn’t resist.
“You’re spoiling her. And you too.” Breena looked at Pepper.
“She’s too adorable not to spoil.” Pepper came out from behind the counter and hugged Breena. “Merry Christmas. Don’t forget those muffins I baked.”
“I won’t.” Breena started to walk back to the staff room with the vacuum but stopped and looked over her shoulder. “You two are the best presents I’ve received since having Tori. Thank you.” Before they all started crying, Breena hurried away.
“That kid!” Pepper wiped a tear and then returned to the cash register. “The deposit is almost done.”
The bell of the front door jingled, and Kelly and Pepper looked toward the entrance.
Marvin Childers entered, wearing a dark wool coat and a fedora and carrying a bouquet of white roses.
“Mr. Childers, what brings you by?” Kelly stepped away from Pepper and approached the dapper-looking gentleman.
“Merry Christmas, Kelly.” He smiled and then looked toward Pepper. “Hello.”
“Oh, Mr. Childers, this is Pepper Donovan. Pepper, this is Marvin Childers, a friend of Granny’s.”
Pepper lifted her chin and gave him a once-over before smiling and welcoming him to the boutique.
“I realize you’re closing for the holiday, but I wanted to come by and give you these.” He handed the bouquet to Kelly. “Your grandmother’s favorite flowers were daisies, but she loved white roses too.”
Kelly inhaled the fragrant scent of the flowers. “Thank you. You shouldn’t have, but they are beautiful.”
“It’s the least I could do, considering what my grandson did. Be certain, I’ve had a talk with him.”
“Grandson? What happened?” Pepper had come up behind Kelly.
Kelly looked over her shoulder. “It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in tonight over dinner.”
“I’ll make sure of it. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Childers. Kelly, I’m going to head home to prepare dinner. I’ll see you later. Don’t be late.” Pepper returned to the sales counter and grabbed the cash bag before walking out of the sales area.
Marvin cleared his throat, getting Kelly’s attention back.
“Even if I stood to inherit Martha’s estate, I would have never taken this shop away from you. It was her intention to make sure it was yours. Martha would be very proud of you.”
Tears welled up in Kelly’s eyes. The past few weeks had been a roller coaster. Nothing—not even facing a murderer—compared to the fear she felt when she thought she could lose her granny’s legacy.
“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me. Would you like to join me for dinner this evening? I’m going to Pepper’s house, and she always has so much food. She’d be happy if you joined us.”
Marvin patted Kelly’s hand. “Thank you for the invitation, but I’m on my way to Barlow’s place for dinner. Have a wonderful Christmas, dear.” He walked to the door. “You know, it would be nice for us to have tea every now and again.”
“Yes, it would.”
He nodded and walked out of the boutique.
She followed him and locked the door. She turned over the open sign to closed and turned around to take a full, sweeping glance of the boutique.
It was now officially her first Christmas as a shop owner.
* * * *
Kelly woke Christmas morning and, for the first time since Thanksgiving, felt rested and refreshed. She climbed out of bed and slipped on her cashmere robe, an indulgent treat from her time at Bishop’s, and stepped into her Uggs slippers. She scooped Howard up and carried him to the three-foot tree she’d purchased after her near-death experience. It wasn’t as big as the tree her granny used to decorate, but it was a start. Standing at the tree, she scratched Howard’s sleepy head.
“Merry Christmas, little guy.”
Beside the tabletop tree was Ariel’s gift. They’d exchanged presents before Kelly went to Pepper’s house for dinner. Ariel had given her a pressure cooker for Christmas.
“Guess since I’m alive and home for good, I should learn to cook.” She eyed the box apprehensively. “What can go wrong?”
Silenced in Sequins Page 24
