Page 53 of Stolen Kiss

“I’ve been organising events for a long time and nothing ever goes right. This is a high fluting Hollywood wedding so you can bet your ass, something crazy will go down.”

“But you’ll handle it, right?”

“That’s what you pay me for.”

Grinning, Jason patted Stan on the shoulder and walked away laughing. It was no way to run a business but if Stan was relaxed, then so should he be.

Striding down the uneven path to the high street, he pushed open the door to McKenzie’s and breathed in history. If only the racks could talk. He’d gone with Ralph’s father a couple of times into the hardware story but only because he could ride in the Turner buggy. They were never allowed to travel in the buggy for frivolous reasons.

He looked at a few lattice type wooden boards on the outer perimeter and couldn’t find buttons.

“Can I help you?” A voice came from the back of the store. Jason grinned at the sound of the familiar voice.

“Hi, Mr McKenzie,” Jason said approaching the bench table at the back. It was the closed off area for the till and his secret cupboards that seemed to have everything that wasn’t on the shop floor.

“Jason Turner? I heard you were back but haven’t seen your face, get over here,” Mr McKenzie said.

He was Jason’s dad’s best friend. Mr McKenzie was nearing seventy, just like his dad wouldn’t been. The man in front of him didn’t look his age. With tanned skinned from the outdoors and crinkly eyes, he looked happy and young. Jason again wondered if that was how his father would’ve looked if he were still alive.

“It’s good to see you, son, how have you been keeping? Haven’t seen you in town since you got back.”

“I’m keeping a low profile while I initiate myself back into Copper Island.”

“May take longer than a few months. I also hear you’re taking out Heidi Shaw. It must be ten years since you were here last for more than a couple of days.”

“Eleven.”

“Time flies. Anyway what do you need?”

“Do you sell buttons?”

“Yep, what kind?”

“I have a picture?” Jason didn’t see the point of dragging his shirt into town so snapped a shot a button instead.

“Got a load of them, how many do you need?”

“Just one, can you sell me one? If not I’ll take a packet.”

“One’s fine, son, I’ll grab it and be right back.”

Mr McKenzie flipped the lid on the counter and marched down the centre aisle and then took a right. He was back moments later with the exact button he needed.

They exchanged more memories and then Mr McKenzie refused his money and he left the shop. Because the man knew Jason well, he gave him three buttons just in case. Jason idly thought to buy a packet of pink and blue buttons and then had an excuse to pay for his purchases.

Walking along the street he paused at the shop window of the jewellers. Would it be tempting fate by seeing if his ring was still there? He wanted Heidi and he would fight anyone for her, even her brother if it came down to it. Deciding to find out he pushed open the door and heard the tinkle of the bell sound.

That bell had been there the last time he walked in.

“Is that you, Jason Turner? I heard you were back, but hadn’t clapped eyes on you.”

It was becoming a familiar greeting and irritating. Attending the gig racing should’ve been enough to tell everyone he was back. Hell, he’d been back for months.

“Hi, Mrs Diamond,” he said still smiling at her name.

Her father had owned the shop originally who had acquired it from the Turner family. No one knows how or cares. It was the only jewellery shop on the island if people wanted gems. There were other artisan shops for silver, bronze and other metals. But if you wanted a gem, you came to Diamond’s jewellers.

“You’ve filled out well, Jason,” she said giving him a cheeky smile. “Anyone catch your eye since you’ve returned?”

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