Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Audrey pushed open the front door of Townsend’s Bakery, taking a deep breath of the delicious scents of sugar and dough. Colorful spring decorations filled the cozy little bakery, and a teenage employee was busy wiping the front windows to make them sparklingly clean.
Oh, there’s nothing like homemade baked goods, she thought. I’ve missed this place. There was nothing like it in Scottsville.
To her delight, she noticed Shep Townsend standing behind the counter.
Sighting Shep always made her feel as lucky as someone who’d managed to glimpse a unicorn.
Although Shep wasn’t all that thrilling to look at—being a scowling old man with messy gray hair and a tanned face that was lined with wrinkles that seemed to have come mainly from scowling—he was a rare sighting, and that made it exciting to see him.
Besides, Audrey liked the grumpy old man despite his terse demeanor.
He was the owner of the bakery, and the man could work absolute wonders with dough.
He’d lost his wife many years ago, and ever since had become something of a local legend because of his hermit-like, grumpy habits.
Although the bakery was his pride and joy, he didn’t like to serve the customers himself, and preferred to stay in the kitchen, working his quiet culinary magic and perfecting his recipes.
He made eye contact with Audrey for a split second and then ducked partially behind a vase of spring flowers that was resting on top of the display case. Audrey chuckled, thinking to herself that he was practically skulking in the front of his own bakery, as if he was hoping not to be noticed.
“Hi, Shep!” she said warmly, stepping forward. “It’s Audrey. Do you remember me?”
Shep seemed a bit annoyed at being caught before he could disappear back into his kitchen, but he cleared his throat and nodded at her. “I do remember you. How are you, Audrey? It’s been a long time.”
“It has.” Audrey sighed. “I’m doing okay. I have to admit, I wish I was back here under different circumstances, but I’m happy to be in Coral Sands, regardless.”
Shep grunted, as if he had no idea what to say in response. She didn’t blame him. She’d said just enough that he must have found her words vague and confusing, and Shep was the last person in town who would press her for more information about what had been going on in her life.
“What can I get you?” Shep asked a moment later.
“Oh gosh, so many good options, and I’ve missed all of them,” Audrey said, looking over the display case eagerly before glancing at Shep to see if her compliment had made him happy.
His face was still expressionless, and he simply blinked at her like a fish trying to win a staring contest. She held back a chuckle and looked down at the baked goods again.
Her stomach growled eagerly, and as soon as her eyes lighted on the bear claws, she knew she wanted one.
“I’ll take a bear claw, please,” she said.
Shep grunted again and started to wrap up the treat for her. After a few seconds, he asked, “How is Elaine doing?”
Audrey was surprised that Shep had asked after her mother. She would have expected him to keep his mouth shut whenever possible.
“She’s as cheerful as ever,” Audrey said warmly.
“She’s so excited that my daughter and I came back into town.
We’re going to stay in the mansion with her.
Honestly, I have no idea how she managed that huge house all by herself.
It’s gorgeous, but it must take hours and hours to take care of it.
She’s really done a beautiful job. Michelle and I are going to start helping her with it now. Good thing we all like cleaning.”
She laughed and then noticed that Shep’s expression had become more pinched.
He reminded her of a turtle trying to retreat back into his shell.
She pressed her lips together for a moment, trying not to smile and reminding herself that while most people liked friendly banter, Shep wasn’t most people.
He’d asked about the well-being of her mother, not the cleaning habits of the three of them.
“That sounds like quite the endeavor,” Shep said, handing her the bear claw. Without waiting for her to pay, he turned around and trundled into the back of the store.
Well, I guess he’s done talking, Audrey thought with an affectionate grin. She liked Shep. Things around here haven’t changed a bit—well, besides the fact that Coral Sands has a new mayor now.
The teenage employee had disappeared as well, so she paid for the bear claw with exact change, which she left on the counter. She picked up the white paper bag containing the pastry and stepped back out into the spring sunshine.
She munched on the bear claw as she walked, delighting in how flaky and sweet it was. The wind rustled in the branches of the trees that grew along the wide street, and the air was fragrant with new spring flowers.
She found herself thinking about the new mayor. Of course, he’d been rude to her, but she couldn’t blame him all that much for that. Her mother had said that he was known for being grumpy, but that he was a good man underneath it all.
I wonder why he’s so grumpy? she thought curiously. He’s not bad looking—not at all. Those brown eyes and the way his hair is becoming slightly salt and pepper at his temples? And I love a good beard. He’d be a very attractive man if he could manage a smile.
Her thoughts about Coral Sand’s intriguingly almost-attractive mayor were interrupted a second later as she caught sight of the beauty salon.
When she’d lived in Coral Sands before, she’d been great friends with the woman who ran it, Penelope Hurst. She wondered if Penelope still owned it, and she felt a thrill of excitement over the prospect of seeing her dear friend again.
She pushed open the door of the beauty parlor, noticing that the bell overhead was still the funky sparkling pink cowbell that it had been in the past. She looked around the familiar beauty salon, breathing deeply of the smell of hairspray and shampoo.
A few different hairdressers were working, and her heart flopped with disappointment when she didn’t see Penelope.
Then she caught sight of her at the back of the room and her face lit up with a smile.
“All finished! You look gorgeous.” Penelope grinned at her client as she set down her shears.
Her blue-green eyes danced with the satisfaction of a job well done, and her warm smile lit up her face like it had always done.
Her reddish hair had been dyed a creamy pink color at the edges, and Audrey thought the effect was magnificent.
Audrey was just about to take a seat in the waiting area until Penelope was free, since she didn’t want to interrupt her work, but then Penelope turned and saw her. The hairdresser’s mouth popped open into a perfect “O” of surprise, and a second later she raced forward, squealing like a teenager.
“Audrey!” she cried and threw her arms around her friend.
Audrey returned the embrace warmly, rocking Penelope back and forth a little as they hugged.
“It’s so good to see you!” Penelope gushed, stepping back so she could look at Audrey. “You look amazing.”
Audrey laughed. “You look amazing! I love what you’ve done with your hair.”
Penelope tossed her wavy locks dramatically.
“Why thank you. Perks of having the skills, you know?” She seemed to remember that she still had a client, and glanced over her shoulder at the woman, who was chuckling over Audrey and Penelope’s enthusiastic reunion.
“Let me just wrap up quickly with Danielle, and then you and I are going to catch up.”
Audrey smiled and stepped to the side while Penelope took care of Danielle at the register. Once she was done, she glided back to Audrey gleefully.
“Okay,” she said, taking her friend’s hands. “Tell me everything. I haven’t seen you in what feels like decades.”
Audrey laughed even though she didn’t really want to talk about “everything,” she was so delighted by her friend’s warm energy. “I’m afraid there isn’t really a quick answer to that question.”
A mischievous look sprang onto Penelope’s face. “Hey, that’s okay. We’ve got time. And we can even multi-task while you tell me. How about you tell me all about your life while I do your hair? I can do whatever you want—totally change your look if that’s what you’re feeling.”
Audrey’s mouth popped open. She wondered if Penelope, who had always been quick to observe details, had already noticed the absence of her wedding ring and sensed that a history-cleansing change of hair was in order. “I hadn’t intended to get a makeover,” she said.
“Just because you didn’t plan on it doesn’t mean it’s not the right choice,” Penelope said, lifting one shoulder in a light shrug.
A moment later, her tone became more serious.
“Honestly, I have a feeling that you’ve entered a new chapter of your life—and that kind of thing always calls for a makeover.
” Her smile was loving as she gave her friend a sideways hug.
“What do you say? It’ll be on the house. That seals the deal, doesn’t it?”
Audrey laughed. “Okay, you got me. Makeover it is. And you’re right. I could use a little extra boost toward a new version of me to go with my new future.”
“Perfect.” Penelope turned the chair around so that it was facing Audrey. “Get on board, ma’am, if you please.”
“Ah, one of my favorite rides. You’re the best hairdresser I’ve ever had, honestly Penelope. I’ve never found anyone who can work magic with hair the way you can.”
Penelope’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. “Thank you. That is because—” She picked up her comb and flourished it like it was a magic wand. “That is because working on hair is like making art. I’m passionate about what I do—especially when I care so much about my clients.”