Page 13 of Must Love Fallen Angels
She took the menu and disappeared into the kitchen.Tessa took a sip of the ice-cold drink and picked up her book.As she waited for her food, several people stopped by to welcome her to town and offer suggestions on pie choices for dessert.
When Tia brought her food, she stayed nearby, chatting about the town and weather, offering an easy warmth that didn’t feel probing.Tia wasn’t trying to figure Tessa out; she was just being kind.And that kind of casual kindness was like oxygen to her starving soul.
It had been far too long since anyone had been kind to her for no reason other than they were nice.But so far, everyone she met in Sable Cove had been kind, and that seemed like a really rare thing.
When the meal was finished, she called Tia over.
“Everything was delicious, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, hon.Can I get you a piece of pie?I know everyone offered you suggestions, but the peanut butter chocolate pie is the best.”
“Did you make it?”she asked.
“Heck yeah.I make all the desserts.Tyce cooks, and I bake.”
“I’ll take a piece.It sounds awesome.”
She stood and closed her book, tucking a generous tip under the edge of the plate even though the meal had been free.Tia handed her a boxed piece of pie in a plastic bag with handles.
“You come see us anytime, hon.Take care.”
“Thanks, Tia.”
Tessa hung the bag from the handlebars and climbed on the bike, taking the long way around town to the cottage and letting the sun warm her skin.
She stopped at the greenhouse next to the lighthouse and met Zia, the fairy mate of the merman lighthouse keeper.A small cat named Flora was wandering the rows of plants in the greenhouse and mewed at Tessa when she knocked on the open door.
“I was looking for something to brighten up the cottage,” Tessa said after Zia invited her to wander the rows and shelves of plants.
“Flower or plant?”Zia asked.
Tessa hummed.“I don’t know, actually.Something that I won’t kill with my brown thumb.”
Zia chuckled.She joined Tessa near the succulents and gave her a long, quiet look.Then she reached for one of the shelves and lifted a green spiky plant in a terra cotta pot and handed it to Tessa.“This is aloe vera.It’s easy to keep alive, just let it dry fully before you water it and keep it out of direct sunlight.”
“It’s pretty.”
“It symbolizes healing and fresh starts.”
Tessa looked at her curiously.“What makes you think I’m looking for a fresh start?”
Zia smiled sheepishly.“This is a small town, and you’re the topic of a good bit of gossip.It’s not a leap to think you came here to start over.”
“I suppose not.”
“The gossip will die down soon enough, don’t worry.Sable Cove is the nicest town, and I just know you’ll fit right in.”
“How much do I owe you for the plant?”
“It’s on the house.Welcome to town.”
Sable Cove really was a nice town.Who knew a random choice based on cute pictures on a rental site would bring her to meet so many kind people?
“Thank you so much, Zia.”
She handed a business card over.“If you need anything, just call.We’re neighbors, after all.”
“I will.Take care.”
