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Hugo turned to Alice. “Now you get to see me in action. I mean, it’s been alongtime, but it’s just like riding a bike, right?”

“Didn’t you take this job to spend time with Elizabeth only to quit a few weeks later?” Oliver asked.

Hugo turned to Oliver. “In my defense”—he raised his hands, trying to find a suitable answer—“our schedules didn’t line up. I couldn’t talk to her while doing the job, and I totally took the job because I wanted to talk to her. This will be different.”

“Yeah,” Alice said. “I’ll be the one quitting early because I can’t talk to Hugo while doing the job.” She winked at him.

He rolled his eyes.

“Well, any help is appreciated,” Carol said. “Thank you, sweetie.”

“Here, I’ll walk you up there and get a register going for you,” Oliver said as he picked up a few bottles from the shelf.

Oliver and Alice headed toward the checkout.

“Hugo, sweetie, wait a moment,” Carol said, touching his arm as if to hold him back.

“I’ll meet you up front,” Hugo said.

As soon as Oliver and Alice disappeared behind the corner, Carol asked, “Did she say no?”

Hugo chuckled. “I never got to ask. The police arrived as I started to ask her. I had my hand on the box when they knocked on the doors.”

Carol smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry, sweetie.”

“It was the perfect moment, but there’ll be another time, right? Besides, I felt like I was going to take away from her celebration, anyway.”

“She would have loved it,” Carol said.

“Her reflection told me so. Shewasn’t exactly happy it didn’t happen,” Hugo added. “She kept going on about how she can’t wear her ring until I give it to Alice. She’s threatening to spill the secret for me to hurry up.”

“You’re still going to ask her, right?” Carol asked.

“Of course. I would do it Halloween night, but we already have plans. We have dinner reservations for next Saturday to celebrate. So, I’ll have to fall back on Plan B.”

Carol smiled and gave Hugo a hug. “She’ll love it. Trust me.”

“I certainly hope so.”

Chapter 3

Under New Ownership

I’m glad I wore the bigger pants this time.

A small box jostled around in Hugo’s jacket pocket. He caressed the velvet covered lining, so it wouldn’t bounce out on their way to dinner. A chill ran up his spine as the autumn wind swirled. A layer of dark, autumn clouds swirled in the night sky above.

I hope the rain holds off . . . Huh. Like last time.

He smiled at Alice. She returned the favor, beaming from ear to ear.

Hugo and Alice approached the town center hand in hand. It was bustling with activity as people finished their shopping. The ornate lampposts were in mid-holiday transition. Some were still decorated with pumpkins for Halloween a few days prior. Others were decorated in green wreaths for the upcoming Christmas season. The perfect mixture of Alice’s favorite holidays welcomed them to their favorite restaurant. Hugo smiled.

This is going to be a magical night.

Hugo stopped. His eyes narrowed, and his mouth slightly dropped. Alice took a few more steps forward before stopping.

“What is it?” Alice asked.