Pepper Lane Sweet Shoppe (Pepper Bay #14)

13

Erin

Erin was starting to feel rather spoiled. Tyler was set on making her fall in love with Pepper Bay, she was sure, but as she had nowhere else, she was going to give her new life a go. He really needed to believe that. It was obvious how much he loved the sweet shop, so she couldn’t blame him for trying to make everything around her happy and shiny. He would be heartbroken if she sold the place, and now wasn’t the time to add to his troubles.

She leaned forward in Heath’s truck that Tyler was driving, taking in the Victorian streetlamps dressed with red-berry wreaths along the long winding driveway leading up to the small castle. ‘Whoa! Look at the tree.’

Tyler glanced to her side at the huge Christmas tree decorated with multicoloured lights and giant red, gold, and blue baubles on display in the middle of a round flowerbed on the front lawn. ‘That one’s from Emerald Tree Farm.’

‘It’s a stunner.’

‘Check out the front door.’

Erin turned to see two tall Nutcrackers, painted in red, gold, and blue, flanking an arched twinkling garland-adorned doorway. ‘Oh, how lovely is that?’

‘It gets better.’ He pulled up in the car park and sprinted around the truck to open the door for her.

Erin giggled. ‘What a gentleman.’

‘I do try.’

She looked around for a payment booth. ‘How much is it?’

‘The garden is free, but if you want to go inside, we have to pay.’

‘What’s inside?’

‘Santa’s Grotto, elf workshop, gift shop, that sort of thing. There’s a donation box as well to help with the upkeep of the grounds. I think they’re trying that out. Heath said they might start charging an entrance fee for the garden next year.’

Erin took his arm as soon as his elbow shot out. ‘We can donate something.’

‘Yeah, we’ll pop something in the box on our way out. Meanwhile, check this out.’

Tall, neatly trimmed hedges twinkling with multicoloured fairy lights came into view as they turned the corner, and gravel pathways weaved in and out of the hedgerows with colour-changing lights posing as rocks.

‘Aw, it’s lovely, Ty.’

‘Next year we can do more with the shop, as we’ll be prepared.’

Erin muffled her laugh by pressing her mouth onto his sleeve.

‘Come on,’ said Tyler, pointing towards a fountain spraying colourful water from the tip of a wand belonging to an ornamental fairy. ‘Let’s toss a coin and make a wish.’

They walked along square stepping stones, passing large flowerbeds curved here and there.

‘Don’t wish for me to keep the shop.’ Erin gave his arm a gentle squeeze. ‘I’m staying, okay?’

Tyler laughed. ‘I hope you’re still saying that in January.’

‘I want to be here for the summer. I’m dying for a paddle in the sea.’ Erin pulled a couple of coins from her purse and handed one to Tyler. She tossed hers into the shallow water and closed her eyes.

I wish for a family .

When she opened her eyes, she caught Tyler staring at her. He had a soppy grin and wide eyes. ‘What?’

‘Just trying to read your mind.’

‘Toss your own coin.’ She watched him make his wish and hoped whatever it was came true.

They joined arms again and walked along the pathway, listening to festive music jingling, and stopping every so often to admire a gigantic shimmering flower or glowing fairy.

‘If we had a castle, Ty, it would so look like this. I can just imagine you out here doing all this.’

Tyler laughed. ‘It was my dad who came up with the idea for the Frozen Forest. He was the biggest kid in our family. He was always so excited at Christmas and birthdays. He never had much as a child, so I think that’s why he made up for it as an adult. He wanted his family to have the joy he never had.’

‘Oh, that sounds sad.’

‘Dad always said life’s what you make it. He didn’t have much control as a kid, but once he was old enough, he made good choices for himself. Unlike me.’

Erin felt his body sag. ‘Hey, don’t say that. You can’t control how other people act.’ She brought him to a halt. ‘Right, Tyler Silver, let’s get this sorted here and now.’

‘Get what sorted?’

‘Your brain.’

Tyler laughed.

Erin ignored him and carried on. ‘If I’m going to live here and work with you, you are not allowed to blame yourself for your dismal love life.’

‘Dismal?’

‘Atrocious.’

‘Anything else?’

Erin matched his grin. ‘I’m your teammate now, and if we’re going to be in this together, neither of us are allowed to be glum. It’s onwards and upwards from here on. I hope.’

‘No, no. Don’t hope. You were doing so well. I almost believed you.’

‘I was speaking from my heart.’

‘My heart’s an idiot.’

‘No, it was treated poorly by someone selfish. That’s not on you.’

Tyler tugged her back along the path. ‘Not sure about teammate. You sound more like a therapist.’

‘I’m not sure what I am. All I know is you saved my life so now you’re stuck with me until I can return the favour. Isn’t that a thing?’

Tyler laughed. ‘When did I save your life?’

‘On the ferry.’

‘You were seasick.’

‘Have you ever been seasick?’

He shook his head.

‘Well, let me tell you, it feels like death is close by.’

‘This is the only reason you’re sticking with me. It has nothing to do with anything else but you not wanting to face the ferry again.’

‘Not true. I can swim.’ Erin noticed a wood-burned sign pointing towards the lake up ahead. ‘Ooh, look at that.’

‘Great. You can show off your swimming skills.’

Snuggling further into his side, Erin smiled to herself at just how happy she was feeling.

A wooden bridge arched over dark water that had white shimmering lily pads floating on top, and multicoloured fairy lights were twirled around the rails, creating a sparkling glow below.

‘I feel like I’m in a fairy tale.’ Erin peered over the side to see if she could spot any fish.

‘Life would be a lot easier if we were.’

Erin burst out laughing. ‘Are you kidding? There’s always some baddie wanting to kill someone.’ She scrunched her nose and held out her palm. ‘Poison apple, my dear?’ she said in a croaky voice, making him laugh.

‘Okay, maybe not that part.’

‘But that’s life, isn’t it? Good bits, bad bits.’

‘How do you feel your life is right now?’

Erin tilted her head slightly. ‘I’d say, getting better.’

‘I know something that will make it so much better right now.’

‘Well, you did promise me hot chocolate, so I’m guessing it’s that.’

‘It’s hot chocolate with a twist.’

Erin grinned. ‘Ooh, now I’m intrigued.’

He rolled out a hand, then took her arm. ‘Step this way.’

Back when she was dating Harvey, there was always something going on that kept her on her toes. It would have been nice if she could have had relaxing moments with him. Tyler made everything seem easy and carefree. She had no idea why his ex would cheat on him. Tyler Silver seemed like a good catch to her.

‘There’s Rhett,’ he said, gesturing ahead.

‘Blimmin’ heck! Is that hers?’ Erin stood gobsmacked, staring at the most gorgeous red-and-gold carriage pulled by a dapple-grey and a dark-brown horse.

‘Heath made that.’

‘That is incredible.’

Tyler led her closer. ‘Let’s get some hot chocolate, check out the elf workshop, then finish off with a ride around the castle.’

Erin excitedly clapped her hand on his chest. ‘Ty, I feel like I’m on the best date ever.’

Oops, I shouldn’t have said that. Awkward .

‘Not that I mean we’re on a date. I just meant it’s like one of those—’

‘It’s fine. I knew what you meant.’ He placed a finger over her gaping mouth and smiled.

‘Sorry,’ she mumbled through his glove.

Tyler lowered his hand and went over to the door to buy them admission tickets as Erin waved over at Rhett, admiring her red-and-gold uniform.

I think I’m going to like living here. I hope it’s just as magical all year round .

‘Come on, my fake date. I have tickets.’ Tyler took her hand, causing a flush of heat to rise to her cheeks.

Desperate to ignore any signs of something more enchanting than the castle happening, Erin concentrated on the colourful workshop filled with toys and real-life elves, according to Tyler. She noticed there were gift boxes available for sale that could be filled with toys, then given to local children’s homes.

Oh, I wish I had more money. I do need to buy something for Tyler and his family for helping me. Goodness, I’ll need to buy a present for half of Pepper Bay. I haven’t got anything. Cheese. I’ll have cheese. Oh, Erin, what is happening in your life this time?

She laughed to herself as she watched Tyler build a small house from Lego. If only she was on a date with him. At least she would be having a good one. The memory of Harvey taking her to a networking event for their first date appeared.

Tyler glanced over his shoulder as she approached. ‘Hey, let’s buy one of those send-a-gift boxes for the kids.’

She leaned close to his ear so she could whisper. ‘I don’t have much money left.’

‘That’s okay. I’ll buy it from the both of us, and you can do the same thing next year.’

‘Another way for you to make sure I’m here.’

Tyler smiled. ‘Nah, just a teammate thing.’

Erin’s heart warmed at just how genuine he sounded. She waited by the door as he left his toy house to collect a Christmas-wrapped box from one of the shelves. They picked out some toys together, then headed for the till, grabbing a couple of hot chocolates last.

Rhett was sitting high up upon her carriage, waiting to take customers around the perimeter of the castle. She smiled widely as soon as she spotted Erin and Tyler heading her way. ‘You two want a free ride?’

‘Can’t say no to that,’ replied Tyler, immediately helping Erin up into the seat.

She tucked a red blanket over their legs as soon as he was settled at her side. ‘We should pay,’ she whispered.

Tyler grinned. ‘We will, tomorrow, when we have to help muck out.’

‘No,’ Erin mouthed.

He nodded, then jolted back with her as the horses snuffled, then started walking.

The large white wheels scrunched in the gravel as Rhett took them to a wide footpath lined with an arched frame lit up with multicoloured bulbs.

Feeling snuggly, Erin curled into Tyler’s side, no longer caring about the past or the future, as her present moment was the best thing ever. Closing her eyes, she listened to the clip-clop noise of the hooves whilst an icy breeze numbed her nose, making her sniff.

‘Hey, you okay?’ asked Tyler quietly, tipping his head her way.

Erin opened her eyes as she pulled a tissue from her pocket to wipe her nose. ‘Yeah, just damp nostrils.’

Tyler grinned. ‘You and me both.’

With that, Erin dabbed his nose.

‘Snot sharing,’ said Tyler, chuckling. ‘At this rate we’ll be married by next week.’

Erin put the tissue away and sipped her drink. He was right about one thing, they were growing closer by the day, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. After having to work with Harvey, could she go down that road again?

Nope. If anything happens between me and Tyler, then he goes and dumps me for someone else. He’s fired .

The thought made her laugh to herself as she rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the rest of the ride.