“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.” He took it and looked down the street.
“Guess that’s the new business owner then?” The girl leaned on the open doorway, keen for a chat.
David looked at her and frowned. “Not sure I understand. What business, do you know?” How come everyone knew she was moving into his building and he didn’t? And surely they would have leased it to a lawyer or something similar. He couldn’t see this person being a legal type. She screamed hippie and the 1970’s era of free love and protest marches. Certainly not a business owner.
“No, sorry. I heard the shop had been leased and it seems as though she’s the one taking over since Tommy’s doing the hand over. Certainly going to add some color to Cherry Lake, that’s for sure.” She glanced at the clothing he held. “Seems like a ball of energy, too.”
“Hmm, yes, she does. Thanks for the coffee.” He walked down the pavement toward the shop, knowing he couldn’t stand around all day because he had patients arriving shortly. The door was wide open and her excited voice echoed through the empty rooms out to where he stood. David felt a bit awkward but he couldn’t leave her clothing lying there when he was at fault, or at least half at fault. He should have looked before he stepped out but his mind was elsewhere, as it often was these days. Still caught up in his opera, his mind hadn’t yet changed track to the business of the day ahead.
He listened to her voice, loving the melodic ring and the enthusiasm. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
He watched her twirl around the room, her enthusiasm a bit over the top, but she was going to be a neighbor. Energy to burn was exciting, just not within his small circle of personal space.
“The keys on this ring are for the apartment upstairs too. I can show you that if you like. Entrance is just over there by the storage room and up those stairs. You can lock that off if you need to.” Tommy walked to the back of the room and opened a door. “This is the common area. You share that with the doctor’s office next door. A kitchen, storage, and bathrooms. There’s also a back entrance to the parking lot and a set of stairs outside for the apartment in case you want to sub-let it out.”
She looked up then and saw him, tilted her head as if asking what he wanted. David stepped into the shop and heard the growl. The large wiry dog ran over to him and stuck its nose into the poncho then stared up at his face, a warning look in its eyes.
“Hamish, stand down.” She walked over to them and grabbed the dog’s collar. “Sorry, he’s a bit rattled with the move. Everything’s foreign to him.”
“I understand. Ah, you left this on the pavement. I thought you might want it back.” He held it out and she smiled, her blue eyes lighting up.
“Thank you. I appreciate it. That’s my favorite poncho. A vintage one I found on eBay.” Her fingers curled over it and she took it. “They’re getting rarer all the time. I was so lucky to get this one.” Her dog stood staring at David, its gaze unwavering and scary. Made Oscar look downright charming with his diminutive size.
“Um, Miss Moore, did you want me to show you the apartment?” Tommy hovered in the background.
She turned then. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be so rude. No, thanks anyway. I’d like to explore it myself and feel the energy when it’s empty but I do appreciate the offer.” She shook his hand and he scurried past the dog, a wary look on his face.
David felt for him. The hounds of the Baskervilles had nothing on this long legged creature. Dogs had never been his favorite animal, especially one this size.
“Well, I’d better get to work, too. I have patients arriving.” David turned to the door and then looked over his shoulder. “Did he say Moore?”
“Yes he did.”
“Are you related to Dakota and Bella?” He knew both and this woman didn’t fit the Moore family mold as far as he could see. They didn’t wear flowers in their hair and this girl was more elfin looking, finer boned. He couldn’t pick the resemblance at all.
“Yes.” She held out her hand, that impish grin on her face. “I’m April Moore, the baby of the family, and Mari from the hotel is my half-sister.” Her dog pushed his nose into their hands and she laughed. “Hamish, stop it.” She patted his head. “I’m sorry. He’s such a big softie really.”
David wasn’t convinced. The teeth were too long, in his opinion, the mouth too wide and frightening. The eyes too piercing and intent. They followed every move he made leaving him wondering if it was safe to breathe.
“His bark is worse than his bite. Irish wolfhounds are very loyal and Hamish is still only young and silly like a teenager. I promise he won’t hurt you.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it then.” He took a step back, avoiding the wet nose aiming his way. “I’d better go. Nice meeting you, April. Perhaps next time it will be under somewhat better circumstances.”
She grinned and rested a hand on her dog’s head. The tongue lolled out of its mouth and it closed its eyes, leaned into her leg. “I hope so, Dr. Morrison.”
“Call me David, please.”
“See you around, David.”
Chapter Three
He was cute. And far too serious for his own good. At least that was April’s opinion. She walked around her shop, marveling at the set out of the rooms, the space she had to fill how she saw fit. The two large open front rooms with huge picture windows would be perfect for her displays. Raw wooden floors devoid of carpet or paint, worn smooth with age could tell
