Brandon frowned. “Then how’d you guys get on the subject of Tyler?”
“Because he quit.”
“What?”
“Yep. I guess he accepted the fact that his dad obviously needs more help than he can give, so he’s found a home for him. And he’s going back to school.”
“Wow.” They were quiet for a minute, then Brandon looked at Genevieve mischievously. “So who’s going to protect poor wee Genevieve from the dangerous streets of downtown Pinewood when she has to close shop?”
Genevieve drained her teacup and looked at her watch. “I’m glad you asked,” she said sweetly. Then she said, “Come on, girl,” and Butterscotch leaped to her feet and woofed. Brandon looked at them, perplexed. “My dad cleared it with your dad this morning,” Genevieve said, clasping her hands and beaming. “Butterscotch is officially adopted.”
Brandon’s jaw dropped and Genevieve laughed. “Well, after all, she did save my life. Who better to protect my father’s investments than this girl?” She ruffled Butterscotch’s fur and then punched Brandon lightly on the shoulder. “I’ll text you later.”
She crossed the street, pausing to twist her long hair into a bun. Butterscotch trotted happily beside her, and together they walked into the cool, bright lights of Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour.
“Ooh, Mommy! Look at the pretty dog!” a little girl exclaimed from a booth, and Butterscotch barked in reply and wagged her tail. Aunt Mellie came from around the corner and enveloped her niece in a hug, wiping at her eyes, before kneeling and embracing Butterscotch tightly.
“What a brave girl, yes you are!” she exclaimed, while the dog wiggled her rear end excitedly. “Welcome to the family. Butterscotch, isn’t it?” Butterscotch barked agreeably, and Aunt Mellie looked up at Genevieve. “Your father was here earlier.” She indicated the dog dish and water bowl in the corner. Her father had labeled them in Sharpie: Forever Butterscotch.
Genevieve smiled and punched in. “I’m not sure how much she’ll get to use those,” she said. “Health code violations and all that. It’s only a matter of time before someone complains about a big hairy dog in the ice cream shop.”
“We’ll think of something.”
Genevieve tied her apron on and looked up to find Mellie staring at her. There was a twinkle in her aunt’s eye.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
“Like what?” Mellie rearranged her expression into one of feigned innocence.
“Like you just polished off a double scoop of Chocolate Cherry Crush on the sly.”
Mellie laughed. “I didn’t, but that actually sounds like a great idea. Why don’t you dish up two of those and we’ll talk.”
They took their ice cream to the back and sat at the stainless-steel work table, leaving Butterscotch in the corner with her snout still firmly planted in the doggie dish.
“So, what gives?” Genevieve asked between spoonfuls of ice cream.
Mellie gave her a little smile. “I was just thinking about something your dad said this morning. About Tyler no longer working here.”
Genevieve raised her eyebrows. “And why would that make you smile?” she teased. “You love Tyler, practically made up all his excuses for him about why he could never be to work on time or bother showing up at all.”
“Oh, you.” Mellie laughed. “You know I’m a big old softie, and anyway, I had an idea what was happening with Tyler and his father. Anyway, I asked your dad if he had someone in mind to replace our surly but dearly departed coworker, and he said there would be no replacement. Not now, and not a year from now. Does that mean what I think it means?”
Genevieve leaned forward and beamed at her aunt. “You were right about everything, Mellie. I just needed to sit down with him and talk, really talk, about my feelings and plans for the future. Last night, when we were waiting at the station, it was the perfect time and place. He couldn’t shut me out and walk away. He couldn’t talk over me.” Genevieve sighed. “And I couldn’t get upset and walk away either. Maybe I took advantage just a little bit of the fact that I could have been murdered, you know, but it all turned out okay. I’ll take distance courses at Mountain Ridge. I’m staying in Pinewood.”
Mellie set her spoon down, looking thoroughly satisfied. She reached across the table for Genevieve’s hand. “I am so happy to hear that,” she said warmly.
Genevieve squeezed her aunt’s hand. What she hadn’t told Mellie was how her dad’s voice had sounded like gravel when she made him look her right in the eyes and promise to believe her when she told him that she knew what she wanted.
“I’m not Mom,” she had said. “I’m not doing this for you. Now promise you believe me.”
He had promised her, and then he had looked away and dabbed at his eyes with his sleeve. That was something Genevieve didn’t need to tell anyone, ever. That was something between her and her dad.
The bells chimed and Genevieve and Mellie both rose.
“Hey, does anyone even work in this place?” a voice bellowed. Butterscotch began to bark and the voice said, “Besides you.”
“It’s Tyler,” Genevieve said.
“I’ve got this.” Mellie gestured to the empty dishes and shooed her away.
Tyler was crouched down, scratching Butterscotch behind the ears, when Genevieve entered the room. He stood and gave her a crooked smile. “So, this is the hero dog.”
He was wearing his usual black T-shirt and dark jeans and had a paper bag tucked under his arm.
Genevieve blurted, “I’m sorry I suspected you of being a murderer.”
He shrugged and approached the counter. “I’m sorry for that comment about your ice cream shop.”
Genevieve flinched at the memory. “That was really uncalled for,” she said quietly.
“I didn’t mean it. You have the best ice cream in town, hands down. You know that.”
She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow.
Tyler laughed. “Okay, the best ice cream in the county. The state! Truly.”
She smiled.
