Beach pop music filtered through the open doors of the boardwalk shops as Harper made her way to the Book Attic. Seagulls scavenged through trash left behind by yesterday’s crowd. It was unseasonably crisp even for Massachusetts in June. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee filled the air. Pastries hot out of the oven teased Harper’s senses. She hadn’t had breakfast yet, so she made a quick detour to her favorite bakery.
The cousins who owned the bakery were always so friendly. They treated every Willowtown resident like family, offering friendly gossip and all-you-can-drink coffee, a quality both endearing and bothersome. Harper just did not have the time to sit and chat today. She was already cutting it close. If she was late one more time, Mr. Grampus was sure to fire her and take away her frequent buyer punch card.
She needn’t worry, though, as the cousins were already in a deep quiet conversation with a stranger. A summer visitor, perhaps. Harper slid a cup from the stack and dispensed a dark brew from the help-yourself coffee station. She tossed two creams, two sugars, and a wooden stirring stick into a small wax-coated paper bag, and waited for a break in the conversation. She didn’t want to appear impatient, but she really needed to get to work.
“I’m offering to keep this information to myself,” she overheard the newcomer say.
Approaching the counter, she noticed Changaz’s worried look before he realized she was standing there. His expression softened when he saw her.
“Miss Harper! So wonderful to see you. What can I do for you, my dear?”
His voice was gentler than one might expect. The weathered face and full beard might cause one to expect a gruffer demeanor. But Changaz was as kind as they come.
The stranger paused his side of the discussion and stepped back, allowing Harper to pass.
“Just a coffee, please. Oh, and maybe one of your chocolate croissants, if you have them?”
“Of course!”
Changaz fetched the pastry while his cousin, Faizan, punched buttons on the cash register. The stranger looked bored and impatient. Not wanting to meet his gaze, Harper lowered her eyes to the floor. Interesting choice of footwear for someone his age. The red high-tops were a glaring contrast against the white tile floor.
“Thank you, Miss Harper. Have a wonderful day,” Changaz chirped as he handed her the pastry.
The cousins smiled and waved as Harper left the bakery. She peeked back to see they were once again in a heated discussion with the stranger. He glanced over his shoulder and caught her stare.
She spun away from the visual contact only to run into someone walking past the bakery. A hand caught her elbow preventing her from falling on her ass. Hot coffee splashed from the small spout in the plastic lid, burning the top of her hand.
“Oh! Excuse me. I wasn’t watching where…” She stopped short, hand suspended in the air.
“Dan! Hi! I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She struggled with the paper bag, pulled out a napkin, and wiped the now cooling liquid from her fingers.
A bell jangled behind them and Harper turned in time to see the stranger walk out of the shop, and down the boardwalk toward the bed and breakfast.
“Obviously,” Dan brought her attention back to himself.
“Dan, do you know who that guy is? Have you seen him around?”
“I’ve seen him here and there, but I don’t know who he is. Why? Is there a problem?” The police officer in him was on alert.
“I don’t know. I do know that the cousins are not very fond of him. And they like everyone. He’s acting very odd.”
Dan watched the stranger as he disappeared into the crowd gathering on the boardwalk.
“I’ll ask around. In the meantime, how are you, Harper? It’s been a while.”
“Through no fault of mine,” Harper thought to herself.
“It has. I would love to catch up, but I’m late for work, as usual,” she answered breathlessly. The breeze blew a strand of hair into her eyes, and she absently brushed it away with the napkin in her hand.
He nodded. He wasn’t going to let her bait him.
“Yeah, I’ve gotta get going, too. I’ll see you around.” He waved and stepped toward the bakery door, then paused.
“Don’t be a stranger, Harper. I mean it. No reason why we can’t still be civil to each other.”
“I won’t. Likewise. See you around, Dan.”
The book store was only a few shops away, but Harper could feel Dan’s gaze on her back the whole way. She hated that he could still get her blood pressure going without even trying. She refused to admit she wasn’t over him. Her reaction was simply irritation that she couldn’t avoid him for very long, living in a small town and all. [ very awkward wording here. especially this sentence. entire paragraph should be revisited.]There were absolutely no unresolved feelings there. And was he implying she wasn’t civil? Her anger flared all over again.