repainted, and white globe lights hung from the ceiling with fans circulating the air. The soda fountain had a sparkly granite top where patrons sat on metal stools with red leather seats. The line to order a cone reached almost to the door.
They studied the flavors posted on the wall above the glass cases. “Got any favorites?” Shelby asked.
“I usually get three scoops. Depends on how the job went that day at the lake. Sometimes I like the fruity flavors. But on nerve-wracking days like today, I definitely lean toward the chocolate and caramel.”
“I can relate.” Shelby laughed. “Cup or cone?”
“Today is a celebration, so a chocolate-dipped waffle cone. Get whatever you like,” he said. “It’s on me.”
Some young kids walked by with their parents, cones piled three scoops high in pinks, blues, and other colored flavors coated in sprinkles. Shelby wanted the double chocolate chip cookie dough but did not want to worry about chocolate running down her chin or little chips getting caught in her teeth. Emily waited for their order behind the counter.
“You go first,” she said.
“I’ll have the dipped waffle cone with caramel crunch, raspberry cheesecake, and chocolate chip cookie dough,” he said.
“That’s a unique combination,” Shelby said.
He shrugged. “I couldn’t make up my mind, so I got them all.”
Shelby placed an order for the strawberry swirl, but just one scoop in a cup.
“That’s the best you can do?” Logan asked.
Suddenly Shelby was embarrassed. Had she chosen the wrong thing?
He started laughing. “Just kidding, whatever you like. But how about a topping of some kind?”
Shelby eyed the toppings in the case. “Fresh strawberries, please.”
“Coming right up,” Emily said. “And, Shelby, I’m sorry about those girls today. You were awesome.”
“She sure was,” Logan echoed.
Steph brought some milkshakes to a table and waved over to Shelby and Logan as she whisked by.
Once their order was filled, they sat outside on the deck overlooking the lake. The evening breeze rippled across the water and through Shelby’s hair. There were still a few boats and a kayak gliding through the water. Shelby ate her ice cream in small bites and enjoyed the relaxed quiet between them. After a few minutes she wracked her brain for something to say.
“What are you going to major in at college?” she asked.
“Wildlife biology and ecology,” Logan said. “This planet could use some relief from the corporate world. My dad thinks I should go to law school like him, but that’s the furthest thing from my mind. How about you?”
For a moment, Shelby considered lying about her age, but that was crazy. “I don’t apply for a year or so,” she said, “but I’m thinking about psychology or social work.”
“Both admiral professions,” he said.
“My mother thinks I should go to a tech school, get a trade. But I want more.” Shelby looked at him, wondering what his opinion was.
“Good for you,” he said. “Follow your heart.”
Shelby watched Logan lick off the sides of his cone where it was melting over. His lips looked so kissable. She jerked her head quickly back, her face warm. What was happening to her? She took a quick bite of her ice cream. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked up.
He pointed to the side of her lip and nodded toward her. Oh no. She reached for a napkin and wiped her mouth.
“Wrong side,” he said with a grin.
She dabbed the other and was tempted to throw the rest of the dessert away. She was not really tasting it anyway. Her thoughts were on him. She let her eyes wander to other tables and
saw a woman with a gray-streaked bob haircut sit down a few feet away. Shelby remembered seeing her before out walking along the path. The woman was always stopping to pet other people’s pups. A couple times the woman had asked if she could hug Scarlett, and said she was a friend of Shelby’s grandmother. Scarlett loved her, but Shelby couldn’t remember her name.
Steph wandered out, followed by Oscar, his short little legs trying to keep up while his nose to the ground searched for crumbs. They gray-haired woman called Oscar over and lifted the dog up on her lap. She spoke sweetly to him then plopped a kiss on the dog’s head before putting him back on the deck.
“You spoil him, Joann,” Steph said to the woman with a big smile.
Shelby remembered now. Her name was Joann and she used to teach at the high school.
As soon as Oscar noticed Shelby, he came running over to