“As long as you need.”
“Thank you. I shouldn’t be too long.” She stepped out of the car, and closed the door.
Something loud came from behind her down the street. It sounded as if it was getting closer. She spun around, catching sight of shiny black horses clip-clopping her way. A breath caught in her throat as she leapt from the street to the sidewalk.
The earth seemed to vibrate as their hoofbeats got closer. Their muscles flexed like those of a bodybuilder oiled up and ready to compete for the big title.
The man sitting on the wagon looked strong and fit too. She swept her hand through her hair as she watched him approach. His shoulders were broad; his hair was a little long below the brim of his Western hat.
Anna is not going to believe this.She raised her phone and took a picture. Then another as the horses slowed near the four-way stop at the corner.
Six horses in all. The shiny black wagon they pulled was stacked high with big bales of hay.
She stood there nearly breathless, in awe of the scene before her. Tracing the horses with her eyes, then lifting her gaze toward the man. She smiled wide, then touched her fingers to her lips.
One of the horses sputtered and snorted as he passed, all six moving like a single unit.
“Amazing.” She lifted her chin.
He nodded. “Good afternoon.”
His voice was deep and strong. So captivating that she stared impolitely for a long moment before she finally managed a finger wave. “You too.”
He lifted his hand to his hat and smiled.
Vanessa took a picture, then watched until the horses and wagon turned at the next road.
She forwarded the photo to Anna.
Vanessa:This was my first sighting in Fraser Hills.
Anna:Now, that’s what I call a welcome.
Until that moment she’d been so captivated by the horses that she hadn’t even noticed the sweet aroma that hung in the air. It smelled like warm bread, and sugar and spices. Her mouth watered, reminding her she hadn’t eaten yet today. Not that fruitcake was on her list of favorites.
The Porter’s building seemed to occupy the whole block—much bigger than she’d expected even after seeing the plans.
Playful green-and-white-striped awnings softened the dark red brick exterior around the retail-store windows to either side of the entrance. The Porter’s logo—a black silhouette of a horse-drawn carriage riding past snow-topped Fraser firs—shone from the old glass inserts. A deep red ribbon scrolled aroundPORTER’Sin green script. Very classy, actually, if a little outdated.Although a horse-drawn carriage did just drive by.
Vanessa’s cheeks stung from the crisp air. She briskly climbed the stairs and grasped the shiny brass door handle. A whoosh of warm air washed over her like a hug, as a set of gleaming brass bells on a leather strap jangled against the heavy door.
“Welcome to Porter’s.” A young lady wearing a black-and-white-striped vest bearing the Porter’s logo waved from a long wooden counter. “Let me know if I can help you find anything.”
“Thank you.”
The space was warm and inviting. Nice wide aisles of shelving, not the metal kind, but furniture-quality, tastefully decorated for the holidays. The old building was clean and spacious.
The heavenly smell was even stronger in here. She walked through the retail space, enjoying the anonymity that wouldn’t last long once people knew she’d arrived from AGC headquarters.
“Welcome to Porter’s.” An older woman also wearing a striped vest, withBETTIEon her name tag, approached Vanessa with a platter. “Samples are always free. Take one.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Or two, I’ll never tell.”
“No, thank you.” Vanessa turned and started for the next aisle, but the woman caught her attention again.
“‘No, thank you’?” Bettie eyed Vanessa. “You’ve never had our fruitcake, have you?”
Vanessa turned back to face the woman. “Well, no.” She waved a hand. “I’m not really a fan of fruitcake.”
“Ours isn’t like any other. Trust me. You’ll like ours. Just try it.” Bettie pushed the platter closer to her. She had to be every bit of seventy, and she was so cheery it was hard to say no.
