47. Marnie

Something shifts after the camping trip. It’s like a personal test I needed to put myself through. Like I needed to try the lifestyle on for size. Turns out, it fits.

I can picture myself living out here, but it’s still going to take some getting used to. For one thing, everyone knows everyone in this town.

At some point, I’m sure the surprise will wear off.

I’ll stop saying things like, “Oh my gosh, do you know so-and-so?”

It’s like that game six degrees to Kevin Bacon. Except in Silver Bend, there is one degree. And it includes everybody.

My next bride is a sweet brunette with a very defined girl-next-door aesthetic. She’s a friend of Reese’s. And her groom is a classmate of the guys.

Tate and Mason.

Sweet as apple pie.

Mason saw RayAnne’s cake on Instagram and requested fresh flowers on her cake as well. Although instead of wildflowers, she wanted daisies.

So, I immediately liked her.

And while I was talking to Mason and her mother, I learned that there is a florist in the next town over, Clark, who went to school with my mom. I need to source flowers from somewhere, and I still have unanswered questions about my mom. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.

I sit outside the floral shop, feeling doubt bloom inside me.

This all started because I wanted to know more about my mom’s life in Silver Bend. If I can understand why she hated it so much, I thought it would help me understand my relationship to the town. But now I’m starting to wonder if I want to know. I’m just starting to fall in love with the Silver Bend, with the low key flow. What happens if I uncover some dark secret that poisons me against everyone?

There are feelings I’m afraid to explore. Feelings towards Dusty, towards staying in Silver Bend with him. I don’t want to explore those thoughts, because at heart, I am deeply pragmatic and I’m not so sure this little dream can survive my usual raking over.

I’ve never fallen for someone like this. It feels incredible. I’m not so sure I’m ready for the dream to be over.

But I am still parked outside the shop and after a while, that florist is going to notice me. Taking a deep breath, I climb out of the car and walk inside.

The scent of fresh flowers, of roses and eucalyptus, immediately surrounds me.

Glenna Henry, the florist, looks up from an invoice and smiles. “Welcome in.”

“Thank you. I’m Marnie Black. I sent you an email?”

“Oh, right.”

She sets her invoice aside. “Daisies, was it?”

She glides back into the shop, emerging a short time later with an armful of daisies. She lays them out on the counter. Big, cheerful ones with yellow centers. Demure button-sized daisies. Vivid flashy hot pink and blue daisies.

I point at the button-sized bunch. “Probably these. And maybe a few of the big ones.”

Glenna nods, pulling out an order form.

Violin music filters in from the back room, filling the sunlit storefront.

She smiles at me. “My grandson, Maddox. He’s from Silver Bend too, but he takes violin lessons here in Clark. Just down the street.”

We pause and listen. I close my eyes and smile. “He’s so talented.”

“Thank you.”

She smiles with pride. “I’m actually doing the flowers for Mason’s wedding. Would you like to see what else we’ve ordered? I could throw in some extras to match the rest of her bouquets.”

“That would be fantastic. Mason’s mom mentioned that you knew my uncle.”

Glenna looks up, tilting her head. “Who’s that?”

“Gus Novak.”

“Oh, Gus!”

Glenna lights up. “Sweet man. His sister and I were on the cheerleading squad together.”

“Naomi. That’s my mother.”

She pauses, studying my face. “Of course. You look just like her.”

“Thank you. Most people have been telling me I look like my uncle.”

Glenna grins. “Your mother. Hands down. I was so sorry to hear that she passed away. God always takes the good ones early.”

These platitudes are a pet-peeve of mine, but this time, it’s coming from a genuine place. This woman actually knew my mother.

She pauses, pen hovering over her paper. “Naomi was such a beautiful girl. So upbeat and kind. Silver Bend’s sweetheart. I always thought it was such a shame she left and never came back. But broken hearts will do that to you.”

“Broken heart?”

I try to keep my voice light. “Over a boy?”

“I think it was more than that.”

She winces, studying my face. “I really shouldn’t spread stories. Forget I said anything.”

Not fucking likely. I’m about to press when Maddox comes in from the back room. He looks to be about sixteen years old. Lanky, with his grandmother’s warm, brown eyes. Glenna’s expression softens when she sees him. “Maddox. This is Marnie Black. Her mother was a classmate of mine.”

Maddox looks at me, smiling shyly. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too, Maddox. I could hear you practicing. You sound amazing.”

“Thanks.”

He smiles, turning to look at his grandma.

She glances at me. “I need to drive Maddox to his lesson. Would you call me if you think of anything else you need?”

I want to keep her in place, to grill her. But I smile and back off. “You bet, Glenna. Thanks for your help.”