Page 36 of Sweet Surprises

“Then we’ll let you get on with your day,” Daniel said.

“I’ll be outside, just taking a few notes,” the man said, grabbing his tablet and briefcase and practically sprinting out of the building.

“Maybe you were right about letting this place go after all,” Daniel said softly, watching after the man.

Charlotte felt a pang of sadness at the idea of them selling the shop. But it was understandable. This news was devastating.

“I’m so sorry,” she told them. “I’ll find work in the city.”

“No,” Tag said suddenly.

There was a moment of stunned silence.

“What are we going to do then?” Daniel asked finally.

“What we always do,” Tag told him. “We’re going to fix it. Ellis Johnson can rewire this place for a fair price. Hisgrandparents owe me a favor. Patching and painting is another story, but we can figure that out when we get to it.”

“In two months?” Daniel asked.

“I’ll go talk to Barry,” Tag said. “Find out if the patching and painting needs to be done before the end of the grace period, or just the safety stuff.”

He stalked off to catch the man who was outside tapping away on his tablet.

“I know this might not work out,” Charlotte said softly to Daniel.

“He means it, you know,” Daniel said, turning to her with a gentle smile. “He’ll do what he has to do so that you can stay.”

“Well, so the shop can stay open,” she said, shrugging.

“Oh, he’s been wanting us to close this place for years,” Daniel said, chuckling. “I think he wants you to stay because of Olivia.”

Charlotte blinked at him for a moment.

“She’s been so quiet since her mom died,” Daniel said, his smile disappearing. “We haven’t seen her open up like she has with you in a long time. You’re good for her.”

“Oh,” she said, stunned.

“We never had this talk,” Daniel said, winking at her as the bells jingled again and Tag stepped back inside.

While the two Lawrence men discussed their plan, Charlotte stood by the window, looking out at the sweet little town, her heart hurting for the girl she had so recently bonded with.

If all of this was really about Olivia, Charlotte understood completely why Tag was willing to do what he had to do to keep her around.

She made a silent promise to herself that she would do all she could to help Olivia come out of her shell. And not mess things up by fawning over the poor girl’s father.

11

CHARLOTTE

Charlotte stood at the counter in the stone farmhouse, watching the kids eating their after-school snack as Daniel regaled them with tales of what the various cows had been up to today.

Olivia looked like she wasn’t paying attention, but Charlotte caught her smiling during the funny parts, so she knew the girl was listening. Chance, on the other hand, was laughing his head off, and moving around so much that he was practically falling off his stool.

“Try to be careful,” she heard herself tell him. “It would be so sad if you fell down.”

“Why would it be sad?” he asked her.

“Well, you might get hurt,” she said, blinking in surprise. “And also, you don’t want to spill apples and peanut butter on the floor. The cows would probably jump in the windows to get it.”

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