Page 45 of Wood You Knot

Uncle Ed nodded, studying me for a moment as if he could sense the shift in my aura. I’d been in such a good mood the last few days, high off the excitement of talking to Isla and nailing down my logo for my newly launched photography business. I’d even changed my Instagram handle to match, and I was looking forward to getting a little more practice under my belt before the Fall Fun Fundraiser.

But one brief phone conversation with my mother had taken the wind out of my sails, and as much as I tried to hide it, Uncle Ed could plainly see. “Why don’t you take off early today? I can finish up and handle things around here.”

“I don’t mind staying until my shift ends,” I assured him.

“If it’s been as quiet as you said it’s been, you might as well head out early and enjoy some of this beautiful weather,” Uncle Ed said kindly.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m as sure as I’m standing here,” he replied. When he smiled, his eyes smiled too.

“Go on, enjoy the rest of the day. Take a walk along the harbour, you’ll love the view. Maybe bring your camera and take some pictures.”

I debated on arguing, but honestly, a little fresh air might do me good, and Uncle Ed’s idea didn’t sound so bad.

After hanging up my apron and grabbing my purse from the office, I said goodbye to my uncle and headed up to my apartment to change out of the jeans and the green button-up. Uncle Ed didn’t have an official uniform for the hardware store, but I’d picked up on his preference of wearing button-ups and purchased a few I could wear. I gathered my equipment and tucked my wallet into my camera bag before heading back outside.

Uncle Ed was right—it was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the weather was warm without being overly hot, with just enough of a breeze to keep me comfortable as I walked down to the harbour.

People meandered around the harbour, sightseeing and admiring all the boats docked. I felt like a tourist with my camera in hand, but Uncle Ed had also been right about the view of the lake from the docks. The water was murky, and parasailers out in the lake were an arresting visual that I just had to capture.

After I’d taken over two hundred or so photos, I checked my watch. It was almost two thirty, so I made my way over to Tout de Sweets to grab a salted caramel iced coffee before I headed to pick Daphne up.

The coffee shop was almost as busy as the waterfront. I waited my turn, ordering a drink from the dark-haired woman behind the till. She looked familiar, and I realized with a start she’d been one of the women to sit across from Noah and Donovan at The Quarter Lounge.

“You’re Sage Whitaker, Emelia and Ed’s niece, aren’t you?” the woman asked as she handed me my order.

“I am.” I smiled in greeting as I passed her the money for my drink. “It’s nice to meet you…”

“Evelyn. Evelyn Hartley,” the woman answered, her tawny eyes sparkling.

“Otherwise known as boss lady—she’s the manager of Tout de Sweets,” the second person working behind the counter said. He’d been listening in to our conversation.

“My mother and aunts own it, but I manage it for them now that they’ve all retired,” Evelyn explained with a smile.

“Though they still try to run things,” the man added with a cheeky grin. He was tall with beautiful dark dreadlocks wrapped up on top of his head. He had a pleasant smile, and although he hadn’t said much, I could tell he had a dazzling personality. “I’m Jayden, by the way. Welcome to our idyllic little town.”

“Hi, Jayden and Evelyn. Thank you for the warm welcome, and the iced coffee,” I beamed.

“It’s our pleasure to fulfill your caffeinating needs.” Jayden winked. I laughed, moving out of the way of the customer behind me.

“I’ll see you around,” I said, turning to leave.

The moment I turned around, I was accosted by a whirlwind of bangles, pastel pantsuits, and perfume. The Hartley sisters had officially caught up with me. I’d been dreading this moment, although I knew it was only a matter of time.

“Sage! We were just talking about you,” Alice preened, taking a hold of my right elbow. Betty flanked my other side, and Dorothy stood beside her. All three of the women wore similar scheming smiles.

“Oh really?” I asked, eyeing the three busybodies with suspicion as they led me deeper into the café. “What about?”

“We heard Nix asked you out,” Dorothy said, cutting straight to the chase.

“Nothing gets past you three, huh?” I remarked dryly.

“Nothing at all,” Betty returned my dry remark with an equally dry one of her own. Her dyed red hair was brighter than the last time I’d seen her, so she must have recently coloured it. “Come and sit with us for a spell.”

“Oh, I have to pick up my daughter soon.”

“We won’t take up much of your time, just a few moments for a couple old broads?” Alice said, peering at me almost pleadingly.

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