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“Who doesn’t, but that’s not why it will be interesting. The Robbins sisters are not happy that it will be competition.”
“Don’t they have a tea shop?”
“They do, but Albert, the owner of Chocolate On The Rocks, told me he’s making his special homemade chocolate and has these fancy things called pane chocca-something that will be in direct competition with the Robbins sisters’ scones.”
“Pain au chocolat,” Nash said, looking at the little store that had brown paper in the window so no one could see in.
“That.” Mrs. L nudged him in the ribs. “You speak French?”
“Some.” They’d had a French ranch hand for a year; he’d taught Nash and Ford some conversational French.
“Yeah, go you. Can’t say I’ve ever had a need.”
He didn’t touch that.
“When is it opening?” He nodded to the shop across the street.
“Soon. If you look on the door it says ‘grand opening in three days.’ Apparently, Albert has been all over town handing out chocolate and pamphlets. Locals will be torn, seeing as the Robbins sisters aren’t happy. But the guy is nice, if hard to understand.”
“Because he’s French?”
She nodded.
“Ryker Falls is full of tourists; can’t imagine there isn’t enough to go round. They’ll get over it.” He grunted a goodbye and took the bag she held with the sweater he didn’t want.
“Can you change my lightbulb before you go, Nash?”
He didn’t sigh out loud as he followed her back into the store. After changing the lightbulb and listening to her discuss her cat’s health problems, he managed to leave after only walking into one shelf.
“Nash.”
“Joe.” He nodded to the man walking toward him. He held the hand of a little boy, swinging it as they walked. The resemblance was obvious, and the boy would one day look like his daddy.
“New sweater?” He nodded to the bright purple bag in his hand.
Nash nodded. “That woman could sell anything.”
“Say hi to Nash, Ben,” Joe said.
“Hi.” The boy waved a hand at Nash.
He dropped down before him and waved back. He liked kids; they never wanted anything from him. “Hello, Ben. Daddy taking you for ice cream?”
Joe groaned. “He is now.”
“Go for a double scoop.” Nash touched the boy’s soft cheek, then rose.
“You settling into town?”
Joe was big, with green eyes and an easy smile. Nash also knew his life had not always been what it was today. His father was an asshole, according to Maggie.
“Sure. You people are nosey and tend to ask too many questions, but I’ll get used to it or put a really big gate with a sturdy lock at the end of my drive.”
Joe laughed. “It’s all well-meaning and our way of helping you settle in. We need to know everything about you before we accept you.”
“Not much to tell. I’m an open book.”
Joe studied him. “Something in me says that’s BS. But we need a town grouch; seems like we got one now.”
