Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg

Author:Melissa Tagg [Tagg, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Larkspur Press

Mara never would’ve believed the state of Jenessa’s house if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. From the outside, it was clear the brick, two-story structure had once been a stately home. The yard, surrounded by a wrought-iron gate, was neatly kept. But inside?

Inside the house could almost pass as a hoarder’s domain. Books, newspapers, and all manner of knickknacks cluttered the worn furniture in the entryway and living room. The hutch in the dining room was so overcrowded with dishes, picture frames, and who knew what else, it looked like it might collapse any minute. Mara had only peeked into the galley kitchen, but it appeared much the same as the other rooms.

The disarray was nearly enough to distract her from the thought of Marshall back at the Everwood with the woman he’d introduced last night as his ex-wife. Or the lingering impact of that church service she’d just sat through.

Actually, it wasn’t the service itself that had embedded itself into her anxious thoughts. It was Mayor Milton Briggs coming up to her afterward, his flock of friends all tittering with excitement over the Everwood and the upcoming open house. She’d envisioned a simple reception with refreshments, maybe a couple dozen guests. But now the mayor talked as if half the town might show up. He’d mentioned entertainment, tours, extra parking.

And worse, he’d sprung a surprise on her.

“I’m truly sorry about this, Miss Bristol,” he’d said, “but I should’ve consulted the calendar. We already have an event on the second Saturday in April. How does April sixth sound instead? I’d like to keep it on a weekend, but so many of our weekends later in the spring are already booked.”

A whole week earlier? “I really don’t think we can have everything finished that quickly.”

“Oh posh.” He’d waved his hand. “You don’t have to have the whole place fixed up. Just show us your business plan and give us a peek at the work you’ve done so far. We just need to see enough to have confidence in the Everwood’s future.”

She’d have to start by building her own confidence. April sixth was only two weeks from yesterday.

Which meant she really should’ve hurried back to the Everwood after church rather than take up Jenessa’s invitation to join her, Sam, and Lucas for Sunday dinner. But Jenessa had insisted and Sam had assured her she wouldn’t want to miss Jen’s lasagna.

Turned out to be the truth. Mara had polished off two helpings already.

“I still can’t believe you came to church with us, Luke,” Jenessa said, lifting her water glass, ice clinking. “Kit was happy to see you there too.”

Kit—Lucas’s sister. Married to Beckett Walker—brother to Logan, who Mara had met yesterday. That is, if Mara had correctly understood Jenessa as she’d whispered a whole recitation of “Who’s Who in Maple Valley” as church began.

“It’s not a big deal, Jen. It’s not like I’ve never been to church before.” Lucas’s long hair was pulled back but not as haphazardly as usual.

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