And that was a good thing.
Much as she’d always loved Hope Harbor, some of the shops of her childhood had been a tad worn around the edges. Like the dusty hardware store across the street that had always occupied the biggest storefront on Main.
Except ... she slowed and stared at the sparse display windows below the faded “Howard’s Hardware” sign, where a hand-lettered notice had been taped.
Going Out of Business Sale
Mr. Howard was shutting down?
Huh.
The man had been a fixture in town since before she’d been born.
She crossed Main and peered inside a window.
Beyond the shelving units holding a meager array of merchandise, Mr. Howard was in his customary place behind the wooden behemoth of a checkout counter that had been the base for teller windows at the local bank until the institution modernized its decor decades ago.
Nothing about the shop had changed.
When Mr. Howard waved at her, she ducked inside.
“Afternoon, Miss. Can I help you find something?” The spare, spry proprietor with a wizened face and lively blue eyes smiled at her.
“Hi, Mr. Howard.” She introduced herself.
“Oh yes. Lauren’s sister. I have to admit, I don’t remember you too well, but I sure do know your sister. She used to tag along with your dad whenever he came by for home-repair supplies. Fine man, your father. And your sister’s a wonderful person too. How’s she doing?”
Devyn gave him a quick overview.
“Glad to hear she’s on the mend.” He reached into the glass bowl on the counter that had been there for as long as she could remember and fished out three grape hard candies. “This is your sister’s favorite flavor. It’s not much to pass on, but would you give them to her for me? Let her know I’m thinking about her?”
“I’ll be happy to.” Devyn took the offering. After sliding the sweets into her purse, she waved a hand around the store. “I can’t believe you’re closing up shop.”
“It’s time. Past time. Can’t compete with the bigger players in Coos Bay anymore.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. The town won’t be the same without Howard’s Hardware.”
He waved her comment aside. “Town’ll be fine. You can find everything I carry within easy driving distance. And as the wife’s been telling me for the past few years, there’s more to life than hardware.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Yes, it is—and we have places to go and things to do before our arthritis gets the upper hand. First up is a biking tour of the Lake Country in England.”
“Seriously?” Who would have guessed that the local hardware proprietor had such an item on his bucket list?
“Yep. I’m closing the doors here the day after Fourth of July, and we’re off to Britain a week later to celebrate our independence.” He shoved his fingers into the pockets of his worn jeans and cocked his head. “At first I wasn’t happy about the dent those bigger stores were making in our bottom line, but it was the kick in the patootie I needed to start a new chapter in my life. Never would have expected such a negative would lead to a positive—but there you have it. Funny how life works, isn’t it?”
No kidding.
“I hear you. Best wishes on your retirement.”
“Thanks. You tell Lauren I’m thinking about her, and don’t forget to pass along the candy.”
“I won’t.”
After winding through the half-empty shelves, Devyn exited the store and continued her walk around the block.
It was encouraging how bad had turned into good for Mr. Howard.
