The door dinged, and our first customer of the day walked in.
“Good morning, ladies,” he said warmly, tilting his weathered chin in acknowledgement. “Beautiful day out there.”
“Morning, Ted! How’s Margaret doing?” I asked with a smile as warm as my favourite couple in town.
Margaret Watson was a beloved regular customer of ours. She was eighty-five years old and had made it her mission to read every single romance we had in stock. They made regular donations to our reading programs, and Margaret had recently undergone hip surgery.
“Very well, thank you. I’ve just dropped her off for physiotherapy. I thought I’d treat us both to hot chocolate and croissants.”
“She’ll love that,” I smiled at how sweet it was; to see a couple still as in love after sixty-five years of marriage. Moving to one of the display tables, I picked up one of our staff recommendations and brought it over to Ted, holding it out to him. “This is for Margaret, tell her we’re thinking of her.”
“Thank you,” he said, accepting it with a grateful smile.
“It’s the least we can do for her. She must be going out of her mind with boredom.” Margaret Watson loved to keep busy; she had been active in the community all of her life, her husband, too. Ted Watson had owned the pharmacy for fifty-five years, although he had sold it a couple of years back so he could enjoy his retirement with his wife.
“Oh, she certainly was. But she’s starting to feel better now, so she hosted her first knitting club this Monday. How’s little Asher doing?”
“Not so little,” I replied. “He’ll be eight in nine days! We’re having a little party for him here on the nineteenth if you and Margaret feel up to coming. Ellery’s baking a cake.”
“That’s right! They grow so quickly,” He said fondly, letting out a low chuckle as he passed a bill to Ellery for his hot chocolates and croissants. He tucked the book under his arm and picked up the tray. “I suppose I ought to get back for Margaret, let her know we’ve been invited to another party.” His eyes sparkled. “Have a good day, ladies.”
“You too!” I grinned, watching him leave. “God, they’re the sweetest,” I remarked to Ellery, momentarily forgetting my troubles.
“They really are,” she nodded with agreement.
“All right, I need to get moving,” I sighed, forcing myself into action. “I have a billion things on my to-do list, and Shelly’s going to be late, she has a dental appointment.”
Too bad, I was moving like a sloth.
“Oh! Are you still going out for dinner with Shay Friday night?”
“Crap. I completely forgot about that,” I sighed, worrying my lip.
“I can watch Asher if your parents aren’t home yet.”
“I should cancel,” I exhaled, my brows pinching together.
“For Cal?” Ellery challenged, and I frowned.
“No, it’s just bad timing.“
“It’s Cal.” Ellery sighed, fighting a knowing smile.
“Maybe,” I admitted unwillingly. “But it’s also Shelly, and Asher—it’s Shay, too. My head’s not in the right space right now.”
“You’re such a good person. It’s almost sickening.” My friend rolled her eyes, which twinkled with affection and amusement. “I would have gone on a date to make Cal jealous, myself.”
I chortled. “If it were anybody else, I might consider that now. But it’s Shay. That’s cruel.”
“You’re right,” She nodded with agreement.
“Maybe you could come over and help me make garlic bread instead?”
“By help, you meanmakeright?” she laughed.
“You know me so well,” I grinned, backing away and heading to the office to drop my purse and bag off before walking back out to open the cash register, coffee cup still in hand.
More of our early morning regular customers began to trickle in, securing favourite spots in the café or the comfortable reading chairs scattered throughout the store. It was a slower morning for book sales, but the atmosphere throughout the store was still positive, the smell intoxicatingly soothing.
