Page 26 of It Started at the Lake

I can ask about job openings while we’re there. If I’m lucky, the store needs help for the summer.

“Correction,” Henry says. “You like buying a bunch of junk you hardly ever use to help keep Linda’s in business.”

“I’d rather Evie shop at small businesses than large corporations who support unethical work environments,” Bennett counters.

My heart is a baby chick, growing under a heat lamp. Bennett cares about supporting small businesses? Someone who has a trust fund?

Why can’t he be a snob? Or mean? Give me anything that makes me not like him.

Instead, he says something that most people wouldn’t care about, but I do. And my like for him is quickly turning into a crush. But this is my usual pattern. The entire reason I’m on a man-ban.

A guy smiles at me. I think he’s attractive and nice, and the next thing you know, I’m browsing wedding gowns online.

I have to get out of this rut.

“Evie, do you mind if I come shopping with you?” Bennett asks. “I’d love to help Linda’s as well. She’s always been nice when I’ve gone in there, and Jen couldn’t get enough of the coconut lotion she sells.”

Bennett coming was not the deal. I’m mentally pouting and stomping my foot like a four-year-old throwing a tantrum. I don’t want him joining us. I’m ready for alone time with my bestie, away from the man who stole too much of my attention today.

“Yes!” Evie says excitedly. “We’d love to have you join us. Right, Mils?”

I fake a smile. “Absolutely.” Not.

CHAPTER 12

Bennett

Why didn’t I drive separately? We’ve shopped for three hours already. How is that even possible in a town the size of Stokesley?

The bookstore I enjoyed. They had multiple non-fiction books about WWII I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. Since then? Sheer. Torture.

How long can women realistically look at touristy crap made in China? The only thing special about the stiff t-shirts and boring snow globes is someone added the words “Lake Lloyd” to the front. I’m ready to get to Linda’s and look at the homemade items she sells.

I initially thought it was a great idea to buy the coconut lotion Jen loved. I’m second guessing myself now. Will smelling that fragrance haunt me? Will I be tortured by remembering the way Jen lathered it between her palms and rubbed it over her gorgeous legs? Legs I no longer get to run my hands across?

Scrubbing my hands over my face, I groan. I need another round of pickleball to take my mind off Jen. When my endorphins are high, my brain is too busy doing whatever activity I’m participating in to dwell on my loss.

“Evie, I’m heading over to Linda’s,” I call out. “I’ll meet you there.”

She pokes her head above a display of animal salt and pepper shakers. She holds a beehive salt shaker in front of her face. “We’ll bee right behind you.”

“Ha-ha,” I deadpan, and head out of the store, across the street, and pull open the glass door of Linda’s. A woodsy scent greets me. It’s the same smell as always.

“Well, I’ll be,” Linda says, grinning. “Bennett Williams in the flesh. How are you holding up, love?” She opens her arms wide.

“Okay.” I step into the embrace of the woman who is the poster child for loving grandmas everywhere. She always has a blue and white anchor apron on. Her gray hair is pulled up in a bun and she smells of baked bread.

Her arms squeeze me tight. “I’ve missed seeing you around here. And I’m so sorry about Jen. She was a lovely young woman.”

“Thank you.” My heart clenches at the mention of my late wife. I pull out of her hug. “How are you doing?”

She swats my arm. “I’m as happy as a sunflower soaking up the sun.”

The image makes me smile. “Good to hear. What’s new this year?”

“Follow me,” she says, waving for me to go with her down the main aisle. She zig-zags to the back of the store.

We stop in front of a display full of multi-colored beaded bracelets, gemstone necklaces, woven baskets, and dream catchers. “Where did you get these from?” I pick up a few pieces, inspecting the craftsmanship. What stories are behind these treasures? What traditions and beliefs yielded the creation of these products?

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