Chapter Six #4
The digital sign outside the bank across the street said minus twenty-five degrees.
Was that accurate? Jovi hesitated, pressing her lips together.
He didn’t miss the irritation that flashed in her blue eyes.
He looked away and pretended to admire the painted-on display temporarily decorating the gift shop’s front windows.
A talented artist had designed a wintery scene featuring a snowman on a white fluffy snowdrift with a perfect carrot nose and a scarf draped around his rotund figure.
The traditional black hat and Y-shaped sticks for arms completed the oh-so-frosty vibe.
“Darby Jane, tonight’s scavenger hunt is all about finding paw prints,” Jovi said. “This store might be a good place to look.”
Burke held open the door for Jovi and Darby Jane. “What’s the significance of the scavenger hunt again?”
“We have some local mushers who live here year-round. It’s dogsled racing season, so this is just something fun we can do to celebrate and support them.
If Darby Jane gets a stamp on her card every time she visits a store with a paw print hidden somewhere,” Jovi said and gestured to the card the little girl clutched between her mittens, “she can drop by the community center and pick out a prize.”
“Got it.” Burke followed them inside the store. The pungent smell of scented candles filled his nose. He leaned closer to Jovi and dropped his voice low because, honestly, he wasn’t sure how much longer they’d last. “How many paw prints does she need for a prize?”
Jovi carefully scraped her boots on the doormat, then peeled off her gloves. “She only needs seven to get a prize. I think there are twelve or fifteen hidden, but it’s your call how long you want to hunt. I know it’s a school night.”
She offered an empathetic smile before stepping aside to allow a young couple to squeeze past them and exit.
His pulse blipped and then sort of stumbled.
Probably alarmed that he’d suddenly decided to pay attention to someone who made him feel…
happy? Because Jovi had the most appealing smile.
It wasn’t just the lovely curve of her pink lips or her white teeth.
No, it was more than that. When she was happy, she didn’t hide it. Her whole face lit up.
It sort of made him nervous. And a little jealous.
“Daddy, come on, we have to look around. I don’t have any clues yet.” Darby Jane tugged on his jacket, yanking him back to reality.
“All right, I’m here.” He trailed behind her through the store’s crowded center aisle.
The gift shop carried Alaskan arts and crafts, books and a selection of Evergreen Candy Company products.
He paused beside an endcap stocked with plastic bags filled with candy and red-and-pink boxes of chocolate wrapped in white satin ribbon for Valentine’s Day.
“How about that?” He turned to Jovi. “They’re selling products from your family’s company.”
Jovi surveyed the display with a satisfied smile. “Some of our most loyal customers are local small businesses.”
“Found one,” Darby Jane squealed, drawing amused glances from other customers.
A kids’ storytime area was tucked in the back corner of the shop. A silver-haired woman wearing jeans and a pale blue sweater smiled at the four children squirming around her, asking for a special stamp from the store. The paw print was prominently displayed on an easel next to her.
She caught Burke’s eye. “If you’d like to stay, I’ll be reading Balto in just a few minutes.”
Burke swallowed back a groan. He must’ve forgotten to tell his face not to frown, because Jovi chuckled.
“Don’t look so excited.” She gently nudged him.
“Aren’t you an author? And a parent? I thought you’d be thrilled about a quiet indoor activity like this.
It’s a great story, by the way. Balto is one of the famous sled dogs who led his team through harsh winter conditions to Nome years ago.
The dog musher, Balto, and his team saved the whole town from diphtheria. ”
“Can I buy my own copy and read it to Darby Jane at home?”
“Sure.”
This time her tight smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Burke winced. Was he being too much of a party pooper?
Probably. Did he have to get an exhausted kid in bed tonight and then up again early for school tomorrow?
Also yes. And he didn’t want to be grumpy.
Not when Jovi had been nothing but kind and generous.
“Alpenglow Espresso is right next door.” Jovi gestured over her shoulder. “I could—”
“I am not drinking espresso at this hour.”
“They sell decaf. What I was trying to say, before you interrupted, was I’ll pop over and grab us some hot decaffeinated drinks while you stay here and buy a copy of the book. Sound good?”
“All right, one pit stop, but then we have to keep going. I don’t want to keep her out too late. Tomorrow’s going to be rough, especially if she’s all hyped up on hot cocoa and giddy from collecting clues.”
Jovi’s eyes narrowed. “Your festive attitude is delightful. I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”
Before he could respond, she turned and left. He stared after her. Torn. Okay, so maybe his less-than-stellar attitude grated. But she didn’t know what he’d endured. Maybe if she’d lost half her family, she wouldn’t be so ridiculously happy all the time.