Clover Village

Chapter 7 - Honeymoon Tourists

SUE

"What?" Eric asks, looking at us with a frown.

"A woman? Upstairs?" Jesse says.

"Jeez, Sue! You had to run and tell Jesse?" My brother says, shaking his head.

"I didn't have to run. That is what mobiles are for," I say, grinning. "Who is she?"

"Her name is Ellen. She is a potential client and just moved to Clover. We had coffee and talked about business."

"A potential client," says Jesse with a chuckle. "Hear that Sue? That is how they are called now."

I smile at Jesse, who really enjoys pushing Eric's buttons.

"You are a damn child! Grow up!" Eric says and heads upstairs.

"We shouldn't do this to him, you know?" I say to Jesse.

"Why? He needs to get laid," Jesse says with a shrug.

"Maybe, but not in this way. He was hurt badly."

"I have been hurt and I don't avoid love at all costs."

"Jesse, you and Eric are very different. Plus, I don't know what makes you an expert on the matter. Where is your girlfriend, then?"

"Touché," he says, putting his hand over his heart dramatically.

"You are back early. Did you deliver the order to the Barrows?"

"I did and had a chat with their daughter. She is in the commission of the food festival and they want Garnett House to have a stall this year."

"Why? We do nothing with food."

"I said the same, but she said that they want to incorporate as many town businesses as possible and we make stuff to serve food. Eric has spoons, some bowls, and the mini sake boxes. I have cups and wine decanters and you have tea cozies, basket covers and those cute egg hats that you make in crochet."

"Okay, it could work. I will make an inventory during the week to see what we can display and sell on that weekend."

At that moment, Harry enters the store while carrying a box.

"Hey Harry," I say and he mumbles a hello.

"My new glazes! They are finally here. Sue, wait until you see what these beauties do," Jesse says, taking the box from his hands.

"How are you doing?" I say.

Harry turns to look behind, but there is nobody. I'm talking to him, of course.

"I'm... okay?"

"Are you telling me or asking me?" I say, teasing him. His freckled cheeks flush.

"I got to go. Other boxes to deliver," he says and leaves the store.

I wonder what is going on with him. His words on the day of the book presentation keep haunting my mind. Why does he think he is a loser? He is a good-looking guy, tall with black hair and blue eyes, has a steady job at the post office. He is just terribly shy.

Jesse noticed little what just went on. Whenever he gets new materials, he turns into a boy on Christmas morning.

"Oh! My! God! Isn't this charming, Charles?"

A couple is standing on the door frame. The woman's face is full of joy while the man looks mortified. They start browsing the store and I go back to my sewing machine. Jesse is still talking non-stop about whatever he got in the mail.

"Excuse me! Could you help us for a second?" The woman says and I head to service them.

"How can I help you today?"

"We just got married and haven't had time to buy anything for our new house. What do you recommend we get?"

That is an odd statement.

"Well, congratulations! Your choices will depend on the style of the house. Is it modern? Traditional? Historical?"

The woman looks at the man called Charles.

"We haven't really spoken about that. Are we moving into yours, mine, or are we getting something together?" She says to him.

Did I hear right?

"We will see how the next days go and then we will decide. Get stuff that matches your place, just in case," he says.

With every second that goes by, I feel more clueless about this is about.

"Have you guys known each other long?"

"Three days," the woman says with a bright smile.

"Oh, okay. Well, it is not unheard of," I say, trying to be polite.

"But we are different. We are on our way to success and many years together. Science has chosen Charles for me."

"You mean like those algorithms from the dating sites?"

"Much better. We signed up for this TV show together with many other people. We had to do many tests and interviews, and scientists chose us as a couple. The only condition is that we would meet on the day of our wedding."

"That exists for real?"

"Yup," she says. Charles looks bored already. Probably he has had to talk or hear about this a million times.

"What if you didn't like what you see?" I ask, fascinated by this information.

"Well, we had signed a contract, so it would have been too late to change our minds," Charles says. "Barbara, we need still have a long drive ahead. Could you please pick whatever it is that you want?"

"Don't be rude! Don't mind him. Today is the first day when we are not giving an interview or have a camera crew following us. Okay, so stuff for my house. I like simple and elegant lines."

"I have this tablecloth with matching napkins in beige. The embroidery on the edge is handmade. There is this great vase here on the other side that matches it perfectly," I say, pointing at the merchandise.

"Great! I'll take them."

I bring the items to get packed and see that Charles is looking at a little toy train. There is a look of longing and nostalgia.

"Your husband seems to like trains," I say to the woman in a low voice.

"Does he?" She says and looks at him. His fingers are touching the wood lightly. "Charles, sweetheart? What about adding that pretty train to our future home?"

Charles looks up and seems a bit surprised by her offer.

"It is a toy. I'm not sure," he says, looking hesitant.

"It is actually a little piece of art. The body is one piece of wood that my brother carved by hand. Only the wheels are additional pieces. It is hand painted as well to match the old Clover Rail Line."

"We will make a little man cave for you and put it on display," she says to him. "We'll get it."

I pack all their purchases and hand the bags to them. Charles is looking at the woman with fondness.

"I wish you a very happy and long life together. Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon."

The couple leaves and I let out a sigh.

"Did I hear right?" Jesse asks. "They met on a TV show a few days ago?"

"Yeah. Is it bad that I feel jealous?" I say.

"Sue, you are still young. The right guy will come along."

I suddenly see Charles standing by the door.

"Hi! Did you forget anything?" I ask while walking towards him.

"I just wanted to say thank you for the train thing. This is very unconventional and sudden, and I hate that she calls me Charles, but I fell in love with her when she walked down the aisle. Never lose hope," he says and then leaves.

I'm left speechless. I feel an arm around my shoulders and see Jesse standing next to me.

"One day Sue. One day we will meet our special ones."