“Yes!” Lacey gave a fist bump. “Figsworth will love that. Genius of you to persuade Akari that kids stole the show and were a handful to manage.”
“Both of those things are true, but I really wanted to honor the one who came up with the whole idea.”
“You’re doing such great work on my little cousin,” Lacey said. “I thought all you were going to do was help her read and pass a test to get into third grade.”
“True, but part of that is building self-assurance. I know firsthand that when you have a learning disability, the first thing to go is confidence. You want to turn shy, even if you’re not.”
“She’s not naturally shy,” Lacey told her. “When Nolie was three, she was a bundle of energy and personality, the center of all the family attention at every gathering. Even until she was five or so. But when she got into school and couldn’t keep up with the others, she very slowly started to change. Not get withdrawn, exactly, but not as…bold. Unless you’re alone with her. Then she comes out of her shell.”
“Huh.” Tessa considered that interesting piece of insight. “Did anything else change then?”
“Well, three years ago, when Nolie was four, Maggie moved in with Crista and Anthony.”
“Why did she do that?” Tessa asked. “Does she have health problems and need help?”
“She had a hip replacement—pretty standard. She decided to stay at Crista’s in the downstairs guest suite for her recovery and I guess they all liked her being there enough for her to give up her own home and move in permanently.”
“Are you sure they liked it?” Tessa asked, lifting a dubious brow. “Crista’s terrified of the woman. Maybe Nolie is, too.”
“Everyone’s a little afraid of my grandmother,” Lacey acknowledged. “But she dotes on Nolie—on all of us grandchildren, to be fair. I think Nolie’s shyness is from the struggle in school, and that’s also caused tension in the family.”
Tessa nodded. “I’m sure it has. Poor kid. Dyslexia is kind of swept under the rug, but it messes with you when you feel like you aren’t as smart as everyone else. It chips away at everything—your personality, your self-worth, the way you see the world. That’s why I want to help Nolie. Because if she believes in herself, it will make learning easier.”
Lacey was quiet for a beat. “It sure would have been understandable if you had told my Aunt Crista to take a hike. She was really rough on you when she first got here.”
Tessa shrugged. “I know, but…”
“But underneath that gorgeous exterior is a heart made of putty and mush,” Lacey teased, jabbing her arm playfully.
“Tell anyone and you’re dead.” Tessa winked at her.
“You’re paying it forward,” Lacey mused. “Your dad helped you, and now you’re helping her.”
Tessa tapped her fingers against the steering wheel, thinking. “And we’ve all shoved the accusations about my dad under the rug, which worries me a little.”
“I know,” Lacey agreed. “And things under rugs have a way of tripping you up eventually.”
Tessa threw her a smile. “Pretty wise for twenty-four, Lace.”
She laughed and they talked more about the event, staying on that topic until they pulled into the driveway of the Summer House. Before they could even get out of the car, the front door burst open and Nolie came running out, her hair flying as she threw her arms in the air. “You’re back!”
Tessa grinned, scooping the little girl up as she barreled into her. “We are! And guess what? You, my dear Figsworth, are going to be the star of the show.”
Nolie’s eyes went huge. “I am?”
Tessa nodded. “The grand opening fashion wedding show extravaganza. You’re the featured flower girl. Because it wasyouridea.”
Nolie squealed, kicking her feet in excitement. “Can we storm our brains some more? I’m so ready!”
Tessa set her down and took her hand. “Absolutely. We need our best team on this. Which means…” She glanced at Lacey. “I think Tessa Wylie Events just gained a third employee.”
Nolie gasped. “Me?”
Tessa laughed. “You, kiddo.”
Hand-in-hand, they walked inside, where the dining room table was already scattered with notes and sketches.
“I thought we were going to bake cookies, Nolie,” Crista said from where she stood in the kitchen with her hands in a mixing bowl.
