Page 18 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Babs raises a brow. “Then why won’t you go out with anyone we try to set you up with?”

When I sputter, unable to come up with a response, she smiles. “Exactly. Go on upstairs and find an old card, or a piece of jewelry.”

The only thing that comes to mind is the engagement ring still sitting in my top drawer. I really should get rid of that; maybe pawn it and use the money to buy myself some more fall decorations. I smile just imagining all the sweet things I could buy: pumpkins and scented candles. Or pumpkin-scented candles! And one of those pillows that reads, Happy fall, y’all, and a really expensive deep orange knit blanket, the kind you can curl up with on a cool day with a good book and a spiced cinnamon latte.

Or I could just pay myself. Something I haven’t done in months because I’ve got all this stock and a bunch of women waxing on about candles rather than the books I desperately need to sell.

“We’ve lost her again,” my mother says.

A familiar chuckle makes my head turn. When I see Monty watching me with amusement, I let out a frustrated huff.

“Okay, enough about me. Let’s talk books!”

***

“Don’t forget your homework!” Babs calls on her way out.

Ignoring her comment, I shut the door and fall against it with a groan as the last of the Liberty Ladies depart, along with my mother, for a game of cards.

The only people left in the room are Eli and Monty, who are standing, deep in conversation, by the dessert table, and Tally and Rosie, who are whispering conspiratorially to each other—probably about my humiliation.

“Want us to help you put the shelves back?” Monty asks when he catches me looking around the store.

“I can do it after you all leave.”

“Don’t be silly,” Eli says. “We’ll have it all cleaned up real quick.”

My sister nods. “Let me just run out to the truck and then I’ll help.”

I watch her disappear out the door as I go to grab containers to put the rest of the desserts in.

“She’s acting weird, right?” I say to Rosie when I hand her Tupperware to help.

She nods. “Most definitely.”

Tally reappears and we finish cleaning up. When I offer to help Tally bring the desserts out to the truck, she shakes her head. “That’s not necessary, I can carry it.”

She stacks the containers on top of one another but they don’t stand a chance. The tower of treats begins to tip, and Eli runs over to save them before everything clatters to the floor.

“Okay, what’s up with you?” I glance out the door but can’t see anything on the darkened street. “What are you hiding in the truck?”

Tally lets out a sigh. “You’re going to find out anyway. Might as well come see for yourself.”

The five of us shuffle out and I am dumbstruck by what greets us.

“Is that…” Eli starts. “A cow in the back of the truck?”

“Oh my God! Is it one of the mini ones?” Rosie coos. “Hello, little baby.”

The furry animal’s head pops up from the bed of Walker’s truck and gives a long mooooo. It’s about the size of a small golden retriever with white and copper fur that sticks out in all different directions. It is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a mini Highland cow,” Tally says with a grin. “I bought her for my cowboy.”

“You bought Walker a cow?” I ask with a laugh.

“Yes, how can he be a cowboy without a cow? It’s like a mailman without mail, a baker without cakes, a—”

“How did Walker react to the cow?” Rosie asks, and Tally bites her lip.