Harlequin Heartwarming July 2017 Box Set by Kate James

Author:Kate James
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488015670
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

THE DAY AFTER Christmas was always a good business day for Scott. Kids had Christmas money to spend on the books, games, puzzles and toys he stocked in his children’s section. Parents were always in need of the hot coffee, cocoa and extra whipped cream that he served up while they browsed his extensive classic literature and bestseller sections.

Scott’s espresso bar was not in the same league as Maddie Strong Barzonni’s Cupcakes and Cappuccino, but then he’d never intended it to be. His shop was about the books with hot beverages served on the side for convenience and to get the customers to stay longer and buy more books.

After he’d moved back to Indian Lake and his mother had recovered from her surgery, she’d insisted on loaning him the money to open up his shop. Scott had hired Luke Bosworth, the best carpenter in town, to renovate the historic but demolition-ready building he’d bought for a song. Between having a mortgage and investing in his coffee equipment and inventory, Scott now felt tied to the shop, to Indian Lake.

Throughout his days at Northwestern and then at the Chicago Tribune, he’d dreamed of traveling the world in search of news stories. He’d wanted to meet intriguing people. Heads of state. Visionaries who molded the future. Scientists searching for cures to the most deadly diseases.

His life was different now. Those dreams had morphed into a quieter and yet still fulfilling life, which he now lived…for the most part. A great deal of his new visions for the future had Isabelle at the core.

“Scott!” A familiar voice boomed as the bell over the front door tingled.

Whisking away the cobwebs of his long-ago dreams, Scott smiled at Trent and Cate. He held out his hand to shake theirs. “Great to see you. How was your Christmas?”

“Super,” Trent said with a wink.

“Magical,” Cate added, putting an arm around Trent’s waist. “We’ve been shopping today. Next door, actually,” she said with a brilliant smile.

“Go on,” Trent said. “Show him.”

Cate extended her left hand. “You’re the first to see it.” Cate blushed.

Scott gazed at the pretty solitaire diamond. Then he peered more closely. “What is that? It’s not exactly round.”

“It’s an antique ring,” Trent said. “We bought it at the antique dealer.”

“Mrs. Beabots told us about him,” Cate said. “It’s a rose cut. Doesn’t it look just like a flower? The dealer said it dates back to 1898.”

Scott lifted his eyes. “The art nouveau period. My favorite.”

“I never guessed you to be so romantic, Scott,” Cate said, still admiring her ring.

Scott straightened and put a plucky smile on his face. “Oh, I’m the most romantic guy in town.”

“Hey, now…” Trent said.

Scott raised both his palms. “Sorry. You’re right. Trent has me beat in the romance department—at least this Christmas. So, can I get you anything? Cocoa? Coffee?”

He didn’t want them asking any embarrassing questions about Isabelle. Because the fact was, he hadn’t heard from her since he left her mother’s house. No call on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.