Lee could make jeans and a T-shirt look glamorous.
Her glossy pink lips curled into a sneer. “Did you hurt yourself? I’m so sorry.”
“Just a little sprain. I’ll be fine.” I glanced out the window, trying to get a glimpse of her car. I had a strong suspicion she was the one who’d tried to run me over. I couldn’t spot anything other than Aunt Eunice’s clunker.
I motioned to my aunt that I’d wait on Terri Lee and limped to the counter. “What can I get for you?”
“A three-pound box of dark chocolate creams.” The woman actually giggled. “They’re Ethan’s favorites, I’ve heard.”
God had to rein me in. I wanted to hurl the box and bounce it off her head. “Yes, they are. Would you like the box wrapped?”
“Of course.” She gave me a thin smile and handed me her credit card. “Ethan and I are going to dinner at that new seafood restaurant. Since he’s paying, I’d like to get him dessert.”
I bet you would.
They’re going out on a date? Did the woman collect men like shoes? My heart plummeted, landing with a thud. I wrapped her gift in the most attractive paper we carried—a pristine white with subtle stripes—and tied it with a silver ribbon. The candy was still for the man I loved. I wanted it to look nice. After all, he’d know it came from my store.
I thanked her for her purchase. She glided out the door with a merry wave. I turned and locked myself in the bathroom for the next fifteen minutes, battling tears.
Had I imagined Ethan’s feelings last night? Was I seeing only what I wanted to see? But I’d been so sure.
Placing my hands palms down on the restroom vanity, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Why, Lord? Why couldn’t Ethan return my feelings? If he’s not the man for me, why can’t I find someone else? Why won’t You take away this desire?
With a heavy heart, I hobbled back to the dipping machine. Aunt Eunice waited on customers. Despite my melancholy mood, I thanked God for the continuing support for Summer Confections. During one customer’s visit, my ears perked up at the mention of a newcomer to town.
“He’s new at Mountain Shadows Fellowship,” the woman went on to explain. “He’s looking for a job. Something besides coffee barista. Good-looking young man. Pleasant with the thickest brown hair I’ve seen in a long time.”
Well, I’d identified my mystery man from church. I wondered if he had anything to do with the recent crime spree. He’d make as good a suspect as anyone. I sighed and turned off the dipping machine. I was getting nowhere fast on this case. Other than having an unidentified vehicle almost run me over, absolutely nothing was happening. I wasn’t even sure if my near miss had anything to do with the diamonds.
Then, speaking of the devil, in strolled the man. The previous customer had been on the right track. He had dark chocolate eyes and thick, wavy hair the color of the rich mud of the South. My breath hitched when I got a close-up look at the man.
He sauntered up to Aunt Eunice and held out a hand.
“I’m Nate Landon, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Eunice, and back there is my niece, Summer.” Aunt Eunice simpered like a schoolgirl. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m making the rounds, introducing myself. Heard this place made the best fudge in the world. Thought I’d try it for myself. I’ll take a pound.” Nate leaned against the counter, his eyes remaining fixed on me. I couldn’t help but put up a hand to smooth any stray hair. Horror! Chocolate covered my fingers. Not my usual type of hair gel.
Aunt Eunice thrust the fudge into his hands. “First order’s on the house.”
Nate snickered. “Ladies, it’s my privilege.” The man actually bowed before exiting the store.
Aunt Eunice swooned. Her hand fluttered to her forehead as she draped herself over the counter. “If only I were thirty years younger. Hubba hubba!”
“You’re married.” I rose from the dipping stool
Her glossy pink lips curled into a sneer. “Did you hurt yourself? I’m so sorry.”
“Just a little sprain. I’ll be fine.” I glanced out the window, trying to get a glimpse of her car. I had a strong suspicion she was the one who’d tried to run me over. I couldn’t spot anything other than Aunt Eunice’s clunker.
I motioned to my aunt that I’d wait on Terri Lee and limped to the counter. “What can I get for you?”
“A three-pound box of dark chocolate creams.” The woman actually giggled. “They’re Ethan’s favorites, I’ve heard.”
God had to rein me in. I wanted to hurl the box and bounce it off her head. “Yes, they are. Would you like the box wrapped?”
“Of course.” She gave me a thin smile and handed me her credit card. “Ethan and I are going to dinner at that new seafood restaurant. Since he’s paying, I’d like to get him dessert.”
I bet you would.
They’re going out on a date? Did the woman collect men like shoes? My heart plummeted, landing with a thud. I wrapped her gift in the most attractive paper we carried—a pristine white with subtle stripes—and tied it with a silver ribbon. The candy was still for the man I loved. I wanted it to look nice. After all, he’d know it came from my store.
I thanked her for her purchase. She glided out the door with a merry wave. I turned and locked myself in the bathroom for the next fifteen minutes, battling tears.
Had I imagined Ethan’s feelings last night? Was I seeing only what I wanted to see? But I’d been so sure.
Placing my hands palms down on the restroom vanity, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Why, Lord? Why couldn’t Ethan return my feelings? If he’s not the man for me, why can’t I find someone else? Why won’t You take away this desire?
With a heavy heart, I hobbled back to the dipping machine. Aunt Eunice waited on customers. Despite my melancholy mood, I thanked God for the continuing support for Summer Confections. During one customer’s visit, my ears perked up at the mention of a newcomer to town.
“He’s new at Mountain Shadows Fellowship,” the woman went on to explain. “He’s looking for a job. Something besides coffee barista. Good-looking young man. Pleasant with the thickest brown hair I’ve seen in a long time.”
Well, I’d identified my mystery man from church. I wondered if he had anything to do with the recent crime spree. He’d make as good a suspect as anyone. I sighed and turned off the dipping machine. I was getting nowhere fast on this case. Other than having an unidentified vehicle almost run me over, absolutely nothing was happening. I wasn’t even sure if my near miss had anything to do with the diamonds.
Then, speaking of the devil, in strolled the man. The previous customer had been on the right track. He had dark chocolate eyes and thick, wavy hair the color of the rich mud of the South. My breath hitched when I got a close-up look at the man.
He sauntered up to Aunt Eunice and held out a hand.
“I’m Nate Landon, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Eunice, and back there is my niece, Summer.” Aunt Eunice simpered like a schoolgirl. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m making the rounds, introducing myself. Heard this place made the best fudge in the world. Thought I’d try it for myself. I’ll take a pound.” Nate leaned against the counter, his eyes remaining fixed on me. I couldn’t help but put up a hand to smooth any stray hair. Horror! Chocolate covered my fingers. Not my usual type of hair gel.
Aunt Eunice thrust the fudge into his hands. “First order’s on the house.”
Nate snickered. “Ladies, it’s my privilege.” The man actually bowed before exiting the store.
Aunt Eunice swooned. Her hand fluttered to her forehead as she draped herself over the counter. “If only I were thirty years younger. Hubba hubba!”
“You’re married.” I rose from the dipping stool
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