Free Home for Love (An Adult Contemporary Romance) by Aneesa Price Page A

burns bright and fierce, but can hurt you if you’re
not careful. So, I’m not going there.”
    “Whatever works, Bree. You know I’ve
always liked Todd and you deserve a good guy like that, but it’s your life and
I support you.”
    “Thanks hun,” Bree gave Shelly a hug,
oblivious of the gleam of mischief that touched her friend’s face.
     
    xxx
     
    The next day, Bree decided to redirect
her thoughts from Todd and explore the newer shops in town. Moving and settling
Amber in had taken much of her time until now. With Amber at school, making
friends and in a routine between grandparents and parents, she could take the
afternoon off for ‘me time’.
    Despite the isolation of the town, it
was picturesque. Pots may be empty of flowers and covered with snow but the
buildings were freshly and brightly painted in hues of blue, yellow, green, and
some sporting natural brick that complemented the trees and mountains
surrounding them. Lights twinkled in the windows of shop owners who refused to
take down their festive season décor and though the streets were empty, the
shops had a steady stream of customers as people departed them and rushed to
their cars. Seeking nurturance in the form of hot meals and drinks, the bar,
and restaurants were stocked with happy customers.
    Bree remembered her father’s scathing
remarks about the inadequacy of the town council. Although she believed that he
would’ve still found fault despite the town being so well maintained, he’d have
a lot less to criticize. He’d also found a lot to criticize with her. Stuff it,
thought Bree, that’s definitely not the thoughts to carry around with you when
indulging in some retail therapy and thanks to the help in house and home from
her grandparents and her new job, she could splurge a bit - even if her bags
held more for Amber than her. She’d rarely had a spare penny to splurge on her
baby. Shaking the maudlin reflections away, she dashed from the toy store to
the neighboring grocer.
    “Hi Paula,” Bree greeted the woman who’d
been a constant in the shop for as long as she recalled. She’d seen Paula age
over the years, had been playpen mates with her children and now, she was
shopping for school supplies for her own.
    “Hiya Bree,” Paula’s face split into a
huge, welcoming smile. “What brings you out in the cold?”
    “Gran asked me to pick up the supplies
she ordered,” Bree responded. “I hear you had stock come in from Fairbanks.”
    “I did indeed, hun,” Paula nodded,
scratching around behind the counter for a piece of paper. “Got your gran’s
order. Now let’s see… yes… this came in this morning. Okay, I just gotta round
up the rest of the order.”
    “No rush, Paula,” Bree made her way to
the back of the shop where a small table and two matching chairs stood for just
such moments or a bit of gossip catch-up.
    “Oh, hun,” Paula stopped Bree before she
sat down, “won’t you be a dear and grab that box next to the table?”
    “Sure,” Bree answered, setting the box
on the counter by Paula.
    “Thank you,” Paula responded, “it’s just
been so busy today with the stock coming in and Jim being ill.”
    “I’m sorry he’s still sick,” Bree
offered. “It’s this horrible weather. Amber had quite a cold last week, too. Is
there anything I can do?”
    “Well hun, now that you mention it,”
Paula began, “I haven’t had a chance to deliver that box. Would you be so kind
and take it for me - it’s just around the corner?”
    “No problem, Paula, I’m happy to help
and it’ll give you a chance to get gran’s order together too.”
    “You’re a darling, Bree.” Paula opened
the box and double-checked the contents. “Yep, all there. And it’s right next
door.”
    “Next door? At Todd’s?” asked Bree.
Surely, he could’ve fetched the darn box himself.
    “Yes, he wanted to fetch it himself.
He’s rather partial to that fancy coffee but he’s alone as all the staff are
off sick too