Free One Sweet Day by Kristin Miller Page B

transplant.”
    He tapped his hands against the back of the chair. “I thought you didn’t like living in San Francisco. I thought you liked the pace of life here.”
    Charlie was right on all counts. She loved the slow pace in Blue Lake, the way everyone smiled and nodded as you walked by, the wood-planked sidewalks and the wine barrels filled with flowers lining them. Blue Lake was picturesque…but she didn’t see herself here.
    Not anymore.
    “I love it here, but I could be happy anywhere.” She closed up the box, adding it to the stack of others against the far wall. She planned to leave the shop the way she got it. She was leaving the big appliances, the mixers and pots and pans. Most of the stuff was stocked when she took ownership, and she wanted to leave the same welcomed surprise for the next person who took over. She’d already boxed up her apartment—mostly clothes, DVD’s, a small television, and a laptop—and was amazed at how little time it took to uproot. “I’m going back to the city.”
    He stood, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You sound like you’ve already made up your mind.”
    “I have.”
    He nodded, and his gaze dipped from her eyes to her lips. A tingling shudder rolled through her.
    “When are you leaving?” he asked.
    “Tomorrow, I think.”
    “Anything I can do or say to change your mind?”
    “No, I don’t think so.” She brushed her hands over her arms, but the chill wouldn’t go away. “Thanks, though. You know, you’re one of the sweetest people I’ve met here.”
    “Then let the sweetest person in town grab you lunch today. A final meal, if you will.”
    “Okay,” she said as the door jingled, signaling another customer. “I’m closing up at noon anyway. My friends are throwing me a farewell party at your resort.”
    “That’s nice of ‘em.” He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll be there, too.”
    “Really?”
    “The lodge called me in to work tonight. I’ll be on the mountain.”
    “Oh.” Disappointment rang through her; she would’ve liked him to be at the party. “Want to drive up together then? Sometime after lunch?”
    “Sounds like a plan.” He trudged up the stairs and disappeared around the corner leading to his studio.
    By the time she finished dishing up truffles for the customer who’d just entered, Laney realized Charlie had forgotten his peanut brittle in the fridge.
    He’d never forgotten his morning supply.
    Wonder what had him so distracted?
     
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Laney Owens was moving.
    And there was a very real possibility that after today, he’d never see her again.
    Hours later, and Charlie still couldn’t wrap his mind around it. A quiet part of him had always hoped that one day she’d ditch Brian—the guy had never treated her the way she deserved—and they could finally move out of the friend zone.
    But now, he didn’t have time to ease into it.
    She was leaving, and judging from the way she was packing, chucking utensils left and right, she was heading out of Blue Lake sooner rather than later. He didn’t have long to convince her that they’d be great together, that she’d been overlooking the one person who could make her happy.
    He had one day to change her mind, one day to make her realize that they could have something great. If she still wanted to leave, he wouldn’t stop her. He wouldn’t push, wouldn’t trap her here if she truly wanted to leave.
    He simply couldn’t sit here and do nothing, watching the girl of his dreams pack up and move out of town without giving it his best shot.
    He tossed a duffel bag into the back of his Silverado and slammed the tailgate shut. As he turned around, Laney emerged from the shop wearing a long white dress covered by an evergreen wool coat with big brown buttons. Brown cowboy boots peeked from beneath the dress, adding a little country to the glam.
    The small mountain town had rubbed off on Laney more than she realized.
    “You’re