Page 3 of Wrapped in Love

He moved past me to the books, leaving me to wonder if he meant the cookies, the stained glass…or me.

Shane Foster had to be the most generous man ever to enter my shop. After perusing the books, he returned with a dozen children’s books, then went back, adding three huge tomes to the pile. “This is amazing,” he stated. “You have books my brothers and father will love. Well, one brother and one brother-in-law. And I prefer giving the kids some books. I love reading. What about you?”

“It’s one of my favorite pastimes.”

His gaze was intense. “Excellent to know.” He reached behind me, snagging another cookie. “Now, I need a toy for each of them—and a few games for the family.”

I helped him pick something, listening as he talked about his nieces and nephews. Love dripped from his voice as he described them. Elly and John’s identical twin girls. Alan and Tracey’s three sons and one daughter—who, Shane laughed, “might as well be another boy—she can take them all.” He also added candy for each of them, insisting all gifts from Uncle Shane had to be equal.

“What about the parcels that will come? Shouldn’t you just buy something small for them to open tomorrow?”

“No—I like these better. I bought what their parents had sent me from a list. They can have those as extras later.” He clapped his hands. “Now, the ladies. There, I need the most help. And I think I’ve decided on some of those gloves for the guys along with their books.”

At his request, I made up a basket for each woman of my various soaps, lotions, and bath bombs. He chose a piece of stained glass for his mother, saying how much she would like it in her sunroom, then picked a set of earrings for both his sister-in-law, Tracey, and his sister, Elly. He took his time, choosing carefully with every item. Never once did he look at or ask a price. I kept a mental tally in my head, knowing he would purchase more with this transaction than I had made all month. It was mind-boggling.

Finally, he smiled. “I think I’m done.”

I moved a box out of the way. “All right.”

He looked down, stopping. “Wait.” He tapped the glass. “What is that?”

I pulled the item his long finger pointed at out of the case with a sad smile. “This is my favorite piece in the shop.”

He lifted the bracelet, the petite emeralds and diamonds catching the light. It was delicate, the loops all hand-cut and scattered with the tiny jewels. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“The woman who made all the jewelry did that as an experiment. She used gold and the very best gems she could, wanting to see if there was a market for it here.”

“It didn’t sell?”

“No. I’ve had it for over a year. She was retiring, so I bought out everything she had. She only sends me a few pieces now and then that she does as a pastime.”

“Emeralds are my mother’s favorite gem.”

“Because of your eyes?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He grinned, those mesmerizing eyes dancing. “I have my father’s eyes, so probably, yes. She says they’re what made her fall in love with him.”

“Oh,” I breathed out. “I could see that.”

“I, myself, prefer dark eyes. Deep, chocolate eyes you can lose yourself in.”

Cue my blush.

Shane chuckled and laid the bracelet on the glass. “I’ll take this as well, please.”

“Would you like me to put the stained glass back?”

“No.”

“Shane, this bracelet is $1700.”

“That’s fine.” His lips twitched. “Does it come with a box?”

“Yes. A very pretty one.”

“Sold. Now, once we finish here, do you suppose there is a store around still open that has gift wrap and tape?”

I glanced at the clock, shocked to see he’d been in the store for well over an hour. “No. Everything will be closed.”