Smiles and Possibilities

Duncan ignored or rather spoke overtop the first sounds from Joyce's mouth. His lips turned upwards in a slight but warm smile, "Hello" was the first word out of his mouth.

Joyce's whole face relaxed and for the first time that afternoon she realized she was not playing a game or running a race. She was instead simply living her life. Though she had not acknowledged it even in her mind, she was a little lonely. While Sunnydale was not the calmest of locales she still missed the thrill of the adventure of meeting someone new. Also, she knew how it felt to be completely new in town and trying to plant your business feet firmly on the ground. With all those thoughts in mind Joyce returned Mr. MacLeod's greeting and slight smile with a full smile and an extended right hand.

"Hello! I am Joyce Summers. Even though I am not a part of the "Welcome Wagon", I would like to welcome you to Sunnydale!" she said in greeting.

Duncan clasped her hand in his and shook it firmly. As Joyce felt his fingers close about the backside of her hand and his thumb rub her palm she couldn't help but shiver.

Duncan felt the slight tremble and imagined her body was making a musical note maybe a low hum of recognition of compatible souls. Even though he felt her instant reaction to his touch he steeled himself against showing he was affected. He covered any bodily reaction with both words and movements.

Duncan said aloud, "thank you for the welcome. You are the first person to come in and introduce themselves".

"If it would make you feel doubly welcome I could step out and step back in and say hello once more!" Joyce quipped with a wry smile.

Duncan replied with a brief low chuckle, "No, no that's okay".

Joyce could feel her toes begin to curl in her boots as she heard his masculine laugh. His voice had the quality of deep, rich, dark, green velvet. Every sound that flowed from his mouth was laced with possibilities of beginnings and growth.

As Duncan laughed he realized with a few words Joyce had made him feel completely at ease. He was calm for the first time in months. Maybe Sunnydale could really be a new beginning for him.

"Would you like the pence—penny tour Ms. Summers." Duncan asked. Duncan definitely wanted to keep Mrs.—Ms. Summers in the store as long as he could and he would begin with a tour. Joyce responded with a gentle smile. "Of course, and please call me Joyce."

As Duncan moved toward the inside of the store to begin the tour Joyce fell in step right beside him. She paused for a moment and begin to speak, " I knew I had to come in and introduce myself. I operate The City Art Gallery on O'Malley St." Joyce turned her head to look Duncan full in the face. He seemed definitely interested so she felt compelled to continue. "At the gallery we had a partnership with the old antique shop…" her voice trailed off for a second and she briefly closed her eyes. "Pun not intended there". "Yes, we were partnered with Miller & Son Antiques but they closed down after Mr. Miller, Sr. died. "Mr. Miller would loan… (Joyce put the word in little quotations by raising her fingers.) the gallery benches, chairs and small settees. Usually one of a kind pieces, especially the ones he could not sell because they were lacking a mate."

Mate? Joyce couldn't believe she had just used the word. It brought up unbidden images, clips from Animal Planet specials, flowers, bees and oh my! Other things. Her voice trailed off into silence as she thought. She bent her left foot almost nervously, preparing herself as if she were going to run away and hide. Joyce realized she was almost being foolish. It was a darn good sales pitch and there was nothing wrong with her word usage. She put her foot back—firmly on the ground.

"The use of pieces from the antique shop was always tastefully done and a great success. Mr. Miller would sell one piece a month or so and customers would frequent both the gallery and the shop looking for pieces of both art and furniture."

Duncan thought to himself, "hmmm". Joyce had a pretty good pitch. He had heard her say the word, 'mate' and his attention had been diverted to Animal Planet images and visions of a certain willowy… stop. Yes Joyce did have a good idea.

"Sounds great!" he said. Though honestly I am not a very modern shopkeeper, I haven't done months of market research. I haven't a clue as to what might sell in Sunnydale. All my pieces have little histories attached to them and are things I believe are beautiful." Duncan looked her right in the eyes as he said the word beautiful. Her eyes were a deep rich hazel.

He knew by his deliberate choice of words and his bold look, Joyce definitely knew he found her attractive. He had no intentions of leaving words as bait. Duncan found it easiest to be honest and see exactly where honestly would take him.

Joyce smiled. She took a breath and smiled again. "Call me Joy."