Editon took her elbow and led her to the far side of the shop and hopefully out of ears? reach of the others.
He spoke first. “Sorry that I just ‘showed up’ but I was waiting for you to call. When you didn’t…I thought I’d take the proverbial bull by the horns and show up in person. I didn’t know that there would be a full house here.”
“It’s fine. They meet a couple of times a month, and it’s informal. It’s all my fault. I meant to call a million times, it’s just been so hectic learning a new job and then getting settled.”
“I didn’t want to push things. I know you’ve been through a lot. Then I thought maybe you didn’t want to see me again, but I didn’t get that from our last meeting.” He picked at an imaginary chip of paint on the counter.
Kady put a hand on his forearm and then looked at the women who were trying not to gawk at them. She pulled her hand back. “No…that’s the complete opposite. I did…do, want to see you again.”
He let free an audible breath as if he’d been holding it in. “How about tomorrow night? I’m not going to leave it up to chance this time.”
“Tegan is gone for a few days and this is the first time I’m covering the shop on my own tomorrow.”
“Would you like for me to come over and help?” There was eagerness in the tone of his voice.
“No.” Kady shook her head. “I’ve got it, and I think I have almost all the types of wine memorized.”
“Why don’t you pick out your favorite bottle and I’ll pick you up after the shop closes.”
“That sounds like fun.” She looked down at the lily. “Thanks for the flower. I don?t remember the last time that a guy brought me flowers.”
“We’ll have to remedy that. It’s only one flower this time, but next time I’ll work on a whole bouquet.” He grinned as he took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles.
There was another sigh from the group.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned to face the women as he pulled out his white and black knit hat with flaps over the ears. He wiggled it on making tufts of black hair stick out the front. “Evening ladies. Thanks for letting me crash your party for a few minutes.”
“Anytime, Editon.” When Editon shut the door, and the engine of his truck started, Tegan lifted the wicker basket with the names off the table and rummaged around until she found the scrap of paper she was looking for. “Editon…” she read the name out loud and then continued. “I guess he’s out of the single guy pool.”
“We just met…well actually, again. We knew each other from high school,” Kady said.
“I saw the way he looked at you,” Tegan held her gaze.
“It’s not like we are ‘seeing’ each other. You can leave Editon’s name in the basket,” Kady said as she slammed the feather duster back on the counter.
“I’m taking his name out for now. Unless you want to choose another name?” Tegan shook the slips in the basket again.
“No. I don’t.” Kady crossed her arms over her chest.
“I didn’t think so. Editon’s a great guy.” Chloe chimed in. “He’s done so much for Vine Grove.”
“I’m happy he’s a helpful handyman,” Kady said. “But, I need a man with a real job. Money. I don’t know, a life?”
“What has he told you about what he does?” Tegan asked with a raise of her brow.
“Not much…why?” Kady asked.
“You can clear things up tomorrow night,” Tegan said as she stood to clear the fruit and cheese plate from the table. “I was under the same misimpression of August the first time I met him. I wouldn’t have cared what he did for a living, but let’s just say it worked out for the best.”
“I’m not ready for a relationship,” Kady stated as she grabbed a few empty glasses and placed them in the sink.
“He’s just asking you on a date. Give him a chance,” Tegan said with the last sip from her wine glass.
“Fine. If it keeps me from drawing from your silly basket of names, then I’ll do it.”
Chapter Five
The sluggish day moved as fast as molasses in January as more snow fell outside Que Syrah Syrah. With the weather being awful, only one customer came into the shop. Since Tegan had left that morning for a few days out of town, the place seemed extra quiet. After almost nodding off to sleep once, Kady had to turn on the radio to keep herself awake.
She propped her hands under her chin and looked out the window, watching snowflakes drift down and cover the ground in a blanket of white. In a few hours, those inches had piled higher, and Kady began to worry. It was less than six-miles back to her mom and dad’s house, but her car had nearly bald tires, and she knew that they would be no good for driving in the snow. The radio predicted six more inches, so it was bound to become worse.