Page 73 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“No, it’s okay. Thank you. That’s nice to hear. You don’t have to apologize.”
Christopher looked at her again, his gaze roaming from her eyes to her lips. Then the jewelry seemed to release on its own. He rolled onto the floor and sat beside her, running a hand through his dark hair. “Well, that was interesting.”
Melody laughed nervously. “And I’m going to have a bruised butt tomorrow.”
He side-eyed her and cleared his throat. “I probably shouldn’t be thinking about your butt.”
Melody burst out laughing. “Sorry.”
“I, uh, know I wasn’t your favorite person when you arrived in Trove this summer, but I’m glad we’re getting closer,” he said earnestly.
“Me too.” She picked herself off the floor and offered a hand down to help him up.
He looked skeptical. “You’re not scared I’m going to try to get payback and pull you down like you just did to me?”
She laughed some more. “I guess I would deserve it.”
He placed his hand in hers and she used her body weight to pull him upward. She wasn’t fooled. He stood on his own. And when he did, he was standing closer than she’d expected. Her heart thumped in her chest. Falling for him was an epically bad idea. She wasn’t staying, and she’d hurt enough people in Trove Isle already. She was making amends with the people here. Getting involved with Christopher opened the door to potential hurt feelings and heartbreak. Remaining just friends was best.
“Is your, uh, butt okay?” he asked.
Melody grimaced. “I thought we agreed you shouldn’t be thinking about my, um . . . backside.”
“You started it.” His voice dipped low as he leaned in.
“Yes, it’s fine.” She shrugged. “I mean, I guess ice cream would make it better.”
Christopher grinned. “Then, by all means, I should take you to get some. The only question now is one scoop or two?”
“After that fall, I definitely deserve two,” she said, not completely talking about the fall on her store floor. It was her heart that was taking the biggest fall this evening.
* * *
The next day, Melody opened the thrift store and headed back to the counter to sit and work on an event that Julie had emailed her about overnight. It was easy enough to work the counter while jotting down ideas.
The event was for a client’s debut book release. Melody had never planned a book release before, but she was excited. She had all kinds of thoughts about a cake that looked like the book itself, a photo booth to insert people’s faces into the book’s cover, a karaoke sing-along to the author’s playlist inspired by the book. The ideas were coming to mind faster than Melody could jot them in her little notebook.
A bell jingled as the door to the store opened and a customer stepped inside.
Melody looked up and smiled at Mr. Lyme. She expected him to head in her direction, but instead he walked over to the far side of the room where there was a bookshelf. He stopped and looked over the selection for a long moment and then continued perusing the store like any other customer.
Melody thought he looked a bit sad this morning. Or maybe he looked lost.
He stopped and touched a selection of silk scarves that were hanging next to the display of shoes. “This one looks like something Jo would have kept for herself,” he said, turning to talk to Melody over his shoulder.
Melody stood and walked around the counter, heading in his direction. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Lyme. Are you looking for something in particular?”
“Not really,” he said on a soft sigh. “I was just doing a little shopping and thought I’d stop in.” His smile wilted a little at the corners. “Actually, I was just missing Jo and thought I’d come by and see if I could feel her somehow.” He glanced around. “I like what you’ve done with the place. I guess you’ve decided not to sell it?” There was a hopeful lift to his words.
“I’m still selling. But I’ve decided to sell this place only to a buyer who intends to keep it open as a thrift store.”
Mr. Lyme nodded, his eyes glistening. “I think that’s good. Jo would have been pleased to know that.”
Melody watched him for a long moment. “Do you feel her here? Right now?”
Mr. Lyme sighed as he continued to glance around. Then he pointed to the corner where all the donated toys were. “She loved to take the old dolls that were left here. They’d be marked up with Sharpies and their hair would be cut off by their previous owners. Your aunt would spend all day sitting behind that counter scrubbing them clean. She’d even out their haircuts and make them bows to cover the bald spots.” He chuckled to himself. “Those dolls would be like new or better by the time she was done.”
Melody looked at the current selection of dolls in that corner. She hadn’t touched them up the way Jo apparently had. The ones for sale right now were obviously used and well loved. “Sorry. I guess I’m not making Jo proud with the condition of these toys right now.”
