Strawberry Summer by Melissa Brayden

Author:Melissa Brayden [Brayden, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, lesbian, romance, Time Skips, Businesswoman, Soulmates, Coming of Age, bisexual, Dealing with Grief, Small Town
ISBN: 9781626398689
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2017-03-19T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

I started the next week off at Bag of Beans, where I laid out my notes and plans for streamlining the Pick-Your-Own. The checkout process had become too time consuming when we were in the midst of a busy afternoon, and I had some definite ideas about expediting the whole process.

“Aha, the Pick-Your-Own shuffle is in full effect.”

I glanced up and smiled at Berta and instantly held open my arms for little Timothy, who didn’t begrudge me. I loved that he recognized me and reached for me readily each time he saw me. “Good morning. Yes, the rumors are true. The Pick-Your-Own is in need of some restructuring. How are you two?” I asked, referencing her and the baby.

“One of us is a little less frustrated than the other and hasn’t had their hair pulled eighteen times, but we’re both here.”

“I don’t know how you can beat not having your hair pulled,” I said to Timothy. “You’ve got the good end of this stick, buddy.”

“Hold him while I grab a coffee?”

“Just try wrestling him from me.” As I cooed at Timothy, I caught sight of Louis through the window sitting on a curb across the street. He looked awful and wore the clothes I’d seen him in the day before.

“What’s with Louis?” I asked Berta when she returned, gesturing out the window to where he sat.

She followed my gaze and shook her head. “He’s been so distant lately. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he doesn’t seem to want anything to do with me. I still don’t think he’s forgiven me for Travis.”

“His heart is still broken. That makes me so sad.” I watched as he got up and walked away and decided, then and there, that I needed to be his friend. Go out of my way to show him that his life still had meaning even if he didn’t have Berta. There were so many great girls out there for him to go and meet. Given, Tanner Peak was small, but he needed to realize that there was a life out there for him. He just needed to reach out and grab it.

“I just want him to be happy, you know?” Berta said wistfully. “I can’t stand that I’m the reason he’s not. He’s too sweet a person.” Timothy squirmed in my arms, and Berta took him from me. “Someone wants his breakfast. Say good-bye to your Aunt Maggie.” She looked to me. “It was nice having a conversation with someone who is verbal. Thank you.”

“Likewise,” I told her. With a wave, Berta was off and I was back to work in the gritty world of strawberry procedures. Courtney had some phone appointments scheduled, so I had most of the morning to work at my own pace. I was only a few minutes in when I felt that awkward sensation one gets from being stared at. I threw a glance to the front of the store and saw Melanie tear her eyes from me instantly. Weird.

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