Chapter 3
Julian pondered Petula’s visit for the rest of the morning, alternating between despondency over her declaration that she didn’t socialize with customers, and elation that she’d admitted finding him cute.
Well, him and his brothers, which should have bugged Julian, but since those dickheads were all married men now, they weren’t actually competition, so he could ignore them as irrelevant.
Still, even without competition, it seemed like he’d have a tough road, getting Petula to agree to anything more than her purported “friendly hellos”. But Julian was stubborn. And strategic. Years in the Air Force had honed him into a tactical machine.
He might not have much experience with dating, and he might be clueless as to how the female mind worked, but he was determined to change that.
He was about to give himself a cram course in all things “woman”, by reading every book he could get his hands on about the female sex, to see what made them tick.
Add that to prying into the minds of his savvy sisters-in-law, and he’d have a solid base for his incursion.
Yeah. Julian was smart and a quick study, but he also acknowledged the need for first hand help from Tabbi and company.
There was nothing quite as good as getting advice straight from the horses’ mouths, so to speak.
The ladies were all that and more. Besides, they’d be thrilled.
They’d already attempted a number fix-ups for him since he’d been local, and much to their disappointment, he’d refused them all without so much as attempting a single date.
Yeah. His interest in Petula would have the group over-the-moon, and one-hundred percent scheming to help him.
But first, he had to help himself.
Rounding the office desk and sitting in front of the computer that was almost considered Sheila’s private property, Julian logged in and went immediately to the site where the shop purchased all their new inventory.
Since opening, Diver Downeast had sold a lot of gear, and right now they were running low on regulators. So…
Julian quickly put in an order. For exactly two.
He sat back, satisfied.
In a couple days, he’d order two more, and after that, he’d give it another forty-eight hours before buying the balance of what the shop actually needed for inventory.
That meant Petula would have to show up at least three more times over the next week or so, which should give Julian time to work on her reluctance to socialize.
He just needed to up his game.
And speaking of game…
He leaned forward and opened up another window, searching “Books on the inner workings of the female mind”.
Over a dozen popped up.
While he was deep in studying and ordering what was offered, the front door opened and Duck trotted in, followed by Tabbi and Spence.
Tinker and Langly, still in their beds, each gave a soft, welcoming woof, then settled back down to sleep.
The pair normally got up to greet customers.
Clearly, they’d known who was coming in this time, even before the trio entered.
Julian closed out the window on the book site, trying not to look guilty as he addressed the newcomers.
“How was your trip?” he asked, already plotting as to how he could get his brother out of the way to talk to Tabbi alone.
“Awesome,” Tabitha raved as Duck headed for the kibble dispenser in the corner and started chowing down as if he hadn’t seen food in days.
“Catie and Nick are wonderful,” she went on, “letting us sit in and see exactly how they run things. Now I’m totally pumped to start our own classes in May. Catie’s also agreed to visit sometime soon with her husband, to see if we need any additional pointers.”
“That’s great,” Julian replied. “Because we’ve certainly had a lot of interest.”
They’d put a sign-up form on line just two days ago, and this morning alone, over a dozen people had left their contact info.
“Really?” Spence questioned. “How many?” He walked directly to the coffee station and lifted the pot, looking askance at it as he swirled the dregs.
“I wouldn’t drink that,” Jules grimaced. “It’s been there for hours.”
Spence shrugged and poured.
“Seriously, dude. I can make some more,” Julian offered, rising to his feet.
“Nah. This will do,” Spence told him, chugging the sludge. “I just need a wake-up jolt, since somebody,” he waggled his brows at his wife, “might have kept me up half the night.”
“Bro,” Julian huffed. “That’s shit I don’t need to hear.”
Spencer laughed as Tabitha colored up. “Sucks to be you. So how many, Jules?”
Going back to the original conversation, Julian filled him in. “Sixteen this morning. I think we’ll have to limit our enrollees for the first session, and start our list for a second class.”
“That’ll work,” Spence answered. “Buck, Trask, and Jett are almost done with their certifications.” He paused and looked around curiously, before a pout emerged on his lips. “Jules. You didn’t pick up any donuts this morning?”
Yes! The perfect distraction.
Julian saw his opening and pounced. “Ah, sorry man. I didn’t have time.
Between wrangling Jett’s two mutts, working with a few customers, and answering the phone inquiries we’ve been receiving, it slipped my mind.
” He continued calculatedly. “But I sure could go for some sugar right now. I don’t suppose… ?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Spencer huffed. “I’ll head down to the bakery and get some shit. Lord knows I need the walk and some fresh air after being crammed in my truck all morning with a sex maniac.”
“Spence, please,” Julian groaned, trying to scrub that from his brain. “TMI.”
Tabbi was clearly over it, and rolled right past the inappropriate comment. “Ooh, honey, since you’re making a run to the bakery, can you get me one of those caramel bear-claws?” she asked.
Tabitha was currently in her third month of pregnancy, and her appetite had, in the last few days, picked up significantly with the complete disappearance of the morning sickness that had plagued her for weeks. She was obviously making up for lost time.
“Only one?” Spence teased.
Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Yes, dear. Just one. I have restraint, unlike other people I know.” She turned and poked Spence’s firm midsection none-too gently.
Julian snickered. The man could easily down a half dozen donuts at one sitting, but his abs were in no danger of disappearing anytime soon.
Spencer laughed. “Still a solid gut, babe,” he bragged.
“Let’s keep it that way,” Tabitha joked.
Spence patted his tummy happily, then turned back to Julian. “Anything special for you?” he asked.
What will take the longest…?
After a moment’s pause, Jules had it. “Yeah. Can you get me one of those espresso mocha-lattés, with cinnamon and brown sugar sprinkles? And also have them toast a corn muffin for me, slathered in butter.”
“Got it. One serving of grain, and a girly drink,” Spence teased.
He received a punch from Tabbi, which didn’t faze the man at all as she reprimanded him.
“Leave your brother alone, and stop pretending he’s the only one with questionable food and beverage choices, Mr. Whipped-Cream-filled donut freak.
” She made a gagging sound, then reached up and took Spence by the shoulders, spinning him around before giving him a light shove toward the door. “Now get moving.”
Spencer laughed as he cheerfully exited.
Tabitha turned immediately to Jules once he was gone.
“Okay, spill,” she demanded, removing her coat and sitting down on the edge of the desk with a sharp, all-knowing, and canny look on her face.
“What?” Julian attempted innocence, but…
Nah. He was too keyed up to play it coy. “Okay, fine,” he admitted. “There’s a woman I’m interested in, and I need your help.”
Tabbi sat forward excitedly. “Really? That’s awesome. Who is she?”
Now that Julian had made his declaration, he instantly had second thoughts, feeling almost reluctant to give up his crush’s name. But that wouldn’t get him anywhere, so…
“Petula Bothswait,” he rushed out.
“Pe…Petula?” Tabitha blinked, and all the excited starch left her body. “As in our UPS delivery person, Petula?”
Why did she suddenly look deflated? Should Julian be worried?
“Uh, yeah,” he managed. “Why? Is that a problem?”
“For you, maybe.” Tabbi shook her head.
“Me? Explain, please,” Julian implored. A bit of uncertainty rose within him. Wasn’t he good enough for Petula?
“Well,” Tabbie began, “scuttlebutt has it that Petula doesn’t do men.”
Julian felt his heart skip a beat. “Ah, damn. Women, then?”
“Oh. No, no,” Tabitha corrected immediately, which had his pulse resuming.
“That came out wrong.” She regrouped. “What I meant to say is, word-on-the-street has it that she doesn’t date at all.”
Julian hated hearing that confirmed. “That’s what she said, but I wasn’t sure if it was true, or if it was her way of letting me down.”
Then, as if by magic, something positive suddenly occurred to him. “Wait a minute. That means she wasn’t opposed to me, personally, just dating in general. Which means I might be able to change her mind.” He beamed at the possibility.
“I don’t know, Jules…” Tabitha trailed off.
“Well, I do. I’m determined here, Tabbi. So will you help me?” His voice cracked a bit, but he really was counting on some female aid.
“I’m not sure. Petula is…” Tabbi trailed off again and didn’t restart.
“Stop doing that,” Julian frowned. “Beginning a sentence and not finishing it. What do you know, and what aren’t you telling me?”
Tabitha sighed. “Fine. This is all just hearsay, mind you, but I’ve picked up bits and pieces about her, and as far as anyone knows, she’s a loner.
Like almost a hermit. She lives with her older brother in a cabin north of Bangor.
He works construction, and neither one of them have any interaction with townsfolk other than for their jobs and to do things like pick up groceries.
In other words, they pretty much keep to themselves. ”