Free Love Finds You in Martha's Vineyard by Melody Carlson

for her mother, the more she realized that Vivian had forgotten. Really, that wasn’t surprising. Waverly had a long history of her mother forgetting things. Sometimes small things, like where she’d last placed her car keys when Waverly had been late for an art lesson, and sometimes big things, like the time and place of Waverly’s wedding. She had arrived eventually, but because the church had more than one wedding that day, they had been unable to wait. However, she was very much present during the reception.
    â€œ Waverly!”
    Waverly turned to see a red BMW coming toward her. And there was her mother, waving frantically with her head stuck out the window, orange scarf blowing in the breeze, and a big smile.
    â€œSorry I’m late,” Vivian said as she pulled up.
    â€œThat’s all right.” Waverly opened the door, then wondered where to put her suitcase in the small car.
    â€œI think there’s a trunk,” Vivian said as she looked around the controls.
    â€œYou think?”
    Vivian laughed. “This is Janice’s car. She let me drive it. Isn’t it cute?”
    Before she could answer, the trunk popped open and Waverly hurried back to put her bags in it, then back around just as a delivery truck behind them honked. “I’m going as fast as I can,” Waverly called as she jumped into the car.
    â€œHe’s probably trying to get onto the ferry,” Vivian said as she pulled out. “I think I was in the wrong line. I’m still trying to figure this ferry thing out. Lou has it down, but I haven’t been driving much.”
    â€œDo you have a car here?”
    â€œJust one that we share.” She turned, beaming at Waverly, as she waited for the stoplight. “You look beautiful, darling. How was your trip?”
    â€œWonderful. I loved the ferry. I’m so excited to be here, Vivian. Thank you so much for asking me…and paying for me to come.”
    The light changed, and Vivian pulled out. “I’m so glad you could come. And, don’t fool yourself, we really need you.” She shook her head. “I still don’t know what your aunt was thinking, talking me into investing in The Gallery like she did. Certainly it was a great deal, good investment, but why she thought we could actually run something like that….”
    â€œWell, that’s why I’m here. Is there any art in it at all?”
    â€œArt?” Vivian glanced curiously at Waverly. “I don’t know.” Just then a Range Rover darted in front of them, and Vivian stomped on the brakes. “This traffic! It gets worse every week. Lou and I got here before Memorial Day, and everything was moving a lot slower then.”
    â€œI hear the summertime crowd is really something.” Waverly held onto the dashboard as Vivian jerked her way through the crowded street.
    â€œBut that’s what keeps everyone in business,” Vivian said. “So I guess we can’t complain.”
    Waverly smiled. “I’m not complaining. Not a bit.”
    â€œGood.” Vivian pointed to a side street, or maybe it was an alley, ahead. “This is where you turn to get into the back parking lot. It’s kind of tight, but there’s room to park one car back there. As you can imagine, parking is at a premium around here.”
    â€œI plan to get a bike.”
    â€œSmart.” Vivian pulled up behind a wooden building and turned off the car engine. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home.”
    It wasn’t impressive, but then Waverly reminded herself, this was the back of the building. What did she expect?
    â€œIt’s kind of on the edge of the busy part of town,” Vivian explained as they got out. “That’s probably one reason it was such a good deal. That and because no else showed interest in running a business like this.”
    â€œReally?” This surprised Waverly. “I’d think a gallery would