Frozen Hearts: An Enemies-To-Lovers Sweet Rom-Com by Ellie Hartwood

Author:Ellie Hartwood [Hartwood, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-09-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Jared stepped into the shop, whistling the bars to Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. He headed to the storage room where Ayana was unpacking newly delivered boxes, whispering to Rose who was sticking the prices on the tags, then scanning them into the system. He’d asked Rose if she could lend a hand. Things would be getting busy fast. Rose giggled at something Ayana said.

Jared got a kick out of observing them work in tandem. Nearly fifty years apart with vastly different backgrounds and life experience, they got on extremely well.

Over the last decade he’d created a cobbled-together family of his own. His own parents had moved to San Diego when he graduated college, his mom ready for more beach days. Though they divorced shortly thereafter, they both remained there. The truth was Sitka, unlike much of Alaska, was temperate with only a few days dropping below freezing. Still, in all fairness, it wasn’t Southern California. They had tried valiantly to get him to move closer to them but Jared knew where he belonged.

“Why are you in such a good mood?” Ayana asked, as Rose left the storage room, a box of jackets in tow.

Jared said, “The fair is coming up. Lots of fun. You remember fun, don’t you?”

“It’s vague but yes.”

“Good. How many sign-ups do we have for the half-day kayak tour on Friday?”

“We’re full. I called Joe and Carter. They are both available to guide.”

“Please put them on the rock climbing group. I’ll do the kayak trip with Joanna.”

Ayana raised her brow. “Oh, really?”

He turned, avoiding her prying look. He still needed to ask Joanna if she was up for it but guessed she would want to get out on the water. “Yep, really.”

Ayana said, “Bet you’re all sad you missed her yesterday.”

Oh, yeah. “She stopped by, right? I found her lipstick in the office.”

Ayana nodded. “She and the guy were back there for a while. She must have forgotten it there.”

“What guy?”

“The one in the dark suit.”

A couple of customers walked in. “Hey, Jared, can we get some help with a pair of new hiking boots?”

It was one of his regulars.

“Sure thing.” Jared forgot all about the man in the dark suit.

***

After a busy day, Jared hurried home, took Petunia for her walk and texted Joanna, asking if she was free to grab some pizza. She responded immediately with a thumbs up emoji. He told her he would pick her up this time, relieved when she didn’t refuse.

He took a leisurely walk around the block, giving Petunia time to check out a hydrant and the neighbor’s new chihuahua. Who gets a chihuahua in Alaska? The breed was made for Mexico not subarctic Sitka.

His thoughts turned back to Joanna. His heart went out to her. As much as he missed Ted, she was his daughter and even living far from each other, they’d been close. Jared made a mental note to be kinder to her going forward, even when she was riding him.

Returning home, the

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