The man grunted as I pulled him upright. “It’s okay, miss. I know you didn’t do it on purpose.” He was taller than me with dark brown, shaggy hair and a beard. By the looks of the tattered clothes, old boots, and dirty skin, it made me wonder if he was homeless. His bright blue eyes stared right into mine, and then he looked down at the paper bag hanging on my arm. “It’s a good thing you didn’t drop your glass jars.”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “True.”
His brows lifted. “You sure you’re okay? You walked out in a hurry.”
I glanced into the window of the general store and shrugged. “They weren’t exactly nice to me in there. I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could. Guess I thought a small town like this would be a little more welcoming.”
The man chuckled and looked around. “From what I can tell, the people around here don’t like change. You’re different. I think it’s the clothes that make you stand out.” I looked down at my designer outfit and high-heeled boots.
“I thought it was my accent,” I replied with a laugh.
He held out his hand. “That too. Don’t worry, though, they’ll come around. So far, I’ve met several nice people. Don’t give up on them just yet. My name’s Gabe.”
I shook his hand. “Layla. I moved here from Charleston.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Layla,” he said, letting my hand go. “What brings you to Friendship?”
“Lots of things, I guess.” I turned my gaze to the Christmas lights, twinkling in the trees. Every single building was decorated with garland and ribbons. “My career took a major hit, so I thought it best to move away for a while. Maybe find some inspiration.”
Gabe smiled when I looked at him. “You’ll definitely find that here. I have no doubt.” He stepped back and moved out of the way. “I’m sure you have to get going. It was nice meeting you, Layla. I’m certain I’ll see you around town again.”
“It was nice meeting you, too, Gabe.” I walked past him to my car. When I turned around, he was nowhere to be found.
Chapter Three
Layla
All through the night, I dreamed about my new fashion line and how it skyrocketed across the globe. Imagine my disappointment when I woke up to find it wasn’t real … and that it was ice cold in my house. The three quilts piled on top of me weren’t enough.
“What in the world?” I griped, teeth chattering. I slid out of bed and slung one of the quilts over my shoulders. When I got to the thermostat, it said it was fifty-eight degrees. I turned it off and then on again, hoping it just needed to be reset. Nope. It was dead. “This can’t be happening to me.” What made it worse was that it was snowing outside. I looked out at the tiny specks of white, falling from the sky. “Wouldn’t that make for some great news … Designing diva freezes to death as she escapes scrutiny from the fashion world.”
Grabbing my phone, my fingers trembled as I punched in Jane’s number. I knew she was leaving for vacation, but I was hoping to catch her. The line rang and rang, the reception going in and out. I didn’t know anything else to do besides drive into town.
I dressed quickly into a pair of jeans and a double layer of sweaters. If it was freezing inside my house, it had to be even worse outside. However, when I got out there, it wasn’t nearly as cold as it was inside. My house was colder than a meat locker.
When I got into town, I dreaded going to the general store. There was a bank close by, but it was Sunday and they were closed. The only other place was the coffee shop. It just so happened that a familiar face was right outside, sitting alone at one of the tables, his head resting on his arm. I parked and walked up to his table, silently taking the seat beside him. He slowly lifted his head and sat up quickly when he noticed me. “Miss Layla, what brings you out so early in the morning?”
“My icebox of a house. It’s much warmer out here than it is there. I came into town to see if someone could help me.”
Gabe’s brows furrowed. “What can I help you with?”
“Do you know of anyone who does heating and air? My heater died on me sometime last night, and it’s so cold. I don’t know who to contact.”
He patted my hand. “Don’t worry, I know just the guy. His name’s Colin Jennings.” He pointed at the street. “If you go up that way and take a right, all you have to do is follow that road until you get to Snowflake Lane. The Snowflake Lane Inn will be at the end. He’ll be able to help you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling ever so grateful. “He’s not like the people in the general store, is he?”
Gabe chuckled. “Not in the least. Colin’s a good man. You?
?ll like him.”
Squeezing his arm, I stood. “Thanks again.” I turned to leave but then stopped and glanced at him over my shoulder. “Gabe, forgive me if I’m being too nosy, and you can tell me to mind my own business, but …” I paused for a second and glanced around to make sure no one heard me. “Do you have a home to go to?”
A sad smile spread across his face. “Friendship is my home, Layla. Whether it be sleeping at this table or in a box behind the bank, this is where I belong for now.”
My heart broke for him. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out a fifty-dollar bill. It was all I had on me. “Take this,” I told him.
He shook his head. “I’m not taking your money, young lady.”