Chapter 8
Bells jingled and the decorative Christmas wreath bounced and rustled as the front door to the small shop opened and shut, letting in a gust of wintry air.
Tying a red ribbon into a bow around the arm of the basket she was working on, Grace Bennett glanced up, smiling at the young man standing before her.
Brushing the scant snowflakes from his shoulders, the young man surveyed his surroundings with a critical eye. Rubbing his hands together briskly, he finally fixed chocolate eyes on her face. "Cold out there."
"We're hoping for a white Christmas," Grace said, emerging from behind the counter with a basket full of candies wrapped in red and green foil and candy canes. "Snow makes Christmas that much more magical, don't you think?"
"You'll have your white Christmas," the young man predicted with a confident grin. He politely declined the candy cane Grace extended to him then admitted, "We don't get much snow out in L.A."
"L.A.?" One auburn brow rose. "What brings you to Harmony?"
"Just passing through," the young man shrugged.
"On your way to see family," Grace assumed, straightening the snowmen figurines left in complete disarray by a group of unsupervised schoolchildren's earlier foray into the shop. "And you're here because you need a place to stay, right? I'm Grace Bennett," she said, offering him her hand. "And there just happens to be a room available. I can sign you in if you'd like."
"Grace's Bed and Breakfast," he grinned as realization dawned, grasping her slender hand firmly. "Chad Harris."
"Welcome to Harmony, Chad."
Merry Christmas, er...Happy early Valentine's Day.
LOL!
Maybe by Easter I'll have this little fic finished. ;)
Feedback would be amazing.
Thanks so much for reading!