Page 49 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“Oh,” Molly said again through her mouthful.

Callie frowned. “You don’t like Mini?”

Gwen shook her head. “We love Mini. She’s practically our aunt. She’s just a pain in the ass—especially about this whole tea thing.” Gwen groaned and massaged her temples. “What was I thinking when I told Mom I would do this for her?” She rolled her eyes. “One Tuesday night once a year didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but now… I don’t want to die of boredom before I meet this baby.”

Callie bit into her own square of heaven. “So, you’re having a tea party?”

“Unfortunately, sort of. In two weeks from tomorrow.”

“A bunch of the hoity-toities get together and gossip for the sake of the town, of course,” Molly said.

Gwen plucked up a chocolate chip from the corner of her brownie. “They do plan a lot of stuff—the Fall Festival and November’s Turkey Trot, the Fourth of July parade and Christmas stuff. Plus the annual Founders Day event. It just sucks because Mini gets very particular about how the tea should go—really bossy. Then add Leah to the mix…” Gwen ate more of her snack. “I’d love to shake it up a little. Make it fun.”

“I can bake some cool desserts—stuff that’s extra gooey and caramelly. They’ll be so busy chewing they won’t be able to talk.”

Callie laughed. “What about hosting one of those wine and design events but instead of the wine you have tea?”

Gwen sat up, clearly intrigued. “Keep going. Tell me more.”

“Well, that’s it. Usually you paint a picture and have a glass of wine.” Callie shrugged. “You could do that.”

Gwen’s shoulders slumped again. “That sounds great, but I don’t know how to paint. Do you?” She looked at Callie with such hope. “You’re an artist. You can paint, right?”

Callie shook her head. “Paint’s not my medium.”

Gwen shoved the rest of her brownie in her mouth. “That’s the wrong answer.”

Callie smiled. “How many ladies are you hosting?”

“Seven. Ten at the most. Five if I get really, really lucky.”

Callie glanced from Molly to Gwen as she contemplated whether or not she wanted to get involved. If she did, she would officially be putting herself out there—not as Molly’s employee but as Callie Davis the stained glass artist. People on the island knew who she was, yet they left her alone. What if that changed? Sighing, she looked at Gwen and Molly again—Nate’s sisters who’d been nothing but welcoming and kind. “I could do a small stained glass project with everyone—like a candleholder or a suncatcher. We’ll keep it simple—probably three or four pieces they can solder together and take home.”

Gwen’s eyes grew wide as she beamed and threw her arms around Callie. “You get to be my new best friend—a girl who knows how to make my brother mad and save my butt.”

Callie returned Gwen’s embrace, loving the way the Carters were so free with their affection.

“This is great.” Gwen sat up with much more energy. “So, Molly, you’ll do desserts, and Callie, you’re going to provide the entertainment?”

“Yup,” Molly said.

“And you’ll both host with me and never leave my side—not even for one second?”

Callie grinned. “We’ll be stuck like glue.”

“Well.” Gwen stood and pushed in her stool. “Today I’ll be the branch manager with a little extra pep in her step.” She moved to the coatrack. “I have to get back to the mountains of paperwork on my desk, but we’ll talk tonight. You’re coming to the bonfire if the weather decides to cooperate?” She looked at Callie as she put on her jacket.

“I’ll be there.”

“Perfect. Molly, make us something sinful. Baby wants you to.”

Molly rolled her eyes. “That line is getting old.”

She grabbed her umbrella. “Are you going to make Baby something sinful?”

Molly grinned. “Yes.”

“Then it still works.” Gwen made two smoochie sounds at them and left.