AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As Katie shared her story, Amanda sat there fully enthralled.
"I'm an author, but this is better than anything I could make up."
Katie beamed. "We have another writer in town. Her name is Reese. You'll have to meet her."
"I'd love that."
"First things first, though. The first treat is on the house. What will it be?"
Amanda moved up and down the display case as if staring at the crown jewels.
"I can't choose. Surprise me."
"Today is raspberry muffin day. They're the sheriff's favorite."
"I never argue with the law. Raspberry muffin it is."
Katie came around the counter with a plate with two muffins and led them toward a wall filled with hundreds of pieces of paper. “The Wishing Wall is a tradition here," Katie explained. "People write their wishes on sticky notes and put them there. We believe it carries our desires to the universe. I grant the simple ones; the others I must leave for God."
Amanda seemed moved by the custom. Her eyes scanned the wall, taking in the wants and needs of many, some uncomplicated like a dozen cookies and others more profound like a cure for cancer. It was a snapshot of the town's hopes and dreams. Jackson was touched by the raw honesty and vulnerability they represented.
With an encouraging smile, Katie offered them each a sticky note. "Would you like to make a wish?" she asked.
Jackson hesitated, but he joined in, seeing Amanda's excitement. As he scribbled, he stole a glance at her. She was deep in thought, her brows knitted together. She picked up a pen and began writing, and he found himself hoping, more than anything, that her wish would come true.
Amanda finished and smiled as she stuck her note to the wall. Her eyes shone with happiness, and Jackson grinned back. He folded his in half put his wish right next to hers.
"Are you going to tell me what you wished for?" she asked as they walked away.
"Nope," Jackson replied, grinning. "I imagine sharing your wish before it comes true is bad luck."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Fine, keep your secrets."
They said their goodbyes to Katie, with Amanda inviting her to the cabin for a visit. He opened the bakery door and led them out. The sun began to dip behind the mountains, casting a golden glow over the small town. Snowflakes hung in the air, catching the light, and making the scene magical.
"If it's going to snow, it would be wise to pick up supplies. Unless you're okay with eating rice crispy treats and Fancy Feast," Amanda said.
"I'm pretty easygoing when it comes to food."
She laughed. "You'd have to fight Catsby for it. He's not much into sharing, so I imagine we should stock up on what we need." She pointed to The Corner Store. "I can make it quick if you have plans."
"Nothing planned except moving into my room. I'm not working at the bar tonight, so I'm all yours."
Was that a blush he saw creeping from her neck to her cheeks? Maybe he wasn't the only one feeling the connection.
CHAPTERSEVEN
She tipped her face to the sky, closed her eyes, and allowed the chilly flakes to dust her skin. A delighted giggle bubbled from her lips, her breath misting in the cold air. It was serene, and utterly amazing.
“In Chicago, this comes with gale-force winds.” She stopped in the middle of the street. “Listen. It's so quiet, you can almost hear the snowfall.” That was the one thing she absolutely loved about her new home. In the silence, she noticed everything.
She turned to share her joy with Jackson and found him absorbed in something on his phone. His brows lifted, and his lips tugged into a thin line. The cheerful man she had been laughing with a moment ago was replaced with this serious, stern-looking one. The sudden change in his demeanor sent a jolt of worry through her.
“The weather report just updated, and the storm is going to be worse than expected,” he said, his voice cutting through her thoughts. He showed her his screen.
Amanda glanced at it, her eyes widening as she took in the swirling mass of white and blue on the weather app. “How much snow are we talking about?” Her heart pounded. She was a city girl through and through. She had experienced heavy snowfall in Chicago, but street plows and city workers always followed it to clear it up. She had no idea what to expect from a snowstorm in Aspen Cove. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet Jackson’s gaze. “Is it ... is it going to be bad?”
"It's likely to be a sizable one," he revealed. “It says six to ten inches.” His gaze never left her face. “But don’t worry, we’ll be prepared.”
