Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

8

Tyler

Sandly Christmas Market was in full swing, and Tyler couldn’t help but smile at how Erin’s eyes had come alive on seeing the rows of wooden alpine huts filling a squared-off area, awash with food, drink, and Christmas gifts. Her head was raised, looking at the swaying lanterns hanging above as they entered the event.

Snuggling into his dark scarf, he poked out his elbow, offering his arm, which she quickly huddled into, making him laugh.

It had been such a chore trying to get her broken arm through the sleeve of her coat, as the cast wouldn’t fit, so in the end she wore one of his. The coat was a tad big for her, but at least she was warm, even more so glued to his side, as the early evening air was cool with a slight icy nip, letting all know winter had arrived.

‘See what I mean,’ he said, pointing out a gift stall selling handmade Christmas baubles.

‘Yes, sweet hampers would go down well here.’

He’d been telling her grandfather that for years, but not once did it make a difference. Mr Masonville was set in his ways, and December was his month off.

Erin nudged his side. ‘Ooh, there’s a Santa’s Grotto down there.’

Tyler laughed. ‘You want to go ask for something?’

‘Erm, let me see. How about a life?’

‘You have one right here now. Trust me, you’ll love living in Pepper Bay. Just give us a chance, okay?’

Erin laughed. ‘Hmm, well, it seems I am. Now, let’s see if we can find some hot chocolate around here. I’m thinking marshmallows.’

‘I like your style. And I happen to know just the place.’

As they walked past Nate’s dairy stall, he called out to see how Erin’s arm was.

‘Oh, Nate, please stop blaming yourself. It was an accident,’ said Erin.

Tyler snaffled a piece of cheese from the tray of samples on the countertop. ‘You could give her free cheese for life though,’ he joked.

Nate wasn’t smiling. ‘Not sure about for life, but what about for the month? A nice cheese platter for Christmas.’

Erin shook her head. ‘You don’t have to do that.’

‘I want to,’ said Nate.

An elderly woman creaked to a stand behind him. ‘Let my grandson gift you some cheese, young lady.’

Tyler gestured at her. ‘This is Josephine Walker. Josephine, meet—’

‘I know who she is.’ Josephine grinned at Erin. ‘I know everything.’

Dipping his head to Erin, Tyler whispered, ‘She’s psychic.’

‘Plus, I’ve got a good ear,’ said Josephine, holding a hand up to one. ‘You’re staying at Silver Wish Farm, right?’

Erin nodded.

‘We’ll send the cheese up there nearer Christmas,’ said Josephine, nudging Nate, who then nodded.

Tyler turned to the woman on his arm. ‘Take the cheese, Erin. It’s for the best.’

‘Okay,’ she agreed, smiling at Josephine.

The old lady nodded. ‘You deserve a treat or two after your wedding fiasco.’

‘Oh, that was me,’ said Tyler.

Josephine went to sit back down. ‘Hmm.’

Tyler pointed down the boarded walkway. ‘Right, well, we’re off to get some hot chocolate. See you later.’ He grinned at Erin as they walked away. ‘You’ll get used to Josephine, but just ignore her when she gets things wrong. She can get a bit muddled.’

Erin nodded, then stopped to check out the animatronic reindeer on display. ‘It’s nice here, Ty. Thanks for bringing me.’

It was the tone in her voice that concerned him. Something felt off, and he couldn’t quite place his finger on what.

‘Hey, the ice rink is just up here. We can grab a drink in the cabin there.’

Erin’s smile was back as soon as they approached benches with a lighting system embedded into the plastic, creating a rainbow of colours that faded in and out of the seats. ‘Oh, I love these.’

‘Let’s get the drinks and sit here.’

She agreed, and they walked along the pathway leading to the rectangular rink, passing tall, white, fake trees with leafless branches covered in twinkling blue lights around the perimeter, and a tall, thin Christmas tree in the middle of the bright white ice.

‘I wish we could go skating,’ she said quietly, peering over the side at the wooden handrails. ‘I suppose I could hold on with one hand.’

Tyler laughed. ‘Hey, I’ve got a better idea.’

It wasn’t until Erin was secured in a small red sleigh with a blanket over her legs that Tyler wondered if he’d made a mistake. What if she tipped and caused more damaged to her body?

‘Oh no, don’t you have second thoughts now,’ she said, waggling a finger above the cover. ‘The ice marshal said we can go around once, so let’s get a move on before he changes his mind.’

Laughing, Tyler pushed off on his skates, taking the handle of the sleigh with him. Listening to Erin’s whoops of joy brought about the smallest of excitement into his heart. He really could have whizzed her around all night, but the ice marshal had his beady eye on them at all times.

‘Oh my goodness, that was so much fun,’ said Erin, clambering out the sleigh.

Tyler helped lift her. ‘That’s because you were the one being pushed.’

‘Next year, I’ll push you.’

The thought of having her around all year was pleasant, but he kept that to himself.

He removed his skates, swapping them for his boots, then headed into the log cabin to warm up with some hot chocolate.

‘Let’s stay in here a bit, Ty. I can’t feel my toes.’

‘And you were the one wrapped up.’

She laughed as they found a table overlooking the rink, twinkling with white and ice-blue lights.

‘I have to work at the Frozen Forest tomorrow, but perhaps when we get some more spare time, I could show you some other Christmassy places on the island.’

‘That would be nice.’ She sipped her drink and smiled. ‘We should buy a few bits from the market for the shop. I don’t have much money but perhaps I could stretch to something for the window display.’

‘Don’t worry about that. We have loads of decorations at the farm.’ He raised his eyebrows and grinned. ‘We do farm Christmas trees, you know. I think we can pinch a few baubles for the shop.’

‘Tell your mum I’ll come for lunch tomorrow. I can ask her what I can borrow from her garden centre. I don’t want to make enemies by stealing her stock.’

Tyler laughed whilst chewing a marshmallow. ‘I didn’t mean actually pinch. But, yeah, lunch would be good. I’d like you to meet the family. Erm, would you consider helping me out with my job in the morning? I can do lunch with you and Mum, but then I’ll have to get back to being the Postmaster.’

Erin lowered her cup. ‘What would I have to do?’

‘Wear my hat and hand out tickets, that way I can net trees without having to call Heath every five minutes.’

‘What will my title be?’

Tyler thought fast. ‘Mrs Postmaster.’

Oops, maybe I shouldn’t have said that .

He went to amend his words, but she was nodding her approval, so he stayed quiet.

‘Alright, Ty,’ said a blond man, giving a slight wave.

As Tyler said hello back, Erin reached across the table and held his hand.

‘What?’ he whispered, leaning closer to her.

‘I thought you might want your friends to see your new girlfriend already.’

He had to laugh. ‘It’s okay. That’s my cousin, Bryce.’

She sat back, taking her hand with her. ‘Oh, sorry.’

‘Let’s just leave all that stuff until the reunion.’

Erin gave a quick salute. ‘Got it.’

‘Thanks though.’

‘No worries.’

Not sure anyone would believe I could get another girlfriend so fast anyway. Great, now I’m feeling sorry for myself. Right, that’s enough of that. Chin up, Silver. You’ve got this .

He sipped his drink and smiled when she looked his way. ‘Some people do move on fast, don’t they?’

Erin shrugged. ‘You fall in love when you fall in love, I guess. My ex met someone three months after he dumped me.’

‘Oh, sorry.’

‘It’s okay.’

Tyler thought it best to change the subject, as it was getting a bit too doom and gloom. They were having a lovely Christmassy night. The last thing either of them needed was to talk ex-partners.

‘Let’s make a list in the morning. Schedule our month, so we know what we’re supposed to be doing and when.’

Erin nodded. ‘Yes, a timetable would be helpful, especially as you have a lot on.’

‘I want to spread myself as far as possible. I won’t leave you to sort the shop and flat by yourself, that’s a promise.’

‘You’re a kind man, Tyler Silver.’

He was sure he blushed. There was definitely some heat creeping up his neck. Loosening his scarf, he swallowed hard. ‘I’m trying not to be.’

Erin snorted a laugh into her hot chocolate. ‘What kind of statement is that?’

‘I’m fed up with people taking advantage of my good nature.’

‘That’s on them, not you.’

Tyler shrugged. ‘I’d rather be hard.’

Erin was back to holding his hand. ‘I think you should just be you.’

It was a nice idea but one that didn’t get him far, not that he was doing a good job of being heartless.

‘Please, Ty,’ said Erin softly. ‘Don’t let the mean people make you bitter and angry. Sit on your own cloud. Be you.’

Her gentle smile warmed him even more. ‘Okay,’ he said quietly.

Erin sat up. ‘I’m sure someone with a Grinch heart wouldn’t have just taken me for a spin on the ice in a sleigh, and I kind of like hanging out with that guy.’

I guess some people appreciate me .

He nudged her hand towards her cup. ‘Drink that before it gets cold, then we’ll head over to see Santa, and we can post a wish in his letterbox.’

‘Ooh, I might ask for a happily ever after for my new life.’

I might just ask for one too .

‘And a red sleigh,’ she added, making him laugh.