She didn’t give me a chance to answer. She hitched her purse high on her shoulder and headed back toward the kids throwing snowballs at each other.
“Holly?” My name was called, and I snapped out of the trance I was caught in.
“Thank you.” I accepted my cup and went back to where Chris was standing against the fence.
I brought the cup to my lips and took a small sip, moaning as the chocolate touched my tongue.
“Be careful,” Chris mumbled almost incoherently.
“This is so good,” I gushed, taking another sip.
“It’s real chocolate.”
“Real chocolate?”
“Jason makes it with real chocolate. The hot milk melts it. It’s what gives it that rich taste,” Chris explained.
“It’s delicious,” I told him.
“You okay?” Chris asked, confusing me.
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Your encounter with the G squad.”
G squad? What the heck? Chris was losing his mind. “Do I even want to know what the ‘G squad’ is?” I asked nervously.
Chris chuckled. “Mildred, Bernice and Shelia. The ‘G squad’. They are Evergreen Lake’s gossip queens and know it alls. I don’t think there’s a thing in this town that’s ever happened that they don’t know about.”
“Interesting,” I teased, tapping my chin. “Maybe I could ask them for some insights into the town’s grumpiest mechanic.”
“I’m the only mechanic,” Chris deadpanned.
“Well then, guess you’re the grumpiest too then.”
“Oompf.” Chris shook his head as a snowball hit him in the center of the chest, followed by an adorable burst of giggles that I’d recognize anywhere.
We spent the rest of the morning wandering around town. People waved to Chris and shot curious looks in his direction but kept their distance, never coming over to say hi or stop him and chat.
As he promised, we stopped for coffee and cookies at Sips on Main before we made it to Read Between the Wines. The moment we stepped into the bookstore a calmness fell over me. It was warm and I quickly shed my coat, hanging it on a hook before venturing down the aisles of books getting swept away. The whole store smelt like cinnamon as I trailed my fingers along the spines. When I rounded the corner I found a wine bar in the back and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Wine and books, was there a more perfect combination.
“Do you want to come look with me?” I heard Noelle invite Chris.
“You go ahead. I’ll wait here,” he replied.
“Okay!” Noelle said happily.
I lost track of time.
I don't know how it happened. I’d been so immersed in the books, trying to decide which one I wanted, even the armful I carried wasn’t half the books I’d picked.
I carried them to the register and put them down.
“Find everything you’re looking for?” the lady behind the counter asked. She was younger than I would’ve expected, but you could tell she felt at home here. She had kind eyes and a warm smile.
“More than I was looking for.”
“That’s great.”
