The handwriting was Cass’s block letters, the date stamp a few days before she’d died. The letter and Miriam must have missed each other, one winging to Carrigan’s, and one away.

She slipped open the glue, trying not to tear any part of this precious, unlooked-for last gift. Inside was a napkin, covered back and front in tiny writing.

My girl,

It won’t be long. I need you to come run this place for me. Now, don’t argue. I’ve found you the perfect girl, and you’re going to make a life here. It’s my last wish, and you owe me. You might have to convince her, but I know the two of you are going to make magic. And I need you to get Blue back here, your cousin is too stubborn to do it herself.

I love you.

That meddling old bat had been playing yenta from her deathbed, and they all fell for it. Miriam shook her head, and carefully moved the napkin so she wouldn’t drop fat tears on it and smudge the ink.

Well, who was she to argue with Cassiopeia Carrigan’s last wish?

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Miriam

Miriam stood in front of the doors to Carrigan’s, with a better-packed suitcase than the last time, but without Cole. She brushed her fingers over the mezuzah again, this time without fear.

Hannah opened the door, and her eyes widened. Miriam gave a little wave. Hannah winked.

“Noelle,” Hannah called, keeping her voice admirably normal, “the door’s for you.”

Noelle came bounding down the stairs, wrapped in approximately fifteen layers of cold-weather gear and pulling on her hat. “Can you tell whoever it is I need to get out to the back lot but I’ll—”

She stopped when she saw Miriam. She leaped down the last three steps and barreled Miriam almost into the door as she hugged her.

Miriam was still wrapped entirely in a cocoon of Noelle when Hannah said, “It’s fitting that you came home on Tu B’Shevat.”

“Oh, man, I did,” Miriam said, peeking her head around Noelle’s shoulder. “That’s kind of perfect.”

“What’s Tu B’Shevat?” Noelle asked, letting her go.

“It’s the Jewish holiday that marks the new harvest year,” Miriam explained. “It’s New Year’s, for trees.”

“Why have we not been celebrating this all along?” Noelle asked with delight. “Carrigan’s All Year needs a big-ass Tu B’Shevat party. Someone write that down! Hannah, where’s your clipboard?!”

The commotion brought Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, and then everyone was trying to get a hug and talk. The contrast between now and her old homecomings, slipping in and out of the house in Charleston like a sea breeze, unnoticed, was stark. She’d thought she loved being answerable to no one, but this made her want to weep with love.