The Moore Sisters of Montana: The Complete Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Ann B. Harrison

  “Wow, I love it. Broken horn and all.” Bella walked closer, reached out a hand to touch it. “Can I?”

  “Sure.”

  Bella ran a finger along the remaining horn and touched the small purple hearts trailing from one eye socket to the jaw on one side. “How incredible. What makes someone go: ‘Hey, a skull. I’ll paint that’?”

  “I guess he sees something in them that we don’t. A bit like the way you look at your ingredients I guess.”

  “That’s a nice way to explain it. I understand now.” She turned around. “When Susan said he was a ‘bit different,’ I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I like this.”

  April looped her arm through her sister’s. “Me, too. David was very frustrated with me when I went with Pierce, though, and I know for a fact he doesn’t understand the man. I think this was an offer to say Pierce recognizes a sympathetic talent. It’s only on loan but I don’t care. I’m totally in love with it.” Together they walked back to the other room where Hamish stood with his eyes fixed on a lady hovering in the doorway.

  “Crap.” Bella whispered in her ear. “That’s David’s mother. Good luck getting out of this one.” She walked over and put her hand on the woman’s arm, her voice cheerful. “Hi, Mrs. Morrison, so nice to see you again. Have you met my little sister, April? This is her shop. April, I want you to meet Mrs. Morrison. David’s mother.”

  April noticed the resemblance immediately. Only his mother seemed a little more outgoing than David. “Hello, Mrs. Morrison. How lovely to meet you. Come in.” She pushed Hamish aside and he went to lay down on the dog bed behind her counter. “Don’t mind Hamish. He’s a big softie, really.”

  “Yes. David did tell me that you had a big dog but he was only a willful puppy underneath all that shaggy bravado.”

  April and Bella shared a glance. So he was talking about her to his mother. The knowledge warmed her heart.

  “He makes a nuisance of himself sometimes but I’m hopeful he will learn to behave most of the time. Come in and have a look around the shop.” She guided the woman into the center of the shop and watched her face light up as she took it all in.

  “This is lovely, dear. And, please, both of you, call me Leslie. Mrs. Morrison always makes me look around for my mother-in-law, bless her heart.”

  “I must get back home anyway before Jake goes to work. Nice to see you again, Leslie. Catch you later, April.” She wiggled her fingers and walked out leaving April with David’s mother.

  “So, Leslie. Can I interest you in a cup of chamomile tea? I was just about to have one.”

  Leslie smiled and April felt immediately drawn to her. “Why thank you, April. I’d love to.”

  “Why don’t you have a look around the shop or if you’d prefer you can come upstairs while I boil the kettle. Hamish will let us know if anyone comes in the shop.”

  “If you don’t think I’m in the way, I’d like to see what you’ve done with the place.”

  April led the way up the stairs. “Oh, do you know the building then?” She opened the door and walked in.

  “Yes.” Her visitor followed her upstairs and walked right over to the framed prints of Pierce’s artwork. “I love his interpretation of life. Such a clever man, and so thoughtful, too.”

  “Yes, he is. I’ve always been a fan. I gather you don’t share David’s tastes then. He seemed a little bit scared by it all.”

  Leslie laughed and moved over to stand closer to April. “His tastes tend to run more in the old masters or cold landscapes. I tried to get him interested in other styles but he resisted. I think he gets a lot of his style from my dear sister-in-law. Such a wonderful woman she was. A spinster, you know. David adored her, and the feeling was mutual.” She pulled out a chair and sat at the small round table. “When David was old enough to travel, she’d take him to Europe to all the best museums and art galleries. Such an education he had, too, thanks to Cecily.”

  “Wow, how wonderful for him.” April dropped tea bags into cups. “I wondered where he got his love of opera from. Now I know.”

  “Yes it was Cecily that nurtured that love for him, as she did with her brother. I adored my husband, too, of course, but we had very different opinions about what we did and didn’t like. He tended to lean toward the same style as David and Cecily while I preferred brighter colors and jazz music. Some days I wondered what on earth we had in common. It caused some interesting moments from time to time, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”

  April filled the blue and white mugs with boiling water. “A dash of honey, Leslie?”

  “Oh, yes, please. I love what you’ve done up here, April. So vibrant and full of life.”

  April stirred a teaspoon of honey into the tea and then placed the cup in front of her visitor before she picked up her own.

  “You mentioned seeing what I’d done to the shop and apartment. How did you know it before?”

  “Oh, well. Let me see how long ago it was. It must have been around forty years ago, I guess. My father-in-law owned the paper press and when he was widowed he moved into this apartment. When he died, we moved back here from Seattle to sort through things and never left. My poor husband found himself sucked back into the quieter way of life and I have to admit, I didn’t complain. Cecily was here, of course, and David was a toddler.” She took a sip of the tea, gazing away into the distance. “I tried to convince him to keep something, anything to remember his father by but he insisted he had everything he wanted. I was in town one day and saw the old roll top desk out on the pavement. The cleaners were waiting for someone to come and do a dump run. They’d also stacked boxes of old newspapers outside too. So much history in those editions. I think my father-in-law thought they were worth keeping but he must have been the only one.” She sighed and sipped her tea.

  “Anyway, I got them to bring the desk back inside, insisted it could stay with the shop when it was sold. The new owners didn’t seem to mind because it’s still here. In hindsight, we should have kept the building, considering Colin ended up leasing one side of it when he opened his practice but that’s in the past.” She sipped her tea.

  “Oh, what a shame about the newspapers. How nice it would have been to have them still. I could have, oh, I don’t know, maybe put some on display in the reading nook or used some as wallpaper on one wall. I love old things repurposed.”

  “Really? Well, I couldn’t see them dumped out so I did save a couple of boxes. They’re gathering dust in my shed. If you would like them, they’re all yours.”

  “Wow. Thank you so much. I’ll come over and collect them.” Her mind raced as she envisaged one wall in the front room plastered in yellowed newsprint, especially local newsprint. What a talking point that would be.

  “I really shouldn’t take up your time, April. You must have lots to do but I appreciate you letting me have a look up here. It’s certainly a lot brighter than the last time I saw it.”

  “David never told me it belonged to your family.”

  “He wouldn’t. He’s not that sentimental, much like his father. I, on the other hand, am, and I suspect you’re the same, the way you use old things to bring your creations to life again.”

  “Yep. Can’t help myself.”

  “I don’t want to talk out of turn here, but I really wanted to meet you, and say how much I loved seeing David smile again. Now, I don’t want to interfere but I had to tell you that. He’ll be so cross with me but it’s about time he started to live again.” She stood up and walked over to place her cup in the sink. “I really must have a look at your shop and stop taking up your time.”

  April stood and followed her down the stairs. “Leslie, you’re more than welcome any time and whatever you say is between the two of us. I promise. Us girls need to stick together.”

  Leslie reached out and squeezed her hand. “Thank you, dear.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Mom, you can’t go snooping around April’s shop like that.” He bit back the retort that spr
ung to his lips, knowing she was only trying to be helpful. But still, his mother sussing out the girl who gave him sleepless nights was just a little bit much.

  “I am perfectly capable of welcoming her to town. Have you forgotten that I’m a member of the committee, David or at least I was when your father was alive?”

  “Don’t use that as an excuse.” He looked out the window at his neat yard, kept in pristine condition by Woodsie, the local handyman. He couldn’t see April in such an organized space. She had flair for color, design, and all things that couldn’t be considered the slightest bit boring. If she had any say in his life, the yard would be turned upside down, he was sure of it. Why was he thinking that when he should be berating his mother for meddling in his nonexistent love life?

  “I’m not. I had to buy a birthday gift and it made sense to see what April had for sale in her little shop. I have to say I was very impressed, too. Such a creative person, and some wonderful stuff for sale.”

  “She is.”

  “And so much nicer than when your grandfather owned the place. I’ve offered her the old papers in the shed. She’s just the person to make good use of them, too. Her face lit up when I told her about them.”

  He wasn’t surprised. “Did you want me to take them around to her?”

  “No, no. Thank you anyway but she’s going to come and collect them herself. I offered to let her take cuttings of some of my plants. Since she doesn’t have a yard anymore, she’s going to make one with pots. Such a clever girl she is, too. I’m sure it will look wonderful.”

  “Don’t go getting ideas, Mom. You’ll only be disappointed.”

  She laughed and the tension crept up his spine. “I don’t think so. I picked up something for you too, darling. Something to brighten up your dining room.”

  He stared at the white clean lines of the room she mentioned. There was nothing wrong with it the way it was. Scandinavian bleached pine sideboard, white leather dining setting–what was wrong with it? “Why would you do that?”

  “White might be easy to keep clean and look good in magazines, darling, but really, a burst of color wouldn’t hurt you know. And she has this gorgeous vintage lamp that would look great in your living room too. The most wonderful shade of moss green with gorgeous red beads. It’ll bring the outdoors in.”

  “Mom, please! I don’t need you to redesign my home for me. I like things just the way they are.”

  And she’s too busy for me anyway so why should I care if you’ve fallen for her charms. It was childish but David couldn’t help it. He liked her even though his brain was screaming for him to run and keep his sanity. April Moore was too different, too wild for his tastes. She would bring too much chaos to his well-ordered life and he didn’t think that would be something he could adapt to. Not yet anyway. Not until he got his head around the reason why he liked her more than he should.

  “Darling, its time you stepped out of your shell and lived again. Existing isn’t the answer.” She cleared her throat. “I know this for a fact and I wanted to tell you before you heard it anywhere else, I have a date tonight and I’m going to jolly well enjoy myself.”

  His mom! A date! Was she kidding?

  “And before you say anything, it’s time. Your dear father has been gone almost two years and he wouldn’t appreciate either of us sulking our lives away. Life is for the living and I intend to do just that. You should, too.”

  “But what about Seattle?” He couldn’t let his plans unravel. There’d be no end if he did.

  “Sweetheart, I did tell you the other day that I didn’t really want to go back. We’ve been here for far too long for me to make another move.” She touched a hand to her hair and patted down a curl. “Besides, I can go for a night or two if I feel like it. I don’t have to actually live there to enjoy the city you know.”

  “How can I leave you here and go back if you don’t? It doesn’t make sense. I don’t want you on your own.”

  She gave him a secretive smile. “But don’t you see? I won’t be.”

  “Who is he?” This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t happen.

  “I’m not saying just yet. Suffice to know that your mother is going to get out and about and enjoy herself. I’ll let you meet him when I’m ready.”

  “Fine then. You’re old enough to know what you’re doing, I suppose.” How was it possible his mother had found someone when he was still a confirmed bachelor who was scared of making the first move and disrupting the life he thought was all mapped out for him? It didn’t make sense. What was the world coming to?

  “Before I go though, I want you to think about April. She might just be what you need.”

  “Mom, please…”

  *

  “I know it’s mean but I couldn’t help it.” Susan picked up her coffee and grinned across the table at April who held Connie on her lap.

  “But he thinks your father’s interested in me? That’s not nice when we both know who he really likes.” She jiggled the chubby baby on her knee eliciting a squeal of delight.

  “Yes, well. David needs to get with the program if he doesn’t want to end up a boring, dried-up bachelor. Look, I know him just about better than he knows himself and I think you’re perfect for him. You can ask Monica if you like, I’m sure she’ll agree. We all grew up together so she can tell you as well as I can what makes David tick.” She sipped the coffee and eyed off the chocolate cake on April’s plate. “Are you going to eat that or did you buy it to stare at?”

  April pushed the plate across in reply. They’d become instant friends from the moment Susan had invited her for the cookout. “Go for it.”

  “Thanks. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. All I seem to do is eat.”

  “Pregnant maybe?” Not that she would know what it felt like but even she’d read that somewhere in a magazine.

  Susan grimaced. “The thought had crossed my mind and I’ll stop on the way home and get a pregnancy test. Not sure I’m ready for another little bundle just yet. Miss Connie keeps me pretty busy.”

  “You’re an awesome mother. Stop doubting yourself.” April wiped up a dribble from the baby’s chin.

  “I know but it’s not what I had planned, you know? But listen, that isn’t what we were talking about. We were discussing you and David.”

  “Yes, we were. Look, I like him a lot but he has doubts. I think it’s because I’m a little bit too hippyish for him, plus he seems to have this ‘plan’ he feels he has to stick to.”

  “Maybe but I think it’s more a case of him being stuck in his ways more than anything.” She scooped a morsel of cake into her mouth and closed her eyes as she chewed. “He doesn’t really have to go back to Seattle. He has a perfectly good practice here. His mother is here and all his friends, too. You have to make him stay, April.”

  “I don’t really think it’s my place to make him change his mind. It’s a decision he has to make on his own but I’m not averse to tempting him to stay. I like him a lot.”

  Susan opened her eyes and gave April a self-satisfied smile. “I knew it. So, what’s the plan then? How are you going to break down his barriers and make him need you so much that he can’t exist without you?”

  “We did get a little bit cuddly last week when he came over for dinner. Then he freaked out and went home.”

  “Oh, now I get it. He’s been in such a mood lately according to Monica. Very short-tempered, even with his mother who he adores.”

  “Oh, dear, that’s not nice. He called me the following day and I brushed him off. Decided that he needs to realize he misses me or it won’t work. I thought a bit of space between us might be a good idea. Give him time to think about what he wants and not feel it’s me pressuring him to get together.” April stared as Susan ate the last morsel of chocolate cake. Probably a good thing because she really had to get back to the shop. The sign on the window said she’d be back in thirty minutes. “And then his mother came into the shop and we got talking over a cup of tea. She�
�s such a lovely lady. She even told me about the history of the building and offered me some of her father-in-law’s old newspapers to use in the shop.”

  “Bet David has a fit over that. He’ll think she’s interfering, which she never does.”

  “I hope not. She means well and, to be honest, I really like her. She has guts and even though she loves her son, she doesn’t seem to be overbearing. I figure if his mom likes me, then its half the battle. I just need David to realize that living here isn’t that bad and he really does have a good life already without trying to go back and try and pick up where he left off. Who knows how that would turn out for him?”

  “I like you, how you think. It will do him good to stay here. I mean, he’s worked so hard to keep the business going with his dad dying. Be a shame for him to walk away from it. The amount of women that have tried and failed to spark some sort of interest from David is quite long. They obviously weren’t his type where as you…”

  “Are definitely not his type according to him.”

  “So why is he like a bear with a sore head then? Tell me that.”

  “What do you mean?” The last time she’d seen David he’d been quick to run away from her. Scared maybe, but a bear with a sore head – no.

  “He only acts like that when he has trouble dealing with what life’s thrown his way. I think you’ve made more of an impression on him than you know.”

  April hurried back to the shop, hoping she hadn’t annoyed a customer by leaving them waiting. She deserved a coffee break once in a while and when Susan arrived with the delectable Connie, it was easy to close the door of the business for a half hour.

  She opened the door and jammed it wide, breathing a sigh of relief that there wasn’t anyone standing waiting at the front step. She pulled out her buckets of flowers, an old spinning wheel that was her display for the day and then hurried inside. And stopped short when she spied David sitting on the bottom step with his arm around Hamish.

  “What are you doing in here?”

  “I was worried when you didn’t come back. You said thirty minutes on the door.”