Sprinkled with Love

“It wouldn’t have been so bad if the rest of his profile was accurate, but he didn’t look anything like his photo.”

Jillian felt sorry for her friend. She definitely had the worst weekend. “What exactly did he look like?”

“Average.”

“So then why did he lie?”

“I don’t know, but it ruined any chance we might have had.” Suzanna opened the container of muffins Jillian had baked.

“You should sign up for the dating service too. Then we could go out on a double date. It’d be so much more fun.”

Jillian shook her head. “No way. I have a hard enough time finding a guy that I like when I meet them in real life. I don’t need to guess who’s being honest and who’s fudging about themselves online. Besides, I’ve sworn off men after Glenn.” She shrugged off her coat and slung it over her arm. “Would you ever trust anyone on that site again?”

Jingle. Jingle.

They both turned to the door to find not one or two customers but a half dozen curious visitors. Jillian’s gaze moved to the wall clock just above the door. They were five minutes early. This had to be a good sign.

“You are open, aren’t you?” Carol Bingley asked. When both Jillian and Suzanna nodded, Carol smiled. “Jillian, your mother made me promise last night that I would stop by today. And I brought some friends.”

“Welcome. Come on in,” Jillian said, moving behind the display counters, ready to pull out any of the merchandise for a closer look.

“We have refreshments.” Suzanna gestured toward the table. “Fresh brewed coffee and hot chocolate to take the chill off the morning. And some baked goods to tempt you.”

The customers all started talking at once and soon Jillian was caught up in her work. Any thoughts of Avery were pushed to the back of her mind where they belonged.

Carol approached the jewelry counter. “Everything is so beautiful. You two are quite talented.” She leaned closer. “Is it all handmade?”’

Jillian smiled. “Yes.”

“It must have taken you forever to create all of this.”

“We’ve been planning this for a long time.”

Carol glanced around. “It was definitely worth all of the effort.”

“Thanks,” Jillian said while Suzanna was off showing the other ladies some of her colored glass char

ms. “So far everything has been a big hit on the internet. Suzanna and I were hoping that if we opened a shop in Marietta that it would catch on.”

Carol moved slowly up the glass display case, hemming and hawing. And then she stopped. “Have you considered doing something for the upcoming Bake-Off?”

Jillian had heard they were doing a fundraiser in honor of a local fallen hero, Harry Monroe. Everyone in town knew him, including Jillian. He was a great guy who would have helped anyone at any time.

This past Labor Day weekend, he’d been helping an elderly couple whose car had blown a tire. They’d pulled off on the side of the highway and while Harry was changing it, he’d been struck by a passing car. He’d lived long enough to get to the hospital, but his injuries were too extensive. They weren’t able to save him. All of Marietta had been devastated.

“You know, I’ve been giving the fundraiser some thought,” Jillian said. “And I have something in mind that might appeal to everyone in town. Perhaps they could bid on it throughout the different rounds of the Bake-Off.”

“Oh, I’m intrigued!” Carol took on an interested look. “What is it?”

“I don’t want to say just yet, in case it doesn’t work out. But I’ll be sure to let you know when the plans are finalized.”

Carol’s smile vanished. “Are you sure you can’t share it with me? I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

Jillian struggled to keep a straight face as she knew Carol needed to gossip as much as she needed to breathe. “Sorry.” And then anxious to change the subject, Jillian asked, “How are the plans coming for the fundraiser?”

“Really well. This Bachelor Bake-Off is going to be the talk of the town.”

“I think it already is. Do you know who these lucky bachelors are going to be?”