The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane (Life in Icicle Falls) by Sheila Roberts Page B

seeing her lose her balance trying to grab it and nearly landing on the carousel herself, Bailey’s former seatmate came to the rescue and pulled it off. Not an easy feat, considering how big it was and how much she’d crammed into it. He then reminded her...if she needed anything.
    She thanked him and hurried off before he could offer to escort her and her suitcase and carry-ons to her car. Where were Sammy and Cec?
    She was about to call when she spotted them. She waved, and they came running to hug her. Oh, those hugs felt good.
    “Welcome home,” Samantha said.
    “I’m so glad to see you guys!” When a girl felt beaten down, there was nothing like family to help her get back on her feet.
    “We’re glad to see you, too,” Cecily told her.
    “Mom’s home putting the finishing touches on dinner, and we’re under strict orders not to get sidetracked shopping in Seattle,” Samantha added, “so let’s get out of here.”
    Great idea. She could see her pal from the plane approaching. She gave him a little wave and started for the parking garage at a quick clip.
    “Don’t tell me. Let me guess,” Samantha said. “You picked up a friend.”
    “Actually, I thought he’d be perfect for Mom,” Bailey began.
    “Don’t be matching Mom up,” Samantha said sternly. “She’s not ready for another man.”
    “I think she is,” Bailey insisted. After what Samantha had gone through cleaning up the business mess left behind by their mother’s last husband, Bailey understood her sister’s reluctance to see their mother find a replacement. Still, Mom deserved to be happy. “What do you think?” she asked Cecily. Cec had been a matchmaker. When it came to love, she was an expert. Well, except for when it came to herself. Why her sister was still single was a mystery to Bailey.
    “I think it’s really good to have you back,” Cecily said diplomatically.
    “And just in time,” Samantha put in. “We could use help in the office.”
    The office? Was she serious? “I can’t type. Remember?” Bailey reminded her. “Anyway, I don’t know if I want to work in the office.” That probably sounded ungrateful. After all, Samantha had paid for her ticket home. And Sweet Dreams Chocolates was the family business.
    They were at Samantha’s car now. She turned and stared at Bailey as if she’d announced she was going to run off and join a cult.
    Bailey’s face sizzled, and she hung her head. She was a terrible ingrate. But she still didn’t want to work in the Sweet Dreams office.
    Samantha opened the trunk and deposited Bailey’s suitcase. “Okay,” she said slowly. “What do you want to do?”
    Be a caterer. But after what had happened, she was finished with that. “I don’t know,” she admitted.
    “You’ve got to do something,” Samantha said.
    “You’ll think of something.” Cecily gave Bailey another reassuring hug. “You just need some time to find your feet.”
    Yeah. So there. Gosh, Sammy could be so bossy sometimes.
    “You will,” Samantha agreed. “And whatever you need, we’re there for you.”
    “I’ve got what I need—you guys,” Bailey said, forgetting her momentary irritation and looking gratefully at her sisters. Even though her older sister was bossy, there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family. And Cecily was always so supportive and sweet. Bailey was lucky to have them both.
    Her sisters spent the ride back home filling her in on everything that had been going on in Icicle Falls.
    “Bill Will has a new girlfriend,” Cecily told her.
    “Oh, who?” Bailey asked. Billy Williams, affectionately known as Bill Will, was one of the town’s characters. He worked on a nearby guest ranch and spent a lot of time hanging out at Zelda’s or The Red Barn. Everyone liked Bill Will, but he wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box, so he often got passed over in favor of smarter men.
    “Ashley Armstrong,” Samantha said in disgust.
    “Hey, I hear she’s finally getting