Mending Hearts (The American Soldier Collection 11)

“Yes, I was thi

nking the same thing. I love how unique it is and in such great condition.” Alana opened the drawers to check them. Inside were strings and other materials, including small tools similar to what Alana used to make jewelry.

“Ah, so you found something. My aunt loved that desk. She used to make her own beaded necklaces and things. Some of her tools are still in there I think.”

“That’s what I like to do, too. I make my own jewelry.”

“Oh, how wonderful. Do you sell them in the boutique in town?” Agnes asked Alana.

“Oh no, I haven’t sold any yet. I was planning on trying to sell some at the fair coming up. Deanna is going to have a table with handmade soaps, lotions and other items.”

Agnes ran the palm of her hand over the wood.

“This is a very special piece. I think it’s meant to be yours, Alana.”

“Really?”

“Definitely. You know, my great-aunt was a bit of a mystical woman who believed in the spirits and karma and all that stuff. She used to say that fate had a way of making things work out the way things were meant to be. Even if it took a long time, it eventually caught up. She had a lot of great sayings and beliefs in destiny.”

“Well, I think your aunt would love for Alana to have this desk and to use it for her own beads and jewelry making. Alana was going to buy the two wooden chests of necklaces,” Deanna told Agnes.

“The broken ones?” Agnes asked.

“They’re so pretty and unique. I thought I could use them in some of the designs I create for the jewelry I make. I’ve never seen such pretty patterns and colors.”

“Well, that’s because a lot of them came from overseas. Some of these were beads of necklaces my aunt made herself.” Agnes picked up one broken strand and watched the beads slide off and into the wooden box.

“I’m sure you can make something gorgeous from these.”

“Well ,how much is the desk?” Alana asked.

“We priced it at $300.00 But you can have the desk, all those chests of beads, even the ones on the floor, and that Victorian-style floor lamp for $300. My great-aunt used to place that next to the desk so she could see all the tiny beads and string she used.”

“Wow, that would be wonderful. I’ll take them.”

“We have to leave the desk and come back later tonight for it though. It won’t fit in my car,” Deanna told Agnes.

“That’s okay. We have some men who volunteer to deliver purchases in the area.”

“I live in Tranquility,” Alana told her.

“Oh, well, a couple of the men here today live there. They can probably drop it off to you on their way home.”

“Wonderful. Here’s the money for everything.”

Alana pulled out her wallet and took out the $300 she had.

“We can deliver the beads the lamp and everything. Why don’t you continue to look around, and I’ll make sold signs up for these.”

“Agnes, do you need anything delivered now?”

She heard the deep voice, and both Alana and Deanna turned around to see a very tall, muscular man standing in the doorway.

“Actually, Alana here just purchased the desk, the lamp, and all these chests of beads. She lives your way in Tranquility. Maybe on your way home, you and the men could drop these off to her?”

“Sure thing, miss. Just write down your address, and we’ll drop it off and carry it inside for you.”

“That would be great,” Deanna replied, but Alana couldn’t seem to find her voice.