The morning at Golden Shine began quietly.
Grace arrived earlier than usual. The streets were still waking up, and the bakery next door had just started placing fresh bread in the display window. The faint smell of warm butter drifted into the street.
She unlocked the shop door and stepped inside.
The familiar chime echoed gently through the store.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Golden Shine always felt peaceful before the day began. The mannequins stood silently in their places. Sunlight filtered through the large windows and settled on the racks of dresses.
Grace set her bag down behind the counter and walked slowly through the store, adjusting a sleeve here, smoothing a skirt there.
She stopped in front of the newest dress she had displayed.
Soft cream fabric. Long sleeves. Clean lines.
Samuel had looked at it yesterday.
She shook the thought away lightly and moved on.
A few minutes later, the door opened again.
