The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

Author:Darien Gee [Gee, Darien]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-345-52539-0
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2013-01-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Connie whacks at a patch of wild dandelions that are threatening to take over the garden. It’s early on a Saturday morning and the October air is cool. She has a full day of food prep ahead of her, and she needs to return some calls to people who want to book the tearoom for an upcoming event.

The tea salon is becoming popular with wedding planners who like to recommend the space for bridal luncheons or small engagement parties. Connie’s designed a paper tea packet that brides can customize with their name and wedding date. She can add a quote about love or marriage, or put a title like “Love Is Brewing” or “The Perfect Blend.” It’s a simple thing that adds a personal touch, and when tied with a satin ribbon looks as professional as the ones that cost an arm and a leg.

Connie pulls the dandelions up by the roots, tossing them into the growing pile next to her. She knows Serena will eat them, the flowers and leaves, at least, and it would be so much easier to let her roam free and help keep the weeds in check. The only problem is that Serena won’t restrict herself to the weeds, instead going for anything green and edible. Madeline doesn’t want her to bother patrons or create a problem for the neighbors. In short, it’s this or nothing.

Connie glances at the goat. Serena looks conked out even though it’s too early in the day for her to be tired. She wishes there was more space for Serena in the pen, but since they converted the backyard for additional seating and a small lounging area for customers, it’s not possible. Connie can hear Madeline remind her that the property’s not set up for livestock, and that there could be a zoning issue, too.

“Have you asked around yet?” she’ll ask casually. It’s not nagging exactly but Madeline’s not giving it up, either. The thought that Serena might no longer be a part of her life is unbearable, but Connie doesn’t want Madeline or Walter Lassiter getting involved, so she finally sat down and printed out copies of her missing goat sign.

“Leave some in the tea salon,” Madeline suggested yesterday. “In case anyone wants to put it up in their place of business, too. The more people who see it, the better.”

So Connie had reluctantly left a pile on one of the tables in the entryway along with their take-out menu and business cards. So far no one’s taken any. She’s counted them out, twenty in all, and each time she goes by, she counts them again. Still twenty. She feels encouraged each time she sees the small stack, knows Madeline can’t say she isn’t trying to get the word out.

“So what’s wrong with your goat?”

Connie looks up and sees Walter Lassiter peering over the top of the fence. He gives a nod toward Serena, who ignores them both.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Connie says as she digs out some crabgrass. “She’s just tired.

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