Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)

Carter surprised her by flashing a smile. “Like I said. Honest. So what’s his problem? You’re beautiful, smart, funny and caring.”


“Thank you. Those are lovely compliments. As for your father, he had a difficult time a few years back. I told you he was held prisoner, but it was more than that. He was also tortured.”

Carter’s smile faded. “I didn’t know that part.”

“The conditions were horrible. When he was finally rescued, he needed time to heal. It’s not the sort of experience a man walks away from easily. He’ll always have some part of that inside him.”

And she’d assumed the greatest challenge of her evening was going to be making brownies, she thought, putting her hand on Carter’s shoulder.

“Your father wants you to be happy. He’s still getting used to you, but he bought those cool bikes. That’s progress. You need to give yourself time to adjust, and I think he deserves leeway, as well.”

Carter studied her for a second. “Okay. I get what you’re saying. But for the record? If my dad doesn’t marry you, he’s an idiot.”

* * *

“WHAT DO YOU think?” Noelle asked.

“You’ve done a very thorough job,” Felicia said, able to appreciate good planning when she saw it.

Noelle had figured out several layouts for her store. She’d made cardboard “footprints” of various shelving units and cabinets, each marked with what it was supposed to represent. Round disks represented Christmas trees that would be set up. By setting them on the floor and moving them around, she was able to play with the different configurations.

Isabel walked around, and shook her head. “You’re good. Seriously. This is impressive. You have several plans to choose from and time to make a decision. Look at you, all savvy with the retail.”

“Thanks,” Noelle said with a laugh. “I’m down to three main concepts for the floor plan. I was hoping you’d help me pick the right one. The remodel starts on Monday, and I’m going to have to tell the contractor where the built-in units are going.”

The future location of The Christmas Attic was nearly square. Big front windows let in light and offered plenty of room for displays. The ceiling was unusually high. Maybe eighteen or twenty feet, Felicia thought. She’d never had an innate ability to estimate distances by sight.

“Which configuration is your favorite?” Felicia asked. “Let’s set up that one, then we’ll start at the entrance and walk our way through the store.”

“Good idea. I’ve done that, but I’m to the point where I can’t see anything new. Bookcases over there, cabinet on the wall opposite the windows, cash register stations are here.”

It took them a couple of minutes to get everything in place. They walked to the open door and stopped.

“You’ll have a stack of baskets for shopping?” Felicia asked, remembering her experience at similar stores. She’d never been in a place that solely celebrated Christmas, but she’d been in craft stores and one shop in Santa Barbara that specialized in tiny figurines.

“Right here.” Noelle pointed.

The other woman had pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She wore a pink T-shirt and white capris. She was thinner than average and there was something about the way she moved that made Felicia think Noelle had suffered some kind of physical trauma in the past year or so. Not a car accident, she thought. That left a person bruised and battered in a different way.

She knew that from personal experience. She’d been hit by a car when she was eighteen and on leave. She’d ended up with several broken bones and a mashed face. The plastic surgeon had worked miracles, correcting all her facial imperfections. She’d been young and healthy and had healed quickly. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

“Here you go,” Isabel said, pretending to hand her something. “Your basket.”

Felicia bent her elbow, as if she were placing a handle over her forearm. “What’s first?”

“The trees are toward the back, drawing you there. Most of the ornaments will be on them, although I’ll have boxes of some sets on shelves. I want customers to step into the store and not clog up the entrance.” She smiled. “I’m assuming I’ll have more than one shopper at a time.”

“You will,” Felicia assured her. “Your local clientele might wait until closer to the holidays to buy but tourists will know they aren’t coming back and want to take advantage of your inventory while they’re here.”

She and Isabel did pretend shopping. They went through the store’s layout. Felicia did her best to imagine what it would look like.

“Your idea of having the children’s books and the teddy bear collections together is very smart,” she said. “How are parents supposed to resist either?”

“And it keeps kids away from the breakables.” Isabel looked around. “For what it’s worth, I like that layout best.”

“Me, too.” Noelle grinned. “Let’s take a break for a second and clear our heads. I have soda. You two want one?”