Sweet Satisfaction

“That’s all right.” Cami stood. “I need to get back to the shop. I have orders to fill. I’ll be working the rest of the night .”

“Really?”

“The mistletoe shoot really helped me out this week. It was Jamie’s idea, but it was a good one .”

“I’m glad things are going well for The Sweet Treat . That’s good for downtown. It’s good news for our small businesses .”

“I guess it is.” She shrugged. “I’m just trying to sell candy .”

“Thank you for doing this.” He grabbed her by the elbow as she tried to walk past him .

“For what?” She searched his eyes .

“For visiting an old lady with no memory .”

Cami’s eyes misted. “Miss Lily was a huge part of Aunt Sophie’s life. She would have wanted me to check in on her.” Cami paused. “I can come more often if it helps. Miss Bette has her hands full.” She grinned .

“Yeah, that would be nice. She’d like that, even if she doesn’t remember it .”

Cami hadn’t moved. His fingers pressed into her arms. It was hard not to pull her towards his chest and kiss her. But he held back. There was something tangible between them in the small space in the kitchen .

“Sometimes I think we take for granted what it means to live in the moment,” she whispered. “Maybe it’s easier to let go of the past .”

He closed his eyes and let her go .

Thirteen

Cami

T here was only one week until the Harpers Point Christmas flotilla. The signs were posted on the message center outside The Sweet Treat , and anywhere else you looked in town. The hardware store was out of string lights, and Bee’s Florist was down to the last supply of mistletoe. It was hard to tell if Lottie Beasley was happy or disappointed she had sold everything from the shoot. A few of the local farms were selling fresh garland and wreaths, but decorations were sold out everywhere else. Everyone was in flotilla mode .

But without a boat, Cami was focused on other things. She stood in the open space next to the candy shop while the fudge cooled in the fridge. She was on her tenth batch this morning and it wasn’t even 9a.m. Her shoulders ached and her forearms were sore from so much stirring. She had forgotten how much muscle it took to make fudge .

The Christmas station she had set on the radio filtered through the doorway that separated the two pieces of property she inherited .

She loved this room with the big open windows and the original architectural design touches, but since opening The Sweet Treat again, she hadn’t had a chance to work on this side of the building. She thought this was going to be her first project, but somehow the stars aligned with the candy orders. Once word was out that their favorite candy store was back in business, she had to devote her energy there .

She folded her arms. At least for now this space was clean, vacant, and ready for her next project. After the holidays, she could focus her energy here. She turned to enter the candy store when her heart stopped .

Evan was in the doorway, holding two cups of coffee .

“Good morning.” He smiled. It was the kind of smile that could stop traffic and hearts .

“Hi.” She stepped toward him, fighting the urge to leap in his arms .

“Coffee?” He held up a cup .

“How did you know I was caffeine deprived?” She took the warm cardboard cup from him. Could he see the grin on her face? Did he know what he was doing to her ?

“What’s going on in here?” He looked at the empty room. “Not climbing ladders I hope.” He raised his eyebrows .

“No. No ladders this morning. I was just trying to figure out how I’m ever going to get to use this space .”

Evan stepped past her. He scanned the walls and ceilings. “It’s a great room, isn’t it? Feels like there are some good stories in these walls .”

Cami clasped the coffee between her hands, feeling the warmth radiate to her palms. “I remember Aunt Sophie used to tell me stories about the dances they had here. She said they danced all night.” She walked to the center. “There used to be a huge chandelier right here.” She pointed to the round medallion overhead. Part of the plaster was chipped. “It was so big the rainbows bounced all the way to the sidewalk.” She looked at Evan. “At least that’s what Aunt Sophie said .”

He chuckled. “I wonder what it was like for some of the people we know now, back when they were our age .”