Page 1 of Grady

Chapter One

As Savannah Collins dusted the showroom of her antique shop, she let out a heavy sigh. Despite owning the shop for almost a year now, customers were still few and far between during the colder seasons. Thankfully, she had paid in cash and didn’t have any payments to worry about.

When she bought the shop, she hoped it would bring a fresh start after leaving behind her life in Arizona. She never wanted to return there again. Although she loved growing up in Yuma, a disastrous marriage had driven her away.

After finishing her cleaning, Savannah returned the duster to the closet and walked over to the window, gazing at the falling snow. It was so beautiful. Moving to Clifton, Montana was certainly a change from sunny Arizona, but it brought a smile to her face.

The constant snowfall may have been deterring customers, but Savannah found beauty in it. It was April and still snowing; a stark contrast from her previous home where it never snowed.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw her new friend, Parker Tisdale, enter the shop.

“Hey there! What are you doing out in this weather?” Savannah greeted her with a smile.

“I wanted to see if you wanted to grab lunch together. It’s so slow at the store today. This time of the year always is,” Parker replied with a grin.

“I’d love to go. I’m so bored right now.”

“We’ll stop at the store first. Shay wants to join us too.”

“Let me grab my purse. I highly doubt anyone will be coming in today,” Savannah admitted with a sigh.

“That’ll change soon enough. You know tourist season starts next month and we’ll all be busy from May to mid-October.”

“I’m looking forward to that.”

“You might want to hire some extra help,” Parker’s grin widened even more.

“I thought about it last summer, but never got around to it.”

“We all look forward to tourist season until it gets so busy that we can hardly catch our breath.” Parker chuckled.

“I was surprised by the tourists last summer, but after Christmas, business slowed down so much that I got worried.”

“Yes, I felt the same way when I first started working for Shay. But she explained it to me. She said she’s been through the same thing.”

“Let’s go grab some food then. The smell of those burgers cooking is making my stomach growl.”

“Have you been to the bakery yet? Some days I have to stay on this side of the street because I know I won’t be able to resist going inside. Sloane James is an amazing baker.”

“I haven’t made it there yet, but I do stop by The Everyday Grind for coffee every morning. Celine makes a fantastic cup and we were neighbors for a while. Until she moved in with Killian.”

“They really do make great coffee there. And let’s not forget about Scoops of Joy, the ice cream parlor. All of the little shops do well during the summer season.”

“I can’t wait. It can get too boring here sometimes. Even if I have a dollhouse to put together. I’ve gotten so good at it that I finish quickly and then just sit around the shop.”

“You’re always welcome to come over to our shop for a chat. Shay and I get bored too during this time of year, but we know it won’t be long before we’re complaining about being too busy. Have you met Connie, the owner of the diner yet?”

“I did. I’ve never met anyone as sweet as her. She’s truly amazing.”

“Clifton is known for being one of the friendliest towns in the west.”

“I can see why. Everyone I’ve encountered has been incredible.”

The two women exited the door, with Savannah locking it behind them. They then made their way to A Touch of Glass and walked inside.

As they entered, a cheerful chime rang out to announce their arrival.

“Hi, Vanna,” Shay Coleman greeted.

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