Page 82 of This Feeling

Standing behind the counter was someone I’d never met before. She looked to be in her early twenties, with blonde hair pulled back into a low ponytail, and very blue eyes that I could see all the way from across the room. I made my way over to introduce myself.

“Hi, I’m Declan.”

The young girl’s face lit up. “It’s so nice to meet you, Declan. Harper’s been talking about you a lot today.”

“She has?” I asked with a smile.

The girl giggled, looked over to Harper, then back to me. “I’m Lucy Miller, I work part time for Harper, along with my brother, Nik, who does the deliveries. I’ve been working here the past two summers when I’m home from college.”

“That’s nice. You’re from Moose Village, then?”

Lucy nodded. “Our family moved here about six years ago. My mother inherited the ice cream shop on Main Street from her aunt. Now, she and my father run it.”

“The Sweet Spot?”

Her smile grew. “Yep. It’s been there forever. My mom remodeled it, so it looks more like the way it did when it first opened in the 1940s.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to know it’s in good hands. I have a lot of happy memories at that place.”

“I hope you have more to come.” She gave me a sly grin. “Did you know that Harper has a weakness for ice cream?”

Glancing over to Harper, I couldn’t help but smile. “Does she now?”

“Yep, and I even know her favorite flavor.”

I focused my attention back on Lucy. “I don’t suppose I could pry it out of you?”

She giggled. “I’ll offer it up freely. She likes the triple-chocolate moose.”

I winked at the girl. “I owe you one.”

Waving me off, she replied, “I’m just glad to see Harper so happy. I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen her since I started working here. I’m going to guess you have something to do with that.”

“I sure hope so,” I replied, stepping aside so Lucy could help a customer. Deciding to get out of everyone’s way, I headed to the back and looked around. The tables were cleared off, unlike before, when they were covered with vases and flowers. The table closest to the front of the shop did have buckets sitting on it, each stuffed with various flowers. Next to those sat a bundle of the tissue paper used to wrap up bouquets.

Staring at the flowers, I picked one up and brought it to my nose, inhaling deeply.

“Peruvian lily.”

Harper’s voice caused me to turn and smile.

She pointed to the flower in my hand. “That’s what they’re called. Or Alstroemeria. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it really is. Smells good, too.”

Laughing, she walked up, pulled out a carnation, and smelled it. “These were my grandmother’s favorite. She loved carnations.”

“Busy day so far?” I asked, running the lily in my hand down the side of Harper’s neck.

She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. “Ithasbeen busy.”

Leaning in closer, I whispered against her ear, “Tell me Lucy is only working half a day.”

“Lucy’s working a full day, but she leaves for lunch when I close the shop. Her brother Nik will be here later this afternoon to take out any deliveries we have.”

“So…we’ll have some alone time?”

Biting down on her lower lip, Harper nodded.

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