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“We’ve been growing year over year for the last five years. By a lot.”
“That’s impressive. Are you thinking of opening another store?”
“Nah. I like Jasper Creek. I want to be here and talk to my neighbors, and my vendors love seeing their pieces in a store where they can come in and point it out to their friends. But online is definitely where it is at. Currently it is over seventy-five percent of my business. Another brick-and-mortar doesn’t make sense.”
“And the bigger websites?”
“There are a lot of people who really want to support small town artists and craftsmen, and the local businesses who work with them. That’s what I emphasize. My sister Trenda is in charge of the website, she figured out the whole vibe, and it works.”
After we buckled in and she started the Jeep, I asked her what was on the menu at the Down Home Diner.
“Everything that is good in this world. You will not be disappointed.”
“Sounds like I’ve made a mistake not trying them out sooner.”
Right before she tipped on her sunglasses, she looked over at me. “You totally screwed up not trying sooner.”
I laughed. “Point taken.”
It was good to see the real Zoe Avery. Not in pain. Not tired and recovering. Instead, here she was on top of her game, flirting without shame. This was fun.
Since James and I had crisscrossed Jasper Creek for the last few days, I realized immediately that she was taking me to the town square. A woman with purple hair was pulling out of a spot, then halfway out, she rolled down her window. “I kept it warm for you, Honey.”
“Thanks, Florence!” Zoe waved.
Florence finished pulling out her car, and Zoe pulled into the spot. When we got out, we were right in front of the Down Home Diner.
“Even if you’re having lunch, I recommend getting a cinnamon roll if they still have any,” Zoe said as she allowed me to open the door for her. I followed her inside to the hostess desk.
“Zoe, it’s so good to see you. Gladdie and I planned to call on you this weekend.”
I had to peak over Zoe’s head to see who was talking. It was a little old lady who looked a few inches shy of five feet. “Are you Adam Beckett?” she asked me as she caught me looking.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Word gets around. Did you bring James?”
“No, Ma’am, I didn’t.”
“Call me Little Grandma, everybody does.”
“But ‘word gets around’ doesn’t explain how you knew it was me.”
“Well, there was a bit of deduction and hope, I must admit. Deduction, because Ford and Ruby have been in, and I knew you’d been around town looking for a place to plant some roots for you and your boy. I figured sooner or later you’d make it here. Hope, that Zoe’s hero would be smart enough to come in with her.”
I saw the beginning of a blush form on Zoe’s cheeks, and I couldn’t help pushing it along.
“Little Grandma, why would you be hoping that?”
“Because every girl deserves a hero, and no one more than our Zoe.”
“Little Grandma, if you keep talking, I’ll rescind my offer for you and your sister to come visit this weekend,” Zoe huffed. I was sure it was for show. There was no way she was going to deny this kind woman—who had to be eighty if she were a day—an invitation to her house.
“That’s fine. I think it would be better if you brought your gentleman friend and his son to our house, that way Gladiola and I could make up something warm and filling along with blackberry cobbler.”
“I don’t know—”
“Which day and what time?” I asked, talking over Zoe.
