Enchanting the Innkeeper: Sweet Historical Western (Love in Apple Blossom Book 5) by Kit Morgan

Author:Kit Morgan [Morgan, Kit]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Angel Creek Press
Published: 2023-03-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

As soon as Dora finished with the dishes, she did a little mending, then scooted across the street to Alma’s. She needed nothing other than some conversation. Or anything to distract her from Phileas.

She entered the building and found Alma staring at her wall of tools and nails and other hardware. “Morning, Alma.”

She didn’t turn around. “Uh-huh.”

“What?”

“Yes, it is. I guess.” Alma glanced her way. “It all depends on how you look at it.” She crossed her arms and blew a wisp of red hair from her face. “Gone. This will soon be gone.” She arched an eyebrow and faced Dora. “Or will it?” She spun on her heel and marched to her post behind the counter.

Dora stared after her. Alma would not be in the mood for much conversation. She was obsessed with Mr. Hawthorne’s hardware store. “Um, so, have you seen him the last couple of days?”

Alma grabbed her feather duster and began dusting the counter. “I have no idea who you’re referring to.”

Dora rolled her eyes. “Come now, you know perfectly well. Has Mr. Hawthorne been in here?”

She glanced at the ceiling. “Hmm, you tell me. Has he had any reason to leave the hotel? I don’t think so.” She got back to dusting, then paused. “Oh, unless it’s going through with his ridiculous idea of setting up a hardware store down the street from me.” She furiously worked her way across the counter. “Nope, haven’t seen him.”

Dora sighed and watched Alma go back and forth from one end of the counter to the other. Land sakes, was she going round the bend? “It’s not that bad,” she consoled. “Personally, I think you’re looking at this all wrong. His store will only help yours.”

Alma started dusting the shelves behind her. “It will? A good part of my business comes from hardware, and he’ll take that from me.”

Dora leaned against the counter and thought a moment. “Only because the Darlings have been giving it to you. If they hadn’t come to town, how much business would you lose?”

She stopped dusting. “I…I’m not sure.”

“See?” Dora went around the counter and took the duster from her. “You must remember, the only reason you’re making money is because of Phileas and his brothers. As soon as he’s done with the hotel and leaves, then it’s only a matter of finishing up a few things. Then everything will be back to normal. Remember what I said?”

Alma’s face screwed up in confusion. “I’m afraid not.”

“Who does most of the shopping in this town?”

Alma nodded sheepishly. “The women.”

“And who would benefit most if you got rid of a lot of your hardware and carried more things for the women?”

Alma hung her head. “I would.”

Before Dora could comment, the bell over the door rang and in walked Mr. Hawthorne. Great. Could his timing be any worse? With any luck, he wouldn’t get poor Alma riled up. Dora watched as he went straight to the hardware section.

Alma squared her shoulders and cleared her throat. “Can I help you?”

He glanced at her then fixed his eyes on the bins of nails.

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