Lucky in Lace by Melissa Brayden

Author:Melissa Brayden [Brayden, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2023-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The red leaves were Peyton’s favorite, followed by the oranges, then yellows. The rainbow that was the season’s changing colors was almost too beautiful to look at. Yet she did, leisurely, every morning on the way to work, craning her head, peering through the windshield, rolling down the windows for a quick hit of chilled air that gave her a quick upshot in energy.

Peyton refused to take autumn for granted. Not after all those years missing out on the season entirely—the decor, the excitement, the changing landscape, the emerging of jackets. Cliché or not, she coveted everything cinnamon and pumpkin spice to a fault. After the first major cold front of the year in Landonville, scarves were everywhere, and folks seemed to smile all the more at the people they passed on the winding sidewalks. Who knew where they were headed? But collective energy had Peyton motivated.

She woke every morning ready to take on the day and work on herself. This season more than any other brought it out in her. She had goals that she categorized on lists, hopes and dreams that kept her awake on her pillow, and long-term plans that weren’t going to happen on their own. In order for any of those plans to come to fruition, she needed to be the best version of herself. Thereby, she worked in a reflective meditation early each morning, then took extra-hot coffee on her back patio where she could check in on her small herb garden before hopping in the Mustang and opening shop, new fall colors on display in many of her products. If she was lucky, she’d catch sight of Juliette and wave through the window, setting her day off on the right foot. It really worked, too. Mornings without a Juliette sighting left her unsettled and adrift. She looked forward to them.

The recent weeks only validated Peyton’s early business success. It hadn’t just been a busy opening. Cotton Candy was definitely on the map now. The shop was populated every hour it was open with customers of all kinds. Afternoons were busiest, and the demand for attention had prompted her to rely more on Kiva and TJ, who reported for work after lunch, or in the morning should Peyton need the time off. She did what she could to assist her customers in fittings and matching up their styles to her merchandise. She’d been asked out twice, too. Interestingly, by two different women, which meant she was putting out the correct vibes.

“Did you say yes?” Lola asked, as Peyton sat along the bar at The Frog and Dog one evening after watching Lola get her waltz and tango on in dance class. Intense stuff, and Lola was better than good. Peyton had newfound respect, watching her spin and march and rise and fall in perfect time to the music.

“I didn’t, but one of them seemed super great.”

Lola squinted. “Those words don’t go together. They fight like bickering teenagers. Explain yourself or I’m cutting you off.

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