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“I believe I’ve heard of you. Is it Alexander Hudson?” Davis asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’m Davis Grinter.”
Oh, of course. That was why he looked familiar. They knew each other from having met already in Chicago. But before Alexander could say anything, Kim cut in.
“But we’re not talking business today. It’s a day of fun and celebration.”
“Miss Landry was just talking business,” Alexander said, although he wasn’t sure why he was picking on her.
“She’s talking about potential business. There’s a difference,” Kim said, smiling as though she were excited about the idea of Clara potentially starting her own business. Did the whole town know about it? And why hadn’t he?
“Hey, sis,” a tall man said, walking up to the group as Kim and Davis waved and walked on.
Did Clara know everyone in town? It seemed like it, because no sooner had she introduced him to the man, who actually happened to be her brother, than another woman walked up, who Clara introduced as her unofficial future sister-in-law.
They laughed over that, as though they both knew that the woman’s boyfriend was going to propose.
There were so many people that Alexander had a hard time keeping the names straight. It was like being at a business conference, only no one wore name tags.
But the atmosphere was so warm and welcoming, everyone was friendly and seemed to know all about Clara and her paintings and the fact that she’d been talked into doing a booth, and he hadn’t even known anything. She had a whole life on the side, and he hadn’t had a clue. Not a single idea that she had a life outside the office.
It made him feel more and more left out. Even though the people were friendly and welcoming, and he tried to return in kind, he wasn’t used to trusting someone without taking their measure first. Without knowing their background, and whether or not they were honest, whether they were true in their business dealings, and whether they paid their bills on time.
But this small-town stuff, this everyone knowing everyone else, knowing about their business, knowing about what was going on in their personal lives, and it seemed like Clara was related to at least half of them, was all new to him. He wasn’t related to anyone.
They finally made it to the counter to order, with Clara still fielding congratulations and other comments from people who apparently knew her. One matronly older woman put her arm around Clara and squeezed, congratulating her and thanking her again for the picture that she bought.
Alexander couldn’t remember the names, but it really wasn’t the names that were making the impression on him. It was the way Clara was part of the community. So different than what he was used to, and so different than where he normally saw her.
“Can I take your order?” Chi, the first person who had greeted them, asked as she stood behind the register.
“I’ll take your beach bakery burger deluxe, with fries, and if Griff made any more of his strawberry tarts, I’ll take eight.”
“I don’t know if he has any—”
“A little birdie told me that you really like them, so when I made the last batch, I set these back for you.” A big man, tattoos on both arms which disappeared up his sleeves, and one that wrapped around his neck, along with two hoop earrings in his left ear, and a completely bald head, looking a little bit ridiculous with the chef’s apron wrapped around his waist, stepped out from the back with a plate full of little tarts wrapped in plastic wrap in one hand and his other hand out like he was expecting to get a hug from Clara.
Clara, Alex’s serious and focused and completely in control secretary, squealed, jumped up with her hands clasped together and pressed against her chest, then ran, her arms out, jumping into the big man’s arms and wrapping herself around him.
“Griff! You are the best!” she squealed, hugging him again.
The man looked a little embarrassed, but Alexander could tell that he was also very pleased.
“Now, don’t eat these all at once. Make sure you share them with the fellow you’re with. He looks like he could use some.”
Clara swatted at his arm. “That’s my boss. You be nice.”
“He’s not going to be your boss for long. I’ve heard that you did pretty well today, and you might be opening up your own place.”
“I know I shouldn’t be surprised at how fast rumors travel around here, but it surprises me every time.” Clara shook her head and laughed. “I’m not going anywhere just yet. I don’t want to do anything prematurely.”
The man jerked his head and started to turn away.
“Thank you so much, Griff. I really, really appreciate this. These things are absolutely amazing!”
“Anything for you,” Griff said as he turned and walked back into the room.
