Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

9

Erin

As soon as Tyler placed his North Pole Postmaster hat on Erin’s head, she felt the need to take the role very seriously, not wanting to let him down or the visitors to the Frozen Forest.

‘Come on,’ he said, grinning like a child in a toy shop. ‘Let me give you the grand tour.’

She giggled at his blue-and-silver costume as she followed him around to the front of the farm. ‘You know, that suits you.’

Tyler turned and winked. ‘I can make anything look good.’

Erin laughed, then stopped to take in the view of the large white marquee. The first thing to catch her eye were the two large reindeer flanking the entrance. She gazed to her left at Santa’s sleigh outside the main house, then down the driveway lined with Christmas trees. It was a magnificent sight, and one she was sure she wouldn’t ever get bored seeing.

Tyler stood by her side. ‘Judging by the look in your eyes, I’d say you have officially fallen in love with Silver Wish Farm.’

There was no arguing with that. ‘Everything looks so magical.’ She pointed down the drive. ‘I love the candy-cane signpost and all the trees, and, well, just everything.’

‘We get our larger trees sent down from Emerald Tree Farm, which is in Honeydale in Scotland. It would be nice to visit there one day, but meanwhile…’ Tyler rolled one arm towards the doorway, causing the sparkly silver tassels on his cuff to shimmer. ‘Welcome to the Frozen Forest. Please follow me, stick to the path, and do not feed the animals.’

Erin bit back her smile as she stepped into the cool marquee, immediately meeting a blue pathway. ‘Ooh.’ She glanced up at silver stars and twinkling fairy lights, then took the white admission card Tyler offered.

He led her into a snowy scene filled with ice sculptures of woodland animals and small pine trees. The balsam scent hit her straight away as a jingle jangle sound began to play from hidden speakers.

Slowly making her way along the pathway whilst Tyler rattled off some fairy tale about wolves and little kids, Erin felt her inner child come alive with glee. She daren’t touch anything across the barrier but really wanted to, especially the adorable penguins ice-skating on a round mirror.

A pack of grey-and-white, large and small, animatronic wolves moved their heads slowly from side to side and up and down. The largest was sniffing a tree, and the youngest cub kept resting its head against its mother, and the blue and white lighting of the large icy area made Erin feel she was in a winter wonderland.

Wow! What a wonderful attraction they have here. Looks like the Silvers know a thing or two about business, that’s for sure .

Tyler pointed at a tunnel, waving her towards him. ‘This is a great photo opportunity, and it leads to the gift shop and where we sell the trees.’

Erin glanced up at a snow-covered Nordmann Fir before entering the tunnel. Light snowflakes trickled down, making her squeal with delight as she swirled beneath hanging silver stars and silver strips of shiny foil.

Tyler took her good arm and joined in with the dance, widening her smile even more. ‘Come and see the trees,’ he said close to her ear, bringing about a wave of warmth.

Adjusting her blue hat, she followed him to the gift shop, then chuckled at seeing her photograph up on a screen behind the till.

‘Yep, there’s a camera in the tunnel,’ said Tyler, grinning. ‘You can have that one for free.’

She definitely wanted the shot of them dancing and laughing, especially as she couldn’t remember the last time she looked so happy. Something else caught her eye. ‘Ooh, can I get some peppermint bark too?’

‘Of course.’ Tyler picked some up, then used it to wave her over to another door.

A woodland smell filled the air outside, and Erin’s cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling. All around her were Christmas trees and multicoloured lights. Festive music was playing quietly from speakers dotted around, and a small payment hut lined with green garlands embedded with twinkling lights looked like a cabin from the Alps.

‘The customers pick their tree here, then pay over there,’ said Tyler, using the peppermint bark to motion towards the little hut.

Erin swiped it out of his hand so she could quickly unwrap it and snaffle some. ‘Mmm.’

Tyler raised his eyebrows, amused. ‘To share is to care.’ So she popped a piece in his mouth, making him smile.

Erin mooched around the mini forest, wondering what size tree would work best in the sweet shop.

I can’t believe I’m actually going to work in a sweet shop, or that I own a shop. Oh, am I doing the right thing? I wish I knew .

She glanced over at Tyler, faffing with a branch. He looked so relaxed in his job, and she suddenly realised that wasn’t something she’d ever felt at work.

‘We can pick a couple out for us later,’ said Tyler, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Erin was looking forward to her day as Mrs Postmaster, determined not to allow stress to ruin her job. ‘When do we start?’

Tyler gestured to the gift shop. ‘In about five minutes. Hey, and don’t worry. You’re not expected to do everything, just take payment at the main door and sit and rest whenever needed.’

‘I’ve got a broken arm, that’s all.’

‘And you’re still bruised.’

‘I’m okay. Tougher than I look.’ She wasn’t entirely sure if that was true, but it made Tyler flash another one of his cheeky smiles her way.

‘Come on. I’ll set you up out front, and we can get this show on the road.’

She shoved some more peppermint bark in her mouth, then jumped when Heath’s large hand reached over her shoulder to pinch a piece.

‘Don’t mind me,’ he told her. ‘I’ll net some trees when needed, and Willow should be along in a minute to work the gift shop. We’ve got two staff members off sick with the flu, and Mum’s over at the B&B for the morning, helping Rhett.’

Erin was rapidly trying to remember names.

Heath waved Tyler over. ‘You only have to do the morning shift. Cody’s taking your place for a week. Mum said it’ll give you two time to sort the sweet shop.’

‘Oh, I don’t want to put anyone out,’ Erin said quickly.

Heath smiled. ‘You’re not. We help each other around here. Your place is just added on the to-do list now.’

My place?

Tyler gently nudged Erin’s side. ‘Ah, give her time, Heath. She’s still getting her head around owning a business.’

Heath walked off to the payment hut. ‘And that’s exactly why she needs all the help she can get.’

Tyler grinned at Erin. ‘Welcome to the Silver family.’

Even though Erin had a mother, she never had much of a family life. Her mum was often off with some fella, leaving Erin to fend for herself, so being alone was the norm. It was a strange feeling having friendly people around her, offering all sorts of assistance.

‘You okay?’ asked Tyler softly.

Erin nodded. ‘Yeah, let’s get started.’

‘I’m here,’ yelled a young woman, rushing towards them. ‘Sorry, my mum had horse issues this morning, but it’s all good,’ she told Erin, pointing behind her. ‘Hi, I’m Willow, Heath’s daughter. You must be Erin. Thanks for mucking in.’

‘Apparently, we’re all in it together,’ said Erin, glancing at Tyler.

Willow laughed. ‘Yep. So feel free to nip over to Mum’s B&B whenever and serve brekkie to the guests.’

Erin’s cheeks flushed at the thought of burning someone’s toast, landing the Silvers a one-star review.

Tyler laughed. ‘She’s joking.’

Willow headed towards the gift shop. ‘But am I?’

Erin watched her light-brown ponytail swishing from side to side as she jogged off. ‘Your niece seems nice.’

‘Yeah, Willow’s lovely. My whole family is. You’ll see.’

It was warming to be part of their mix.

Could I really move to such a small place and be happy?

The bright lights and big city had always called Erin, as she believed that was where people made a success of their life.

‘Ooh, is that peppermint bark?’ asked a male voice.

Erin turned to see a man slightly older than Tyler, but with almost the same face.

‘That’s my other brother, Finn,’ announced Tyler, removing the candy away from wriggling fingers.

‘You brothers certainly look the same,’ said Erin, avoiding Tyler’s hand so she could offer Finn a sliver.

Finn munched it straight away. ‘Thanks. Erin, right?’

She nodded, logging another family member’s name.

He turned to his little brother. ‘Give me a shout if you need an extra set of hands, Ty. I’m in the garden centre all day today. Well, unless I get a call-out.’

‘He’s talking about his voluntary job as boat crew for the RNLI,’ explained Tyler as Finn headed off.

Erin giggled. ‘At least we know that’s one job where I wouldn’t be useful.’

Tyler walked by her side to the main entrance. ‘That’s another reason you have to make a go of life here. Honestly, Erin, I can’t see you surviving the ferry again.’

Even though it was a joke, she had wondered about crossing the Solent again.

Tyler started to sing along to the Christmas song playing, wiping all thoughts and fears from Erin’s mind. She jumped into the present, tipping her hat and greeting the first customer she saw waiting out front.