Chapter One
The subtle clacking of nuts spilling against the bottom of the barrel made Kerri Gale smile. Her muscles relaxed as she set the empty package to the side and ran her fingertips through the shells that piled to the brim of the barrel. The scent of the nuts filled her senses. Ever since she’d opened Nuts about Nuts, her favorite task was refilling the barrels. The simplicity of it, combined with the refreshing smells, always left her in a peaceful state of mind. Perhaps it was that, or her impending camping trip, that made her smile spread even wider than normal.
“You look positively giddy over there.” Natalie grinned as she pulled her curly, red hair back into a ponytail. Sunlight spilled through the wide window behind her and illuminated the golden highlights that crowned her head.
“And you look gorgeous.” Kerri sighed as she drank in the sight of her friend, from her unruly mane, to the deep dimples in her cheeks, Natalie embodied the idea of a warm summer day to her.
“You’re nuts. I mean, you’ve been sniffing those nuts far too often, they’ve gone to your head, seriously.” Natalie laughed as she slapped her ample hips. “There’s nothing gorgeous about me.”
“You’re wrong, Nat.” Kerri crossed her slender arms as she stared at her friend who refused to see her own beauty. “But I do enjoy sniffing the nuts.” She giggled as she walked around the barrel to join Natalie at the front counter of the shop. “I can’t help it. They smell delicious.”
“Your friend thinks so, too.” Natalie tipped her head in the direction of an open window. A small squirrel perched on the windowsill, easily identified by Kerri, because of the black stripe down his back.
“Ah, you want snacks, do you?” Kerri grinned, then scooped up a handful of nuts. “Don’t leave the shells by the front door this time.” She slid the screen in the window to the side and piled the nuts on the windowsill beside the squirrel. He gazed at her with his round, dark eyes as his body trembled. He didn’t bolt. He’d become too eager for the nuts to be skittish. “That’s it for today, no more begging.” She met his eyes and raised an eyebrow. “I mean it.”
He shook his fluffy tail twice, then pounced on the nuts.
“He’s so cute.” Natalie cooed, a few steps behind Kerri. “I don’t know how you don’t take him home to snuggle.”
“He does turn up at my house. But I can’t even imagine what he would do if I ever let him inside the house.” Kerri laughed as she slid the screen back into place. “Besides, Cashew would get jealous.” She referred to her Yorkshire Terrier.
“I see. How do you think she’s going to like camping?” Natalie leaned against the counter.
“She should be okay, as long as she can keep her curious nose from leading her off into disaster.” Kerri took a step back and swept her gaze around the shop, noticing the newest assortment of gifts from around the world that lined the shelves, as well as the nuts and exotic treats that had become favorites of the residents of Cascade Grove, named for its multitude of natural waterfalls nestled in endless woods. “I have to say it’s going to be strange for me to be away from this place for so long. Are you sure your mom doesn’t mind giving you up for the weekend?”
“Not at all.” Natalie smiled and picked up a box from behind the counter. “I think she needs a break from me. Ever since her knee surgery, I’ve been waiting on her hand and foot, but she doesn’t seem to like it.”
“I doubt my grandfather would either.” Kerri shook her head at the thought of George not being totally mobile. “He’d probably insist on crawling across the floor to get whatever he needed.”
“Ugh, isn’t it awful?” Natalie clucked her tongue. “She knows I’m only trying to help.”
“I thought it would be nice for my grandfather to have the house to himself this weekend, but he insisted on joining me instead.” Kerri’s jaw clenched briefly. “I’m not exactly sure what he’s planning, but I know he’s planning something.”
“Uh oh.” Natalie laughed and ran a utility knife across the top of the box. “You’ll have to keep me up to date on what’s going on out there. Steve really isn’t going with you? It seems like a nice opportunity for romance.”
“No, definitely not. He’s behind on some work and honestly, he didn’t offer.” Kerri shrugged, but just the thought of Steve brought a smile to her lips. He was gorgeous, with wavy, black hair and a muscular frame. But what really attracted her to him was his kindness. “I guess he’s not the outdoorsy type.”
“Maybe not.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Kerri smiled as she went behind the counter and grabbed a plate of cookies. “Ginger chestnut cookies.” She held out the plate to Natalie.
“Chestnut.” Natalie scrunched up her nose. “I told you, I don’t like chestnuts.” “Just give them a try.” Kerri pushed the plate closer to her. “They aren’t too sweet.”
“Okay.” Natalie smiled as she reluctantly picked up a cookie. “Just a bite.” She bit off a tiny piece of crunchy cookie. As she ate, she nodded in approval as her eyes widened. “These are good.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you sure they have chestnuts in them?” Natalie asked before she had another bite.
“Positive.”
“Okay, you win. Ginger chestnut cookies are delicious.” Natalie smiled as two customers stepped through the door. “Welcome to Nuts about Nuts, if you have any questions please feel free to ask.”
“Thanks.” The woman, who looked to be in her mid-twenties, as Kerri was, tugged on the end of her blonde braid and returned her smile. Kerri noticed red paint scattered across her hand and wondered whether she might be an artist. She looked the type, relaxed, and happy, as if she created the world around her. Her male companion of about the same age, hung back a few steps and shot a brief glance in Kerri’s direction, before his attention was drawn to a shelf full of gifts.
Curious about his interest, Kerri watched him out of the corner of her eye. She noticed him trace his fingertips along a South African flower puzzle. Carved from wood, each of the petals fit together perfectly to create a stunning flower. She drifted over in his direction, while Natalie discussed a few of the nut options with his companion.
“Are you interested in this?” Kerri smiled as she paused beside him. “It’s pretty.” He glanced at her, then looked back at the flower.
“It’s commonly given as an engagement gift in the region where I purchased it from. When you take the petals apart, there’s a small compartment inside just big enough for a ring, or a small jewel. Of course, you don’t have to put anything inside, or it could be something simple.” Kerri eyed the colored tips of the petals and released a contented sigh. “It’s one of my favorites. I love the mystery of it.”
“I’ll take it.” His sharp, brown eyes darted in the direction of the woman speaking to Natalie. “Do you think you could wrap it up for me without her seeing?”
“Absolutely.” Kerri winked at him, then carried one of the sealed boxes beneath
the display flower over to the counter. She packaged it up carefully, entered the price in the cash register, then returned to him for payment. She passed the small package to him as he handed over some cash. When she returned with his change, his friend had just finished her own purchase.
“You didn’t find anything, Colin?” Her icy blue eyes settled on him. “Not this time.” He slid his hand into his pocket to hide the gift inside.
“You can share my chestnuts with me. We just need to roast them on the fire.” She smiled. “I haven’t had them in ages, I love the smell.”
“Thanks.” Colin nodded. “Are you ready to go, Pam?”
“Sure.” She glanced back at Kerri and Natalie. “Thanks again. I’m sure we’ll be back.”
“Glad to have you.” Kerri waved to them as they left the shop. “What a sweet couple.”
“Do you think so?” Natalie tilted her head to the side as she watched them through the large, front window. “I didn’t realize they were a couple.”
“Oh, trust me.” Kerri smiled. “They are.”
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