The Ivy House - By Drea Stein Page 0,22

mother’s, so it only took Chase a second to come up with a plausible reason for wandering in there. The chocolate-chip cookies would have to wait.

A bell tinkled overhead as he pushed his way into the store. The Garden Cottage had a nice collection of stuff. Lots of things for the garden, of course, and then the usual doodads—candles, candlestick holders, dishes, glasses, plaques, centerpieces, and the like. It was the kind of place women loved and men only stepped in under duress or if they were shopping for a present. His mother’s birthday wasn’t too far away, and this time, instead of remembering at the last minute, he could kill two birds with one stone: find something for his mother and bump into the perfectly delectable Phoebe Ryan again.

He gave a little wave and a nod to Joan, letting her know that she shouldn’t interrupt what she was doing to bother with him. Chase scanned the shelves, desperately trying to think of how his mother had decorated her new place in Florida, seeing if there was anything that she would like, all the while trying to inch closer to Phoebe.

Phoebe hadn’t noticed his arrival yet, since she was so intent on what she was showing to Joan.

“Barrel stitched. All hand done. I have some great seamstresses working for me. And this size is available in five different fabric options.”

Chase moved through the wine lovers section and angled himself so he had a good view of what Phoebe was holding up. Rectangular, plump. A pillow he surmised. He watched as she dropped the pillow down on the counter and held up her phone to Joan to show her something.

“And you said these have appeared in Pacific Living?” Joan asked, but even Chase could hear the doubt in her voice. Joan was not really a risk taker when it came to stocking her inventory. He’d often thought the store would play better with a slightly fresher sensibility. It was definitely the place to buy your mother or grandmother a gift. No man would ever think of buying his wife or girlfriend something from here.

He came up close enough so he could peer over Phoebe’s shoulder. There were five or so pillows laid out on the glass counter and they were fun and bright. A nice pop of color against the muted palette of The Garden Cottage.

“Well, they’re certainly bright,” Joan said. She was chewing on the end of the earpiece of her glasses and Chase knew that was never a good sign.

“You know, I was thinking that’s exactly what my mom needs for her new place.” Chase emerged out of the shadows and was rewarded with a huge smile from Joan and a frown from Phoebe.

“Well, they’re certainly beachy.” Joan agreed, perching her glasses on her nose and running her fingers along the fabric of an azure blue-and-white-striped pillow.

“They’re inspired by coastal living,” Phoebe said. “West or East Coast.” She offered Joan a smile after deliberately turning her back on Chase.

“Well, the summer season is coming up,” Joan mused.

“And I’ll take two for my mom,” Chase said, already reaching into his pocket for his credit card.

Joan looked flustered at that response, and Chase knew that she and Phoebe hadn’t quite talked terms.

“Well, I’d be happy to give you the standard wholesale price,” Phoebe jumped in quickly and pushed a piece of paper towards Joan, who glanced down and smiled.

“And perhaps,” Phoebe finished up smoothly, “you can take a few more on consignment. Showcase them for a few weeks, and when they sell, you can pay me then. You seem quite trustworthy.”

“Oh, she is,” Chase said, putting his credit card down on the counter. “Why don’t you ring me up and I’ll pick them up on my way back from the bakery.”

Joan flashed him a brilliant smile, and he realized he’d probably been a bit foolish not to ask the price, but hey, he was trying to impress the girl. He hazarded a glance at Phoebe, who was looking at him coolly, arms crossed, chin up slightly. Apparently becoming a customer hadn’t changed her mind about him.

Phoebe was pleased with what she had managed to accomplish. It was a small accomplishment, of course, just a few pillows, but Joan had certainly seemed a lot friendlier towards her once Chase had appeared on the scene.

A shadow fell across her path and she looked up. He was standing there or, rather, leaning against the front of one of the shops, waiting as if he