Read Sweetly for Free Online Page B

music quietly, and she begins pouring milk from the remaining coconut shells into a yellow mixing bowl.
    “Do you want help?” I ask on my way to the toaster.
    “With this?”
    “I mean, since we’re waiting on Ansel, if you want… I don’t know how to cook, but I can learn.” I’ve always wanted to learn, honestly—our mom was a great cook. My sister and I practically survived off her homemade macaroni and cheese. I drop two slices of bread into the toaster and pick out a jar of grape preserves.
    “I’d love help. I’m kind of obsessive about the way the mixing is done, but can you do the filling? I hate filling.” Sophia grins and a look similar to relief washes over her, as though she’s truly touched by my offer. “Dad used to pay me a nickel per mold I filled, because he hated it as much as I do.” After I finish my toast, I walk to the other side of the counter, where Sophia is standing.
    “Just a half spoonful should do it. Don’t worry too much if it overflows a bit—we can just snap those edges off once it hardens,” Sophia says, passing the bowl to me. “And I’ve got a bunch more of those trays and am not ashamed of convincing someone else to fill them. Live Oak throws a big Fourth of July party in the square, and I’m way behind.”
    Sophia turns the radio up a little bit—all oldies, but she tells me it’s the only station she can get decent reception for. As Ansel’s hammering falls into even patterns, I slowly fill the tiny circles while Sophia pops already-cooled candies from the plastic and puts them into cellophane bags. Luxe settles at my feet and snores softly. There’s a consistency to it all, a rhythm that makes me forget time is passing. I don’t bother to check the clock till it’s almost noon, and I’m shocked that so many hours have passed. It’s the same feeling I get after finding out how long I’ve been absorbed in a book.
    I’m about to comment on how quickly the morning has gone when Luxe leaps up and barks happily; he runs out the kitchen’s screen door, almost bowling Ansel over, just as I hear a quiet tinkling of bells out front. I glance up to see two girls my age, one blond and one brunette, walking in. Luxe follows at their heels, as if he just strolled in with them instead of racing around the entire house to meet them. Ansel makes it into the kitchen and gives Luxe a weary look.
    “Hey!” Sophia calls to the customers as she sweeps through the saloon doors.
    “What’s up?” the blond girl asks brightly. I peer through the doorway at them. They look unpolished standing next to Sophia Kelly, as though they’re made of paint and makeup.
    “Nothing too serious. Just about to put out some coconut cordials. Interested?” Sophia asks.
    “Hmm, maybe,” the brunette says. “Anything new?”
    “Not lately,” Sophia admits, leaning over the glass counter. “I’ve got some chocolate and peanut butter bark, though, and I haven’t had that in a while.”
    “Ooh, that sounds yummy,” the blonde says, nodding emphatically. I watch her breathe deeply—does the scent of this place make everyone feel carefree, or is that just me?
    “It’s right over there.” Sophia points to a shelf near the saloon doors. She catches my eyes. “Oh hey, wait—Gretchen, Ansel, come up front and meet Jessie and Violet!”
    My brother and I make eye contact briefly, and he looks surprised when I’m the first to step toward the saloon doors. I smile as he follows behind me—normally it’s me following him, wary to lead.
    “Hi, I’m Jessie,” the blonde says, and her voice is warm enough that I relax a little as I walk toward them. “You’re… working here?” She gives Violet a confused glance that screams: But they’re strangers! Violet, however, seems focused on Ansel and only gives a faint nod.
    “They’re just helping me out for a little bit. Broke down crossing through,” Sophia explains, handing Jessie a crinkly bag filled with peanut butter bark. The