“Yes, I believe so. I was just soaking up the unused atmosphere for the last time. Two hours from now, I’ll open the front door and see if anyone has showed up. It’s going to be great, even if we only sell a few cones.”
“I think you might even be able to open a little earlier.” He walked to the front window and peeked out. “You know. If you feel like it.”
“I don’t think we need to rush. I put the ad in the paper, and all the social media you helped me with should bring a few customers.” I wiped off the already-immaculate glass top. “We’ll build up over time.”
“Alpha, I think you’d better come and look outside.”
Oh no.“Did someone make a mess out there or anything? I’ll get my broom.”
“Just come here, please?” He stepped aside and waved me toward the front door. “You have to see.”
“All right.” I grabbed the bottle of vinegar and water and the rag, just in case. “What is it? A bug?”
“No.” He stayed where he was, looking out the door. “Definitely not a bug.”
“You’re making me nervous.” I came up behind him and peeked over his shoulder. “That’s no bug. It’s a line.”
Oakley gave a little bounce. “Darned right it is. We should let them in.”
“I invited the mayor…”
“Auburn, open the door. The mayor is at the head of the line.”
“Oh my goodness.” I twisted the lock and pulled the door open. “Mr. Mayor, welcome. I didn’t know you were out there.”
“I was on my way to my office when I spotted the line forming. Now, if you’ll call the paper and make sure they can be here, we’ll get this business generating tax income for the town.”
“I think I see the reporter and the photographer back there,” Oakley said, waving them forward. “Let them through, everyone. The sooner they get their front-page shot, the sooner you can all try Auburn’s homemade ice cream.”
The line shifted to the side, and the newspaper reps pushed their way through, just in time to get a shot of the mayor shaking my hand and coming in to enjoy the first official scoop. But once that was done, the crowd flooded in behind them, Oakley joined me behind the counter, and we went to work. By the time we were actually scheduled to open, we were out of three flavors and I was worried about two more.
“This is incredible,” I muttered to Oakley as I stepped behind him to make a milk shake. “We’re going to have to close early.”
“I’ll help you make more, but if it’s like this again tomorrow, you’re going to need more ingredients.”
He was right. “Do you really think it will be this busy?” The whirr of the blender stopped any further conversation for a minute or two, and then stilled.
“Yes, I do,” he said, handing three cones to a mom with a trio of hopping children. “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful business. But you’re going to need to hire a couple of people to help you behind the counter. Even with me coming in on my days off.”
Oakley had a full-time job, and he needed to rest when he had a day free. He’d been helping me put the shop together for a while now, and while he never complained, it had to be cutting into his rest and recuperation. But I didn’t have time to discuss it right now. The line still stretched out of the store and, from what the customers were saying, halfway around the block. Somehow, we managed to stay open most of the hours we planned, but the last customers were not given a choice of flavors. We had vanillaand a tangerine sherbert that I’d goofed and made a double batch of. But nobody seemed to mind.
We stayed up most of the night preparing ice cream together, a little slap happy with exhaustion, but it was a good tired. The kind that comes with fulfilling dreams.
Chapter Fourteen
Oakley
When Auburn picked me up from the cabin, I expected butterflies or nervousness. I was wrong.
Instead, I was completely calm. No jitters. No fluttering heart.
At first, I wondered if that was a bad sign. Shouldn’t I be nervous for my first date with my fated mate?
That was when I figured it out. There was no nervousness because of who Auburn was.
I never had to second-guess where I stood with him. He didn’t make me wonder about where his priorities were.
He brought flowers. Came to my door. Smiled at me like I was a prize he’d won and was there to finally pick it up.
