Shoved (Moonlit Lake Matchmaker #4)

Chapter 12

SERENA

Between wreaths, garlands, holiday centerpieces and arrangements, my shop smelled like a pine forest. I breathed it in with a contented sigh. Christmas music played softly in the background. Since the tree lighting, business had picked up. That event seemed to get everyone into the holiday spirit, including myself. And I couldn’t be happier.

Wearing my elf hat, I hummed along to the music as I clipped and arranged the branches to put in a pot for an outdoor planter. Then added gold embellishments, bows, and a string of white lights with a battery pack. I hung a price tag on it and set it outside my door. I turned the pot to showcase its best side and stood back to look at it.

A young man approached me from the sidewalk. “Serena Reed?”

“Yes.”

He handed me an envelope. “You’ve been served.” He lifted his phone and snapped a picture of me holding the envelope then walked away.

I stood in shock, staring at the envelope in my hands. The paper practically burned my hands, making me want to drop it on the step. What could this be about?

There were customers inside that I needed to attend, so I set the envelope aside. Whatever it was, could wait until later. After checking out my last customer for the day, I turned my sign to CLOSED. The envelope still called to me, like a Christmas ghost, and I wondered if this was a ghost of past, present or future. As much as I wanted to ignore the letter and pretend it didn’t exist, I had to know.

My hands shook as I ripped it open. I pulled out the paper and had to grip the counter to keep from falling over. My chest tightened and I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred and everything became fuzzy.

I didn’t even hear the door jingle, but someone wrapped their arms around me and guided me to sit on the floor.

“Breathe, Serena. Inhale. Exhale. That’s it.” Tillie’s soft voice brought me back to the present. She waved some kind of scent under my nose. “Keep breathing. Everything will be okay.”

I shook my head. “You don’t know that.” Now that I’d gotten through the shock and panic, tears poured down my face. “They want to take my baby.”

“Who does, dear?”

“S-s-Sadie’s g-g-grandparents. They’ve never even met her. Or me either, for that matter.”

“I see.” Tillie rubbed my back to calm my nerves.

“Why would they do this, Tillie? Why would they try to take her away from me?” Sniffling, I wiped my face with the back of my hand.

Tillie didn’t say anything but continued rubbing my back as I processed the information and worked through the shock.

“How did they even find us?” My voice cracked. “And why now, after all this time?” The shock made my entire body tremble from the inside out. Like a leaf in the wind.

All these years, it had just been me and Sadie. My mom helped out when she could. But I’d created a stable life for us. All on my own. For me and Sadie.

And now some strangers who claimed to be family thought they could swoop in and steal that away from us?

I think not.

Our house, my business, this town that had become so dear to us—none of that mattered. I’d give it all up in a heartbeat to keep Sadie safe.

I wouldn’t let them take my little Sweetpea from me. No way.

Tillie handed me a tissue. My hand shook as I accepted it from her. I blew my nose and tried to compose myself, but my mind continued to buzz like a swarm of angry bees and my nerves were strung tight as florist’s wire.

“Can they really do this, Tillie?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice was calm and soothing. “But I know who can help you figure it out.”

“Who?”

“Storm. He’s a brilliant attorney, and his office is right next door. I’m sure he’ll figure out a way to work this out.”

“I can’t lose Sadie. She’s everything to me. Maybe I should just pack up and hide her away where they can’t find her.”

“That’s no way to live. And wouldn’t be good for either of you.” She pulled a another small bottle from her pocket and removed the cap. “Smell this. It will make you feel better.”

I breathed in the soothing scents of lavender, lemon balm, vanilla, cedar and citrus. I closed my eyes and took a couple more deep breaths. My breathing slowed, and I was able to pull myself together.

“Thanks, Tillie.” Grabbing the edge of the counter, I hoisted myself back onto my feet, with Tillie right by my side. “I suppose you’re right about running away. If they tracked us down here, they’d probably find us somewhere else, too.”

She put her hand on mine and caught my gaze. “Go talk to Storm. He’ll know what to do. I promise you, he won’t let you lose your daughter.”

My shoulders slumped forward. Storm was the last person I wanted to ask for help, but I was desperate and didn’t have any better ideas. And I trusted Tillie. “Do you really think he can help? Would he even want to? I’ve yet to see the man even crack a smile. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of him so many times, yet he still wears a perpetual scowl.”

“Wouldn’t you rather have a lawyer who was serious and a little scary fighting for you, than one who was a happy-go-lucky?”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right. I bet he would be fearsome in court.”

“I’ve heard his record is incredible, nearly unbeaten in over five years.” She paused for a moment. “Even though he is serious by nature, and comes off as grouchy at times, he’s a good man. I promise you that. You can trust him.”

“Alright. I’ll go talk to him. He is the only lawyer in town, and I desperately need help.”

Tillie pulled me in for a hug and patted my back in reassurance. “It’ll all work out as it’s meant to. You’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right. Wish I could be as optimistic as you.” I folded the letter and stuffed into my purse, then began tidying up the shop to close. “It makes me nauseous just thinking about what could happen if it doesn’t go my way.”

Tillie leaned her back against the counter and crossed her arms as she watched me clean up and prepare for the next day. Or pretend to. Truth is, I wandered around in a haze, moving things, half cleaning, forgetting tasks before I even started them.

My distress must have been obvious because she said, “Before you make yourself sick with worry, talk to Storm and find out if they even have a case. It could all be nothing.”

“You’re right. I’ll go talk to him as soon as I’m done here. Thanks, Tillie.” My body vibrated with anger and fear. I couldn’t even think straight. Turning in circles, I picked up my broom to clean up but set it back down. I went to the back room but forgot what I went there for. “Good grief, I don’t even know what I’m doing.” I returned to the front where Tillie waited for me. She put her hand on my shoulder and helped to calm me once again.

“Breathe, Serena. It will all work out as it is meant to.”

I did as she suggested, then looked over at her. “Was there something you needed here today, Tillie? Surely, you didn’t come to the store just to help me.”

“To be honest, that’s exactly why I’m here. I was walking down the street and had a feeling you needed me.”

I’d been told Tillie had some mad intuitive skills, but I’d never seen them in action. Maybe I should listen to her. I certainly didn’t have any better ideas.

“Does your intuition tell you this will all be fine?” I asked, ready to cling to any thread of hope I could find.

“Yes, I believe it will. But it’s mostly telling me you need to get Storm on the case.” She said very matter-of-factly, then looked around the shop. “Where is that little ray of sunshine of yours? Is Sadie with your mom?”

“She’s at daycare.” I glanced up at the clock. “Ohmigosh. I need to get going. It’s time to pick her up.” I rushed around turning off the lights and donned my coat.

“Slow down.” Tillie held a hand up to stop me. “Can you call your mom to see if she can pick Sadie up today? So you can talk to Storm? You’ll be up all night worrying, if you don’t.”

“Good point. I’ll give her a call.”

I called Mom and was lucky enough to catch her on her way out the door. When I asked if she could grab Sadie for me, she said, “Oh, sure. I’d be happy to pick her up and take her grocery shopping with me. We’ll pick up something for supper and have it ready when you’re done.”

“Sure, that sounds great. Thanks Mom, you’re a lifesaver.”

With that taken care of, I sank against the counter with my head in my hands.

Okay, Serena, take a breath. You’ve got this.

Tillie was at my side again. With her hand on my back, I felt an infusion of strength move through me. “Grab your keys and your purse. Let’s close up shop. I’ll walk you over to Storm’s office. He just moved in next door to you. Did you know that? Isn’t that serendipitous? See, things are already looking up.”

Leaning into Tillie, we walked next door, arm in arm. I hoped a little of her optimism would rub off on me. Normally, I was the eternal optimist and others came to me for a dose of hope. But my hope went up in flames as soon as I opened that envelope. My optimism reduced to a little pile of ash.

Tillie pushed the door open and walked in with me. Probably to make sure I followed through and didn’t turn around and flee as soon as she left my side. Which I actually might have done.

Lulu rushed over with her tail wagging, excited to have visitors. She was quite the office mascot.

Storm must have heard the commotion and emerged from a door across the lobby to our left, which I assumed to be his office. He stopped in the middle of the room and crossed his arms. His stony scowl didn’t so much as twitch. And his royal rudeness didn’t even say hello.

Tillie reached down to pet Lulu. “Storm. Glad we caught you. Serena, here, needs to talk to you.” She smiled and patted me on my cheek, like I was a child who needed encouragement. “Storm will take good care of you. Won’t you Storm? Everything is working out.” She walked out the door, leaving me standing in front of the grump all by myself.

Storm glanced out the window, watching Tillie go. “Hmph. What was that all about? I rarely understand what Tillie is thinking, but she always has a purpose.”

“Tillie, uh, thought I should come talk to you.” I felt like a bumbling idiot without a coherent thought.

“I gathered that. What does she want us to talk about? I don’t have time for small talk.” His tone was a short and clipped.

His churlishness was not what I needed right now. I closed my eyes and shook my head. “This was a mistake.” I turned toward the door to make my escape.

As I started to open it, a large hand pushed it back shut. I fought the tears welling in my eyes, praying they didn’t fall in front of him.

“What’s going on, Serena?”

I looked up at him, and the concern I saw in his eyes broke my resolve, along with the gates holding back my tears. I ducked my head and wiped my face with my gloved hand. Then I pictured my sweet girl, the reason I was here, and mustered every ounce of courage I had to stand tall and face him.

“I need your help.”