“Yes.” She held out her hand, that impish grin on her face. “I’m April Moore, the baby of the family, and Mari from the hotel is my half-sister.” Her dog pushed his nose into their hands and she laughed. “Hamish, stop it.” She patted his head. “I’m sorry. He’s such a big softie really.”
David wasn’t convinced. The teeth were too long, in his opinion, the mouth too wide and frightening. The eyes too piercing and intent. They followed every move he made leaving him wondering if it was safe to breathe.
“His bark is worse than his bite. Irish wolfhounds are very loyal and Hamish is still only young and silly like a teenager. I promise he won’t hurt you.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it then.” He took a step back, avoiding the wet nose aiming his way. “I’d better go. Nice meeting you, April. Perhaps next time it will be under somewhat better circumstances.”
She grinned and rested a hand on her dog’s head. The tongue lolled out of its mouth and it closed its eyes, leaned into her leg. “I hope so, Dr. Morrison.”
“Call me David, please.”
“See you around, David.”
Chapter Three
He was cute. And far too serious for his own good. At least that was April’s opinion. She walked around her shop, marveling at the set out of the rooms, the space she had to fill how she saw fit. The two large open front rooms with huge picture windows would be perfect for her displays. Raw wooden floors devoid of carpet or paint, worn smooth with age could tell her all kinds of stories given the chance. It gave her so much more scope to do things her way. A blank canvas. The energy of the shop was cool and calm and April sighed in pleasure. She felt right at home, as if it was meant to be her space.
The central space would be good for her oversized cash register table. From here, she’d be able to keep an eye on the rest of her shop but be far enough away to let her clients feel they were alone in the rooms. Let them imagine they were standing in their own home if they decided to let her take on the job of dressing their space.
She walked out the back of the shop and continued her inspection of the common area. A kitchen with a small table and chairs, microwave and refrigerator was to one side of the back entrance. Through the other door, April found two bathrooms with shower stalls, one with a male sign and one with a female sign on the doors. With a few of her styling techniques and fresh paint, these rooms would go from utilitarian to interesting. Some scented dried flowers and natural oils, handmade soaps, bright pictures on the walls to liven things up. She could see it already.
The door opened and a woman rushed in and pulled up short. “Oh, hello.”
“Hi.” April grinned. “I’m April. I’ve taken over the shop next door. Guess we’re going to be work neighbors.”
“Oh, right. Well, that’s wonderful.” She held out her hand. “I’m Helen, David’s practice nurse.” She stepped over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of cold water.
“Nice to meet you, Helen. Sorry, I won’t hold you up. I’m just getting my bearings, so to speak.”
“It’ll be nice to have someone in this side of the building. It’s been empty for years.” She unscrewed the bottle and took a sip. “Never thought they’d manage to lease it out.”
“I think that’s why I got such a good deal. Too good to miss, actually.” She gazed around again. “This building has a good vibe to it, doesn’t it?”
Helen grinned. “Yes, yes it does.” She turned and walked back to the door before speaking again. “See you around.” As Helen closed the door between them, April heard David’s voice and a smile came to her lips. She might enjoy seeing more of the handsome doctor and since they were neighbors, it was more than likely their paths would cross regularly. In fact, she was going to make a point of it.
“Bye.” April went back into her side of the building, a spring in her step and the thought that this could be a great move in more ways than one. She stood and took stock now she was alone. A passageway with the stairs that led to her living quarters, a storeroom past them, and small mudroom out the back where she could store her flowers until they were ready for sale. Perfect for what she had planned. The stairs would look good with a lick of paint and she could use them for displays as well. How cute would it look with an antique vase of blooms on every other paint washed step?
“Come on Hamish. Let’s look at the apartment.” She hurried up the stairs, decided to paint them all different shades when she had a chance and shuffled the keys until she found the right one for the front door. Hamish pushed his way in as soon as she cracked open the door. She stepped into an open airy room with a kitchenette to one side. Paint peeled from cupboard doors and the wallpaper was faded, but April didn’t care.
“It’s mine, Hamish. All mine!” She stood in the middle of the room and did a twirl, her arms out wide and eyes closed. “All mine.” Now all she had to do was prove to her family that she had what it took to take on this business and make it work. And she had to be kind to herself and stop second-guessing every single move she took, doubting her decisions and making herself so nervous she gave up and moved onto something else. Which was what had happened in the past. What chance did she have of being successful if her brain couldn’t settle?
With the loan Mari gave her, she had more than enough incentive to do her best. She had to make money to survive and meet her commitments so she didn’t let her sister down. Her savings wouldn’t last forever. April knew she could do it.
It was all she’d dreamed of for the last few months. Making the decision to move here wasn’t hard. Her sisters were here and she wanted to be close to them. The type of business she wanted was easy enough, too, once she’d finally figured it out. A mix of everything she’d done over the last few years was what she wanted to set up, but that would mean starting something fresh of her own. It was a risk, but one she felt capable of tackling. Diversity was what she wanted in her business and with the skills she had behind her, it would work. She’d make sure of it. She had a lot to prove, and prove it she would.
Regardless of what her father believed, she’d done more than take over the shop when her boss was ill. Ever since she’d returned to work, Margery had given April more and more responsibility and taken it easy knowing the business was in good hands. It was the praise from Margery that gave April the nerve to take the drastic steps she had. Encouragement she’d let sink in before convincing herself she was capable of doing it all.
Now it was a reality thanks to her big sister and a progressive realtor who wasn’t afraid to take on a “different” type of client. The first time she’d called and made enquiries about the building, Mr. Clements had been positive when she explained what she had in mind. “Life is short, take the risk. You never know where it will take you, April.” He was right and from what Mari had said, since his heart operation, Tommy Clements wasn’t letting anything get past him and that included new clients who wanted to shake up the town with something different. He’d even brokered a deal between the owner and April to let her brighten up the inside of the other half of the building as part of her commitment to the business. Little did he know the company manager he dealt with worked for Mari to oversee the investments Rake had set up for her before he died.
She walked over to the front of the room and lifted the window sash up, poked her head out to look down at the street. Across the road Flathead Lake shimmered in the sun, calm and soothing. April took a deep breath. Hamish whined from the room next door and she went to investigate. He stood with his paws on the windowsill looking down at the activity on the street. A furniture truck slowed and came to a halt outside her door.
“Hamish, our stuff has arrived right on time.” She hurried down the stairs to greet the mover so she could start directing them as they brought her furniture and collection of shop fixtures inside.
After a busy morning, the drivers left her with boxes piled high in the shop ready for another day. Her apartment upstairs was another story. If she wanted to stay here t
onight she would have to knuckle down and get organized. Her bed had to be put together and made, if she could find the box with the sheets and blankets in it. She needed to find some kitchen equipment so she could eat a decent home-cooked meal. A trip to the local supermarket was a must as well. So much to do and the day was half gone already.
April ran up the stairs and to consult her list of boxes. When she’d made the move to pack up her old apartment, a list of what was where had been the top priority so she could settle in easier. “I know I put that list somewhere, Hamish, but where?”
After a fruitless search of her oversized carryall, she gave up. “That blows that idea then. Guess I’m going to have to open every box sooner or later anyway. May as well get stuck in and deal with it.”
Three hours later, April flopped down on her purple velvet lounge setting and closed her eyes. Hamish climbed up beside her and laid his big head on her lap. She placed her hand on his head and sighed. “I do hope we’ve done the right thing, Hamish.”
“So do I.” The scurry of tiny feet on the wooden floors startled her and Hamish bolted off the seat with a deep woof.
Tiny, Dakota’s dog danced around his feet, licking at his face and he rolled over letting the small black poodle climb all over him.
“Dakota, you came.” April jumped up and ran for her sister and grabbed her in a big hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
“I couldn’t believe it when you said you were moving here. Mari wouldn’t give me any details either, sneaky thing she is.” She looked around at the clutter of open and half empty boxes and shuddered. “I don’t envy you this unpacking and sorting out. Not my favorite job.”
April grabbed her hand and brought it up to her face for inspection. “It’ll come together. I have the basics out so I can at least eat and sleep. The rest I’ll deal with when I have time. How is this feeling now?” She ran her fingers over the scars gently.
“Good. Not as much feeling as I once had but it’s getting there.”
“Are you massaging on the comfrey balm I made for you just like I instructed?”
Dakota rolled her eyes. “Yes, every single day. I think it helps.”
April snorted and rested her head on her sister’s shoulder. “Of course it does. Told you that plenty of times.”
“Anyway, I didn’t come to talk about me. When do you think you’ll have the shop open?”
“Not too sure. You see, I did a deal with the management company and I have to work on the common areas. The lease was quite expensive so I made a deal with them. Because of my arts degree, they welcomed the agent’s idea that I do some painting to bring the building up to date. Make it look fresh again. It saves them money, and me too, and since I love to paint and decorate, it’s a win-win situation.”
“Told you my future father-in-law was a great guy. If anyone can get his clients a good deal on real estate, it’s Tommy.” She glanced around. “What about up here? Are you going to revamp this as well?”
“Maybe, although it’s not as important as downstairs is.”
“Fair enough. When you’re ready to open the shop, how about I give you some of my stuff? Not the same products as I give to Rachel in the gift shop, maybe some earrings and necklaces?”
“Of course. Anything you care to bring over, I’ll put up for sale. I told you that before I moved out here. And if you ever want to branch out to home wares, this is your shop.” She grinned at the two dogs rolling around on the floor together. “There’s so much scope for what I can do now I’m going to delve into the art of dressing rooms for clients. All of my favorite things in one place. I want to create pieces from everything I love that’ll have people talking and coming back for more. Moore, get it?”
“Please. That’s Bella’s line. I hear it enough from her without you using it too.” Dakota screwed up her nose and looked around the room. “This is quite nice, isn’t it? You can sit and watch the world go by from those lovely big windows. Handy you get to live over your shop.”
“Hmm, I think so, too. I was just going to make myself a cup of herbal tea now I’ve found the kettle. Care to join me? And you can tell me all the gossip before I start attacking the unpacking again. You can also tell me about the cute doctor while you’re at it.”
*
David walked into Helen’s treatment room just as the high pitched squeal from his goddaughter filled the air.
“I’m sorry, Connie, baby girl. I hate making you cry but it’s for the best little one.” Helen tried to soothe the toddler as her mother held her for the shots but she’d been here before and knew what Helen was about to do to her.
The nurse stuck the needle into the baby’s chubby thigh and administered the vaccine. When she pulled it out, David was there holding his arms out for a cuddle. Connie dropped her lip and cuddled into his neck, the small sobs doing nothing to make him feel better about the process.
Helen threw the needle into the sharps container. “That brings Connie up to date with everything, Susan. Any other issues you want to discuss while you’re here?”
“Not for the baby, no, but Rick wanted me to let you both know we’re having a cookout on next Saturday and he wants you to come.” Susan tickled her baby under the chin and the little girl gurgled, the injection already forgotten as Helen wrote up the notes on her chart.
David took a sloppy kiss on the cheek and returned it with smacking noises. “Can I get back to you on it? Last time I came over, he tried to set me up. Not sure I’m ready for another attempt, to be honest. Left me with a sour taste in my mouth and an aversion to what your husband calls, ‘just drinks with friends.’” It hadn’t ended well for either him or the intended date. She’d been a shy woman, add that to his horror to being set up, and it wasn’t a good evening for either of them.
Susan had the sense to blush and Helen giggled behind her hand.
“Sorry. I keep telling him that you’re happy as you are but he won’t believe me. You know what an old romantic he is.” She grabbed her handbag and slung it over her shoulder. “Please say you’ll come, David. You’re one of my best friends and I don’t see you often enough. Besides,” she tickled the gurgling baby under the chin, “I don’t want your goddaughter to think you’re only the mean guy that’s responsible for her needles. You need to prove to her that you’re human and really do love her.”
“You don’t have any trouble hitting below the belt, do you?” He ran his hand over the soft baby curls on Connie’s head. “Fine, I’ll be there then. And remind that husband of yours to leave me alone and stop throwing unsuspecting females at me. I’m more than happy on my own.”
Susan leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Sure, sure. You say that but I know you don’t mean it.”
“I do. Now leave me to get on with my job, woman.” He laughed as Susan walked out with a snort of disbelief. “You believe me, don’t you, Helen?”
She raised her eyebrows at him but didn’t answer.
It was true, as far as he was concerned. He was happy by himself most of the time. He had been for ages. Ever since he’d returned temporarily to Cherry Lake to help his parents out. The one time he tried a serious relationship he thought was his forever love story, it all fell apart because he had to move home. Elise wasn’t keen on giving up the city lifestyle to move to back with him. Considering he couldn’t give her a timeframe of how long he’d be there before he made it back to the Seattle, he couldn’t blame her. Too hard to keep a relationship with his crazy work schedule and the distance between them. But what cut him to the quick was the way she put her job before their relationship without even trying to find a balance between them or give him a chance to sort out his family issues.
After Elise had dumped him, David had tried to date but his heart hadn’t been in it. He couldn’t find the spark he previously had and lost the inclination to try to find it. With the death of his father, life had changed. He’d taken over the family medical practice and put his energy into giving the locals the same care an
d dedication his father had given them until he could decide what to do. He had every intention of trying to move his mother back to her hometown of Seattle but so far she’d refused to discuss it. Once David had settled into a routine, it was hard to whip up the enthusiasm to change his ways.
He’d believed romance wasn’t for him and decided not to date. His well-meaning friends ignored that now he was back home and constantly tried to set him up, which never ended well for either him or the poor women who hoped they’d found their soul mate in him. Now he was used to being a confirmed bachelor and ignored desperate efforts of family and friends to set him up.
David walked out and went to the kitchen for a mug of coffee. Noises came from the shop next door and he paused, listening. He wasn’t sure how he felt about sharing the space with someone else after having the place to himself for so long. Would she change anything and, really, if she did – would it matter? He took a mug out of the cupboard and poured a coffee, tempted to check up on her and see how the burn was. A burst of laughter sounded on the other side of the door.
Without overthinking things, David walked over and knocked. The laughter stopped and footsteps came toward him. The door opened and April stood there.
“Hi.” Dakota peeked over her sister’s shoulder, smiled and made a point of walking away.
It isn’t like that. “Hi. Just stopped for a coffee break and wondered how the arm was.”
Laughter filled her eyes and a big smile transformed her face. “You really are the caring sort, aren’t you?” She held her arm up and he tore his glance from her face to look at the slightly pink skin.
“Ah, that looks good. I’m sorry for what happened. Not a very nice welcome to town.” He put his free hand in his pocket, to steady the urge to fidget.
“Don’t let it worry you, David. Anyone will tell you how accident prone I am.”
Right. “Well, you’re in the right spot then. Next door to me, I mean.” Way to go, David. “And of course, I have Helen here, too. My nurse. Just in case you ever need either of us, that is.” Why was his mouth running off on him? That never happened.
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