The Way of the River by Shan L. Spyker

Author:Shan L. Spyker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tulip Tree Creative Studios
Published: 2021-06-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Lovii’s Sweet Shop

It had been only two days since Henry had been gone, but back at Kellandale he was missed so terribly that a haze of sadness clouded every waking moment. To help, Abigail had arranged a carriage ride to Waterbridge, which was a welcomed distraction from the sorrow plaguing Elinora, Tillie, Graham, and Jamie.

The trip had a two-fold purpose—Abigail had asked Emil to drive them into town that evening for dessert at Lovii’s, but she had also encouraged them to inquire about the circuses that come to town. “Lovii and Lucerne know everyone and everything that goes on in Waterbridge. I’m sure they will be able to help you in some way,” she had said.

The ride was a beautiful jaunt through the forest to the northwest, about forty minutes by horse and carriage. En route they crossed the bridge from which Elinora and Tillie had seen Henry dropped into the river.

To keep their spirits up while they traveled, Jamie played a game he called Worst Dessert—a thinly veiled excuse to disgust Tillie for entertainment’s sake wherein he named stomach-turning sundae combinations, then dared her to eat them. Her favorite thus far was his Triple Beast, an anchovy-flavored ice cream topped with earthworms, marmalade, and capers.

“I’ll be ordering one of those as soon as we get to Lovii’s,” she threatened.

“Ottilie the Unflappable,” he replied.

After driving a bit longer, they reached town. Emil hitched the horses to a post on the tree-lined side street, and the four of them emerged from the carriage.

“Thank you, Emil, we’ll be back soon,” Elinora said. “Would you like anything from the shop?”

“Take your time,” they replied with a smile, holding up a book they planned to read while waiting. “And the usual, for me!”

Elinora nodded and smiled back.

Jamie made a quick stop to feed the horses a few carrots before they headed to the shop.

“Lovii’s is just down this way,” Tillie said, walking briskly. She turned the corner onto Main Street, already tasting the sodas and meringues in her mind.

“I remember being here when I was little,” Jamie said when he spotted the cheery sign with two giant, candy stripe lollipops where the “i’s” in Lovii’s would be.

“You mean little-er,” Graham said.

Jamie slugged him. “I was five. I was little then—I’m not now. And anyway, what’s wrong with being little.”

Tillie cackled. “All right, close your eyes, James,” she said when they reached the storefront. She reached for his hand and led him up the step. The silver bell at the top of the door jingled as she opened it. “You can open them now but try not to go bananas; pretty much every sweet you could ever ask for is here,” she said as they entered the bright and colorful shop.

The aroma of homemade fudge, hot buttered caramel, and sugar-dusted delicacies, along with the sight of candy-jar lined walls and display cases filled with rainbow-colored desserts, overwhelmed their senses. Jamie gasped then hurried to a case overflowing with freshly made macarons and other delicate confections.

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