by Tanya Vought
“Anne, sorry I laughed, but it was because of the Big Ben Clock.” She blushes as she explains. “I think this is the perfect gift for my two best friends. Do you have any plaques here? I would love something inspirational for my home.” She glances around the shop.
“Why yes, my dear, I do.” Anne beams proudly at her. Anne is such a radiating woman with gray hair and lines across her eyes. Gracelynn thinks she has aged nicely and probably smiled a lot during her years. She hopes Anne’s radiating joy can renew her own spirit.
“My dear. Are you coming or are you going to be standing there looking at me all day?”
Gracie laughs. “Sorry, Anne. I was just in awe of how happy you are. It makes me remember when I used to be happy about life and things,” she tells the older woman.
Anne turns around to Gracelynn and holds her hand. “My dear, life is what we make it. You must believe all things happen for a reason. Reasons we may not know, but accept and choose whether to live or die with the obstacles that are in our path. Now, let’s go find you some plaques.”
Wow. Gracelynn is speechless. That sounds like something she would’ve said long ago to someone who would be down on life. She truly does need to live again and enjoy life before it passes her by. “Thank you so much. I needed to hear those words today.”
“You’re welcome.” The older woman’s eyes glow with happiness. “Ah ha, here we are. Are you looking for any particular saying or scene, or something maybe of both?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure. I just wanted something that, ah, I don’t know.”
Anne looks as if she understands. “I’ll leave you to it. If you need me I’ll be at the front of the store putting some items away.” She leaves Gracelynn alone.
Gracelynn notices many beautiful mountains, ponds, snow, couples and the like but nothing truly captures her attention. Still holding the Big Ben music box, she suddenly notices necklaces and bracelets lining the back wall. Right away, she notices a beautiful silver bracelet. Lots of blue beads wrap around the band with three intricate circles with the words faith, hope and love on them. Between the three beads are two magnificent charms. One is of a sparrow and the other an angel wing. It calls to her on some level she can’t explain, and she knows she has to purchase it.
As she walks to the register to pay for her items, she hears the most beautiful voice, like an angel’s. It makes her think of Angelo and even Giovanni. She takes a deep breath and breathes in and out.
“My dear, are you okay? You look as pale as a ghost,” Anne remarks.
“I heard some faint singing and it reminded me of some people I know,” Gracelynn tells her, gripping the music box and bracelet.
“I’m sorry I startled you, my dear. I love the holidays and singing Christmas songs. I was just coming to see how you were doing, and if you found anything.”
She shows Anne what she’s found. “Ah, I didn’t find any plaques, but I did find this amazing bracelet.”
Anne beams at her. “That’s one of my favorites. Good choice, my dear. Are you ready to check out?”
“Yes, thank you. Do you happen to know the time? I’m to meet a new friend at one.”
“My dear, it’s twelve forty-five, you have fifteen minutes to spare.”
Gracelynn waits for Anne to check out her items, when she notices the intricate wood work surrounding her. The counter is rich mahogany inlaid with hand carvings with a solid black granite top. She notices Anne placing her music box in a bag. “How much do I owe you, Anne?”
Anne smiles again, for the one hundredth time since meeting Gracelynn. “It’s on the house, my dear.”
Gracelynn gasps. “I can’t take these items without paying for them.”
“I own this shop and I want to do this for you,” she says. “I want them to be yours. You seem like a wonderful person and I want to do something nice for you; all I ask is for a small favor in return.” Gracelynn starts to sweat because when someone says they’ll do it for free and then you owe them a favor… that usually doesn’t end up well. She looks up at Anne and ponders the idea and hopes this seemingly-friendly woman wouldn’t have her do anything too crazy.
“Okay, Anne… what will it be? A donation of some kind, cleaning your shop, buying you coffee?” She smiles, hoping it might be one of those. She can handle any of those.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind the cleaning or buying me coffee, so maybe I’ll work those in there too,” Anne replies with a sparkle in her eyes.
“But that’s not originally what you had in mind?” Gracelynn starts to sound nervous.
“I would love for you to attend church with me next Sunday, if you’re still in town. I think you would like it and afterwards we could grab lunch and get that coffee that you so graciously offered me.” She chuckles. “If that’s not too much of a burden, your gifts are on the house.”
Gracelynn can handle that. “I haven’t been to church in a while, but I’d love to attend and then have lunch and coffee with you; I haven’t the slightest idea where the church is though.”
Anne laughs at her. “Oh honey, you can just meet me here at eight thirty on Sunday and then we can go together.”
Gracelynn grabs the bag which holds the music box and Anne stops her to gently put the bracelet around her wrist. “Now, you best get going or you’ll be late for your friend.” Gracelynn leaves the shop smiling, happier than she’s been in a long time.
Chapter 12
AS GRACELYNN WALKS BACK TO THE CAFÉ, she smiles at the beautiful town of New Hope, feeling full of energy and warmth despite the frigid air. Kat exits the café just as Gracelynn approaches, wearing a bright red coat, skinny jeans and brown stylish boots.
“Hi! How was your shift?” Gracelynn asks.
Kat shrugs her shoulders. “Eh, it was work. But I see you were able to do some shopping,” she says with a nod towards Gracelynn’s bag.
Gracelynn chuckles. “Actually, yes. I ran into Anne at Heaven Sent.”
Kat instantly looks down at her boots and then looks up at Gracelynn, her eyes shining bright with mischief. “If you don’t mind me asking, what did Anne find for you?”
“A Big Ben music box and… I found this beautiful bracelet.” She pulls up her sleeve to show her.
Kat looks at the bracelet. “Wow, that’s beautiful. Anne sure has some wonderful items in her shop. Now, let’s get you off to the salon.”
Gracelynn trails behind Kat to a small parking lot.
“I can drive you to the shop. We can leave your stuff here, if that’s okay?” the barista asks.
Gracelynn gazes around, enjoying the surroundings. “Sure, but can I bring my items with me? I don’t want to leave them in my car.”
“Sure, but you don’t need to be afraid. No one here steals or breaks into vehicles.” They continue to walk until Kat stops in front of an old, beat up, pick-up truck.
Gracelynn stops dead in her tracks and gasps at the vehicle.
“Don’t worry. My Sally can get us anywhere,” Kat reassures her.
Gracelynn smiles as she and Kat hop in the truck, although she’s not entirely convinced. As Kat drives them towards the salon, Gracelynn takes in the beauty of the snow, mountains, ponds and cozy-looking cabins.
“This town is gorgeous!” She gushes to her new friend while she looks at the latest cabin in awe. The tall windows and rich wood captivate her.
“Here we are,” Kat says as she stops the truck in front of the shop.
A two-story logged cabin sits in front of them. An old-fashioned door, with old style handles, a giant wrap-around porch and four wooden rockers showcase the front of this gorgeous place. “You sure we are at the right place?”
Kat nods. “Yes. Let’s get inside so you can be pampered.” She opens the door and Gracelynn follows her inside.
A woman with dark, coffee-colored eyes approaches them.
<
br /> “Welcome to my salon. I’m Mara. Kat called to tell me she’d be bringing a friend over who was in need of a makeover.” She holds out her hand and smiles at her.
Gracelynn shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mara, and yes I’m long overdue for a haircut.”
“Follow me and we can get you looking brand new.”
Deep orange walls accent the next room with large mirrors, and black frames showcase photos of various hairstyles. At the back is the most amazing looking window seat. Red, orange and brown pillows top the dark brown seat just below the three windows. On the furthest wall, nail polishes hang from a rack, showcasing every color she could imagine.
Mara stops in front of the hair washing station. “What would you like done to your hair today?”
“To be honest, I have no idea. Kat suggested I just go for a haircut though, and not have it colored.”
Mara washes and towel dries Gracelynn’s hair and then leads her to her work station.
“You have gorgeous hair, my dear. I think I know the perfect style. Do you trust me?”
Gracelynn takes a moment to stare at herself in the mirror. Everyone has always commented on her hair, but what style should she get for the next phase in her life? She looks down at her bracelet and thinks of Anne, knowing she needs to make a change.
“I will trust your judgment. I love your hairstyle and Kat’s, so what’s the worst that could happen?”
As Mara starts to cut her hair, Gracelynn remembers the last time she was in a beauty salon, on the day of her wedding. Angelo gasped when he saw her, telling her he loved her and that she was his angel. He told her she was the beauty of every breath he took and the only woman who had captured his heart. He gave her the most precious gift, which she still carried around, wrapped around her neck.
“Are you worried, Gracelynn?” Kat asks.
She nods yes.
“You’ll be fine. Mara will make you glamorous. Not one man around town will pass you by without a second glance.” Kat smirks and her eyes sparkle. “Not that they didn’t notice you before, but they certainly will after Mara is through with you.”
It takes a while, but after about a half hour, Mara is done with Gracelynn’s hair. “Are you ready to shock every man in this town?”
“Wait, Mara. Why don’t I do her makeup first?” Kat asks, sounding enthusiastic.
“How does that sound?”
”Sounds good to me,” Gracelynn says. “Make me as pretty as you are.”
Kat laughs, grabs some makeup and diligently works on Gracelynn’s face. She applies light foundation, taupe eye shadow, mascara, eye liner and nice light, pink lipstick on her lips. When she’s done, she smiles and beams with true happiness.
“I guess that means I’m all done and ready to be rocking the town?”
Kat lifts her eyebrows. “I don’t know about rocking, but I’m sure every man will be getting a rockin if you catch my drift.”
Gracelynn laughs. “Kat, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, but I grew up in a household full of men. What can I say? They rubbed off on me.”
They all laugh until Mara twirls Gracie around to look in the full-length mirror.
“What’s wrong, Gracie? I’m sorry if you don’t like it. I’m sure I can style it a different way if you don’t like it.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s gorgeous. I’ve never had my hair styled like this. It’s amazing.” Her hair is transformed into a medium-length cut with long jagged layers and bags swept off to the side of her face. It’s still long enough to put it up in a ponytail. It’s curled and looks amazing. And then the makeup… wow! She now looks alive, flirty and sexy. The eye shadow Kat applied makes her eyes pop out more than usual.
As she steps out of the chair and closer to the mirror, a flash alerts her. She turns around to look at Kat, who’s holding her phone up, using it as a camera. “Did you just take my picture? I mean I know I’m pretty and all but I doubt that I’m your type.” She laughs out loud when Kat’s face gets a shocked expression.
“No, I wasn’t taking your picture. But you’re right though, you’re not my type,” Kat says, catching on with the joke. “I prefer bald, big gut types of guys myself.”
Gracelynn’s mouth drops open.
“Oh my God, I’m just teasing,” Kat says. “I like my men tall, dark and handsome, maybe with a tattoo and a bit of bad boy dominance, but hiding a teddy bear heart. I don’t have a boyfriend yet though, but I can always hope and dream about them in the wonderful fabulous books I read.”
“Oh no, not you too! I love my sexy book boyfriends. I can’t wait until we can chat over them. What about Gabriel, Christian or …” Gracelynn starts rambling off names of characters from the books she’s read.
“I want to be honest though,” Kat interrupted. “Yes, I did take your photo.”
“I knew it. Why?”
“Well…I wanted to take a before and after photo and send it to you. I wanted to show you how beautiful you are, whether dolled up or not,” Kat confesses.
Oh God. Even thinking about the before photo horrifies Gracelynn. She knows she looked way better now than she had in the last three years, of that she’s certain.
“Do I want to see the before photo?”
“You were beautiful before, but this look is fabulous on you. I can see you love it too.”
“Okay, girls,” Mara interrupts their conversation. ”You’re a complete knock out, Gracelynn. Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Gracelynn barely knows these ladies, but she feels she can trust them and could easily call them kindred spirits, as Anne of Green Gables would say.
“I would love to, Mara.” She can’t believe how happy these two ladies made her today. For the first time in a really long time she’s feeling blessed.
“Okay, let me clean up the mess here first and then we can leave.”
“Wait, let me pay you for the makeover. How much is everything?” Gracie asks.
“That will be fifteen dollars,” Mara replies as she sweeps up Gracelynn’s hair from the floor.
Gracelynn frowns – the price is way lower than she expected. Once Mara is done, she follows the shopkeeper to the counter. “I may have given you a discount,” Mara says with a wink. “Any friend of Kat’s is a friend of mine.”
Gracelynn smiles, amazed by the kindness in this town. “Thanks for giving me a discount. But know that, wherever we go for dinner, it’ll be my treat.”
“That sounds good to me. I just want to give you a head’s up that I’ll now order the most expensive dinner on the menu,” Kat says behind them.
“Kat, grow up for once. Your crazy personality will get the best of you one of these days.” Mara lightly hits her arm while she walks around her to place garbage in the trashcan.
Mara looks at Gracelynn. “You’ll have to excuse her. She must’ve been dropped on her head when she was a child.”
Gracie laughs as she watches these two best friends.
“I can certainly see that.”
Kat laughs with a devilish look in her eyes.
“It’ll be a few more minutes,” Mara lets them know while she continues to straighten up.
Kat looks down at the wooden floor. “I’ll be right back. I need to use the rest room.”
Gracelynn watches her leave and has a suspicion that Kat is up to no good.
Chapter 13
GIO THROWS HIS PEN DOWN on his sleek glass desk top. He glares down at his scattered documents, unable to concentrate. That damn woman has taken over his entire brain. Never has he let a woman take hold of him like this. Not even Lizzie ever got to him this way.
He turns in his smooth, black chair, looking out the large window in his office in hopes to clear his head. His phone chirps behind him, which agitates him. He grunts and swivels his chair around
. Glancing at his phone, he notices it’s a photo message of Gracelynn smiling radiantly in Mara’s shop. She’s smoking hot and he can’t keep his eyes off her. Another ding from his phone, signaling a message from Kat, makes him turn away from the amazing photo.
Kat: Hey bro! Check out Gracelynn. Doesn’t she look even hotter with the makeover? We’re going for dinner. You should stop by and say hi.
Damn, Gracelynn looks fine. She looks better than fine and something below agrees with him. Down boy.
Gio: Hi sis. What time and where are you going?
His palms sweat. Goodbye Mr. Confident. He can’t believe that his sister… well, the woman he thought was his sister, is up to no good. Instantly his phone lights up again.
Kat: We’re leaving in fifteen minutes tops and going to Sal’s Pizza Palace. Can you make it?
Hell, can he make it? He’ll make it, no matter what it takes.
His fingers can’t hit the keys fast enough. Not only does he want to go, but Sal’s Pizza Palace is his favorite restaurant as well.
Gio: Yes, I can make it. Thanks for the invite!
* * *
“Why don’t we take Gracelynn to our fabulous Sal’s Pizza Palace, Mara? I think she’ll love Sal’s pizza.”
Mara nods her head. “Sounds good to me. I hope you like pizza, Gracelynn, since it looks like Kat here already decided for us.”
“Oh yes, I love it! Pizza and fries together are my favorite.” Just thinking about greasy cheese and tomato sauce makes her mouth water. “Can we go now? I’m starving for this famous Sal’s pizza.”
* * *
Gracelynn is shocked when they arrive at the small bistro-styled pizzeria. It was not what she pictured. A large, brick oven for pizzas immediately catches her eye. Italian music fills the air as she takes in her surroundings. Red brick fills the top portion of the walls, showcasing pictures of famous people all over the world. About twenty tables fill the room along with a small bar and kid section, which she notices right away from the cute sign, ‘Children are welcome to graffiti our walls.’ In that section there’s a chalkboard wall to allow children to draw while their food is being prepared. Gracelynn loves it and finds it a fabulous idea to keep children calm while they wait with their parents. Everything in the town is too good to be true… right out of a fairy tale.