“I’m happy you’re finally out of that dark basement. I can practically see the color returning to your face,” she said.

“I’m hardly down there,” I insisted, even though I knew for a fact that yesterday, I only came up to the main floor once to down a slice of pizza Giles had picked up.

“Any leads?” Mattie asked, setting back down the crystal and moving on to a collection of pink ones.

“Not really,” I sighed, deflated. “Hardly anyone is hiring.”

“Something will happen eventually. It hasn’t even been a week.” Mattie offered me a sympathetic smile. “At least you’re here and not stuck in your condo in Atlanta. I’m so happy I get to finally show you around and spend time with you. It seriously feels like it’s been ages.”

“It has been too long.” Guilt crept into my voice.

Mattie had offered to buy me a plane ticket out here a number of times, but I’d always had an excuse not to come. And all of those excuses revolved around being busy with something or other at work. It was strange to think back on it. What had I thought was so important that I couldn’t take time off? Clearly, I was wrong because they had let me go without a second thought. They didn’t even ask me any questions about the projects that were on my plate—the same ones I thought were so vital—as I was on my way out the door. I had let them run my life, and to them, I was completely expendable.

“I’m glad I’m here too,” I admitted. “But it’s still weird to see you so at home here.”

“Really?” Mattie scrunched her nose. “I’m so used to it by now.”

“You’re different here,” I concluded. My sister had this glow about her that she’d never had before. The glow of being utterly content and happy. This town—and Giles—had brought this newfound life into her eyes that she hadn’t had before.

“Different good?” she asked.

“Very good.”

Her expression softened. “I hope some of that can rub off on you too. I know you’re only here for now, but enjoy it.”

“I am,” I said, holding up a charcoal-gray crystal as if to prove my point.

“No, I mean really enjoy it. More than just trekking out once in a blue moon because I practically begged you.”

“You didn’t beg me,” I said.

We continued shuffling through the shelves, reading about the different crystals.

“I saw Oliver yesterday,” she offered casually.

“Oh?” I said, feigning indifference.

“Uh-huh. He asked about you.”

“He did not.” I set down the crystal I was examining and moved to the other side of the shop.

“He really did.” Mattie followed me. “I ran into him at the lodge. He asked how you were doing.”

“He was being polite,” I said. But just talking about him spiked my heart rate.

“You should get his number from Giles. You’re both single…new to town…” She said it in a singsong voice.