“Coward,” Tricia teased him.
“Yep.” He hurried down the line of tables.
“I have a hat and mittens to match the scarf if you’re interested. The mitts are plain black. I’m a decent knitter, but checkered fingers are beyond my patience level.” She pulled them from a pile and set them on the table.
“Oh, they’re lovely. I love that the hat is long, like an elf’s hat. Unfortunately, I can’t afford the whole set right now. But I’ll take the scarf. I can’t find mine. I might have forgotten it in my apartment when I moved. Don’t wrap the scarf, I’ll wear it and advertise for you.” She paid for her purchase and draped the soft scarf around her neck.
The crowd in the hall was growing, the excited chatter of customers echoing off the roof and drowning out the Christmas music playing over the speakers as Clara and Zane moved along to the next vendor.
Clara picked up an adorable pair of baby booties from another table. Zane purchased a matching baby set that included a crocheted blanket, booties, hat, and sweater. He was going to package them and mail them to his assistant. At another table, Clara signed up to join the local quilt guild, and purchased a set of matching quilted coasters for the tables in her library. Unable to resist the scent of roses and pine, she placed an order with the florist for small pine and floral arrangements for each of her guest rooms, and a larger one for her own suite.
Christmas swirled around them. The lights, the music, the colors and scents. Peace and contentment washed over her as they ate decadent chocolate shortbread cookies and rich Nanaimo bars, and drank a gallon of coffee in the designated concession area while visiting with several of her relatives.
When she and Zane were finally alone again, she spoke. “I cannot believe how friendly this town is. I’ve been invited to the quilting group, a knitting circle, a book club, and a ladies ringette league. I think I’ll pass on that one as I can barely skate. Maybe I can learn for next year.”
“I was invited to poker night and a darts league, and I don’t even live here.” He laughed. “This town is something else.”
Zane’s wistful tone had her wondering what he was thinking. Clara chose not to push him about it. She didn’t like when people probed into her private thoughts, so she wasn’t going to press Zane about his, even if she was dying of curiosity. If he were willing to move to Coyote Creek, she could pursue a relationship with him.Nope. Don’t go there, Clara.
“Well, if you’re done, I think I have everything I need.” She waved at the pile of packages at her feet. “I found gifts for everyone in the family.”
“And baby booties for Wren too. Why don’t we go out for dinner tonight? We can stop at home and off-load our loot, and then grab a quick bite. My treat.”
Spending more time with Zane was a bad idea. So bad. Terrible. “Sure. I’d like that.”
