The Quietest Shop on Main (Shops on Main #3)

Epilogue

HARMONY

Harmony couldn’t seem to stop smiling as she threw a handful of rice over Skyla and Dalton. The couple were ducking and laughing while they walked through friends and family to their car.

She shivered as a cold breeze whipped through the crowd, pushing Harmony’s thick hair into her face. She’d never been a fan of her hair, and once again, the fleeting thought to dye it passed through her mind.

It couldn't seem to make up its mind about the color.

People called her strawberry blonde, but that only meant she wasn’t fully blonde and wasn’t fully red.

Harmony had never been a fan of uncertainty.

The crowd started to shift once the wedding car drove away, and Harmony rubbed her upper arms. She was elated for Skyla and Dalton, but it was cold out here and the cocktail dress Harmony was wearing was not enough to combat the winter temperatures in Lighthouse Bay.

“Are you coming to the reception?” Ivory, a local toy shop owner, asked.

Harmony smiled and nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

Pearl, Ivory’s sister came up to the small group. “They should have waited until spring,” Pearl said, shaking in her own dress. “Who wants a winter wedding?”

“Apparently, those two,” Ivory said with a smile. She laughed quietly. “Besides…cold weather is just a good excuse to have your man keep you warm.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “You have to have a man for that to work.”

The sisters looked at Harmony, and Ivory leaned into her sister. “Maybe Harmony has some art that’ll do the trick. Men seem to be short on the ground in Lighthouse Bay.”

Harmony kept her smile in place. “I’m afraid we’re fresh out of males,” she joked. “But if you’re looking for landscapes, flora and fauna, or even a few lighthouses…I can help you out.”

Pearl groaned and began waving the two women inside. “I’ll pass. If I want a lighthouse, all I have to do is drive Highway 1.”

“Sorry, Harmony,” Ivory offered. “But gas is still cheaper than art.”

Harmony shrugged. “I’ll work to hold in my disappointment.”

The sisters laughed as they all made it back into the small church. “Whew.” Ivory pushed her hair out of her face. “We’ve got a couple hours until the reception. I’m starving.” She looked at the other women. “Anyone wanna grab lunch?”

“I’m in,” Pearl declared, grabbing her coat from a nearby hook. “As long as I get a hot tea and a bowl of soup.”

“Granny George’s it is,” a male voice said from behind them.

Harmony turned to see Tate McCoy walking up with Gemma on his arm.

Gemma punched Tate and let go of him, putting her hands on her hips. “She said soup, not pie.”

Tate shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Granny has soup.”

“Yeah, but it’s polite to ask. Plus, we weren’t even invited,” Gemma argued.

Tate grinned and leaned down until they were nose to nose. “I’m always invited. Didn’t you hear them outside? There’s a shortage of men.” He straightened and pointed to his chest. “I’m a man.” Tate pointed to the Miller sisters. “They’re looking for a man.”

Gemma rolled her eyes. “You wish. You’re still a boy, bozo. And I have the stories to prove it.”

Harmony narrowed her eyes as the two bickered. Everyone knew Gemma and Tate had been best friends for years…but there was something about the way Tate watched the jewelry maker that had Harmony wondering…

“Oh, quit arguing,” Pearl said with a shake of her head. She wrapped her scarf around her neck. “Rally the troops. Spread the word. Anyone who wants to come can meet us at Granny George’s in twenty minutes. Then we can dance the night away to celebrate two of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Sound good?”

Tate saluted Pearl. “Ma’am, yes, ma’am.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “At ease, soldier. I’m not that old.” She grinned and turned to go. “Come on, Ive. I’m starving.”

Harmony watched them go, debating the choice ahead of her. She liked the Miller sisters. She didn’t mind the McCoy twins, most of the time. Gemma was bubbly, but sweet. But as Tate began shouting to his brothers, it became clear the group was going to end up large.

She loved peace and quiet, and with the reception coming up this evening, spending the afternoon with such a big group wasn’t appealing. Especially a group that seemed to be slowing working its way into happy couples.

“Are you coming?” Gemma asked, slipping her arms into the coat Tate was holding for her.

Harmony pinched her lips together, making a hasty decision. “I have a couple things to look at at the gallery. I’ll meet you all at the reception later.”

Gemma’s shoulders dropped. “Okay. We’ll miss you.”

Harmony smiled. “You all have fun.” With a quick nod at Tate, she stepped down the hall to retrieve her own coat.

After knotting her scarf, Harmony put on her peacoat and buttoned up the front, then slid on her leather gloves.

Her stilettos were completely inappropriate for the winter weather and she grimaced as she made her way to her car, but they just seemed to be a part of who Harmony was.

She’d been into fashion and art since she was a little girl and loved that she’d been able to create a career where she could use both. Running the art gallery had been a dream come true and kept the best of several worlds for Harmony.

She was surrounded by beautiful artwork all day, she got to dress the way she wanted, but she didn’t have to give up her small-town roots to do it.

She sat down in her seat and closed the car door, breathing a sigh of relief at escaping the cold. “Now to get the heater on,” Harmony murmured, punching the button to start the engine.

Next she made sure the heated seat was on high before buckling up and pulling out of the parking lot.

Her mind continued to drift in mostly happy thoughts as she drove to the gallery. Once there, she paused before getting out of the car. “He said it couldn't be done.” The words slipped out before she could think better of it, dredging up memories that weren’t nearly as pleasant as what she’d been thinking.

Mainly, memories containing Tripp Hoffman.

Harmony’s jaw unconsciously tightened as she thought back on her high school boyfriend and first love.

She’d given three years of her life and attention to that man, drawn in by his charisma and charm. Tall, muscled, and with eyes so blue it was like looking at the Caribbean Sea, Harmony had been the luckiest girl in their high school when he’d shown interest in her rather than the masses of others throwing themselves at him.

Harmony closed her eyes and blew out a long, slow breath. She’d worked very hard over the years to push that man from her mind.

His big city dreams had led him everywhere but back to her and in the end…their parting hadn’t been pleasant.

Opening her eyes, Harmony looked at her gallery. He said it couldn’t be done. “Eat your heart out, Tripp,” she whispered thickly, wishing the sound of his name wasn’t still so desirable.

She’d created the career she wanted in the place she loved.

“I hope you did the same,” Harmony said right before getting out of the car. “Wherever you are…” She pulled open the door and stepped inside. “I hope you did the same.”

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