Lorelei wanted to explore the town with Tyler, as he could surely tell her stories and provide a rich history. Plus, she’d dressed up for her meet-and-greet, donning tights, boots, and a long sweater under her jacket. But the boots slipped a bit, even with the snow cleared off the sidewalk. Her outfit went perfectly with her coat which had the perfect pocket for easy access to check her phone.
Tyler had already stepped up to help out a ton and had proved to be a great host. He’s probably friendly to everyone. Don’t mistake his kindness for something romantic, she told herself.
Tyler stood in the doorway to the office, his hand holding the door open. “Hey, do you want me to take you over to the doctor’s office now?”
“No, you work. Mary Ann and I can check out a few places. I don’t want to interrupt your day.” Lorelei adjusted her robin’s egg blue scarf, shoving the loose end inside her coat.
“You’re not.” He smiled, and his dimples showed. “But my limited adult responsibilities are calling. I have yet to check on the pinsetters.”
She glanced down the street, trying to keep from staring at him, but she couldn’t—she was drawn to him like a favorite memory.
“How about we meet for lunch? Not a Don-time lunch.” He chuckled. “What about at one? I can meet you over at the doctor’s office, and by then, Don should be all done and back with the key. Then we can head over for lunch at the pizza place.” He pointed to Oakvale Pizza Pie, the building next door.
“That sounds perfect.” She gripped the stroller’s handle with both hands.
“It’s a date,” Tyler chimed. “I mean, not a date. It’s a specific time, but not a date, like a couple going on a date. It’s a set time and place.”
“Sounds like a date to me,” Lorelei warned as she bit her lower lip to keep from smiling.
“No.” Tyler shook his head. “I didn’t mean a date, it sounds like a date, but we only met yesterday. Clearly, it can’t be a date.” His cheeks were as pink as radishes.
Lorelei stepped forward as she pushed the stroller in front of her. “See you at one for our date,” she called in a joking tone.
“Fine! I guess it’s a date!” Tyler exclaimed.
What had she done? What had gotten into her? She glanced over her shoulder to see Tyler grinning before he stepped back inside his office. As she continued on her way, she passed Oakvale Pizza Pie. Snow covered the tables and chairs in the outside sitting area next to it. Ahead of her was the lighted town Christmas tree in the center of the traffic circle. Once she crossed the street, Once Upon a Book was in front of her. The glow from the windows cast a soft and inviting atmosphere as they displayed hardcover books for all ages on a low shelf the length of each windowsill with greenery and Christmas lights weaved around them. Beyond the display, she saw people scanning the bookshelves and chatting. She spotted a set of preschool kids running in a circle around the front of the store. A woman opened the door, stepping outside, and held it for Lorelei and the stroller.
“Thank you.” Lorelei beamed.
“You’re welcome, dear. Strollers are only useful gadgets when you don’t have to try and maneuver them through doors. Have a wonderful day.”
“You as well.” Lorelei pivoted her upper body back toward the door.
“Welcome, come on in.” A short woman with curly gray hair approached her. “You must be Lorelei.” She leaned over the stroller, her fuzzy crimson sweater blinked with Christmas lights in the shape of a tree, catching the infant’s eye. “And this must be Mary Ann. Well, aren’t you the happiest baby?” She stood up straight and thrust her hand outward. “I’m Sandy, my husband, Ted, and I own the store.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Sandy.” Lorelei shook Sandy’s firm hand, probably from all the book moving. “I’ve heard wonderful things about your store from Tyler.” Lorelei wigged her feet in her boots as her right foot cramped up, causing her to regret her footwear.
A mixed-breed dog, possibly half hound, half Labrador waddled over, so she got on her knees. “Hi, there.” Lorelei let the dog sniff her hands. “You must be Cider’s best friend.”
“Meet Garrison,” Sandy stated as she waved goodbye to another customer leaving the store with a toddler in tow.
“Wonderful to meet you, Garrison.” Lorelei stood back up and took in the bookstore. The smell of paper and wood danced in her nose. As calmness washed over her, her eyes blinked with sleepiness. Light filled every inch of the store without being harsh. She noticed the string of lights near the far-right corner and located the children’s section.
“I see you already spotted what you were looking for. Go, have a look around. We can chat before you leave.” Sandy stepped out of the way.
Lorelei pushed the stroller past the romance, mystery, and fiction sections, trying hard not to stop and get lost in the shelves. “Look at all these books, Mary Ann.” Her daughter kicked her feet against the stroller as she chewed on her finger.
As Lorelei browsed the children’s books, she pulled a few from the shelves and stacked them on top of the stroller near the handle. She had only brought one book for Mary Ann from all the chunky board books she had at home because she hadn’t wanted to overpack, but of course, she realized now that one could never have too many books. Glancing over at the corner, she noticed a framed photo on the wall. As she moved closer, Lorelei recognized it was Tyler sitting on the floor with kids all around him, and Cider was in the mix, too. In his hand, he held a picture book, but she couldn’t make out the title.
“The kids always love story time with Tyler.” Sandy came up from behind her.
“I can imagine they do.” Lorelei continued to stare at the picture, smiling. “Does he still come to read often?”
“Yes, all I have to do is ask, and there he is, sitting on the floor again, reading a story.” Sandy wrapped her arms around herself. “I wish he would talk to his parents. Oh well, none of my business. Let me know if you need any help locating a book.” She turned and headed back toward the register.
Lorelei stacked several books on top of the stroller and made her way to the adult section. Every time she went into a bookstore, she needed to restrain herself from buying all the books she could carry. She ran her hand over the embossed covers as she located one that caught her eye. Picking it up, she flipped it over and read the back cover blurb. Lorelei added it to the mound and continued to seek out another book. By the time she made it to the register, it felt as though she was pushing a stroller with twins in it.
“This is all . . . for now.” Lorelei piled the books on the counter for Sandy to ring up.
“Some great choices. You’re welcome to stop by anytime, especially for the Christmas reading.” Sandy pointed at the flyers next to a cluster of poinsettias on the edge of the counter.
Once Upon a Book presents its annual O Come, All Ye Readers. Enjoy hot chocolate and apple cider. Story time for the kids. Pine cone decorating contest for all!!
“This sounds so fun!” Lorelei beamed. “Mary Ann and I will be here.”
“Great. You must come to our Kiddo Story Time, it’s every Sunday afternoon at two. It will give you a chance to meet other parents and maybe set up a play date or two for Mary Ann.” Sandy placed the books into a paper bag with a tiny rope handle.
“Does Tyler read for that one, too?” Lorelei asked, hoping the answer was yes.
Sandy shook her head. “Sorry, you’re stuck with my husband or me on Sundays.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Lorelei’s heart stuttered a beat, worried she’d come off as snooty.
Sandy smiled. “I didn’t think you did. If we could have Tyler reading every Kiddo Story Time, we would.” She winked. “But he does help out plenty.”
“How long has the bookstore been for sale?”
“Not too terribly long. When Ted and I decided it was time to retire, we figured Tyler would jump at the chance. We’ve been openly discussing it for some time, and he mentioned he’s been saving up for the occasion. But his fea
r of leaving his parents’ business overruled. That’s when he decided the money would be better spent on something that didn’t affect the family’s legacy—his book-settings trip. Which I understand, but …” Sandy sighed and gazed off over Lorelei’s shoulder, no doubt at the bowling alley. “His passion is here. Every resident sees it and knows it, but somehow his parents have no idea. We don’t speak about it in front of them.”
“Of course, I won’t say anything, either. I can understand where he’s coming from. I’m in a similar situation. I think when we look at something from the outside, we see the easy interpretation of it but forget the personal aspect.”
Sandy tilted her head and looked at Lorelei. “You put it perfectly. I really should mind my business.” She handed the shopping bag to Lorelei. “Maybe, if you two are going through similar situations, you can help each other out.”
Lorelei thought about the statement as she put the bag into the stroller’s bottom carrier basket. “Should we? I started to go down that road with him, but he seemed set on the travel plan.” She’d fallen asleep thinking about the possibilities last night, but that was a mere musing, not something she should overstep or intrude on in his life.
“Only because Tyler feels that’s his only option.” Sandy walked out from behind the counter.
“But we don’t know each other at all. We just met. It’s not like I’m a high school friend or a long-lost relative. Giving unsolicited advice is usually not taken well. It’s not like I’m his best friend Jodi.” Oh no, how did Jodi’s name slip out!
“Jodi and Tyler are great friends. But don’t feel jealous.”
Lorelei placed her hand on her chest. “Me? No, I’m not jealous. Jodi is very nice. I met her last night briefly.” Oh no, she was definitely jealous. “I have no reason to be jealous. I’m only here for a month.”
Sandy smiled into her coffee mug before she took a sip.
“I mean, I wish it could be more than a month, but . . . well, it’s not that easy.”
“Maybe you could work together and find out. After all, how do friendships start, but by working as a team for something great?”
Chapter 11
After situating Mary Ann’s stroller out of the way, Tyler held the chair out for Lorelei, and she sat down. Residents were packed into every inch of Oakvale Pizza Pie. A low wall at the entrance provided a spot to hang stockings, and there were plenty, each with a special touch to show they were handcrafted and not some quick décor. There was no sign displayed, but every local knew it was a seat-yourself type of establishment.
“Is it always this busy?” Lorelei leaned toward Tyler, her head popping over the top of her laminated menu.
“Always, especially on Sundays. Once church lets out, it’s a mad dash to make it here and snatch up a table, afterward many head over to the bowling alley. And Pastor Bill has been known to sneak out the back of the church to make it here before everyone else.” Tyler grinned.
“Well, it must be great.” Lorelei returned her focus to the menu. “Does this mean we need to eat fast so you can get back to the bowling alley?”
“That’s the great thing about a small town. They’ll linger until they see me heading back.” Tyler weaved his fingers together. He didn’t need to review a menu.
The Oakvale Pizza Pie hadn’t changed its menu. Ever. As Tyler glanced around, he noticed Lorelei was the only one with a menu in hand. All of the other tables’ menus rested between the glass containers of red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese on the table.
Tyler could tell Lorelei what was on the menu without even looking. There were the standard choices of pizzas, a make-your-own pizza, stuffed ravioli with three different fillings, classic spaghetti, and the best garlic bread in all of Minnesota. Then, further down the menu, were fancier options for what he considered special occasions or dates. Since he could remember, the restaurant’s scent had never changed either—a mix of melted cheese, garlic, and ripe tomatoes.
“How’s Cider?” Lorelei’s voice floated out from behind the menu. “I miss her.”
“My parents have her today. They love to watch their granddog. My mom is probably making Cider homemade dog biscuits as we speak. They’re itching for human grandbabies.”
Lorelei peeked over the menu. “What a great thing. That’s awesome.” She smiled and returned to the menu. “Everything sounds so good. I can’t decide. Any suggestions?”
“They make everything homemade. The sauce, the cheeses, the pasta. You can’t go wrong, and we can always come back and try something different next time.”
Lorelei’s eyes spied over the menu.
“I mean, you can, or we can.” Tyler looked over at Mary Ann, thinking, please don’t let her see my flush face. Why does it feel so hot in here?
“I like the idea.” Lorelei blushed. “And that makes it easy. I’ll order the first thing on the menu, and next time, I’ll order the second item on the menu.”
She slid the menu back between the condiment shakers and reached for her cell phone.
He glanced at her and she set the phone down, her shoulders sank, and she folded her arms. “I’m still trying to learn to relax. Even when a doctor is not working, they still seem to be working.” She pushed herself back into the chair. “I look forward to you showing me around the office. My office? I must admit, it will be a drastically different work environment than I’m used to at the hospital. I don’t know what to expect.”
“I think it will make for a nice relaxing job for the month. Of course, it’s flu season, but I’m guessing it will still be a lot better than the hospital”—Tyler waved Uncle Steve over—“and I don’t know anyone around here with the flu.”
The owner approached the table. He wore his classic button-down shirt, always in a shade of blue. An off-white half apron wrapped around his waist, holding straws and order pads. Even though Uncle Steve owned the restaurant, he worked as hard as all of his staff.
“Hi, Tyler and . . .” Uncle Steve turned Lorelei.
She pivoted in her chair, reaching out her hand. “Hi, I’m Lorelei, and this is my daughter, Mary Ann.”
“The niece! The doctor!” Uncle Steve beamed. “It’s wonderful to meet you and have you both in town for the month. I’m the restaurant owner, and your uncle usually has me deliver a few lunches a week, so feel free to request the same. Just give us a call, and I’ll run it over.”
Lorelei glanced at Tyler and then back to Uncle Steve. “Wow, that could get me in some trouble for sure.” She laughed. “Thank you, Steve.”
“Call me Uncle Steve. Everyone does.” He removed the pad of paper and pen from his apron. “You know what you want to order?” Uncle Steve asked.
“I’ll have the mushroom ravioli and some garlic bread, please.” She licked her lips.
“My usual, Uncle Steve, thank you,” Tyler stated.
“What about your daughter?” Uncle Steve asked, giving Mary Ann a smile and a wave.
“I brought her a bottle. She isn’t on solid foods yet.” Lorelei gasped. “Oh, but I don’t have any warm water to mix it with.”
“Perfect, even the youngest gets to order,” he emphasized. “I’ll have some water warmed and brought out for her bottle. And what about to drink for both of you?”
“Sparkling cider?” they asked in unison and beamed at each other.
Uncle Steve hurried off to the kitchen’s swinging doors.
“That’s nice of Steve—Uncle Steve. Mary Ann would have shrieked and chucked her bottle if I tried to give her a cold one.” Lorelei glanced around. “He must be someone’s uncle?”
Tyler leaned back in his chair. “No relation to anyone in town, but everyone calls him that because he’s like the town’s uncle.”
The Pizza Pie’s wallpaper from the early eighties—mini orange-and-blue flowering buds—ran down from the ceiling until it met the dark-stained chair rail, which encircled the restaurant. Since this was the first time he’d brought an out-of-town visitor into the restaurant, it was als
o the first time he considered it from an outsider’s perspective. He’d never really noticed the wallpaper or thought too much about how small black-and-white photos of people who’d eaten in the restaurant over the years hung from the walls.
“Uncle Steve will return with his camera,” Tyler warned.
“His camera?” Lorelei’s forehead wrinkled.
Tyler pointed around at the photos. “Everyone who eats here gets their picture on the wall at some point or another.”
Lorelei gazed around, turning left and then right in her chair, taking in the entire restaurant. “Then your photo must be up here.” She continued looking around.
“Yes, there’s a horrible photo of me with my parents. But”—Tyler leaned forward—“I had braces, so you can’t see my face below my nose because I hid behind a slice of pizza.”
“Where is it?” Lorelei beamed.
Tyler shook his head. “Mum’s the word.”
“I see how this is going to work.” She nodded her head. “How long do you think it will take me to find it?”
Tyler’s eyes glanced up at the ceiling. He knew exactly where the photo hung, and he didn’t want his eyes to wander in the direction and give it away. “You’ll never find it.” Tyler’s neck craned up as far as it would go, but laughing caused it to tilt back down.
“I guess I have my work cut out for me.” Lorelei grinned.
Uncle Steve hurried his steps from the kitchen. He always seemed in a hurry for such a laid-back town. “Here’s the warm water for your daughter, and I can take your photo now or before you leave.” Uncle Steve stood at the edge of the table, his camera in hand. “I’m sure Tyler filled you in.”
Lorelei nodded. “Yes.”
“Let’s have you hold Mary Ann,” Uncle Steve instructed as he took the lens cap off the camera. “Tyler, I want you in this, too.”
The Christmas Rental Page 7