While He Built Her Home novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: Sparkling Cider

Valerie's POV

Linen & Lamp reopened on Saturday at ten in the morning.

By eleven we had sold out of the brass sconces.

Phoebe ran the register and told every customer the story of the walnut wall.

Clayton stood by the door in a clean shirt, not pretending to work, and watched the street.

I had bought a tray of lemon cookies.

I ate four at the counter because they were the only thing my stomach would take.

A woman from the neighborhood hugged me.

"I'm so happy for you, honey," she said. "The new place is just beautiful."

"Thank you for coming."

"And what a week! Jared is such a good man, giving his time like that."

I smiled until my face hurt.

At eleven-thirty the bell rang.

Brynn walked in with Jared on her arm and a bottle of champagne in her hand.

She had on the navy dress.

The same one.

Customers turned to look, because half of them had seen the photo.

"Everybody!" she called. "Everyone, can I have a quick moment?"

Phoebe said under her breath, "I could drop a lamp."

"Don't."

Brynn held up the bottle like a trophy.

"This is my oldest friend, Valerie Blakely," she said.

"She built this whole place from a tiny shop on Alder Street with nothing but taste and stubbornness."

Everyone clapped.

"I'm so proud of her," Brynn said.

"And so grateful that she shared her husband this week. Who else would do that?"

The room made a soft, warm sound.

Keep reading free with an account. Start While He Built Her Home from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.