Page 27 of This Memory (Moose Village #3)

“Thanks. Gavin and I could stop by to tell you about it, if you’re free this evening.”

Evelyn’s face lit up. “Sure! That would be great. We’ll be home all evening, so stop by anytime.”

Brystol nodded. “Okay, I’ll text before we head over.”

“Great, talk to you then,” Evelyn said. “Enjoy your day, everyone.”

A round of goodbyes rang out, and Evelyn quickly exited Slice, Slice, Baby.

“That felt weird,” Aurora stated.

Brystol exhaled. “Yeah. We had a bit of a…fight…I guess you could say.”

Cadie put a hand over Brystol’s. “You’ll get it all worked out, and everything will be fine. You’re almost at thirteen weeks, right?”

“Yeah. I think I’ll just tell her tonight she can go ahead and tell people. Maybe that will ease things between us, if she can start to tell her parents and family and such.”

Harper reached over, and she placed her hand on top of Cadie’s. “You’re a good friend, Brystol.”

Trying to smile but failing to do so, Brystol slowly shook her head. “I’m not so sure about that.”

I pushed open the door to Memory Lane Toys and smiled when I saw the crowd. I knew how much this time of year meant to businesses like Brystol’s, and I was thrilled that she’d been busy these last few weeks. But today was the day after Thanksgiving, and the toy store was packed .

I was also glad that Brystol and Evelyn worked things out a couple weeks ago. She’d given Evelyn her blessing to tell her friends and family. Word got around quickly, and Brystol had a lot of people stopping by the store simply to say they thought she was doing a wonderful thing.

Making my way through the crowd, I saw Brystol talking to an older couple as they stood in front of the Lego kits.

“So you think our little Malcolm will like this set?” the older woman asked the man I assumed was her husband, who nodded. “We haven’t been able to find this particular one back home,” she said to Brystol. “We no longer have toy stores, which is a shame.”

Brystol nodded. “That is a shame, but you can always order off my website. I’ll ship anywhere.”

The older woman’s eyes lit up. “That’s good to know. I think we’ll get this now, since you have it in stock and my husband’s been looking everywhere for it. Leonard, be sure to get her card.”

He smiled. “I will. Now, is there anything else you want?”

“Let’s look at that tea set over there.”

“I’ll let you both shop. If you need anything else, be sure to let me know. ”

She turned and smiled when she saw me. “Why, hello there, Officer Quinn.”

I leaned down and brushed a quick kiss across her lips. “Hey. How’s it going?”

“It’s been a busy day.”

“That’s a good thing, though, right?”

“A very good thing. My mother even came in to help for a few hours earlier. I’m exhausted, I can tell you that much.”

The sound of a cat meowing caused me to look down and see a gray kitten and a white kitten. “Where did these little fellows come from?” I asked, as I swept up both cats up into my arms.

Brystol petted both of them. “They just showed up today and were in the back room. I think they snuck in. Pretty sure they are both girls.”

I lifted each one and laughed. “Yep, both are little girls. Are you going to keep them?”

Shrugging, Brystol kissed the white kitten on the head. “I am. I think they will be store cats. My mom already went to the pet shop and bought them each a bed, bowls for food and water, a scratching post, and a kitty condo.”

She pointed toward the front window, where said condo sat.

“Wow. What are you going to name them?”

“I don’t know,” she said, looking up at me. “I was hoping you’d help me.”

Turning the gray kitten so I could look into her little face, I smiled. “What about Ashes?”

“Ashes?”

“Yeah, she looks like if you put her in an ash pile, she’d blend in. ”

Brystol laughed. “Well, when kids ask what her name is, do you really think Ashes will go over well?”

I thought about it for a few moments. “You’re right, that could take an awkward turn. You need like a princess name.”

She nodded.

“You could name her Pearl, that’s my name!” a little girl said, as she tried to reach up and pet the kitten.

“Pearl, you say?” Brystol asked, while tapping a finger to her chin. “You know, I like that name—and look, I think she likes it too.”

The kitten was batting at the little girl’s finger. “They’re both so cute! And the white one can be Snowball.”

Brystol and I exchanged a smile.

“They are super cute,” I said, scratching under the kitten’s chin. “And I think Pearl and Snowball are the perfect names. Are you here picking out toys for your list to Santa?”

Pearl, the human child, nodded. “Yes! My mommy said when she was little she’d come here and pick out toys to put on her list to Santa, so she says we need to start a tradition.”

Brystol smiled and glanced around. “Where’s your mommy?”

Still petting both kittens, Pearl pointed across the store to a woman standing there with a smile on her face.

“Come meet my mommy!” the little girl said, taking my hand.

I guessed she was so trusting of me because I was wearing my police uniform.

We started for the other side of the store where the woman stood.

“Mommy, I found a police officer!”

The woman laughed. “Pearl Henry, why are you dragging a police officer across the store?”

Pearl let go of my hand. “He has kittens! ”

The woman shook her head but smiled at her daughter before looking up at me. “She loves kittens. Thank you for letting her pet them.”

I smiled. “Of course. Did you need help with anything? My girlfriend owns the toy store.”

The woman smiled. “Thank you, but my husband is checking out now. My job was to…” Her voice trailed off as she looked down at Pearl.

“Got it.” I grinned at Pearl. “Why don’t I show you and your mom and your baby…?”

“Sister,” the woman supplied.

“Your baby sister something over here, Pearl.”

Pearl grabbed my hand again. “Okay!”

I got Brystol’s attention, and when she smiled at me, I felt my heart jump in my chest. I walked the family to a large display Brystol had set up as a fairy land. Pearl gasped.

“Wow, this is awesome!” she said, as she took in the whole table.

“Thank you,” the mom said softly, as I tipped my head and wandered back toward Brystol. She was behind the counter, helping to check out people. I walked behind the counter and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’ve got to get back to work. Dinner tonight before the Christmas tree lighting?”

She smiled. “That sounds amazing. And thank you for helping out that mom. I’m sure you’re her savior right now.”

I laughed. “I don’t know about that. Don’t work too hard; take some breaks and drink lots of water.”

Brystol faced me and grinned. “You’re bossy, do you know that? ”

Brushing a piece of her blond hair behind her ear, I shook my head. “Not bossy at all. Just simply wanting the woman I love to take care of herself.”

Brystol’s eyes sparkled, and she leaned up and kissed me again.

“Gross, Mom! The toy lady kissed the police officer!”

Brystol laughed. “Be safe.”

I winked. “Always.”

As I started to make my way through the store, I felt someone grab my arm. Turning, I smiled when I saw it was Brystol.

“Forget something?”

She smiled. “Yeah. I forgot to tell you I love you.”

It was as if the entire store had disappeared, and it was only the two of us. I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips. After gently kissing it, I said, “I love you more.”

Her cheeks already had a soft pink glow to them, but when the color deepened, I felt myself fall even deeper for this woman.

“Impossible,” she whispered, before reaching up and brushing a light kiss across my lips. “See you later.”

I watched as she quickly returned to the counter and started chatting to her customer. How was I so fucking lucky?

Turning, I headed out the door with a smile that no one or nothing could erase.