Page 16 of With a Grain of Salt

"We haven't told our parents yet," Adalynn says.

"But we're telling them tonight," Cash adds.

"I'm happy for the two of you," I say, and I don't know that I've ever spoken truer words.

These two have been circling around each other for years. It's great that they're finally together.

"Do you have any of those chocolate mint cookies?"

My heart breaks a little when she shakes her head.

"What about the chocolate mint ice cream?"

"You know I can only sell that at the events in town. Besides, it's wintertime. You should want hot cocoa."

I perk up. "Do you have peppermint mocha hot cocoa?"

She shakes her head. "Ruth would blast me in front of the city council if I sold any form of hot drink. It's also why I can't sell my ice cream out of the shop."

I hate the rules in Lindell sometimes. There's a huge non-compete clause with the businesses here. Since Ruth has been selling ice cream and specialty milkshakes since before the dinosaurs roamed the earth, no one else in town can sell them.

"Your ice cream is better than the stuff she has delivered."

Cash chuckles, his head dipping in agreement.

"You better not ever let her hear you say that, Walker Conroy,” Adalynn chastises. “I do have a few of those chocolate chunk cookies you love.”

Cash looks like he’s going to argue when she moves to step away from him, but his phone rings, drawing his attention away from her, if only temporarily.

"I'm glad you stopped by," she says conspiratorially as she goes behind the counter. "I was thinking you forgot."

I've learned to never tell a woman that I have no idea what she's talking about, so I keep my mouth shut when she bends down behind the counter.

"I had to get with Kristina about what kind she needed, but she's a hundred percent certain this is it."

I look down at the white box she's holding out to me.

"Take it before he sees it," Adalynn hisses, waving the box in her hand.

"What is it?" I ask after it's already in my hand.

"The battery for Larkin’s ride-on toy. Quick, put it in your pocket."

I do as she says, wanting to argue with her, but it seems like I've been sworn to secrecy when Cash walks back up and she changes the subject.

"I'm so sorry, Walker. I really thought I had some left. I'll make it a point to bake some extras and set them aside for tomorrow."

I know her game, but despite her attempt to get rid of me quickly before Cash asks why she's yet again butting her nose in someone else's business, I came in here for a snack.

"I'd prefer the chocolate mint cookies," I say, my fingers tapping against the box in my pocket.

I should probably lean my loyalty toward Cash since we're both men, but I'm choosing my stomach over everything else right now.

"You got it," she says, her smile never faltering.

It seems this agreement is one she's willing to make in order for me to do her bidding, and that seems like the right thing. She's wanting to help Claire, and I don't see a problem with that at all.

"When do you think those cookies will be ready?"

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