Stubborn Hearts

CHAPTER FIVE

She loved the slow and peaceful walk and it took just about ten minutes before Kassie reached what seemed like the entrance of the downtown area. You would notice how buildings start to trail both sides of the road from this point. Most establishments here were made of bricks with either clear or tinted glass windows, while some were lucky to have painted the walls with earth-toned colors and some shades of white and gray.

There were still some trees that flanked along the sidewalk, which kept the vibe more laidback. Her main purpose was just to stroll around but knowing that she had to keep stock of food items, she programmed her phone’s map application to the market. She passed by some shops – souvenirs and printing, electronics, even a small clothes shop, and others she was too busy to keep a list of.

After a few blocks, the crowd seemed to have grown in number but still a minimal considering what she thought she’d usually expect in a city. This area had some food shops and cafés. She was almost tempted to check one coffee house – its white-painted windowpanes and door over dark-grayish wall exude a somewhat somber mood. She’d make sure to check this out when she’d be back here one of these days…definitely in her notes.

Looking ahead and with the buzzing of people, she knew she’d already reached the town center. She’d like to visit the local farmers’ market as suggested by a website she found. There should always be one here in Muskoka and might as well would try haggling over prices as it was already late in the day. She’d go for the fresh produce, see if she could make herself useful in the kitchen. She got to the vegetable section, to spices and herbs, then to fruit stalls. When she caught a display of bright-colored flowers, she was too happy to just be pulled to them and grab some, thinking about the possible spaces in the cottage where she could set these beauties.

She had a quick stop in the supermarket for some essentials and was all set to go back to the cabin, but rather decided to try one of the restaurants in the area. She was too tired to cook dinner anyway. She went for the first signage she spotted – Danny D’s. It had a rustic-brown painted concrete outer wall and wide windows, letting you see through inside. She went in and found the diner with all its tables almost filled. Luckily, one corner table was still left unoccupied. Once seated, one of the crews approached her to give the menu.

Hmmm. They offer quite a list. Not bad.

After five minutes, the male crew came back to take her order.

“So, what’s for our new girl here?” He asked and offered a curious smile. He was blonde with dark brown eyes and a good build which did not seem to fit in this place.

One look and people would know she was new in town. Not that it mattered.

She smiled back and answered, “Well for a newcomer, I’ll have Caesar salad and your specialty pork steak, please.” She then flipped the menu for the beverage. “And iced lemonade for the drinks,” she added.

He repeated the order and she nodded to confirm. “Cool. Great choice,” he commented. “You’ve got friends here to visit?” He asked while he put his pen on his pants’ back pocket.

Small talk would not be so bad.

“I suppose we can put it that way, but she is not available for me unfortunately,” she responded.

“Well, you can always come here and make new friends,” he winked. “I’m Kirk, by the way,” he introduced and offered his hand which she obliged to shake.

“Kassie, with the K,” she gave away.

“Cute. Okay, so you’re order’ll be coming right up in 10. In the meantime, please sit back and enjoy the crowd while you wait,” he added and left her with a cold glass of water.

Meeting new friends here seemed that easy, she thought. She sent Kirk a kind glance while he passed a small slip to the counter for her order.

She took a quick sweep at the crowd. Two tables from her were a group of old men enjoying their time over beer, talking and laughing about what she figured as the last softball game. Next to them were a pair of young office girls, judging by how they dressed up – blazers and black-heeled shoes. Those employed in the banks, accounting or law firms, she concluded.

There were also these older women hunched on the far-end tables, probably catching up about life, their husbands and kids and what they had missed from the last time. Then, there were tables filled in by lovers and couples, and the other ones with lone diners like her. Each of them did not seem to care or mind what others had been busied about besides the food on their plates.

Her order came exactly after 10 minutes, still Kirk serving, and thanked him. Well and well, boy, the food tasted really good! When she was finished, she was one happy customer and would surely be back. For some reason, her eyes launched themselves to the other end of the counter where the cashier was and was just stunned to recognize moose guy.

He was attending to one of the older women, smiling and exchanging comments, which actually amused her. This man was actually capable of making a good conversation. His lips twitching and grinning, and she did not notice she was staring until he locked his eyes on her. Embarrassed to have been caught, she pretended to get her phone from her bag. She waited for a couple more of minutes before the queue thinned out. Actually, she hoped someone else would take over so she could pay her bill happily. But it looked like it was never going to happen. She let out a sigh, grabbed her things and headed to the cashier. It was, indeed, a small town.

She saw Kirk leaned to the counter for another order.

“So, Kassie, you’re heading out?” He asked, waiting a little bit longer than he was supposed to.

“Yeah, I am. The food’s great,” she said with a small smile.

“Of course, it is. It’s the best in town, right Marcus?” Kirk was smiling, asking the silent Marcus who was too focused on the cash register and looked oblivious to their little conversation.

He grinned at Kirk then got back to the cash register.

“Back to the customers, Kirk. Tables 8 and 12 are waiting,” he told Kirk after a quick glance on the crowd.

“Yes, sir!” He teased. “See you back here, Kassie. Nice flowers, by the way,” he managed to add, winked and left.

What’s with winking in this town?

“That would be twenty-nine dollars,” Marcus got her attention, in a casual voice. She could not gauge his mood, but it’d strike her as his usual, calm aura.

“Okay,” she uttered and gave him the exact amount. She felt awkward for some reason, unable to look direct to his eyes.

“Here’s your receipt,” he took the slip and handed it to her.

“It’s okay, I don’t need it. Thanks,” looking up, a quick smile escaped her lips.

“Sure,” he said then crumpled the paper and threw it to the trash bin she could not see underneath the counter. He looked down to her three full bags of groceries, then to the roll-wrapped flowers she clutched unconsciously in her left arm.

He asked, raising an eyebrow, “You’re all going home with that?”

She looked at the bags she laid temporarily on the floor. They’d become heavier than they looked.

“I guess, yes,” she answered while thinking of the walk back to the cabin. It was almost 6 in the evening and it was getting dark outside. She must had forgotten about the time and most importantly, heading back on foot carrying all these items she was too happy to buy.

“And you’re just walking,” Not a question. It sounded so matter-of-factly.

“Yes.” What’s with this guy?

He checked his watch. “Wait here,” he commanded then went in back to a small office.

She stood confused and looked around. Only a few people now, with Kirk and the other guy server moving freely through the tables. She could hear the sound from the kitchen. Still busy.

Kirk saw her standing there and came to the counter.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked.

She was about to answer when Marcus came back.

“Let’s go.” His strides were so quick that he got the grocery bags with him in a split of a second.

She was a bit dumbfounded and realized she had to move when she saw the doors closed behind Marcus. He was serious. She looked at Kirk and just shrugged, then hurried herself out. She still could picture his confused face.

Me, too, Kirk.

She found him hauling the bags at the back of his gray pick up. He then went into the driver’s seat and unlocked the passenger’s door.

“Are you coming in or you prefer to walk with your bouquet?” He seemed burdened with the offer.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” She dared to ask. “I mean, I don’t mind walking, really,” she reasoned, though her feet were already complaining how they’d been so overused today.

He gave me an irritating look and once again, raised an eyebrow.

She sighed purposely then carefully climbed into the truck. The engine started and they slowly drove away from the café to the now familiar trail of trees to the cottage. She almost forgot that they were neighbors. Securing the bag and the flowers on her lap, she had her eyes fixed on the road and was counting on one silent ride back.

Oh, how things could really get more awkward.