Chapter 3
Down for the count – to be defeated by a stupid extension cord you didn’t notice on the floor because someone thinks he’s the boss of you
I wave to Petal, the owner of Sensual Scents, as I stroll down Main Street toward The Inn on Main.
“Ashlyn,” she bellows to stop me.
There goes my plan of making my way down Main Street without interruption. I should know better.
I swallow my sigh and smile. “How are you, Petal?”
“I’m doing well. Ever since your sister recommended we use frosted glass instead of curtains, things in the bedroom have really heated up. Orion can really let loose when he doesn’t have to worry about me setting fire to the place.”
A picture of Petal and Orion having sexy times flashes into my mind, and I have to bite my tongue to stop from groaning. I’m far too visual a person. I have absolutely no problems with anyone having sex. Go for it is my motto in life. But I can’t help visualizing the act itself, which tends to freak me out when the person talking is nearly as old as my grandmother.
“I bet the fire department appreciates your efforts.”
In truth, the volunteer Fire Department in Winter Falls gets a kick out of being summoned for Petal’s little candle mishaps. I know for a fact Lyric’s brother, River, enjoys lecturing the sex candle shop owner about how dangerous candles can be.
“I need to get going. Have a nice day, Petal.”
“Are you off to visit Rowan? That hunk can eat crackers in my bed any day.”
“Don’t make me tell Orion on you,” I admonish her before hurrying away.
I am not on my way to visit Rowan by the way. It’s not my fault I need to pass his bakery en route to The Inn on Main. But I will not glance in the window and torture myself with what I can’t have. Not today at least. Just to be safe, I cross to the opposite side of the street from Bake Me Happy.
I wave at Aspen as I pass her bookstore. Next up is the diner. The owner, Gracious, rushes out. It’s official. I should have stuck to the side streets.
“Ashlyn Dream West, you have a lot of explaining to do.”
Great. What did I do now? I’m the first to admit I have a slight – very slight – tendency to get in trouble. It’s not my fault. Trouble is attracted to me as if I’m one end of a great big magnet and it’s the other end.
I widen my eyes and flutter my eyelashes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She wags her finger at me. “Don’t act all innocent, Missy. You haven’t been innocent since the day you decided to give me a heart attack by planting a dead mouse in my purse.”
“I’ve apologized a thousand times for the mishap,” I huff. “It was an honest mistake. I didn’t realize it was your purse.” How could I have known she had the same purse as bully Meadow?
“I’m not here to bring up old grievances. I want to talk about the coffee challenge.”
My brow wrinkles. “What about it?”
“Why wasn’t my coffee allowed to participate?”
“Yeah, babycakes. Why wasn’t the diner’s coffee in the challenge?” Aspen taunts from behind me.
Being the youngest of five sisters is the pits. Do they think I enjoy being dubbed babycakes at the age of twenty-two? The answer is no. No, I do not.
“Don’t you have a business to operate?”
“I’m on lunch break.” She indicates the front door of the bookstore where there’s a sign saying she’s all booked up for lunch hanging.
“Whatever,” I mutter before turning my attention to Gracious.
“I’m sorry, Gracious. I didn’t know the challenge was going to happen. Why don’t I set up a challenge for next weekend? We can go all out and let all of the locals participate. After all, everyone has different tastes.”
Gracious rubs her hands together. “This is a great idea. We can make an event of it.”