Page 40 of Tinsel & Tools
Cole nodded and turned to Dale. “We’ll start in the basement.”
I stepped aside to let them pass. Once they disappeared, I returned to my laptop. It was time to describe one of my main characters, and when I pictured him in my head, it was Cole I saw. My mind went back to that first day at Maple & Mug when I had spotted him wearing his signature flannel and faded jeans. Those perfect cheekbones of his had caught my attention right away.
The words flowed easily, each sentence pulling me deeper into the story. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and my stomach rumbled, reminding me I couldn’t live on coffee alone. I didn’t have much food in the house, and without Mrs. Ross around, I had to fend for myself.
I saved my document, then wandered upstairs, where I found Cole and Dale crouched under the sink in the bathroom across from my room. They were tossing around words like valves and fittings, none of which meant anything to me.
“I’m going to run into town,” I announced, hovering in the doorway. “You need anything?”
Cole glanced up. “No, I’m good. Dale will be done soon, then I’m going to work on the porch the rest of the afternoon.”
He’d already made some progress on the porch, and while he had no problem walking along the frame and using the front door, I was sticking with the back door. Knowing my luck, if I tried to do the same, I’d fall right off.
“All right.” I nodded. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
As I drove past Cinnamon & Crumb, I remembered the delicious white chocolate and cranberry cookie I’d had the night before. Making a quick detour, I parked my car and walked to the bakery.
A blast of warm air carrying the scent of cinnamon sugar hit me as soon as I walked in. While in line, I scanned the rows of pastries in the glass case, and the golden apple tartlets looked delicious.
I recognized the woman from the tree lighting event, and her face lit up when she saw me. She was in her fifties, maybe, with graying hair and smudges of batter on her apron. “Good morning, Mr. Price. Nice to see you again.”
I blinked. “You remember me?”
“Of course. We don’t get new people around here often.”
Before I could respond, someone stepped up next to me. “Oh, so you’re the man everyone’s been talking about.”
I turned and found a woman wrapped in a red coat and plaid scarf giving me a once-over.
“Excuse me?” I asked, a little surprised by her announcement.
She leaned a little closer, like she was letting me in on a secret. “A new bachelor in town doesn’t go unnoticed. Cole Maddox seems to have sworn off dating, and Ryan Dalton is a bit of a flirt, if you know what I mean. The ladies at the salon this morning were thrilled there’s finally some new blood.”
Her words were slightly frightening, and I didn’t know if I should laugh or make a break for the door. “That so?”
“Sure is.” She winked.
“Leave the young man alone, Karen,” the woman behind the counter admonished. “You’re going to scare him off with all that town gossip.”
She looked at me again. “Now what can I get you?”
A few minutes later, I had the apple tartlets plus a couple of cookies in hand and a loaf of sourdough bread. “Thanks!” I held up the pink box. “I didn’t catch your name last night.”
“Brenda Katz,” she replied. “And you’re very welcome, dear.”
Once I left the bakery, I continued to the general store, which turned out to be underwhelming to say the least. Instead of an in-store deli, I found a small case filled with packages of presliced ham and turkey, along with cheddar and American cheese. So much for the fancy sandwich spread I’d wanted to make for lunch. I decided on the turkey and cheddar, then grabbed some fresh produce, chips, and soda.
Back at the inn, I parked and approached Cole, who was hammering away on the porch. “I bought stuff for lunch whenever you want to take a break.”
He wiped the sweat off his brow with his sleeve. “You’re making me lunch?”
“Figured we are both hungry and I know you don’t cook.” I grinned.
“All right. Give me ten?”
“Sure, just come inside when you’re ready.”
I plated the sandwiches just as he walked into the kitchen.
