Page 18 of Love in Kentbury

I keep texting her but her responses are short and somehow sweet, even when she’s literally ghosting me.

It’s been three weeks since Lou crashed into my well-ordered life, and our encounters have swiftly become the highlight of my days. Until she started avoiding me, that is. This new distance stings more than I expected. It’s like when I left for college all over again. This time I don’t have her father telling me to fuck off, but it’s all the same.

“Good morning, Genie,” I greet Lou’s grandmother.

Genie bustles around with enviable energy, loading trays of fresh muffins into the display case. She catches my eye, giving me a knowing little smirk before nudging me toward the register.

“Morning, Henrik,” she says and then her smile widens. “It’s good to see you here. Why don’t you be a dear and man the register for a while, will you?” Though phrased as a sweet request, her tone makes it clear it’s not optional. Not that I mind—it gives me an excuse to stick around in hopes of catching Lou.

I take my place at the register, greeting customers as the bakery’s bells jingle merrily to announce new arrivals.

“Good morning, welcome to the Kneady Kentbury Bakes,” I greet Suzanne, one of the yoga instructors at the ski resort. “What can I get started for you today?”

“Morning, Henrik. Are you working for Genie now?” she asks, surveying the pastry case. “Everything just looks so tasty. But I have a class in less than an hour so I better not overindulge. Just a medium coffee and one of those nice oat bran muffins, please.”

I carefully enter her order. “Excellent choice. We bake those oat bran muffins fresh daily.” I sneak another glance at Lou, catching her looking back at me briefly before her gaze skitters away. That’s it—whyis she avoiding me? Before I can say hello, she’s off to the kitchen again.

Well, if Lou thinks I’m going to leave anytime soon she’s wrong. I can be a patient man when I’m highly motivated. While I wait on the customers, I chat with them while stealing furtive glances at Lou between each one, hungry for even a scrap of her attention.

The morning rush eventually slows down. I’m straightening a display of croissants when Lou emerges from the kitchen again. She catches sight of me and hesitates briefly. I give her a slow grin. “Hey, there, Lou-Lou.”

A shy smile tugs at her lips. “Hi, Henrik.”

Before she can slip away again, Genie bustles over. Her expression is uncharacteristically serious. Lou glances between us warily.

“Is everything okay, Grandma?” Lou asks nervously.

“Of course, I just need to discuss something with both of you,” she states.

“This sounds important,” Lou asks, almost scared.

The older woman shakes her head. “Oh, nothing to worry about. But I do need help from both of you with the Love Festival next month. I’m too old to organize the whole weekend’s events myself. And McKay’s already up to her ears planning her wedding.”

Lou raises both hands, eyes widening. “Oh, I can definitely help Mac with her wedding stuff instead?—”

Genie gently waves off Lou’s protest. “Nonsense, I need you to assist me specifically with festival preparations, dear. It’s our biggest event of the year—huge crowds descend on Kentbury that weekend. Brings lots of crucial tourism dollars, too.”

Lou sucks on her bottom lip, looking uncertain. “Well, I really wouldn’t know much about planning a festival since I’m new here . . .”

Genie pulls a thick folder out from under the counter, patting it reassuringly. “Not to worry, dear, I have all the details and blueprints right here.”

Lou glances at me sideways. “Then maybe Henrik could take the lead on this,” she suggests hopefully.

I raise an eyebrow, leaning back against the bakery counter. “Helping you organize a festival? You do realize I’m not exactly the festive type, right, Lou?”

Her eyes sparkle playfully as she rolls them at me.

“Oh, I’m sure we can find the perfect role for you, Mr. Grumpy,” Genie says, “How about . . . crowd control patrol?”

Lou laughs, a sound that does strange things to my heart. “Exactly. You can scare them into order. It’s brilliant.” I find my lips twitching in response.

“See, that scowl right there will be a success,” she states.

I stroke my beard thoughtfully. “Ah, playing to my strengths. Clever tactic.”

Genie snorts, shaking her head as she watches us banter. “You two bicker like an old married couple. Bickering’s practically your love language.”

I don’t miss the way Lou’s cheeks flush at that. Unable to resist, I give her a playful smirk. “Well, they do say there’s a thin line between love and hate.” I wink slowly and have the satisfaction of watching her blush deepen.

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