She gave me a weak smile. “Call me later, okay?”
“I’ll call,” I replied as I kissed her on the cheek, then kissed her little bump. “Bye, Bristol Junior!”
Mindy laughed. “See you soon.”
I watched as my best friend made her way over to the new-mom car her husband Jim had bought her. It was a little over the top, a Mercedes SUV, but Mindy wasn’t going to complain. Not because she wanted it, but that was simply her way. She didn’t complain about anything. She had a heart as big as the Texas sky, and the last thing she would ever do was hurt anyone’s feelings. Including her asshole husband’s.
After I had everything packed up, I smiled as I saw one of the horses running across the open pasture. I took a picture of it and then opened my editing app.
I wasn’t even sure how I got started with this whole social media-influencer thing. I made a few posts about life on a farm, then started sharing recipes, my hair-coloring mistake, the nerves about going on a date after having your heart broken, and suddenly, I had over a half-a-million followers on Instagram. Other people started to reach out about doing sponsored ads, which I hardly did, but if I found a product I liked, I shared it. The goal for me wasn’t money. I had a job, although this took up a lot of my time. Since I opened Farmhouse Tea, the Instagram gig became more of a hobby. I still loved posting and sharing things with my followers, though.
After a quick edit of the photo, I uploaded it to my Instagram story and put a heart, then typed, Country Life. I smiled as I looked back up at the horse, who was now staring at me.
“I know! I should be watching you instead of posting on Instagram!”
He gave me a head bob and a neigh, and I laughed as I watched him and the other horses enjoy the beautiful spring day in Texas.
Bristol
I STEPPED OUT on my front porch and took in a deep breath. I lived right off the main drag in Comfort in an historical house. My tea room was right next door, making this the perfect spot. When it came on the market, I knew I had to have it. I was now neck-deep in debt, but it was mine, and I loved it. As I walked toward the tea room, I glanced around. There it was again. I had this familiar feeling of being watched. With another quick look around, I shook it off and made my way to the back door of Farmhouse Tea. I opened it and found my mother in the small kitchen.
“Hey, Mama, sorry I’m late. Got caught up taking photos of Spirit after I did my photos for the book post. How were things here?”
She smiled and nodded toward the refrigerator. “I’ve got the cucumber all sliced and ready to go. I’m working on the egg salad now. Terry will be back from lunch shortly.”
I returned her smile. My mother used to own her own catering company. I worked at it since I was old enough to walk, I think. It was such a wonderful lesson and prepared me for owning my own business. Once I opened Farmhouse Tea, my mother retired and came on part-time to help me run the shop. She did most of the cooking, and Terry, another friend of mine from high school, handled all the bookkeeping and helped me in the tea room when Mindy wasn’t available. Plus, Terry made the most amazing onion and cheese flan. And her quiche…Lord, she had the magic touch when it came to quiche.
“I tasted your Yorkshire curd tart, Sweetheart,” my mother said.
With a slow, deep breath, I asked, “And how was it?”
She turned to me, a serious look on her face. I exhaled on a groan.
“It was…delicious!”
I jumped and clapped my hands. “I got the texture right this time?”
She nodded. “It was pudding-like, yes. I think the ladies today will really enjoy it. I’m glad you made two, though, so if any other customers come in, they can taste it as well.”
I couldn’t help the warm feeling that bubbled in my chest. “Let me take a picture of it for Instagram!”
Mom laughed and went back to what she was doing. I stepped out into the main room where all the goodness happened. I wrapped my arms around my body and took it all in. I loved this place. It had been a dream of mine for so long, and I was damn proud of myself for bringing it to life.
A sudden feeling of sadness washed over me, though. There had been so many times I had picked up my phone to text or to call Anson and tell him about Farmhouse Tea. I’d followed his success and the culmination of him achieving his dream, and I wanted to let him know that I’d also achieved mine.