Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(58)

Pia stared at her. “That’s great. Clever. Sure. It would help us and your business. We’re very supportive of new businesses in town. I hope you know that. How much we’re going to support you.”

Without warning, tears filled her eyes. “Oh God, I just can’t do this.”

Patience froze in the center of the small room, not sure what to do. “Pia? What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Has there been some bad news?”

Pia shook her head and dug a tissue out of a drawer. “I’m fine. Seriously, it’s okay.” She drew in a breath and let out another little sob. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m just so tired all the time.”

Patience inched closer. “Can I get you something? Water?”

“No.” Pia waved her hand toward the chair on the other side of her desk. “I’m running in circles. The twins are two and Peter is thirteen. Raoul is so great and supportive, but he’s busy with his work and I’m tired all the time. Do you know the festivals are every month? I used to love that, but lately I’m constantly scrambling. I feel like I’m failing everyone and if I could just sleep more I’d be fine.” Tears trickled down her face. “I’m so sorry. I’m frightening you.”

“No. I want to help. Just tell me what to do.”

Pia blew her nose. “I’m a disaster. Let’s reschedule this for when I’m sane, okay? I’ll make sure Brew-haha gets added to the list of stores taking posters. And I’ll add you to our business email loop. I’m in charge of that, too. I swear, I need to tell Mayor Marsha we need a new business-development person. And we’re out of milk. I knew I forgot something at the grocery store.”

She scribbled a note, then glanced up at Patience, her expression perfectly blank. As if she’d completely forgotten she was there.

“We’ll reschedule,” Patience said, coming to her feet. “When things calm down.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for the meltdown.”

“No problem. I’m opening my business tomorrow. Come see me at three. I’m sure I’ll be hysterical.”

Pia offered a slight smile. “Right. We can bond.”

Patience let herself out, then walked down the stairs to the street. Whatever was going on with Pia, Patience hoped it got straightened out and soon. The poor woman sounded as if she couldn’t take on one more thing.

Patience walked back to her store and then paused in front of the big front window. The logo was beautiful in reds and yellows. The tables were in place, as were the hooks for the opening-day banner.

She’d done it, she thought happily. Tomorrow she would open her business. There was no going back now—just moving forward. As she unlocked the front door, she crossed the fingers of her free hand. For luck.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

AT SEVEN THAT night, Patience stopped in front of her business and looked toward the dark windows. She didn’t see anything wrong. But Police Chief Barns had phoned a few minutes before to say there was a problem. Ava had said she would watch Lillie while Patience hurried over to check the business.

“Nothing bad,” she whispered, reaching for the front door. “Please, nothing bad.”

She used her key and opened the door, then flipped on the lights.

“Surprise!”

She jumped back and shrieked as over a dozen women gathered around. All her friends were there holding bottles of champagne and presents. Charlie; Heidi; Julia, Patience’s former boss; Dakota, Montana and Nevada; Annabelle; Isabel and even Felicia.

Charlie hugged her first. “Sorry to scare you, but we wanted this to be a surprise.”

Patience had trouble taking it all in. “You mean there’s no emergency?”

“Nope. I called Alice and she was happy to be part of the surprise. Your mom was in on it, too.”

Patience pressed a hand to her still-pounding heart. “She and I are going to have a talk about this when I get home.”

“Come on,” Isabel said, taking her arm and leading her forward. “We’re going to get you drunk.”

“I have to be up at three-thirty to be here at four in the morning. I don’t want a hangover.”

Isabel grinned. “Sure you do. The headache will distract you from any nerves you might have.”

Charlie and Nevada opened the bottles of champagne and poured. On the coffee bar were platters of appetizers along with a pitcher of what looked like herbal iced tea. No doubt for the recent moms and the mother-to-be. The tables had been dragged together with chairs pulled around.

When Annabelle came over to hug her, she smiled. “I can’t stay all that long because I’m between feedings, but I didn’t want to miss this.”

“I’m glad you came.”

“You’re going to do great. You’ll see. The whole town will support you.”

“I’m counting on that.”

“I swear, the second I’m done breast-feeding, I’m coming right here for coffee. I miss lattes and double shots and caffeine in general. I also miss wine. I’ll have to go somewhere else for that.”

Isabel and Charlie led Patience to one of the chairs. Glasses of champagne were handed out and the food passed around. Everyone settled in for a good gossip session.

Montana looked at Felicia. “Wow, you’re really gorgeous.”