Page 10 of Wedding Bells in Silverwood

He pressed his lips into a hard line and narrowed his eyes. “Whatever happened to ‘the customer is always right’?”

Viola felt everyone in the shop staring at her. “I think the wordalwaysis a smidge extreme. And outdated. How about ‘the customer is usually right unless he’s being a condescending jerk’?”

His brows lifted. Viola swore one corner of his mouth twitched. Did he think this was funny?

A figure appeared from the other side of the counter. As Nick strolled toward them, Viola swept a strand of brunette hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear.

“Hi, I’m Nick. The owner.” He extended his hand. “Looks like there’s been a misunderstanding here.”

The man shook Nick’s hand. “Jonas Brickman. And yes. Someone here clearly has problems understanding.”

Viola almost gasped when Jonas looked at her.

Nick subtly released a measured exhale. He placed a hand on Viola’s shoulder and gave her the smallest of smiles.

“Viola, your shift’s over, right? Why don’t you go ahead and clock out? I’ll deal with this mess.” He faced Jonas. “I apologize for all of this. Let me take care of the bill for you, and if you need to be reimbursed for dry cleaning, just let me know.”

Jonas nodded. Viola had to turn away to avoid the cocky grin on his face.

“Thanks, Nick.” Viola chewed her lip to avoid saying anything more as she stomped to the back room.

Viola’s face grew hot, and her lip was sore from biting it. Frustration burned in her veins. She gathered her cobalt blue peacoat and white scarf in the back, then closed her eyes and blew out a slow breath. She had to calm down. It wasn’t the first time she’d dealt with a difficult customer. Although, difficult customers were few and far between in Silverwood. Still, something about that man—Jonas Brickman—got under her skin.

Viola peeked through the doorway to see if the coast was clear. Upon seeing no trace of the arrogant man, she walked toward the door, sparing only a second to wave goodbye to Nick.

She headed for her car almost robotically. Somehow, she arrived at the store parking lot without remembering the drive. Try as she might, she couldn’t turn off her inner dialogue about the encounter with Jonas.

Cut it out. He’s not worth it.

Viola grabbed a handheld shopping basket and waved at the manager of Silverwood Grocery as she beelined for the vegetable aisle of the shop. It wasn’t that there was no time for pleasantries; she simply had to calm herself before inadvertently letting her anger out on some unsuspecting soul.

Why was she still replaying the shouting match in her head?

Okay, ‘shouting match’ is a bit of an exaggeration. But hewasrude.

Who did this Jonas Brickman think he was anyway? If there was one thing Viola detested, it was someone who considered themselves superior. Judging by his coat and suit, Jonas Brickman was probably a wealthy businessman who enjoyed reminding others of how important he was.

She snatched a bundle of carrots and practically threw them into her basket.How dare he insult my intelligence? He doesn’t even know me.

She had to stop herself as she realized she was crushing an eggplant. Clearing her throat, she set the eggplant in her basket and exhaled slowly.

Viola forced herself to think of something else, mumbling a curse each time her mind circled back. She was certain he thought he could get away with anything—including disregarding human decency—just because he was rich and handsome.

Whoa. Handsome?Where did that thought come from?

As she checked out, she put on a small smile for the woman at the register.

“Paper or plastic?” the cashier asked.

“No, thanks. I have my own.” Viola, an environmentalist at heart, whipped out two cloth tote bags from her backpack and packed her groceries.

Viola adjusted the straps of her shopping bags, kicking the intrusive thoughts of Jonas Brickman to the curb. Her thoughts wandered to the presents she wanted to send to her sister while striding toward her car until a sharp bark sounded.

She froze. Less than a foot in front of her, a car was backing out—one she hadn’t seen because of the large van beside it. Her muscles tensed, and she swallowed hard. If that bark hadn’t stopped her, she would have been hit.

Still standing in place, she waited until the driver noticed her, which he did with an embarrassed wave before continuing on his way.

Viola sighed and glanced to her right, then smiled at the sable and white, wolf-like Alaskan Malamute, who sat patiently as its owner loaded her vehicle. Viola wasn’t sure which of Cupid’s siblings this was, but she needed to thank it with a friendly pat.

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