Chapter 22

"A lot of our customers are friendly Martha," Cassie responded. "You hugged me when you came in earlier too."

"Yes, but that was because you and AJ are getting married!"

"No matter the reason we're just glad we know so many friendly people. Aren't we AJ?"

"I agree, the world can always use more people that say thank you with a hug," he told Martha with a grin.

With a shake of her head Martha left the shop as quickly as she had entered. Surprisingly the rest of the day was rather quiet but it gave the two of them plenty of time ti talk and Cassie also had to change the front window display. AJ watched as she took a plain bay window and with colth, lights, and some of her lovely pieces from the store changed it into a magical area of beauty.

Grace and a friend of her's hurried into the store after school. Her daughter had planned to ask for money to get a snack at the Bistro but they had stopped at the window to stare at the new display before coming in.

"Mom the new window is great! Shannon thinks so too!"

"Thank you girls," Cassie responded.

"Those crystals are gonna sell like crazy Mrs. Russell!" Shannon told Cassie.

"That is the plan, and speaking of what do you two have planned for today?"

"We were going to the Bistro, but I needed some money mom," Grace explained.

Cassie smiled at her and went to her purse. She took money out of her wallet and handed it to Grace telling her, "Don't spoil you dinner dear."

"I won't mom!" she assured her as the two girls rushed out of the store.

AJ chuckled and asked, "Does your daughter often resemble a toranado?"

Laughing Cassie reminded him, "You do remember that after Saturday that toranado will be your's too!"

A surprised and pleased look crossed his face and AJ said, "She is, isn't she!"

They laughed together as they locked up the store and walked back to the house together. Once there they discovered that Varise had chosen that night to give them all a performance. She asked Cassie if right after dinner would be okay and was eagerly told that it would be.

AJ assured her that she wouldn't be sorry he had heard Varise perform for a USO Christmas show and she had been fantastic. Cassie told him that she could tell just by Varise's speaking voice that she would be a great singer.

The taco salad bar that was that evenings dinner had enough varity that Harm had plenty to choose from even if he didn't eat the meat. The triple chocolate fudge cake was served with the ice cream left over from the Sundae bar they'd had and everyone was told they were welcome to take their desert into the family room where Varise was going to perform.

She sang for slightly over an hour and everyone was enthrawled. The applause when she finished went on for quite some time. No one seemed to want the evening to end so Cassie suggested a sing-a-long. That was hailed as a big hit and went on for another hour.

People slowly started excusing themselves and heading to bed. Grace couldn't stop yawning but was reluctant to call it a night. Cassie had to put her foot down and send Grace to bed.

Earlier that day AJ had gotten Cassie's approval for the talk he planned to have with Brandon before the younger man went to bed. Asking if he could talk to him in private. Brandon suggested they go to the kitchen to get a last cup of coffee.

AJ followed him but declined the coffee saying, "At my age caffine this late isn't advisable. I did want to ask you something Brandon. Bud Roberts is going to be by best man on Saturday but I was wondering if you would also stand up with me? Your mother was going to ask the same of my daughter Francesca when she arrives on Friday."

"I'd be happy to AJ. When my dad first married Cassie I wasn't really thrilled about the idea but when I took a step back and saw how happy she made him I changed my mind about her. Now I see the same thing happening with you. Cassie is very much in love with you and is happier with you than she has been since dad died."

To Be Continued…