Page 16 of Cookie

Ryan

W e woke up early the next morning and decided to go to breakfast in Old Sacramento before going back to Grace. “Are you anxious to go back home?” I asked Charlie after we’d both showered and I was gathering up a few things I wanted to take with me.

“Not yet, I’ve had so much fun. My brothers are going to be so jealous that we went to an ax throwing place, and no I am not going to admit to them how shitty I was,” Charlie said with a big grin while stuffing his shaving kit in his bag. “Do you need to come back to get the rest of your things?”

“Yeah, but not for a while. I’m going to put in my notice today and see how soon I need to be moved out.

I’m hoping to have another month just so I don’t have to rush it,” I said and packed a few more things in a box that I’d started.

“It’s not like I really have that much stuff, but I do want to either move it or put it in storage. ”

“I can bring my truck next time and you can move most of it,” Charlie said.

“That would be great. It would really help,” I said, and once again I was thankful for Charlie and how sweet and supportive he was.

“I’m ready when you are.” He stepped closer to me and pulled me into his arms. Things were different here than in Grace.

We’d grown closer, and I hoped that didn’t change once we were back in the small town we’d both now call home.

“No problem, just give me a date and I’m there.

” He said it like it was no big deal to drive a couple of hours, load up a whole apartment of belongings, drive back, and unload it again.

Then I remembered when I’d moved here and how not one of my friends helped me.

We were all around the same age and getting our own places, and while it was fun the first time, that’s the only time moving was fun.

“I think I’m ready to go,” I said and glanced around just to be sure. We took a couple of trips to the car, and he went with me to the rental office to officially give them my notice.

“We’re sad to see you go, Mr. Stone. Where are you moving?” the woman who always seemed to be in the office asked.

“I’m moving to Grace, in the foothills. My aunt used to own a bookstore there, but she wanted to sell it, and I was able to put in an offer. There’s a small apartment upstairs from the store so it’s a perfect setup for me.”

“Sounds like it,” she said, and she printed off some papers before handing them to me to sign.

“You’re welcome to give us two months’ notice since we plan to remodel this whole section, so it works out perfectly with that, and don’t worry your car will be safe here until you move.

” Another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

I knew my car was safe here, but I wasn’t sure if they’d want me to take it once I gave notice. Knowing I had more time was a relief.

I signed the official paper saying I was giving notice and handed it back to her.

“Sounds like I’m moving out too early. I’d love to see how they turn out.

” Truth be told this place didn’t feel like home to me anymore.

Even without all my belongings, the cozy apartment above the bookstore felt like it was where I belonged, and I couldn’t wait to make it my own.

After leaving we drove to Old Town and immediately bought a coffee to drink while we wandered around. “Oh, what’s that smell?” Charlie asked.

“There’s a guy that sells mini donuts that’s been here forever. Come on, let’s see what they’ve got today,” I said and led Charlie to Danny’s Mini Donuts. They were just cooking a new batch, so we stood and watched as they fried and were then dusted with different sweet toppings.

“They’re made fresh?” Charlie asked.

“Oh yes, they cook them all day.” I ordered a dozen to share, and we walked over to a quieter building and leaned against it while we ate. “This isn’t exactly the breakfast I planned,” I said making him smile.

“Good coffee, fresh donuts, and great company, sounds like the perfect breakfast to me,” he said before leaning in for a kiss.

“You’re easy,” I said and kissed him again.

“I guess I am.” We finished eating and walked around the area, window shopping at several shops and stopping to watch the river slowly flow by.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked. “My mind is so full of ideas for the store, I can’t wait to get back and start working on it.”

He smiled and brushed his knuckles on my cheek before turning me around to take a selfie with the river behind us. After a quick stop at the old-fashioned candy store and buying a bag of kettle corn for the road, we were off.

We left early enough to beat rush hour traffic and since we didn’t stop to eat on the way, we were pulling into the city limits of Grace in record time.

It was like going back in time as he slowed to the speed limit and drove slowly down the main street.

Charlie glanced at me, and I realized we wore matching grins.

Both of us were just as happy to come home as we were about going to visit the city.

“Did you want to just drop me off at the store?” I asked.

“No, I want to help you with your things,” Charlie said.

“Have I told you how sweet you are?” I asked because I should tell him every freaking day.

“Tell me that after we make a few trips up those stairs.” He reached across for my leg and rested his hand there as he pulled up to the store. A big banner was draped across the front window that read Under New Management.

“Word spreads fast in Grace,” I said.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Charlie said and climbed out of the car. Both of us walked inside and I was surprised to see a few people shopping. Avery looked a little frazzled but smiled and gave me a hug.

“Millie called and said to make sure everyone knew, so I made a banner myself and as soon as I hung it up people started stopping by. Everyone wants to know who the new owner is and how the store is going to change.”

“Thanks so much, Avery,” I said and looked over her shoulder at Charlie when I hugged her. “I haven’t signed the papers yet so I’m not really ready to make too many plans, but I will be changing a few things.”

“I’m so happy to hear the store won’t be closing,” a woman with short grey hair said as she walked up to the counter with an armful of spicy romance books. “It’s nice to see some new blood around here.”

Avery rang her up and a few more people walked in. “See, all you needed to do was put up a banner and people come to check it out,” she said to me before she got busy again.

Charlie stood there and waited the whole time.

Saying hello to people he knew and nodding to people in greeting that he didn’t.

But he never once looked bored or impatient, and his sweet nature and encouraging words were something I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of.

It was official, I was going to be a small-town business owner with a boyfriend that worked right across the street.

If you’d told me that a year ago, I would have laughed, but now I smiled to myself.

More than happy to start this part of our journey.