Bare Necessities Read Online Free PDF

Conference calls are getting harder and harder with Lila around. It was so much easier when she wasn’t mobile.”
    “I imagine. If you ever need help, just let me know. I’d love to spend some time with her.”
    “I’m sure you’re busy with the shop. Speaking of which, take me by to see it. I want to see how the progress is coming along.”
    “I’d love that. The only other person who has seen it is Kimberly.”
    “And Seth.”
    “Thankfully, it’s been awhile.” Although, she hated to admit she still looked for him to stop in.
    “How come?”
    Ava shrugged. “Guess he gave up trying to run me out of town.”
    Julie took a long sip and smiled, but Ava didn’t let her speak.
    “Don’t say anything. There is nothing between us. When I first met him, yes, I thought maybe. But from the moment he called me a nut job and I learned he was a prude, I knew it would never work. I’m not changing myself or what I want for anyone. I’ve done that enough already.”
    “Are you ever going to tell me what happened with John?”
    “There is nothing to tell. It just didn’t work.”
    Ava didn’t like to talk about the past. She was no longer embarrassed that he had abused her and that she had put up with it, but she didn’t want that pitying look. The one where someone tells you how sorry they are and they wish they’d known. It wasn’t as though Julie could do anything about it now. No one could. It was the past, and it was going to stay there where it belonged.
    After their coffee was finished, they decided to walk to Bare Necessities. The air was cooler now. Ava hoped that even though it was the end of summer and fall was due to begin any day now, snow would start soon. Not a lot but enough to get everyone putting their summer stuff up and getting their winter supplies ready.
    Ava couldn’t wait for the first snow. She loved the fluffy white stuff, and she could never live anywhere that didn’t get snow often. The south would never be her home.
    Ava dug her keys out of her purse as they arrived at the shop. She let Julie in and waited for her reaction.
    “It’s gorgeous! I love it. You did all of this?”
    “Not all but most.”
    Julie walked in circles, her gaze taking in everything. “This is going to be ready in no time. Got a name yet?”
    “Bare Necessities.”
    “That’s perfect. Brookfield isn’t going to know what hit them!”
    If the town let her open. In the back of her head, she still worried everyone was going to sign that petition Seth had talked about and she wouldn’t be able to open the doors to her place. And if she did, people might stand out front with signs, boycotting her. In her gut, something told her this wasn’t going to happen and she was going to be chased from town.
    “I can’t wait,” Julie said. “Seriously. And I know a few other women in this town can’t wait either. Claire is a newlywed. I bet she will be in here.”
    “Isn’t she close with Seth? She’s most likely on his side.”
    “Doubtful. Claire probably routinely calls him a prude, just like you do.”
    Ava tossed her dark locks behind her shoulders. She’d worry about the future when it got here. For now, she was going to pretend this was going to happen. “Enough about this stuff. This is our girls’ day. I think a pedicure is in order.”
    “Sounds perfect. Do you mind if I call Mark first to make sure Lila calmed down?”
    Ava rolled her eyes. “Go ahead.”
    * * *
    Of all the things Seth had to be out of, toilet paper was something a person had to have. Sure, he was a man, but it was still a necessity, so he took a ride to the local convenience store to pick up a four-pack. Of course, everyone wanted to chat with him.
    Finally on his way home, all he wanted for dinner was a cold beer and leftover pizza. This week had been hell, and everything somehow revolved around one woman. Every disaster in town led to Ava, and every man was talking about her. Seth was ready to get home, where hopefully