Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(12)
Later, Nora would think back on that moment. She’d remember standing on the sidewalk, overwhelmed by feelings of affection and gratitude for her amazing friends. She’d remember how refreshing the night air had felt on her skin and how the sky had looked like a sea of stars. At that moment, she’d been truly happy. All had been right with her world.
Until everything went wrong.
*
The next morning, Nora got up an hour early. After putting on sweatpants and an old T-shirt, she left her tiny house—a refurbished caboose—and scrambled down the steep slope toward the train tracks. The six o’clock freight had already come through, so Nora took her time crossing the tracks. She continued walking to the edge of the woods where blackberry bushes grew in a tangled hedge.
Hooking a basket on her left forearm, she began filling it with ripe berries. The fruit glistened like amethysts in the morning light, and the act of harvesting made Nora feel a deep sense of peace.
When she’d picked enough, Nora went home to wash the berries and herself. Her next stop was the flea market. She moved through the aisles at a brisk pace, searching for shelf enhancers. Normally, she’d examine the wares in every booth, but since she was going to drop by Soothe before work, she had to cut her shopping trip short.
“Bea, I hope you have something for me,” she said, pausing at one of her favorite booths. “Nothing’s caught my eye, and I don’t have much time.”
“I haven’t unpacked everything yet. Still waitin’ for the coffee to kick in.” Beatrice reached for a cardboard box. “But if you want fall pieces, I’ve got what you need.”
Beatrice unwrapped a pair of amber hobnail ruffled vases and raised her brows in question.
Nora nodded in approval. “Those are nice. What else is in that box?”
After a few rounds of good-natured haggling, Nora left the flea market with the vases, vintage chalkware owl bookends, an Art Deco orange-and-cream-colored bowl, a pair of ceramic candleholders shaped like acorns, a Pyrex autumn harvest bowl, and an old copper pumpkin.
Back at Miracle Books, she washed and dried the Pyrex bowl and then filled it with the blackberries she’d picked that morning. With Bren’s lucky dollar in her pocket, she walked up to Soothe’s delivery door and knocked.
Celeste cracked the door and peered out. She looked nervous, if not downright scared. But as soon as she recognized Nora, she smiled and opened the door wide.
“Hello! It’s nice to see you again.”
Nora held out the bowl of berries. “This is for you. To celebrate your grand opening.”
“What a thoughtful gift,” said Celeste. “Would you like to come in? I’d love to show you our space.”
Though Nora had things to do before she opened the bookshop, she couldn’t resist seeing what Soothe was all about. Besides, she wanted to make sure Bren was okay. She hoped to text June on her way back to the shop so that she could put her friend’s mind at ease.
“I’d love to come in,” Nora replied, stepping into a vestibule with stairs ascending to the upstairs apartment and a door leading into Soothe.
Celeste led her through a nondescript stockroom and breakroom, chatting excitedly about the grand opening, until they passed through an archway into the shop. She then fell silent, allowing Nora to take everything in.
Nora felt like she’d entered a bubble of light and peace.
The walls were a creamy white and the floorboards were the color of sun-bleached sand. The high ceilings were covered in white tile, giving the space an open, airy feel. Most of the store was devoted to gift baskets, which were categorized by names like Insomnia No More, Settle That Tummy, Calm the Inflammation, Still an Unquiet Mind, and Postpartum Peace. The gift baskets contained herbal teas, lotions, soaps, candles, oils, and meditation journals. A white bamboo blanket was added to the largest and most expensive of the baskets.
Nora looked around, noticing that the only non-neutral hue in the entire shop was lavender, and this was limited to the ribbons on the gift baskets. The store’s displays, walls, products, and packaging were either white or sandy beige.
Nora was surprised by how the lack of color calmed her. She loved color. Every day, she surrounded herself with a rainbow of book spines. This was her idea of heaven on earth.
And yet, Soothe was another type of oasis. It was light and bright. Soft and quiet. Gentle and serene. Even the air seemed easier to breathe.
Celeste walked over to a small water feature in the corner and turned it on. The sound of a gurgling brook whispered through the store.
“There,” she said with a touch of pride in her voice. “What do you think?”
Nora waved her arm, encompassing the entire store. “I think you picked the perfect name for your shop. It’s beautiful and relaxing. The people who come to Miracle Springs in search of healing will love Soothe.”
Celeste put both hands over her heart. “Thank you. That means a lot. I’ve never run my own business before, and it’s exhilarating and absolutely terrifying to have all our eggs in one basket.”
“Believe me, I get it. But you and your store are a perfect fit for Miracle Springs. Oh, and before I forget, this is for Bren.” Nora took out the dollar bill. “For luck. I keep mine under my cash register drawer, and I thought she might like one for hers.”
Celeste glanced at the small food case on the other side of the shop. It was empty, and when Nora looked at Celeste in concern, she let out a forced laugh and said, “It’s fine. She’ll be here any minute with the muffins. She forgot to set her alarm. Today of all days!”