“Carried away, as in s-e-x?”
April shook her head, glared at Bella. “I do know how to spell you know and not quite sex, although I was willing. More of passionate kiss fest and then he freaked out. Mumbled something about being too different and scared of commitment kind of talk. Said we’d both regret it in the morning or some such rubbish.”
“You know about his relationship with the doctor in Seattle then?” Bella picked up an antique bottle and turned it over, reading the almost ineligible label. “How she gave him an ultimatum and then dumped him?”
“He told me. We had an honest conversation about past relationships over eggplant curry. I like a man that puts family first, and so he should have, too. His ex sounds mean.”
“No doubt. Anyway, Susan feels he’s going to overthink this and blow what chance he has with you. He’s been single for so long, it might be difficult for him to see the woods for the trees.”
“And that’s exactly why I said I was busy this week. I want him to see what he’s missing, give him a chance to think about what’s happening without me in his space and see if it’ll work for him. Make him wonder if being alone is really what he wants.” She took another bite of cookie and sighed. “Did you know that he wasn’t planning on staying here long-term?”
Bella’s eyes bugged out. “No way.”
“Yep. So, I thought about it last night. Actually, all of last night because I hardly slept a wink. The truth is, I like him. A lot. And it occurred to me that even though we’re so different, we get on really well. That’s good, right?”
“Of course it is.”
“So I wondered if I take a step back, he might start to reevaluate his future. He knows I want him, and I don’t want to make noises about making him stay or anything. I figure that’s his decision.”
“Of courses it is. I can’t believe I didn’t know that about him.” Bella took another cookie. “I’m going to have words with Jake about that. Be such a shame to lose our lovely doctor if there’s a way we can convince him to stay.”
“Yes, it would but here’s the thing. I don’t want to be the one pressuring him to stay here if it’s not what he wants. Not after his girlfriend dumped him for his decisions. If I step back, do you think he’s going to be able to process what’s going on between us?”
“Perhaps. I don’t know. It could go either way really.” She leaned on the counter and picked up another bottle, turning it over. “And what if he doesn’t? You don’t want to lose him before you have him.” Bella put down the bottle and picked up a small blue pottery bowl. “Your track record isn’t that great, you know.”
“And yours was?”
“Not saying it was. I’d hate for you to lose David because you want to try and get him to make a decision, is all.” Bella picked up a small silver teaspoon and held it with the bowl. “I’ll take these please.”
April took them from her. “Sure. I’ll wrap them for you.” While she was busy wrapping them in tissue paper, she watched her sister checking out the soap display on the old roll topped desk that she’d uncovered. “Try the goat’s milk and rosemary. It’s to die for, and so is the coconut cream and coffee.”
“Smells pretty good.” Bella brought two bars of soap over and added them to her purchase. “So, tell me more about Susan’s father. I didn’t realize he was such a big deal when she introduced me to him at the cookout.”
“Come and have a look at what he gave me.” She grabbed Bella’s hand and pulled her into the other room. “Look at that.”
The bright skull stared down at them and a warm sense of satisfaction rolled over April. In her wildest dreams she never would have thought she could own one. Especially his skull series, which was very sought after.
“Wow, I love it. Broken horn and all.” Bella walked closer, reached out a hand to touch it. “Can I?”
“Sure.”
Bella ran a finger along the remaining horn and touched the small purple hearts trailing from one eye socket to the jaw on one side. “How incredible. What makes someone go: ‘Hey, a skull. I’ll paint that’?”
“I guess he sees something in them that we don’t. A bit like the way you look at your ingredients I guess.”
“That’s a nice way to explain it. I understand now.” She turned around. “When Susan said he was a ‘bit different,’ I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I like this.”
April looped her arm through her sister’s. “Me, too. David was very frustrated with me when I went with Pierce, though, and I know for a fact he doesn’t understand the man. I think this was an offer to say Pierce recognizes a sympathetic talent. It’s only on loan but I don’t care. I’m totally in love with it.” Together they walked back to the other room where Hamish stood with his eyes fixed on a lady hovering in the doorway.
“Crap.” Bella whispered in her ear. “That’s David’s mother. Good luck getting out of this one.” She walked over and put her hand on the woman’s arm, her voice cheerful. “Hi, Mrs. Morrison, so nice to see you again. Have you met my little sister, April? This is her shop. April, I want you to meet Mrs. Morrison. David’s mother.”
April noticed the resemblance immediately. Only his mother seemed a little more outgoing than David. “Hello, Mrs. Morrison. How lovely to meet you. Come in.” She pushed Hamish aside and he went to lay down on the dog bed behind her counter. “Don’t mind Hamish. He’s a big softie, really.”
“Yes. David did tell me that you had a big dog but he was only a willful puppy underneath all that shaggy
