Page 35 of This Memory
“Nope.” I popped my P and shrugged. “It’s not because I don’t want to. I would love to travel, but I never found the time. I started working at my family’s toy store when I turned sixteen, went to college, came straight back, and started learning the ropes about running the store.”
“That’s the one thing I noticed about a lot of the stores on Main Street, they’re passed down within the families.”
I nodded. “Yeah, a lot of them are. Small-town charm.”
He nodded. “I guess so.”
After we finished the last pies, I looked up to see that Kian had shown up at some point during our pie-making marathon.
“Thank you, everyone, for all of your help!” Cadie said with a wide smile. “We got everything done for the festival tomorrow.”
I took off my apron, and Lucas took it and hung it up along with his. He made his way back over and smiled. “It’s late. Would you let me walk you back to your place or car? I’ve got about an hour break.”
“Did you make Kian an honorary FBI agent?”
He laughed. “No, believe it or not, there are two of us here. I work most of the time, but I do get an occasional break now and then.”
I had walked over with my friends and could easily return to my car on my own. It was, after all, Moose Village and relatively safe. But a part of me liked the idea of spending more time with Lucas. He was fun to talk to, and attractive…even though I wasn’t the least bit attracted to him that way. Besides, he lived in Boston, and at some point, he’d be returning home.
“Well, I walked over with Harper and Aurora.”
“Then we’ll all walk back together. It’s dark out, and I’d feel better if you three weren’t alone walking the streets.”
Smiling, I turned to Harper. “Mr. Miller would like to walk us back.”
“I appreciate that, but Declan should be here any minute. I figured he would just give us all a ride.”
Turning to Lucas, I said, “I’d love some fresh air after smelling apples for the last few hours.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Then fresh air you shall have.”
I grabbed my coat and said goodbye to everyone while Lucas spoke to Kian.
Cadie walked up. “Thank you so much for helping tonight.”
“It was my pleasure. If you ever need an apple pie made, don’t call me. I don’t want to see or smell an apple for the next few months.”
Laughing, she pulled me in for a hug. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Lucas motioned for me to head out first, so I waved again and started out the door. It was a chilly evening, so I quickly zipped my jacket.
“You didn’t have to walk me, you know. I could have grabbed a ride with Harper and Declan.”
He smiled. “I wanted to spend more time with you. I find you very interesting, Brystol.”
I felt my entire body warm at the compliment. “I find you interesting as well, Lucas.”
“What do you like about running a toy store?”
“Well, at first, it was just a job, and I didn’t really look at it as anything else. Then, once I fully took over the store, it became something different.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was always important to me for obvious reasons. It was my family’s business, so I wanted to make sure it continued to succeed. But once it became mine…it felt like a part of me in a way it had never been before. I learned everything I could about toys, and I truly enjoy seeing the kids come into the store and watching their eyes light up.”
“Do you want to have kids of your own someday?”
My steps faltered, and Lucas reached out for my arm. “Are you okay?”
