Love At Cupid's Cove - Valentine Serial - Pamela Tracy

Before she had time to stop him, he dropped a twenty on the counter and was out the door.


“Wait! You only owe-"

“Let him go,” said old Mr. Valentine.

“But-"

“I said, let the boy alone.”

Lacy joined Mr. Valentine at the big picture window at the front of her store. He was a regular every morning, showing up when she opened, waiting patiently while the coffee brewed, and then accepting one of her coffee crumb cakes.  He usually wasn't this crotchety.

“Do you know him?” Lacy had only been in Cupid’s Cove for five years. She knew the residents, knew most of their stories/history, but now that she thought of it, only Duncan’s mother talked about him.

No one else.

Had his name been on the prayer list at church and she’d missed it?

“Course I know him. He was in one of my ninth grade history class that I taught at Cupid Cove Junior High. He’s was a smart one.”

“Then what-"

This time when Lacy stopped, it wasn’t because Mr. Valentine interrupted her.

Duncan’s mother Betty lived only a block from the bakery. Lacy could easily see her house – a big rambling two story - from the store.

And what Lacy saw right now was Duncan, white box of cupcakes clutched to his chest, head bent as he pushed against the brisk wind, walking past his mother’s house.