At the checkout Charlie got her “passport” stamped and collected a free bookmark on the way out the door. She was waiting outside, talking to someone who’d stopped to admire a very cute sleeping Daniel, when Dave finally came out.
“That took a while,” she said, waving good-bye to the woman who’d stopped.
He shrugged. “They had to change the register tape.”
They made their way one street up to Treasures, a beautiful old house on the corner of Lilac Lane. Once in the door, they were assaulted by sounds and colors and activity. A middle-aged woman worked the register while someone else bagged and wrapped, and Charlie saw two children disappear into a back room where a sign said WORKSHOP IN PROGRESS.
“This place is crazy.”
Charlie laughed. “Josh’s sister owns it. She runs classes here sometimes too. I’ve been meaning to take one, but somehow I never sign up.”
He looked over at her as they moved out of the way of some browsing women. “Afraid of looking silly? That maybe there’s something you’re not good at?”
She thought about that for a moment, then shook her head. “No, that’s not it. It’s more … I’m not sure how useful it would be. I’d end up making candles or a pair of earrings or something, and it seems a bit…”
“Frivolous,” he finished. “And maybe fun. Charlie, you think everything has to have a purpose or fit into a bigger picture. But sometimes fun really is enough. It’s a purpose all on its own. To enjoy life just for the sake of enjoyment.”
“I’m learning,” she said, leaning closer to him.
His eyes delved into hers and she felt a delicious shiver run down her spine.
“I’m always willing to help. I’m a very good teacher.”
She just bet he was and it sent a thrill rippling over her. She changed the subject, particularly since the crowd was growing larger in the store and she didn’t want to be overheard. “Come on, let’s browse around. Maybe you can find something for your mom and sisters, hmm?”
They shopped for several minutes. Though she’d already sent the gift cards, Charlie found a gorgeous hand-painted candle-and-holder set for her mother and bought another hand-painted glass ornament for Lizzie. She treated herself to a new knitted infinity scarf, and on impulse grabbed a thick wool hat-and-mitten set for Dave, just in case they ended up exchanging presents. She was admiring a rack of sterling silver and crystal earrings when Dave came over, a huge smile on his face.
“What did you find?” she asked.
He held out a large plastic case. She looked at the cardboard insert. “It’s a puppet show. Oh, how sweet!”
He beamed. “Finger puppets, which should be easier for little fingers, right? There’s one set up over there. The wings fold out so it stands on its own, and the puppets get stored in little pockets on the back. There are little curtains with Velcro and everything.”
“You’re excited.”
“I’m happy I found something that I’m certain about, I think. I mean, little girls would love something like this, right?”
“I think so. And no little parts to worry about. It’s really lovely, Dave.”
He looked down at her and she got that swirly feeling again.
“Are you ready? We can hit the last few shops and then get lunch.”
“I’m ready. If I buy anything more I won’t have arms to carry it.” She kept the mittens and hat beneath the thick infinity scarf, out of sight.
Their parcels were bagged and wrapped and paid for, and they stepped outside into the bright winter sunlight. They decided to walk back to the clinic and stow their parcels in his truck before grabbing lunch at Gino’s. Gino was doing a brisk business selling pizza by the slice with a can of soda as a festival lunch special.
The sun chased some of the chill out of the day, and they found an empty bench along the dock where they could eat. Daniel was awake but content, and Charlie lifted her pizza slice high and took a bite, sighing with pleasure as the flavors exploded on her tongue. “It’s been a good morning.”
“Yes, it has. Thanks, Charlie.”
“For what?” She squinted in the sunlight as she looked over at him. He had a little piece of cheese stuck to the corner of his mouth and she reached over and wiped it off with the side of her thumb.
“For taking me shopping.”
“You asked me, remember?” She popped the last piece of tender crust into her mouth and took a gulp of soda.
“Well, I wouldn’t have if we hadn’t…” He reached over and took her hand. “If we hadn’t talked yesterday.”
Fling, she reminded herself. This would be a fling and nothing more. She would not get her hopes up. She would not read more into this than there was. Dave was a live-life-as-it-comes kind of guy, not someone to plan a future with. Live in the moment. Be spontaneous. Why was she finding it so difficult? For heaven’s sake, it was a simple date.
“It was fun,” she answered, trying to adopt a flirtatious tone.
“How fun?” he asked, and he wiggled his eyebrows, making her laugh. She leaned sideways and jostled him with her shoulder.