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I cock my head to the side and study my Noelle. She’s throwing her head back and laughing at something the mayor’s son just said. My blood boils and my gut clenches. Fuck if I’ll let someone else take her away from me.
“Maybe you’re right, Reg. Maybe you’re right.”
Nothing else seems to be working. Maybe it’s time to romance the hell out of my girl.
Chapter seven
Noelle
He surprises me at every turn. -Noelle
The first time I saw Maple Lane Falls was on the internet under an article called Places to Visit During the Fall. I saw pictures of the town’s annual fall festival and immediately fell in love. The cozy fall vibe, the apple cider donuts, the maze. Hell, I even fell in love with the cheesy Fall in Love sign people stood in front of. But this year, everything felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling after Friday night that I had made a horrible mistake.
I shouldn’t have flirted with the mayor’s son at the fall fest. He’s called me precisely eleven times since then and I’ve dodged every call. I have absolutely no interest in him. I only flirted with him to make Luca jealous. I don’t think it worked because other than a couple of stares over at my booth, Luca hasn’t said a word to me.
I don’t take rejection well. Especially from the one man who my body can’t seem to resist. What was I thinking throwing myself at him?
“There’s a delivery at the door, Noelle. Not sure what the man’s got, but he wants you to sign something.” I turn from looking at the new recipe I’m thinking of trying and nod my head at Esther, my new assistant.
Esther is old enough to be my grandmother, but she’s been a godsend over the last two weeks. She stopped by the shop once and said she would volunteer if I let her work at the tea shop. In her words, she needed something to do besides drive her grandkids crazy and the tea shop looked like a perfect place to help out. Plus, she knew her teas. I refused the volunteer idea and paid her as much as I could, which was definitely less than what she was worth.
“Be right there.”
I have no idea what delivery this could be. I think I’ve received everything I need for the opening.
The young delivery man doesn’t provide any answers as he hands over a white box. “Not sure what’s in it, ma’am. Just need your signature.”
I’ve always loved surprises. Especially surprise presents. I start by trying to open the box neatly and then end up just tearing into it.
I stare at the contents in awe. Rows and rows of tea bags. A very particular kind of tea.
Esther peeks over my shoulder. “Isn’t that Gyokuro? The really expensive tea from Japan?” She gives a low whistle. “That cost someone a pretty penny. Any idea who it’s from?”
I shake my head. “Not a clue, but there’s an envelope.”
I grab the pale pink envelope from the corner of the box and open it gingerly. Who would send this? Who would even know that this is one of my favorite teas?
*
Noelle,
I send you this as a peace offering. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you, lass. You’re a special lady that deserves special things. I’m clearly a fool who doesn’t deserve it, but I hope you’ll forgive me. – Luca
*
I inhale sharply and feel warmth spread throughout my body. Luca did this? Luca spent this much money to make me feel special? And he got something that would only be special to me?
I place the note back into the envelope carefully. Esther is watching me closely.
“I think whoever sent this probably deserves a big thank you. Especially if it’s that hunky guy next door that looks at you like he wants to eat you up.” The humor in her voice is unmistakable. “I know I would be giving him a big old thank you if I was about thirty years younger.”
For some reason, tears gather in my eyes. Luca may be a confusing, annoying man, but right now, I’m genuinely touched.
“I’ll have to go thank them immediately. I think I’ll get out of here a bit early. You good locking up?”
Esther’s blue eyes twinkle. “Yep, I got it, boss. Go get your man.”
I don’t say a word. I just send her a grin.
