The bell over the door dinged as Sera closed it behind her with a laugh. “I’m not a seamstress.” She leaned on the counter and waited while Holly finished her task. “Besides, I go to Paris on Friday afternoons right here in Bear Meadows. Have you been to the real Paris?”
Putting the lid on the machine, Holly stepped down and tossed the empty bag away. “Several times when I was based in Germany. We traveled a lot.” She rested her chin on her hands and stared into the distance, obviously lost in memories. “Ten years in the air force provided me with a lot of travel opportunities for sure. Now that I’m back home and tied down with a business, the farthest I get to go is Pittsburgh. But I’m cool with that.” She smiled.
“Well, your Friday afternoon fake Paris is as close as I’m going to get.” She took a deep breath and caught the scent of freshly baked treats. Another reason to enjoy pretend Paris.
“You have Pierre to thank for the tunes. Remember him? He owned the computer store. He gave me his collection of CDs when he left. Told me to play them once a week so we didn’t forget him.”
“How could we? That French accent of his was so romantic.” Sera waggled her eyebrows, then grew serious. “I see The Cookie Jar closed down.”
“Sue Hunter, I mean Sue Campbell, is working out of the Reed mansion kitchen. Only taking orders. The candy shop is owned by Kristen and Robin. They’re old friends who always talked about starting a small business. You should stop in.”
“With my sweet tooth, I’m sure I will.” Sera leaned back for a better look at the pastries in the glass case.
The bell dinged, announcing another customer. Sera looked over her shoulder.
A young woman dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt with hair pulled back in a ponytail gave them both a friendly smile as she closed the door. “Hi, Holly.”
“Hi, Dr. Hannah.” Holly returned her attention to Sera. “Have you met the new vet? She gave Twister and his buddies their shots last week.”
Sera shook the vet’s hand. “Hi, I’m Sera.”
“Do you have horses, Sera?” The woman gave her a friendly smile.
“Two, but my neighbor usually gives them their shots. He picks up the syringes when he buys supplies for his cows.”
“You’re not talking about Cyrus Carter, are you?” Her eyes brightened as she mentioned his name.
Sera vaguely remembered Cyrus’s excuse for not picking up his cousin. He had to meet the new vet. Seeing who the new vet was, she thought, No wonder. Dr. Hannah was exactly Cy’s type. Athletic and outdoorsy. And with all of his animals, being friends with a vet didn’t hurt. “Cy is my neighbor. No offense, but it helps save on the vet bills when he gives the horses their shots.”
“None taken. Nice he helps you out.”
Holly tapped the counter with her fingers to attract Sera’s attention. “I had Sue whip up some croissants yesterday. If you want to pretend you’re in Paris, you should have a double espresso and a chocolate croissant. Sound good?”
Sera’s mouth watered at the thought of the treat. “I’ll be bouncing off the walls, but okay.”
Holly winked. “Have a seat and I’ll bring it over to you.”
“Nice meeting you.” Sera smiled at the vet as she walked over to the seating area. She passed by the shelves of used paperbacks and then shuffled through a pile of magazines in the alcove.
She returned to the front window and settled in one of the four brown-and-yellow cushioned chairs clustered around a low table. Two hours to pretend. Resting her head on the back of the chair, she closed her eyes, thinking of the ridiculous request made by the Valentine family. The father had even offered to have the barn repainted as part of the deal. She had, of course, done them a favor and told them no. They couldn’t help thinking the barn could be fixed up. They didn’t know any better. Wendy and Josh would find another place, more suitable.
She shoved the thought of a wedding in her barn to the back of her mind and let the music transport her. She was at a sidewalk café in Paris, drinking espresso and eating a chocolate croissant. Maybe a handsome Frenchman would stop by and ask her where she was from. A girl could dream, couldn’t she?
* * *
HE COULDN’T HAVE missed her pickup. When Alex saw the faded blue truck parked in front of The Wildflower, he wheeled the small car into the adjacent parking space, causing the driver behind him to give an angry toot on the horn. “Sorry, buddy.”
He wanted to talk to Sera alone, before Cy tried to run interference. He didn’t think it would be this easy. Bad enough he forced himself on unwilling property owners for his work; he wasn’t about to do the same thing for a favor for his cousin. Besides, Cy had a way of twisting things to his advantage.
Once again he had flown into Shadow Falls Regional Airport, reserving a rental car himself. Only this time Scooby had overbooked. The kid felt so bad he had loaned him his personal vehicle. So here he was, driving a stick shift compact car with racing stripes. He looked in the cup holder and wondered if Scooby would miss his house key.
Alex walked up the wide steps to the boardwalk and looked up and down the little strip mall. Hair Today to his left. To the right a computer shop, a consignment shop and... His mother was right. K&R’s Candy Jar occupied the end storefront, which he assumed had been held by The Cookie Jar. She likes candy. He made a detour to the candy shop, returned to the car and then, still looking for Sera, went into the coffee shop.
She sat nestled in a corner, reading a magazine, a demitasse resting on her thigh. When the bell dinged she looked up, down and then back up as recognition dawned. “Alex? What are you doing here?” Setting the cup on the table, she straightened and put her feet on the floor.
“Hi, Sera.” He motioned toward the counter. “Let me get a coffee, and then I’ll explain. Would you like something?”
She shook her head, but gave him a funny little smile. He could feel her eyes on his back as he walked up to the counter. A tall woman with short, dark hair gave him a welcoming smile. “You look like an amaretto guy.”
“Excuse me?”
“I try to guess my customers’ preferences. So am I right? Would you like an amaretto?” The woman stood with her hands on her hips and looked him straight in the eye.
“Okay, sure.” Alex wasn’t used to bossy baristas. He looked back at Sera, who had returned to reading her magazine. “And—”
“A chocolate croissant. Good choice. Have a seat. I’ll bring it all over.” She grabbed a cup and turned to the espresso machine before he could answer. He had the feeling he had been dismissed.
He strolled toward the front of the shop and settled into the comfortable chair next to Sera’s. “How have you been?” The blue-green eyes gave him a little jolt. How had he forgotten?
“Good. You?” She took a deliberate sip from the small cup, as if arming herself for an attack.
“Good.” He hesitated before continuing, wondering just how forthright he could be. He leaned forward and touched her knee. “I was hoping I’d find you here.”
He would swear she flinched at his touch. “You want to see more of the farm?”
The woman was armed for bear. Well, what did he expect? “No. Well, yes, I guess.” Heat suffused his face, and for a minute he felt as if he were sparring with a fellow attorney. “I wanted to see you first.”
Holly delivered his drink and croissant, then stood there with her arms folded. She glanced at Sera. “Introduce me to your boyfriend, Sera.”
“He is not my boyfriend.”
Alex studied Sera’s red face, finally deciding she had been insulted by the barista’s assumption. He stood to shake the woman’s hand. “I’m Alex Kimmel, Cyrus Carter’s cousin. From New York.”
The woman had a heck of a grip.
“Are you related to Max Kimmel, the attorney?” The barista tilted her head. Her e
yes were a slightly more intense green than Sera’s.
He grew uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “He’s my father.” And waited for her response.
“Hmm. Enjoy.” Abruptly she walked away.
“How did you get here?”
Lost in his thoughts, he looked up and remembered the reason he had come into the coffee shop. “Flew in, rented a car. Kind of.”
Sera laughed. “Scooby had a car for you?”
Her whole face lit up as she teased him. Here, away from her home, she seemed different from the woman he had met at the airport. But, as he settled into the cushioned chair and with the rich scent of roasted coffee in the air, music in the background, he could understand. “Not exactly. He loaned me his private vehicle.”
Eyebrows lifted as she took a bite of croissant. “No kidding?”
He nodded. “I guess he felt bad about my last rental fiasco.”
Dishes clattered behind the swinging door at the back of the shop. Alex sipped his drink, wondering how exactly to bring up the subject of looking over her deeds.
She saved him the trouble. “Cy came by to see me.”
“Good. What did he...have to say?”
“He said you’re working in the area on a project for your firm.”
He nodded. “I’ll be here for a few weeks.”
“He suggested you organize my files. But now that I think about it, that’s ridiculous. I mean, you’re a busy attorney. You don’t have time to straighten out my little legal mess.” She waved a hand in the air and almost seemed to be talking to herself. “What was he thinking?”
“Actually...” Alex leaned forward and set his cup carefully on the table. “I would be happy to look at your files.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re helping your cousin. In case I sell. I haven’t decided, you know?”
He held up both hands. She had gone on the defensive quickly. “I am helping my cousin, I admit. But you should see where you stand anyway. You may not sell to Cy, but you should still have your affairs in order. So what do you say? Do we have a truce?”
She pursed her lips, and he was reminded of the first time he saw her.
Holly came out from the kitchen with a tray of cups just as the front door burst open. The little bell fell to the floor with a clang. “Darn it, Holly, this thing is a pain. You need an electronic buzzer.”
“I don’t want an electronic buzzer, and the bell only falls off when you or Moose walk in. You two are just so manly the poor bell falls to the floor in terror.”
The uniformed man smiled and then walked over to them. “Hi, Sera. How are you and your great-aunt doing?” Dark glasses obscured his eyes, and a badge was pinned to his shirt.
“Hi, Mac. We’re fine.”
“Do you know whose car is parked next to your truck?” He stood behind the empty chair, hat in hand, and looked from Sera to Alex. He rested one hand on his gun.
Sera tilted her head. Her eyes slipped Alex’s way before moving to the magazine in her lap. “What’s it look like?”
“White with red racing stripes.”
Though her head was bent as she leafed through the magazine, Alex could tell she was biting her lip. He cleared his throat. “Well, I suppose you could say the car is mine.”
“Really.” The police chief favored him with an appraising look, not unlike the one Alex had received from the barista. He glanced at Sera. “Is he your boyfriend?”
“He is not my boyfriend!” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Sera covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, Mac, that came out louder than I’d intended.”
Mac just nodded, his gaze going from one to the other.
Standing, Alex introduced himself. “Alex Kimmel.” Again he had the feeling he should be ready for inspection.
The big man shook his hand. “Mac McAndrews, chief of police. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kimmel.”
Alex waited for the inevitable “Are you Max Kimmel’s son?” But he got a surprise.
“Do you know the inspection on your vehicle is expired?” Chief McAndrews crossed his arms. Short sleeves showed muscular and tanned forearms.
“The car inspection? Well, no, how would I know? It’s not my car.”
“You just said the car was yours. Kind of.” A glimmer of a smile. “And the sticker is in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield. Here in Pennsylvania, cars are inspected once a year.” The chief took off his sunglasses and looped the earpiece in his shirt pocket. “And your car’s inspection has expired.”
“Scooby, at the airport, loaned me his personal vehicle.” He had a sinking feeling.
“Uh-huh, I’m sorry, Mr. Kimmel, but unless you’re taking the car directly to a station, I can’t let you drive it.”
“You’re kidding.” Alex sank back down on the cushioned chair, rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the flowered carpet in the seating area. Big, yellow flowers with green leaves. Then he looked at Sera. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
She dropped her feet to the floor and threw the magazine on the table. “Of course not. Ask Scooby.” Then she laughed.
“Oh, believe me. I will.” He pushed his hand through his hair and glanced up.
The policeman held out his hand. “Could I see your license?”
Alex reached for his wallet and then froze. He looked at Sera. She was biting her lip again. Fighting a smile, he was sure. He kind of liked that.
* * *
AS SOON AS the words were out of Mac’s mouth, Sera knew for certain Alex’s driver’s license was still expired. A busy man who didn’t drive in the city... Definitely expired. Either way, she knew she was his ride. Unlike the night at the airport, she didn’t mind. Maybe Alex wasn’t French, but she couldn’t deny he was handsome. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she left the coffee shop.
“Lucky for you, Mac was in a good mood. You got away with just a warning.” Standing at the driver’s-side door, she grinned at Alex across the wide expanse of the worn bench seat before hoisting herself behind the wheel.
Using the handgrip, Alex pulled himself into the truck and slammed his door. “If Scooby reports his car stolen, at least the police know where it is.”
“We’re picking up Aunt Hope. She quilts with the church ladies Friday afternoons.” Sera slid him a look. “You’ll have to sit in the middle. She can’t straddle the clutch.”
“I don’t mind if you don’t mind.”
Sera flushed at his teasing tone of voice. “You’ll give Aunt Hope someone to talk to. She’s not speaking with me at the moment.” She turned the key. The engine groaned once, twice, then quit.
“Sounds like Old Blue needs a new battery.”
She turned the key again and when the engine started, felt a tiny spark of victory. She backed into the street.
“I can’t imagine your great-aunt being angry with anyone, much less you.”
“I finally told her Cy offered to buy the farm. Threatening Last Chance Farm gets her dander up a bit.” She pulled to the curb in front of the Hershberger home and killed the engine. A retired teacher, Mrs. Hershberger sported a sign that read Go Cubs in her front flower bed.
Alex twisted in his seat and gave her a steady look. “Did you explain?”
She ran a hand over the smooth steering wheel, gathering her thoughts, uncertain how much to share with the cousin of the man who was so desperate to buy her farm. “Callahans aren’t the best at talking where feelings are concerned. We prefer to keep our emotions inside until we can’t stand it anymore and then blow up all at once.” She shuddered at the memory of some of the family feuds. “More exciting that way.”
His slow smile warmed her from the inside out. “My family prefers a low simmer.” He took her hand from the steering wheel. “After I turned down hi
s offer of a job, my father has barely said two words to me in the last six years.”
She wanted to ask him more, but over his shoulder she saw her great-aunt coming out the front door. Rose Hoffman had her arm through the crook of her friend’s elbow. Together they came down the front steps and along the short walkway.
Sera withdrew her hand from his grip. “Stay here.” When she came around the truck with the little step stool, her great-aunt was smiling. For a minute Sera hoped the disagreement was forgotten, but when she reached for Hope’s arm, the older woman brushed her away and instead took Alex’s hand. They were chatting away by the time Sera climbed behind the wheel.
“Vera was telling me how much your father helped with the issue between Hank Hershberger and Josh Hunter.”
Sera’s gaze strayed toward Alex, curious how he would respond. If he and his father had hardly spoken, he probably wasn’t crazy about the idea of discussing his family issues. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Your father has helped a lot of people in town with legal problems. Why don’t you work with your father?”
He probably didn’t realize he was doing it, but Sera noticed a muscle in his jaw twitch before he answered her great-aunt. “I did my internship in the city with the father of a classmate. I planned to come back home, but I figured I should get some experience. Then—” he hesitated “—one thing led to another and I was offered a job.”
Sera had the feeling Alex’s family had had a few feuds of their own. Maybe he did understand.
“Your father is such a good man.”
“I almost forgot.” Alex reached into his pocket and withdrew two boxes. “Candy from the new candy shop.”
“Well, aren’t you the thoughtful one?” Aunt Hope beamed as she accepted a box.
“This one’s for you, of course.” Tapping a finger on the lid, Alex held on to the second box. Throwing him a thank-you smile, Sera turned into the lane, thinking how deftly Alex had changed the subject with his surprise. The man obviously didn’t want to talk about his father. Absently she noted the fence could use a coat of paint. Yet another reason not to have a crowd descend on the farm for a wedding. She pulled the truck close to the back gate. “After I help Aunt Hope into the house, I’ll take you to your cousin’s.”
Deal of a Lifetime Page 8
