All Along by Colleen Coble

Author:Colleen Coble
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781401688639
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2011-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

The new bells jangled as the door to Reese’s shop opened. Shelby entered, brushing bits of snow from her shoulders.

Reese shut off the drill and handed it to Griffen. “Hey, Shelby.”

Shelby stopped in her tracks. “Oh my goodness, it’s finished!”

Reese perused the space, trying to see it with fresh eyes. It looked just as she’d imagined. The wide wooden floorboards were spotless, and the plumbing and heat were functional. Tomorrow she’d do a good cleaning, and soon the shop would be packed with merchandise and, hopefully, customers.

“Just about,” Griffen said, heading toward the cooler for a water break. “We’re still waiting on the new countertop, and we need to get it wired for Internet.”

Reese’s eyes followed him longingly. It was already the last week in January. Eighteen more days. She could hear the ticking clock and was helpless to stop it.

“I love the new canopy and the sign you made, Griffen. I don’t know how you found the time.”

“Anything for my best girl.”

How many times had he called her that? Now the old pet name was nothing but a punch in the gut.

Shelby gave her a sympathetic smile, then ran her gloved hand along the smooth wooden shelving. “It’s all coming together. Your shop is ready, the media are booked, and the bride has arrived.”

Kate Owens was quickly winning over the town. She was as sweet as she was beautiful. The Smitten Gazette had run a nice feature on her three days earlier.

“I can’t believe it’s two and a half weeks away.”

“Me neither. Hey, the reason I’m here—I just spoke with Nat, and we thought we might call an impromptu meeting of the girls since we missed last week.”

“We’re about finished for the day, I guess. Besides, I need to get out of these fumes.” She looked at Griffen, half tempted to invite him along.

“Go on. I want to get that last shelf up. I’ll lock up when I’m done.”

So much for that idea.

“Great. Thanks, Griff.”

Shelby texted Natalie while Reese slipped into her coat and grabbed her purse. As they headed outside, sadness bloomed deep inside Reese. All this time together, all the subterfuge and public displays of affection, and where was she? Square one.

Shelby pocketed her phone. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Reese emerged from her self-pity long enough to look around. Flurries fell, coating the village with a fresh white blanket. Lights twinkled from shop windows, glowing softly on the snow.

“It is beautiful.” The village was silent, except for the snow crunching under their feet. Smitten was so empty. Hardly a body in sight, and it was nearing the weekend. Where were the lovers? Shouldn’t things be picking up at least a little? A thread of worry inched through her.

Her eyes fell on the wreath gracing Sweet Surrender’s entrance, and guilt pricked at the door of her heart. She should have more faith. Why was it so hard to just believe?

If only real faith were as easy as hanging a wreath. Hadn’t she hung hers? And yet the doubt remained. She woke in the middle of the night sometimes, fear clawing at her throat.

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