Page 41 of Love on the Run

Couldn’t she get a minute to catch her breath from Beau’s seemingly innocent touch?

When she didn’t speak, Beau cleared his throat. “Um, can I get a snickerdoodle latte and a blueberry scone?” He asked the middle-aged woman at the register.

“Sure! That’s a crowd favorite.”

“What else?” Beau asked.

Anna tilted her head, looking up at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “Is that not enough?”

“You might want something later.” He pointed to the pastry case. “Get another dessert.”

When Anna turned to the register, the woman waiting was practically beaming. “You two are just adorable. Are you on your honeymoon? You definitely have that young love look about you.”

“Something like that,” Beau said.

Oh, that was an interesting answer, considering that they most definitely were not ontheirhoneymoon.

The woman clapped her hands to herchest. “I wish you both the best. What can I get for you, young man?”

“Coffee. Black, please.”

The woman turned to the older man behind her and whispered loudly, “Give them the lovers special.”

The man winked at her and disappeared into the back room. A minute later, he returned with a white bag and handed it to Anna. “On the house.”

“Thank you so much. I’m sure we’ll be back for more. Everything looks delicious,” Anna said. She removed her gloves and stuffed them in her pockets to let the warm cup heat her hands.

“I’d love to see you two again. I’m Jan, so ask for me if I’m not out here at the register next time.”

With coffee and warm baked goods in hand, they moved slowly through the throng of people in the shop and out onto the sidewalk. More people had arrived in the short time they’d been in the store, and it was difficult to move around.

“It looks like people are finding their spots for the ceremony,” Anna said as they passed a few families who sat on the edge of the sidewalks.

Beau pointed away from the stage. “There’s a clear spot over there. Maybe everyone wants to be closer to the action. Is that too far away?”

“It’ll be fine. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see from anywhere.”

Beau tucked the bag of desserts under his armand grabbed her hand before leading her through the mass of people. His skin was warm from the coffee, and the sensations she’d felt when he held her hand earlier were magnified.

She’d expected him to balk at her request to go to the tree lighting ceremony. She’d expected complaints or excuses. Instead, Beau indulged her completely without any friction.

When they reached the clearing, there were only a few other people, mostly couples, hanging around beneath a large oak tree.

Beau leaned one shoulder against the trunk of the tree and held up the bag. “Want a treat?”

Anna checked the time. “Sure. It should be starting soon.”

He opened the bag and pulled out the smaller white bag containing the “lovers special.”

“What do you think it is?” she asked.

He held it out to her. “You open it.”

She peered into the small bag. Two large chocolate-covered strawberries sat at the bottom. Anna pulled one out and handed it to him. “Looks good. One for you and one for me.”

Beau took his strawberry, but he continued to watch her closely as she bit into hers.

“What?” she asked when he didn’t make a move to try his.

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