Chapter Five

Chapter Five

As Emma drove away from the church, she had second thoughts about attending next week’s late service. She had no problem getting up to attend the earlier one.

As planned, she drove around downtown, deciding which shop to visit first. Remembering her list from last night, she headed to Vittles Market. Maybe she’d see Marlena. She would tell her about meeting the librarian.

The Cove had more traffic than she thought as she inched the Mercedes between a pickup truck and a van. Parking space was limited. She was unsure if there were too many people living here or if it was because it was Sunday and most people had the day off. Whatever, Emma hoped the parking situation was just a Sunday thing.

Inside, Vittles was packed. Searching for a shopping cart, Emma spotted the last one by the door. Strolling down the aisles, she was surprised at the variety of the food. Most everything in a box or can was labeled as organic. She tossed a box of steel-cut oats and ajar of strawberry jam into her cart. The scent of fresh bread baking drew her to the bakery at the back of the store. A few people were in line waiting. She’d stand there all day for a loaf of fresh-baked bread herself.

“Hey,” Marlena called out. “I see you found us,” she said as she came out from behind the counter. She had a white apron on, her hair covered with a bandana, and a smudge of flour on her nose.

“Do you make the bread?” It was all Emma could think to ask.

“I help Walt. He’s the baker. We only have fresh bread on Sunday.” Marlena nodded at the few people who were waiting. “Most folks place their orders beforehand, so we know how many loaves we’ll need. I’ll get a couple of loaves for you.” She ran behind the counter, returning with two loaves. “Here. Put the extra one in your freezer. It’s sourdough this week. Walt’s best.”

Emma glanced at the people in line. They didn’t seem to be bothered by Marlena giving her the bread. “Thanks. I’ll spread this jam on the toast I’m having for lunch.”

“Good! Let me know if you like it; I make the jam. The strawberries are handpicked from Plant City.”

“Wow! I think I hit the grocery jackpot today, though I can’t say the same about church this morning.”

Marlena laughed. “I’m almost afraid to hear what happened.”

“I met Mrs. Whitton. According to her, I’ve been labeled a ‘book offender.’ ” Emma smiled. “I couldn’t help myself; I had to tell her about the ruined book. I’m suspended from checking out any more books for thirty days.”

Marlena rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t worry about it. I ordered three copies last night. You can hand-deliver them yourself if you want.”

“I’ll pass. She kept asking me if I was married or had a boyfriend. It scared me,” Emma said jokingly.

“And rightfully so. She has two sons. Lyle and Leland. Neither is married. They’re both in their early fifties. And they’re bald and still live at home.”

“Got it.”

“Every new single female in town gets asked the same questions. She’ll never get rid of them because they’re both lazy goofballs that she enables. That’s why she’s such a hard-ass at the library. It’s the only place she has any control.”

Emma nodded, appreciating Marlena’s simple honesty. Yet she also felt a touch of sympathy for Mrs. Whitton. “That’s sad. Maybe you should invite them to the monthly cookout you have at the condo. Surely there is someone there they might be interested in.” She laughed. “I’m joking, sort of.”

“I hope so. No one at the condo, at least that I know of, would date either one of them. They missed the love boat a long time ago,” Marlena said. “Maybe if they cleaned up a bit . . . who knows?”

Emma just listened; there wasn’t much she could say.

“Speaking of dates . . .” Marlena turned her attention away from Emma. “He hasn’t missed the boat.”

Emma followed her new friend’s gaze. It was her neighbor again. Nash. “I’d better go. I wanted to stop at a couple of shops on my way home,” Emma said.

Marlena reached for the cart, preventing her from moving. “Wait. I want you to meet him.”

“Uh, sure,” Emma said. He was her neighbor, after all. They might as well get to know each other.

“Nash,” Marlena called out. “I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

“Hey, what’s up, Mar?” he asked as he approached them, his eyes entirely focused on Emma.

Emma took a deep breath, then exhaled when he stood beside her. Yes, he was taller than she. Easily six-five. His skin was tanned and his hair wasn’t as dark as she’d thought the first time she saw him, more like a deep, rusty brown. He wore a pair of faded jeans with a light blue collared shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing muscular forearms.

“Emma Swan,” she said, using her attorney voice to introduce herself. His eyes were as green as emerald stones. She held out her hand. As soon as he clasped her hand in his, she felt a vaguely sensuous vibe between them.

“Nash Kendrick. You’re my new neighbor,” he said, stating the obvious. “I saw you last night on your lanai while you were reading. Book any good?”

It took Emma a few seconds to shake off the sensation of his hand on hers. She gripped the grocery cart harder than necessary and said, “Actually, it’s excellent. I plan on finishing it today.” She didn’t know whether to admire him for noticing her or fear him for spying on her—even though she was guilty of the same offense. If you could call watching your sexy neighbor an offense.

“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. Nash, I have your mom’s order. Are you here for that or just grocery shopping?” Marlena asked, breaking the silence.

“Both. I’m in a bit of a rush. Penny had the pups. The vet called me on my way here. I can’t wait to see them. Four females! Can you believe that?”

Emma couldn’t help but smile. “Congratulations.”

“When will you bring them home? I’ve got dibs on one, remember?” Marlena said.

“I do. I think I’ll let the doc decide how long they should stay, but as soon as I have them, I’ll let you know so you can pop over and look,” Nash said, then turned to Emma. “Do you like puppies?”

She relaxed her grip on the shopping cart. “Of course. Who doesn’t like puppies?”

“You’d be surprised. I need to grab a few groceries, so I’ll catch you two ladies later.”

“The bread,” Marlena called out. She reached over the counter, grabbed two loaves, and tossed them.

Nash caught one in each hand. “Thanks,” he said before heading down the aisle.

Emma stood there and just watched. For such a small town, she’d experienced more excitement in one morning than in a week in Miami. She was unsure if Nash’s words were an invitation to her or just the usual slough-off people used when they needed to make a hasty exit. It didn’t matter. She would see him at the condo eventually.

“I’ll see you later,” Emma said to Marlena.

“Sure thing,” she replied. “I’ll bring the wine next time.”

Emma laughed. “Okay. Another weekend?” she asked. Wine was off the schedule for her for the rest of this weekend. She still had a tinge of a headache and needed a few more cups of coffee to take the edge off.

Emma thought Vittles was a unique little store, far friendlier toward customers than the larger chains where she used to shop. And she’d found all the items on her list as well as some that weren’t available in the big-box stores. Even more reasons she was glad she’d left Miami.

Emma had purchased a few frozen items, so she went home and unloaded her groceries first. Later that afternoon she would drive downtown to peruse the shops, as planned. If she was lucky, she might catch a glimpse of Nash again later as well. As soon as she changed out of her dress, she put on a pair of khaki shorts and a red shirt. She also put on her red sneakers. Emma thought her shoes should always match her clothes. That kind of thinking validated every shoe purchase she made. For now, her guest bedroom housed her immense shoe collection. She planned to have a custom closet built in the room just for her shoes. It wasn’t as if she needed the extra room for an office. She had all the space she needed.

She was the most content she’d been since before she’d lost her parents. Emma practically skipped to the garage, humming a song she’d heard on the radio that morning while driving to church.