Page 14 of The Holiday Grump
Part of me wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. “The Alfords are very influential. If they find out I’m here?—”
“I get it.” She squeezed my arm and opened the door. “I won’t tell anyone. I have to get to work, but I’ll come see you later. Where’s your shop?”
“Right next door.” I dressed up and followed her outside, pointing at my little shop.
“Is that where the real estate office used to be? That space is huge.”
“They split it into three shops. Mine’s tiny.”
Her jaw dropped. “And no bathroom? That can’t be legal!”
“I wasn’t supposed to live there full-time,” I admitted. “But I don’t have anywhere else to go, so I figured I could make it work since they said there was a bed.”
She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Not like you had a lot of choice. The town’s booked solid for the holidays.”
“My cruise contract ended early, and I had to find something fast. A friend knew the owner…” I gestured helplessly in the direction of my cardboard-box palace. Then I remembered. “About Cellular Hill?—”
“Walk towards the harbor and take a right. You’ll see it. There’s a little gazebo at the top.”
“Thank you!”
My muscles were sore, and my stomach growled as I tugged on my mittens. “Maybe I’ll see you later?”
Felicity grinned, her brown eyes sparkling. “You sure will.”
She was a lot friendlier than her brother. Easy to talk to, quick to smile. I could only pray she’d keep her promise and not tell anyone about my past. If word got out, Spencer would find me. Apparently, he was already looking.
I headed to the harbor. First, I’d send my messages, then buy coffee and breakfast. After that, I’d tackle the cardboard boxes.
The snow had stopped falling, and the early morning skycurved above me in shades of warm pink and blue, stars already fading. It was going to be a beautiful day, and I’d already made a friend. I wasn’t about to let anything bring me down.
CHAPTER 7
Fredrik
Iarrived at the store half an hour earlier than usual. Not because I was hoping to catch Noelle, I told myself. I’d simply woken up early and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I was following my usual routine a little ahead of schedule.
In all honesty, my usual routine didn’t make any business sense. The bookstore wasn’t making money. I could have sold my assets and lived a quiet life for the rest of my days, taking no part in anything. But I knew Kailee needed somewhere to hang out in the afternoon, so I showed up. I was a sucker for being needed.
On my way to work, I picked up a black coffee from Love at First Sip.
“You’re looking worse for wear,” Eileen remarked, handing me my order.
“Gee, thanks.”
“It’s the dark circles.” She waved a finger around her eye, accidentally tapping on her oversized glasses as she peered over the rim at me.
“I didn’t sleep well. Hence the coffee.” I raised the cup, hoping this bit of information was enough to satisfy her curiosity.
“What are you losing sleep over?” She leaned forward, her flowery top brushing a tray of cinnamon buns.
I was actively ignoring their tantalizing smell. If I started using butter and sugar to medicate my sour moods, Hideaway Harbor would run out in a week.
“I, um…” I tried to gather my thoughts.
I could have sworn the background noise of the café dipped by several decibels, as everyone listened in. Hideaway’s favorite son, Ralph, set down his pie and turned around, staring at me expectantly. He must have been between his many temp jobs and business ventures, idling at the Sip, waiting for inspiration. Or good gossip.
“Is it a girl?” Eileen whispered, her voice brimming with hope. “I heard there’s someone new in town. A pretty one. Colorful clothes.”
