Page 24 of Beauty and the Baker
He was able to see three ovens in the back of the shop; their chimneys reaching up through the ceiling. In the middle of the store was an empty case. Where pastries and cakes should be on display, there were simply lace doilies covering trays without goodies.
At the front of the store, near the window there were several small tables with two chairs at each. It appeared to be a nice place to visit for a few and have a sweet.
Disappointment filled him. Perhaps he could find something at the mercantile. He went a few doors down and saw a sign for a tea shop.
A bell rang as he stepped into the small shop. A young woman greeted him. She was holding a tea pot in her hand. “May I help you,” she asked.
“Yes ma’am,” Charlie said, removing his hat the way his mama had taught him. “I was wondering if you knew when the bakery might be open again?”
The woman moved to the counter and placed the pot down. “I don’t know when. The lady who owns it was injured. I think she broke her leg, so I’m not sure when she will be back.”
Charlie looked around the shop. There was a nice display of cookies underneath a glass dome. “Are those for sale?” he asked, pointing to the treats.
“Yes, they are. I also have some tarts in the back.”
“I’ll take a dozen cookies, and let’s say six tarts.” The cookies he would share that evening. The tarts he would save for Cassie.
The woman packed up his treats and wrapped it in a box with white string. Charlie laid a few coins on the counter, thanked the woman and then headed back up the road.
He came up to the haberdashery. He hadn’t seen the store before, so he might as well stop by and see Max before he continued down the road.
There wasn’t anyone in the store. It appeared Max was next door talking to his father. Hal’s tailor shop was situation right next to the haberdashery. There was an open door that connected the two establishments.
He walked past the armoire displaying dress shirts, tables filled with pants and another with ties on display.
Behind the counter were boxes of notions and threads lined up waiting for purchase. Charles went over and looked. There appeared to be needles, buttons, tapes and pins. On top of one of the boxes were three pearl buttons just sitting out.
I wonder why Max hadn’t put them away.His brother-in-law was peculiar in some of his habits. He couldn’t abide any messes, so it was surprising Charlie that he would have left the buttons out.
Charlie scooped them up and put them in the appropriate box before heading back towards Hal and Max.
“Charlie!” his father called. “I’m so glad you stopped by. Come in, come in.”
He went and allowed his father to fold him in a quick embrace. Charlie tried not to flinch as his hands patted his back.
“This is a nice set up,” he said.
“Come. Come look, boy,” Hal said pulling him over to where two machines sat side by side. “Max purchased these.”
“Those are exceptional,” Charlie said, looking at the sewing machines. These even had a foot petal and a belt that went around the balance wheel, to make it easier for the person sewing.
Hal rubbed his hands together. “Brand new Singer sewing machines. Can you imagine that? Being able to use these instead of sewing by hand? These make it so easy for us to get the costumes done.”
“Much better than sewing by hand, that’s for sure.”
Hal scratched his belly. “Uh, yes. So, what brings you down here, son?”
“I was just taking a walk. Headed towards the train station.” Charlie shoved his hands in his pockets. “I guess it was time that I saw the town.”
“What do you think so far?” Max asked.
“I’ve not seen much. Just a few shops, and the inside of the tea house.” He pointed to the box he left on the counter. “I got some cookies for tonight.”
“Ah yes, we are looking forward to having dinner at the house,” Hal said. “I’ll be escorting Frances over around 6:00 tonight.”
“Cassie told me the good news.”
Max beamed with pride. “Thank you.”
