A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [49]
“Ma’am, that was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. I want to place a standing order with you, a dozen of those beauties every Monday morning. I don’t think I’d be able to get through the week without them now that I’ve tried one.”
“Sony, but the smallest special-order batch I make is six dozen. As I said, I’ll be glad to sell you all you want come October.”
I knew Millie made smaller quantities than seventy-two—I was holding one at the moment—but I kept that fact to myself, I wasn’t about to do anything to get myself put of her good graces.
He was unfazed by her extravagant demand though. “Six dozen it is.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and a business card. “Let me know when that runs out and I’ll replace it. You can call me next Monday to let me know when I can pick up the first batch.”
Millie didn’t know what to think, but she took the man’s money, and he was soon gone. She looked at me and said, “Harrison, I had no intention of making these for sale again this time of year.”
“You’ve got a reason to now,” I said. “Any chance you could make a few dozen every Monday and slip some under my pillow?”
She swatted me lightly with the towel in her hands. “You’re as bad as he is. Don’t you have a business to run?”
I nodded. “As soon as I get a pint of milk, I’ll be out of your hair.”
She retrieved one from, the cooler, and I said, “Thanks again; these are wonderful.” As I walked out I heard her muttering to herself, “I can’t believe that man took me up on it. What’s the world coming to?”
I walked down to At Wick’s End and unlocked the front door. I had the best breakfast a man could ask for, and the solitude of my candleshop to enjoy them in a leisurely fashion.
Life was looking up indeed. I ate three doughnuts, though I’d promised myself to stop at two. If I didn’t start kayaking again, and soon, I was going to have to start walking for exercise again. Being in such close proximity to Millie was definitely a detriment to my waistline.
Eve came in twenty minutes before it was time to open, and I was glad I’d finished eating before she showed up. Though it was my candleshop, I still felt like a child in school around her sometimes.
She sniffed the air, then said, “Harrison, have you been experimenting with scents again?”
“I call it Pumpkin Surprise,” I said. “Do you like it?”
“It’s a tad strong, isn’t it?” Eve wasn’t a big fan of jocularity. It was time to come clean.
“Actually, Millie made me a special order of pumpkin doughnuts. Would you like one?”
She shook her head. “I’ve had my breakfast, thank you very much.”
“I’m sure it was sensible and well-balanced,” I said softly, but not softly enough.
“Some of us have to watch our figures,” she said icily and disappeared back in the storeroom. “I’ll be doing our inventory. Surely you can handle our customers until I’m finished.” My last crack was going to cost me, but I didn’t care. It was amazing just how much better I felt after eating my favorite comfort food. I opened the front door on the dot of nine and was startled to find Mrs. Jorgenson standing in front of the shop. As I let her in, I offered to take her coat, which was soaking wet.
“Did we have a lesson planned for to- I day?” I asked
She shook her head. “No, but I’m in need of more supplies. I trust you can assist me.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m at your service.” As I followed her to the waxes, dyes and scents, I added, “Have you gone through your first batch already?”
She sniffed the air. “Let’s just say I’m still unsatisfied with my results so far.”
“What seems to be the problem?” I asked “Maybe I can help.”
She frowned, then said, “Harrison, you know how I feel about soliciting free advice.”
I suddenly thought about what a resource for Micah’s Ridge I had before me. “Tell you what; I’ll swap you for information. I’ll answer your questions about candlemaking, and you answer mine about who really runs Micah’s Ridge.”
It was taking a chance, approaching her like that, and if I’d had more time to think about it, I probably