Free Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) by Leah Banicki Page A

impossible wishes.
    The cargo at Clive’s store was piled behind the building in the loading zone. Corinne had an overwhelming urge to break open the crates on the spot but Clive had just done the inventory of each one earlier in the day and taken great care to repack and close each crate. She wasn't about to make more work for him and his son, the clerk.
    Clive paced around the dock waiting for his son, J.Q. to fill him in on a few store needs. Cori and Angie waited patiently for him to conduct his business and enjoyed the warm fall air.
    For September it still felt like summer. Though the talk of mountain snows was a topic on everyone’s lips. People do love to speculate on weather. It was part of the human journey, in life the wind will blow, the rain and snow must fall.
    Several minutes passed and Lucas appeared with the wagon and a sturdy hand from Cori's father's ranch. Corinne couldn’t remember the lad's name but she gave a friendly nod as he headed in her direction. He knew she was in charge in this moment. He didn’t seem to be bothered taking orders from a woman.
    "If you can get the biggest crates along the edges and then get the smaller crates packed tightly in the middle perhaps we can eliminate as much breakage and jostling as possible." He grinned and nodded sincerely.
    "I have some old quilts to pack between them that will help, Cori. Just get them back to me next time you are in town. We will reuse them for your fragile orders. You and your tiny glass bottles, chile’." Clive chimed in. His mustache twitched in the corners of his mouth as he teased. He was very proud of his Cori. Her smarts and skills made everyone proud.
    “Angie, I was hoping to have a chat with you. I have been thinking about your plan to find your brother and I have a few thoughts on the matter." Clive waved her and Corinne inside as the men began their loading. Corinne ran over and planted a kiss on Lucas’s cheek to thank him properly for all his hard work. He rewarded her by grabbing her off the dock and with a spin kissed her on the mouth and then plopped her back on the dock where she had been. Her blush stained her cheeks and she wordlessly followed Clive and Angie inside the Hudson Bay store.
    "I am glad to see you both like each other." Angie laughed nervously. She was happy for her friend, just getting used to the displays of affection would take a little time. Angie was certain she blushed more than Cori did.
    "We do, I felt a bit guilty by not riding with him in the wagon. But he is so understanding, I have my Angie back." Cori gave Angie a sideways hug as they neared Clive’s office. 
    "I have spoken at length about your brother with Corinne, Angie, and have a few ideas to toss at ya." Clive held out chairs for Cori and Angie and then plopped down himself. The dark wood table that filled a corner of the room had a few papers on it but there was still a little open space. Clive clasped his weathered hands together in front of him.
    "I hear your brother is in California, most likely place will be in San Francisco. I have a Hudson Bay store there that is managed by my grandson, Gabe and his wife. They are just newly married and have a ’young un on the way." He smiled warmly at the thought. "I can forward some information about your brother Sean and see if he cannot pass the word along that you are looking, but I have another thought too." Clive took a moment and looked Angie in the eyes.
    "What would you think of going to San Francisco and working at the store under my son's protection?” Clive started. He watched her face show a little bit of surprise but no fear. “You have a great way about you and…you would get paid for the work and you can talk to every customer that comes through. It would give you a great chance to ask questions and be closer to the area where your brother was last seen. I will be in California territory every month or so for business. We can keep tabs and if you want to take a break and