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She began to walk around the store, circling the tables to try a few of the oils and vinegars, searching for the perfect pair. Once again, I watched as she moved with grace, her attitude changing from when she left the gallery just moments before. She was stiff, biting her nails before, but now she seemed to flow from table to table—the thought of her painting being in the hands of someone else completely leaving her mind.
Main Street was the distraction she needed.
Once we chose the oil and vinegar, we went to the other side of the store, where featured items from locals were displayed as well as a lot of gnomes. Jamie would point them out as we passed them, even going so far as to find the ugliest one that sat on the top of the cabinet. After grabbing a book about Park City’s historical building, we made our way to the cash register, and, before I placed the items down, I grabbed the gnome she had picked up when we first arrived.
“Are you buying the gnome?” Jamie asked as she watched me place it next to the book.
I wiggled my eyebrows at her and dug in my pocket for my wallet. “You liked him so much I figured he had to come home with us.”
Giving me a small smile, she turned her head, letting out a gasp that caught my attention. “Look!” She held up a magnet that had a mountain with bright orange gondolas on it. “For Madeline!”
“She’ll love it.”
She chuckled, placing the magnet on the book. “And the book?”
“For my dad.”
Tilting her head, her hair falling off to the side, she smiled up at me. “You’re very sentimental Elliot.”
I shrugged my shoulders, watching the older lady wrap up the bottles before swiping my card. “I know he would like it; he loves buildings.”
“As any architect would.”
“Would your dad like this?” I asked, taking the bag from the clerk.
“Believe it or not, he has it.”
I scoffed. “Well, I’ll have to keep looking for him then.”
Jamie linked her arm with mine and laughed as we made our way down the stairs back to the street. It had started to snow—the perfect, fluffy snow that you only saw in movies, making Main Street look even more magical.
“Come on, I know a great place for some coffee.” Jamie bumped into me as she used her weight to pull me along, keeping our arms linked together.
Atticus Coffeeshopsat on the lower, ‘newer’ end of Main Street, but still held the curb appeal that the older part of the street had. As soon as you walked in, you were hit by the smell of coffee and tea, and the amazing sight of used books. Tables lined the walls as locals sat with either their book or computer—sipping their coffees as they worked.
“Did we just step into a movie set?” I asked, taking in my surroundings.
“Ha, it seems that way doesn't it. You’ll love this place, I promise.” Jamie smiled as she tugged me towards the counter.
“I have no doubt.”
Just like the rest of the morning, the coffee was perfect.
Chapter Eighteen
-Jamie-
Iwas a bundle of nerves handing over my painting, and then Elliot pushed them away. After our coffee at Atticus we headed back up to the cabin. It was snowing harder now, making the roads heading up to the cabin harder to navigate, but Elliot and his Jeep did it effortlessly. With him behind the wheel I felt safe, just like I did after the gallery. Elliot seemed to make all the uneasy feelings in me float away, as if they were never there.
Jillian and her family were out in front of the main cabin when we pulled up and parked. They were bundled in snow gear and Killian was attempting to build a snowman that was bigger than him, while Phillip was trying to build a wall of snow, most likely for a snowball fight with his cousins. One happened every year, and the pure fact that there was more snow on the ground this year called for a bigger fight.
Leaving the gifts in the car, Elliot and I headed over to the fun.
“Phillip, isn’t it too early for the snowball fight?” I called, bending over to scoop up a palm full of snow. I began to pack it, getting ready to toss it at someone. I knew who I wanted to toss it at, and it wasn't one of my nephews.
Phillip giggled when he saw what I was doing and he gathered snow as well. “It’s never too early, Auntie Jamie!”
“We still have so much time here,” I replied. “How many fights are you planning on having?”
