“There she is,” Axel said as he raised his hand to wave.
We made our way over a small wooden bridge that crossed the brook, and Axel called out to her. She waved back merrily with both arms. As she rounded the corner and made her way toward us, I got my first eyeful of Cleobella’s sister. Clearly, they shared wardrobe and makeup tips.
Poppy would have fit right in with a Cirque du Soleil performance if they had a show with an enchanted wilderness theme. She could have been an overgrown woodland fairy in her green floral dress, lacy tights, and wispy vest made of delicate green lace. Her gorgeous hair was braided together with flowers and it flowed down her back. She was wearing theatre-style makeup, with her eye shadow in a colorful rainbow palate to match her outfit. It was obvious she and Cleobella bought their fake eyelashes in the same place. The lashes were like two glamorous spiders framing her colorful eye makeup. Just like her sister, it was impossible to determine her age. She could be thirty, sixty, or anything in between.
Poppy’s well-worn hiking boots, with grey wool socks peeking out from over the tops, were a charmingly appropriate touch. She skipped forward (yes, skipped!), her dimples in full display as she smiled brightly. I loved Poppy before she said a single word.
“Hi, Axel!” she sang out in a sweet, melodic voice.
“Hi, Poppy. I want you to meet my sister, Hayden. The store is dynamic! I couldn’t wait to show her.”
“So happy to meet you, Hayden. Eleanor has told me so much about you.”
I glanced at Axel. I had no idea that my grandmother knew Cleobella’s family, though it made perfect sense since they had worked closely together for years.
Poppy did a little spin on her boot-clad toes and opened her arms wide, gesturing to her new store. “Move-in is almost complete!” she said.
Axel and I both enthused over the real-life camping experience. This caused Poppy to blush happily.
“It’s amazing that you fit all of this inside the shop,” I said.
Poppy’s dimples came back in full display. “Oh, I wish. But that’s not how it works. Destiny Falls decided that more locals need to partake of our wonderful parks and trails. So, it seemed that a store to help them prepare was needed. I’m just the gatekeeper, so to speak. I was as surprised as you are by all this!”
She spent a few minutes showing us around the various features, my favorite being the enormous mountain-like climbing wall topped with snow.
As soon as we were outside, Axel turned to me. “I knew you’d love Poppy. Isn’t her store amazing? You can’t see it all at once. We’ll need to come back.”
“Oh, yes, please,” I said. “Every time I think I’ve hit the pinnacle of Destiny Falls’ enchantments I see a new delight.”
“Yep. Never a dull moment. Ready for another fun stop? I want to take you to meet Vessie and see her coffee shop. It’s just a few blocks walk from here, and we can grab an early lunch if you’d like.”
“I’d love to!” Now that my imagination was stirred, I was ready for more hidden treasures.
We made our way down the street while chatting about anything and everything. Axel managed the Caldwell’s many properties here, including the building that housed Poppy’s new shop. He knew everyone in town, so he regaled me with stories and interesting tidbits about the places and people of Destiny Falls. I so enjoyed spending time with my brother (yes, I said it again) and was feeling more at home as the weeks passed.
3
We rounded the corner, and I scanned the waterfront road ahead. The ferry took up the entire block, except for a small ice-cream stand near the ferry entrance. The boat was docked, so I got my first close-up look at it. It was far more beautiful than any ferry I’d ever ridden. Painted in navy blue and white, it had small white lights that highlighted the entire length of the vessel, and a group of flags fluttered on the top. It resembled a yacht more than a working boat.
The row of shops that lined the street across from the ferry would appeal to travelers. Souvenir shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants made it a welcoming harbor.
A man came off the ferry and smiled and raised his arm to wave at us, but then he looked confused and dropped his arm. I looked behind me to see if he was gesturing to someone else, but I didn’t see anyone there.
What I saw, on a slight hill just across from the ferry, was a brilliant pink and white striped awning that stood out from all the rest like a shining beacon. As it turned out, we were headed directly toward the pink beacon. The sign above the door read Vessie’s Hideaway Café.
Axel opened the door, and we stepped into the pinkest place I’ve ever seen. If Christmas and the Fourth of July had a pink baby, this shop would be it. The walls—pink. Ceiling—pink. Furniture—pink. The floor had a dash of grey, but was predominately pink. This room was not just pink! It was a luminous pink that almost made the air glow.
Flowing lines of butterflies, in colors from bubblegum to magenta, decorated the walls. They fluttered almost as if they were alive. The ceiling was painted to resemble a sunset, a swirling blend of the subtlest pastel pinks and cream.
There was an eating bar with upholstered stools made of pink leather, tufted with large white buttons. A collection of tables filled the center of the room. Their white tops were decorated with a pattern of artistically scattered pink and purple. Flamingo-pink chairs completed the eating area.
In one corner was a children’s area made to look like Cinderella’s coach. It was filled with toys and games. It seemed like a great place for kids to play
