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“So, what color dress am I wearing?”
“Burgundy. A deep merlot.”
“Ooo, okay, I can rock that.”
“I figured.” She laughs, rolling her eyes. “Since it’s in the fall, I thought that’d be the perfect color. The details are still being worked out on the tablescapes and flower arrangements, but think dark, woodsy, and romantic, all rolled together. An enchanted forest.”
“Oh my God, I can’t freaking wait! That sounds amazing, Ally! I’m so happy for you and Jake.”
“Thanks,” she says, smiling shyly. “He’s amazing.”
“I’m glad you came here and found him. It was–”
“Fate,” she finishes for me.
“Yes. As cheesy as that sounds, it definitely was.”
“And my coming here has also brought you something, too.”
“I guess. But right now, all it’s giving me is a headache.”
“Alright, enough boy talk and pouring our hearts out. I need to go buy some new paints, want to come with me?”
“Yes, please give me a distraction. I can’t go back to his house yet.”
Laughing, we stand and bring Courtney our plates. “Thanks, Courtney. I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, you will. Because I need the juicy details!” she yells after us as we’re leaving the café.
“Yeah, that’s not happening,” I tell Ally when we’re outside. “She’d have to get me drunk to share that shit.” I laugh, wrapping my scarf a little tighter around my neck. The wind biting at me.
“I wouldn’t put it past her. Trust me. That’s how she got me to tell her my secrets when I first got here. She’s crafty, that one.”
Dodging snow mounds and patches of ice, Ally and I somehow make it across the street without falling on our asses.
The hardware store is only a few storefronts down, and the second we walk in, an older man behind the counter beams at Ally, his whole face lighting up. His kind blue eyes are framed by the laugh lines of a man who’s lived a good life.
“Ally, my dear, how are you?”
“I’m good, Jim, how are you?”
“Oh, good, good. You know, just trying to bounce back after the storm.”
“Yeah, it was a rough one. My friend Ashley here actually got stranded out at Dottie’s when it hit.”
“Oh my, well hello, Ashley. I’m Jim,” he greets warmly, sticking his hand out for me to shake. “I hope you stayed safe during the storm.”
“Good to meet you Jim. And yes, I did. I wasn’t sure I’d make it at first, though.” I laugh, hoping I don’t have to confess I was rescued by–and taken home with–the town’s beloved sheriff.
“A true Mainer can weather any storm. We’re built for it.”
“Well, then, I guess maybe I can be an honorary Mainer since I made it out the other side unscathed.” On the outside at least.
“Of course, young lady. We welcome newcomers here in Pine Cove.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good.” He nods. “Now, Ally, go on and pick out some new colors.” He smiles, knowing her all too well.
