“It can sometimes be hard to remember ratios for stuff. I have to check my references all the time for different oil recipes.”
“Your handwriting is really—”
“Messy? Yeah, I know. Mom says I should’ve been a doctor.”
Tara’s gaze was intense. “I was going to say distinctive.”
Riley blinked, then realization dawned. Oops. She’d forgotten about the note she’d stuck in one of the coolers.
No one should ever be made to feel less because of their circumstances or what they have to do to survive.
“Thank you.” Tara’s voice was soft but firm, and Riley didn’t have to ask what she was referring to.
She laid a hand over the younger girl’s. “You’re welcome.”
“I wanted to bring you something. Just a token.”
“Oh, you don’t have to…” Riley trailed off as she pulled the small white box out of her purse. Nestled inside were a pair of chandelier earrings, similar to the ones Riley had admired earlier in the summer.
“I did them in silver. It suits your skin tone better than the copper.”
“They’re wonderful.” Riley slipped them on and immediately felt sassier. “Thank you.”
Jessie wandered over. “Oh my God, those are awesome. Where can I get some?”
“Tara makes them.”
“Well, I want to commission some,” Jessie insisted.
“Really?”
When Tara left a little while later, the kids in tow, Riley waved them on their way, feeling like she’d added some positive karma to the world to balance out the negative.
Autumn stepped up. “You look like you’re having a good day.”
Riley tapped at her da
ngles. “I very much am.”
“Well, it’s about to get even better.”
The door opened again.
“Hold that thought,” Riley said.
Sharilyn breezed up to the counter. “Hey, baby.”
“Hey, Mom. What can I do for you?” Riley couldn’t stop the instinctive tensing.
“Not a thing. I’m on my lunch break. I just wanted to let you know I’d be away this weekend.”
“Oh? With who?” Please don’t say Matthew McSweeney.
“You remember Linda Buckner?”
“It was her wedding where you met Daddy.”
Sharilyn beamed. “It was. She’s in Lawley now and invited me for a visit.”