Home Is Where the Heart Break Is by Tess Oliver

Author:Tess Oliver [Oliver, Tess]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 16109373
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2012-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Mom and I had spent the evening alone feasting on grilled cheese sandwiches and talking about every topic imaginable from her failed engagements to our sweet but slightly nutty Aunt Sadie to the interesting relationship twist that was taking place between Nico and me. Mom had not been the least bit surprised when I told her. She told me she’d always known that I was crazy about him and that he was equally wild about me.

The only bad part of the day was the letter. It was just silly paranoia but I’d spent a great deal of the evening imagining that something was crawling on me. Then I slept with the light on.

***

Several morning hours passed as I watched and marveled at how impressive my Aunt Sadie was as a saleswoman and by how much she knew about old stuff. She seemed to be able to match customers up with the perfect item within moments of meeting them, and her vivacious personality had them all charmed.

My mom was doing well too. She was wrapping a century old glass and silver cruet set with tissue as Chase walked in holding a pink bakery box. My mom’s face lit up when she saw him. Her customer panicked as Mom nearly dropped one of bottles in her excitement to hug Chase.

“How’s your sister?” Mom and I asked simultaneously.

“She’s doing a lot better. Thanks. My parents stayed down the hill to be closer to the hospital.”

“Well, if you need anything please call us, Chase,” Mom said and returned to the customer.

Chase ran the box under my nose. “Up for a bear claw? I thought we could sit out front on the bench and eat one.”

Aunt Sadie waved me outside. “Go, go.” She beamed at Chase. “You grew up so handsome.”

A shy smile tilted up Chase’s cheek. “Thanks.”

I grabbed his arm. “Come on, let’s go before one of them proposes to you for me.”

We sat on the bench in front of the shop and watched as a couple with three little boys in tow struggled with back packs, cameras, and water bottles. The littlest one was already crying his lungs out because his mom wouldn’t let him hold his own water. She finally relented and handed it to him. He immediately drank some, spilling half of it on his shirt. They turned up the path to hike to Widow’s Peak. It was a particularly popular hike because it wasn’t strenuous, and the reward at the end was a scenic waterfall.

“Tourists-- you gotta love em,” Chase said as he handed me a plump bear claw.

“I’ll bet they turn around at the first bend where that duck shaped rock is sitting. I forgot about Widow’s Peak. I’ve always loved that hike.” I took a bite of the pastry and closed my eyes to savor the taste.

I opened them and Chase’s blue eyes were smiling at me. “I’ve never seen you take a bite of a bear claw until you’ve picked off the almonds to eat first.

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