Sprinkled with Love

“I can’t believe it.” Suzanna’s face was red with anger. “I knew I didn’t like that man and now I have a really good reason. What do you think will happen?”

“I don’t know. But whatever it is, he brought it on himself.”

Suzanna’s mouth gaped and her eyes widened. “This must be why he came crawling back and was trying to win you over. It’s a good thing you didn’t fall for anything he said.”

Jillian’s stomach churned at the thought of him thinking he could use her like that. In that moment, her faith in her judgment in men diminished.

Chapter Eighteen

Jillian sat at the worktable behind the counter of Tangled Charms. Suzanna was out at the post office, shipping various packages for the online portion of their business before she went to pick up some supplies.

The shop was void of customers, giving Jillian a moment to enjoy the quiet. As she worked on a new piece of jewelry, her mind shifted to the fundraiser. She smiled, thinking of how the wristbands had been a big hit and the necklace already had a number of blind bids. Between the two of them, she’d be able to make a respectable contribution to the cause.

And then she came to a delicate part of the necklace. All of her concentration was focused on connecting these two S-shaped pieces of the necklace. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as the tension mounted. There were small S-shaped curls linked with larger S-shaped curls. The way they were attached gave them the freedom to move. She just had to loop this piece of metal ever so carefully through—

The bell above the door jangled.

Jillian jumped.

Why, oh why, did they have to pick that moment to enter the store? She suppressed a frustrated sigh, set the necklace aside, and stood up to greet the customer. Jillian glanced up and found Beth Wainwright standing just inside the door, looking around at the shop. Immediately, Jillian’s frustration melted away. It was replaced with a big smile.

Jillian rushed out from behind the counter. “Beth, I didn’t know you were in town.”

“I just got here.”

They hugged.

Jillian pulled back. “What brought you home?”

“I didn’t have any Friday classes, so I thought I’d drive home and check out the Bake-Off tomorrow.”

“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.” Jillian recalled the delicious apple pie that Avery had baked all on his own.

“Thank you so much for helping him. I’ve been worried about him since this latest accident. I wish he’d give up the rodeo. He’s not as young as he used to be.”

Jillian suppressed a laugh. Since when did twenty-seven constitute old age? But she supposed to an eighteen-year-old it might seem that way.

“Then you must be so happy that he’s seriously considering purchasing the Crooked S Ranch.”

Beth’s eyes momentarily widened. “Um, yes, I am. How’s that going?”

Jillian didn’t see how it would hurt anything to update Beth since she already knew about Avery’s plans. Jillian was sure he’d give his sister the details later.

“I don’t know much. I just know that the bank won’t give him the loan until he comes up with more cash and he hasn’t had any luck with any sponsor spots. But he hasn’t given up. He’ll find a way to make it work.” Jillian moved to the coffee maker that they’d decided to put in the front of the shop for visitors. She picked up a cup and held it out to Beth. “Would you like some?”

Beth nodded. “Thanks.” She paused as though thinking over what Jillian had just told her. “How much more does he need?”

“I don’t know. I’m sure when you catch up with him he’ll fill you in on the details.”

“He should sell the house.”

That statement had Jillian spilling coffee over the edge of the mug. She reached for a napkin to clean up the small mess.

After Jillian wiped up the drops of coffee, she straightened. “Your brother would never do that. It’s your home. He’s been working very hard to fix it up.”

“I’m serious. He should sell it. Then he could roll that money into the ranch.”

Jillian got the distinct feeling that Beth was totally serious. “But the house doesn’t belong solely to him, does it?”