“I got talking, sorry.” She moved closer and Hamish ambled over to her. “So why are you here inside the shop?”
“I had to check that you were okay. I know you said you never lock your door so I checked just to make sure you hadn’t hurt yourself again and were lying somewhere. It was rude, I know, but I was concerned. I know what you’re like.”
That was sweet. “Thanks. But as you can see, I’m fine. I went out for a coffee break.”
David stood up. “That’s fine then. Sorry to be so intrusive. I should mind my own business.”
“I don’t mind or I wouldn’t have told you I leave my doors unlocked but tell me why you’re really here.” She looked up into his eyes.
He sighed, a deep heaving sigh that seemed to shake him to his very boots. “I don’t know what you’ve done to me. I thought I had my life planned out. Work and personal life sorted, a confirmed bachelor living with my inherited dog. I was happy planning my move back to Seattle.” He gazed down at her, a quick grin lighting his eyes. “At least I thought I was until you came along and upset my quiet, sedate life.”
“Sorry. I tend to whip in like a whirlwind where ever I go. Can’t help it.” But it was nice to know she’d made an impression, especially if it made him think.
“I know. And as much as I have trouble accepting that we could get along, I can’t seem to stop thinking about you.”
April took a step closer. “And is that a bad thing?” His chin had a small spot of blood where the razor had nicked the skin this morning. Another sign of inner torment, and frustration, and some serious thinking.
“I thought it would be but now I’m not sure. The thing is, would you be patient enough to try and let me work this out? I’ll understand if you aren’t.” The frown lines between his eyes made her doubt that. “My life is so different to yours. You’re a burst of color on a cloudy day and I’m, well, that winter’s day with all my clouds lined up just the way I like them. I don’t do spontaneous or bright colors but I’m willing to see if we can find equal ground if you have the patience, because you’re going to need it.”
“Hmm, I see why you’d be frustrated. Are you sure this is what you want?”
David reached for her. “To be honest, I don’t know if it will work but in your own words, isn’t it worth a try?” He slid his hand behind her neck and brought her in for a lingering kiss. His lips were soft and she could taste the mint on his breath. A prickle of whisker hair rubbed against her top lip from the spot he’d missed this morning. He really was out of sorts.
A cough from the doorway and the sound of Hamish’s claws on the floor broke them apart. April turned to see Pierce standing there looking uncomfortable.
David stiffened and pulled her back against him. April leaned into his chest and slid her arms around his waist which brought a smile to David’s face. He really believed she had a suitor in Pierce. Silly man but she wasn’t about to disillusion him yet. Nothing wrong with a small dose of jealousy to help along her cause.
“Hi, Pierce.”
“April, David.”
“What can I do for you today?”
He pulled a parcel from behind his back and held it out to her. “I thought you might like this to hang in your shop as well. It’s an early piece, one I didn’t want to part with for sentimental reasons but I’m quite happy to let you display it if you like. I hear you’ve had quite a good reaction to the other piece.” He handed over the parcel, having trouble meeting the death stare he was getting from David.
April took it, moved away from David and walked over to her desk cradling the offering close to her chest. The bubble of excitement was almost too much. An original piece to show off her talents at decorating rooms and now another offering for the shop. How lucky could a girl get?
April carefully put the parcel down and started to peel away the paper.
“I made it for my wife. It was one of her favorite pieces, which I’ve had locked away for far too long. When I saw the colors you’ve painted the shop I thought it was time to bring it out of hiding.” He shuffled his feet as though uncomfortable. “If you don’t want to have it here, I’ll understand but I think it will look perfectly at home above your cash register here.”
April held her breath as she peeled away the final layer of paper and then gasped. An old garden trowel bright pink in color lay before her. But it was the strands of glass beads that hung from it that drew her interest. It looked as though each bead had been hand made. All in varying sized heart shapes, they were all the colors of the rainbow.
April lifted the trowel up by the chain attached to it. The beads chimed and tinkled as they pinged against each other. Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Pierce, it’s beautiful. So very beautiful.” She turned to David. “Isn’t this just sublime?”
“I called it ‘searching for love.’ It feels appropriate right now.” Pierce’s voice trembled.
The thunderous look in David’s eyes reminded her of what he’d just said about his dark clouds. This really wasn’t the right time for Pierce to mention the “L” word in front of David.
“I have to go.” David turned and walked quickly out the door before she could stop him.
“Sorry, he has a lot on his mind today.” April hoped he would be okay.
It wasn’t her place to tell him the reason Pierce was here. She
