Chapter Thirteen
The day of the event arrived, teasing clear skies and decently warm temperatures considering October was well known for being cooler. I left the bookstore in Harvey’s capable hands when my shift ended and headed over to the open field near the high school. There was a bus there ready to transport the volunteers over to the lake and beach area.
I spotted Cassie covered head-to-toe in winter outwear. “Oh, c’mon. It’s not that cold.”
She looked down to her booted feet. “I was told to dress like it was ten degrees cooler than the forecasted low. We’re going to be around water, so it’ll be even colder.”
I was not dressed as warmly, but I was going to make it work. I had checked the activity list and there was a fire pit, so if I got too chilled, I could always stand there to warm up. Still, I tapped my pocket where I stored my toque and pulled on my gloves.
“Let’s do this.” I glanced around the crowd of people, searching for Elliot.
“He’s not here.” She shook her head while a smug smile stretched across her face.
Busted. “Oh?”
“Alice said he was working late at the Coffee Loft.”
“Oh.” My words fell like my shoulders.
Even though he clearly didn’t want to see me, my heart still picked up its pace when I walked by the shop, watching him wash the bar table by the window, or when he’d pass by the bookstore checking out the display, or was having dinner with the redhead as I was grabbing dinner to go.
Our bus ride was uneventful and relatively quick, considering the less-than-ideal mode of transportation. Alice stood by the driver and read over what was required of us, letting us know that busses were running every thirty minutes, so we’d always have a way to get back to our starting point. The task at hand was fairly easy—guide the visitors to their planned activity. That was it.
As a thank you, we all got badges to help identify ourselves, and we also had unlimited and free access to the hot chocolate and treats. As we motored along, she handed us each a travel mug with the Dark Sky logo on it, plus our badges, and thanked us for our help.
Lake Annette was a gorgeous beach location. During the summer months, it was warm enough to swim in the mountain feed lake. In the middle of October, it was a tad chilly, but thankfully, we still hadn’t had our first snowfall.
We exited the bus and familiarized ourselves with where everything was. The firepit was not as small as I’d thought, and in fact, was a decent-sized bonfire near the water. It wasn’t hard at all to spot but was far enough away from where the astronomers were setting up their telescopes at the other end of the beach. Beams of red light danced everywhere as tables were propped up, scopes positioned, and signs were erected.
Just off the beach on a pathway, I spotted Elliot’s star lights. Admittedly, they looked so much better than what I had created, and it was the perfect way to outline the paths. Beyond that, there was a tent and table set up with a giant carafe, a huge bin of cookies, and the Coffee Loft banner hanging across the back.
My heart skipped a beat, and frantically, I searched all around, trying to locate Elliot. I suspected Cassie was up to something and that he was really here and she was going to somehow get us together.
Nina sprang into view and waved me and Cassie over. “Hey, ladies. Can I fill your mugs?”
“Sure.” I handed mine over and she quickly wiped it out with a towel before filling it.
“No Elliot tonight?” I wasn’t sure why I asked, but the words rolled out before I could stop them.
“Nah. He’s stationed at the store, making the hot chocolate for me. Molly is transporting it here to refill.”
A sense of disappointment welled inside, and I took my filled travel mug from her hand with a heavy heart. “Well, tell him I said hi.”
“Indeed.” She filled Cassie’s mug too. “Hope you enjoy the festivities a latte.” A sweet snicker filled the air.
Cassie giggled. “Well, we’ll certainly try.”
We walked back to the beach, and Cassie pointed everything out that was tucked back off the beach into the forest area. “Path A leads to the hot chocolate station and probably the most important; Path B ends at a nature tent where they have all the info on the animals in the area.”
Black bears and grizzly bears had not settled down for their winter sleep, but with all the noise and bells hanging from the tents, they would avoid us.
Cassie pointed down a gravel path (lined with Elliot’s star lights—seriously, how many had he made?) edged with towering coniferous trees. Thank goodness the start of each path had signage to indicate what was where.
She carried on. “Path C is the arts and crafts area, and Path D has a giant dome set up to view different parts of the night sky that I guess they can’t see in the telescopes?”
“I have no idea.” I shrugged, only somewhat interested in what they could see .
“That’s what I think Alice said.”
“Okay. Understood.”
She nudged me. “Easy, eh? Like the good ole days.”
“Doesn’t sound too difficult.”
“I’m going to catch the bus back at ten. In case we get split up, meet me there,” she pointed to the loading zone, “and we can ride back together?”
“Sure. That works.” I took a quick sip of the hot chocolate. It definitely tasted like Elliot had had a hand in making it; it was perfectly sweet but not overpowering, and there was a hint of a spice which I knew he always added.
The first few buses arrived and unloaded without too much trouble. Guests—mostly those with young families—wandered around, preferring the snack station and the arts and crafts table and dome area over anything else. I tried to encourage them to actually check out the telescopes, but not many of the wayward guests did.
However, I spent a few minutes at the telescopes, and it was incredible what they showed me. Upon seeing the rings of Saturn and Jupiter’s giant red spot, it was unbelievably hard to not be excited about that. After that, I spent most of my time walking between the buses and the telescope area, the excitement in my voice drying out my throat.
Once my travel mug had emptied, I spied my sister under the Coffee Loft tent and headed over for a refill .
“How’s it going?” I asked Cassie.
“Oh my gosh, it’s been so busy, right?” She lifted her booted foot and rolled it in the air, a few inches above the ground, sighing heavenly.
“So busy. No doubt I have all my steps in just working this event, let alone all the steps I did walking to and from work.” I handed Nina my travel mug, ready for another refill. I was a tad chilled, but mostly, I needed the drink to keep my throat from drying out. “Been busy here, Nina?”
There wasn’t a lineup waiting for the sweet treats, however, it did look like she was low on cookies.
“Non-stop.” She slowly filled me up with another hot chocolate and offered me one of the last two cookies.
“I’m good, but thanks.”
“Oh, would one of you do me a huge favour?” Nina asked with a sprig of hope colouring her words. “It’ll take about half an hour.”
I set my travel mug down on the side of the table. “What do you need?”
“Can you watch the till while I run back to the Coffee Loft and grab some rolled coins? I’m out of loonies and toonies, and I need to pick up another carafe of hot chocolate and a bin of cookies.”
I cleared my throat. “I thought Elliot was doing that?” Because, deep down, I had hoped to see him in passing and had often checked Nina’s table just in case .
“He is, but Molly is doing the running between here and there, and apparently, she’s flaked off for the night and Elliot has another carafe or two, I guess,” Nina checked her phone, “and another bin of cookies ready to go. It should get me through the rest of the night.”
“Tell you what,” my sister said, her gaze flipping between me and Nina. “Why don’t we go pick up the items for you? That way you can continue to promote the Coffee Loft.”
“Um, we don’t have a car, Cass.” Surely, she was seeing right through her mistake. I know I was.
“You can take mine,” Nina said. “She’s a beater, but she’s solid.” She dug out her keys from her jacket pocket and handed them over. “I’d be forever grateful.” She nodded toward the group of people walking toward us. “It’s the brown Civic parked near the entrance with a giant Coffee Loft logo on the back.”
We stepped to the side as the people advanced and Nina served them. I overheard her tell the customers there were more cookies coming.
A heavy guilt pressed on my shoulders, and I swiped the keys from Cassie’s hands. “I drive faster.”
Cassie waved at Nina. “Be back shortly.”
We race-walked to the car and found it without issue. It started rough but eventually began to purr, so I put the car into gear, and we left Lake Annette behind.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.” I grabbed tight to the steering wheel as I navigated out of the parking lot and onto the road.
She had the audacity to look surprised. “What am I doing?”
I just shook my head. “You can go in and get the carafes and bins, and I’ll just wait in the car.”
“Do you really think that’s the best idea?” She cocked her perfectly manicured eyebrow. “You’re much stronger than me.”
“I don’t think any of this is a good idea. Elliot has a girlfriend and you’re just going to make us both uncomfortable by pushing me and him together.”
“Wait,” her voice pitched a whole octave, “he has a girlfriend? Since when?”
“Since like a few days after the storm. For all I know, he maybe had her before then too, but being all typical guy, he said nothing.” Suddenly, embers of anger ignited in my gut at a rapid pace. That would be how the story unfolded for me.
“And how would you know?”
“Because I’ve seen them together. Twice.” I didn’t even look in Cassie’s direction, but from the corner of my eye, she melted into her seat.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Alice never said anything.”
“Well, now you do.”
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft and genuinely apologetic. “I know you liked him.”
“Yeah, I did, but it was over before it started.”
We drove in silence the rest of the way back to the town and I parked out in front of the Coffee Loft. The lights were low and the sign hanging on the door said ‘Closed’, but just beyond, Elliot was walking around with his phone pressed to his ear. We waited until he pocketed it before getting out of the car.
“I’m really sorry,” Cassie said once more and patted my arm while we stood in front of the shop.
A heavy sigh rolled out, filling the space with doom. “Let’s get this over with.”
I knocked on the door and Elliot’s head snapped over in our direction. With a quick step to his pace, he dashed over and unlocked the door for us.
It was brief, but he looked quickly at my sister before focusing on me with a smile I could only describe as one mixed with confusing charm. “What brings you two by?”
Taking the lead, I pushed past but kept a respectable distance from Elliot. Even so, it was hard to be breathing the same air as him, especially when his breezy cologne tickled my nose and stirred up memories of being held snuggled against his chest with my nose in the crook of his neck.
I cleared my throat and turned away, only to spot Alice sitting in my chair, tucked into the corner. Curious, I tipped my head while staring at her, but spoke to Elliot. “A service trip for Nina. Molly flaked out on you?”
“Yeah.” He stepped back and wandered over to the counter. “Alice was hanging out with me for a bit and literally just offered to drive them over as she’s meeting someone there, and when I called Nina to let her know, she said someone was already on their way over. That must be you?”
“I suppose.” I turned and glared at Cassie, who shrugged like she had no idea what was going on. “Where are the carafes?”
“By the door.”
Needing to see for myself, I turned, unsure as to how I missed them.
“I can carry them out. They’re kind of heavy.” Elliot walked to the door and lifted the first with such ease, I figured it was empty.
“I’ll get the door,” she said, running to hold it open.
I snuck out behind them and opened the back door of the car. “Figure they’ll be safe?”
“Should be.” Elliot manoeuvred the giant carafe into the middle. “Should I seatbelt them in, just in case?”
“If you saw the way she drove here, you would.” Leave it to Cassie to make a joke about my driving.
For the record, I didn’t go a kilometer above the speed limit.
The middle seat belt clicked into place, and I followed Elliot back into the store for us to repeat the same steps with carafe number two.
When that was buckled in, he wiped his hands on his apron. “All good. ”
“Nope.” I raised my hand, remembering what else we still needed. “She needs a couple of rolls of loonies and toonies, and another bin of cookies.”
“Oh, right. Give me a sec.”
Cassie and Alice stood by the door, chatting excitedly in hushed voices, but neither made a move as Elliot headed to Nina’s office. Alice was showing something on her phone as Cassie placed a hand over her heart.
Leaving them behind, I steeled myself and stood at the door of Nina’s office as he went in and behind her desk.
Scanning the space, maybe to see if there would’ve been something that could’ve helped us out that night, I spied the book tree I’d made for him. It was on the shelf beside the desk.
Elliot crouched down on the desk chair and distinct beeping sounds came from under her desk. A moment later he rose with four rolls of coins. “Here you go.”
They were heavy in my hands, but not as heavy as the expression on Elliot’s face. It was hard to read, but there was a little concern, a shimmer of sadness, and still all swirling that same charming grin which sent a swirl of butterflies swooping and swirling in the deepest parts of my stomach.
He tossed a quick glance over my shoulder, out to the dining room. “How’ve you been?”
“Good. I’ve been good.” My gaze fell to my hand with the rolled coins. “You? ”
“Good.” A buzzing sounded from his pocket, and he grabbed his phone. “It’s Nina.”
I stepped out of the office, lingering around the counter as he talked.
“They’re here, and I’m about to send them back. What else did you need?” He nodded and closed the door to the office. “One or two? I’ll set them in your car.” He hung up without a goodbye. “She needs two bins of cookies; however, one will still be frozen.”
I set the rolled coins on the counter and followed Elliot into the backroom, after he unlocked the storage room door.
“Wow, looks so different in here with the lights on.” I chuckled slightly. “I can actually see the layout now.”
It was also much smaller than it felt when I was last in there. The storage area was packed tightly with boxes from the floor to the ceiling and the entryway to the locker area wasn’t as big as the lack of vision had me believe. Surprisingly, the locker area was almost bigger than the fridge and freezer.
The door behind me slammed, and I practically jumped into Elliot’s arms.
Giggles that sounded like two schoolgirls who just spied their secret crushes came from the other side.
“What are you two doing?” I marched over and tugged open the door, but it was stuck. “Seriously? Cassandra Louise! You know better. ”
“Yeah, I do, I know that you two need to talk. Air your feelings, however, we also need to take the cookies to Nina, so can you hurry up with that?”
“She’s incorrigible.” I threw my hands up in the air.
“I’m starting to suspect my sister is the other half of the meddlesome duo. Her story was pretty rich, believable but rich.” Elliot shook his head and then ran a hand through his thick locks. “She told me … Ah, it doesn’t matter. You’re here now.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Let’s give her the cookies so she can leave.”
He opened the freezer and pulled out a box, dropping it in my hands. “Careful, it’s cold.”
“Thank you,” I said sarcastically, but with a shy smile on my face. “I wouldn’t have guessed.”
Taking two steps to the side, he pulled open the fridge door and grabbed a blue-lidded box. “Four dozen chocolate chip cookies ready to serve.”
“How long will it take for the others to thaw?”
“The ones along the edge will be thawed in twenty to thirty minutes.” Bin in hand, he walked over to the door and kicked it with his foot. “Hey, you two. We have the goods.”
“Leave them by the door and step back.”
“Oh, Alice.” Elliot shook his head. “You’re being ridiculous.” All the same though, he stepped back.
“Am I? You told me you have feelings for her, and yet, what’s this I hear you have a girlfriend?” Alice had the same motherly type of voice that Cassie did – no wonder they were such good friends.
The heat flooding into Elliot’s cheeks was turning them a bright crimson red. “I what? I do not.”
“Tell her, not us, but give us the cookies first.” Now Cassie was speaking up. These two ladies were being super ridiculous. The door opened a crack, and her head popped. “Stay back.”
“Oh, grow up,” I groaned. It was all the weaponry I had in me. Just being in Elliot’s presence zapped my ability to think clearly.
She grabbed the first container, handed it back to Alice, and came for the second. “Have fun, you two.”
The storage room door closed again, but the giggles got louder.
With my back to the door, I looked at Elliot and retrieved the car keys from my pocket, dangling them from my finger. “Joke’s on her, I have the keys.”
The move was so quick and unexpected, I didn’t see it coming. I hadn’t even seen the storage room door open.
“No, you don’t.” Alice yanked them out of my hands and tossed the keys out to Cassie, both sporting huge grins. “Got ‘em. Let’s go.”
Neither Elliot nor myself made a move but waited silently as the friends—the meddling sisters—made enough noise to let us know they’d walked outside with their bins, the rolled coins, and the keys to Nina’s car. The whole thing was over in seconds, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I didn’t like being played by my sister and although I had suspected she had something up her sleeve, I didn’t think her friend was a part of it.
And to think, at one point I was starting to like Alice.
When the silence started to build like an oncoming storm, Elliot opened the storage room door and we exited into the main part of the coffee shop.
“Well, that’s just great.” I narrowed my eyes thinking of how Cassie just left me. My rolling emotions flipped through me like a slideshow on high speed and a soft snort followed it. “But it’s not the end of the world. I can always walk home.”
“Not so fast. What’s this about a girlfriend? Because that obviously came from you.” He stood there with his hands on his hips. “Where would you ever get an idea like that?”
“I saw you. Twice. With a redhead.” The words came out laced in venom or coated in jealousy or maybe both, it was hard to tell.
Slowly, he bobbed his head. “I see.”
“You do?”
He walked over to the counter, leaving me standing there with a stupid expression on my face. Setting a jug of milk and various other supplies onto the metal counter, he asked, “Do you want the truth, or are you in a hurry to make your assumptions and leave?”
“I always appreciate the truth.” I unzipped my jacket and pulled off my toque.
He nodded to a stool, a small sheepish grin twitching the edges of his lips. “Great, have a seat.”