Bill entered the specialty wine and beverage shop trailed by Natalie and Jake. The walls on two sides of the space were filled with wines and there were boxes and displays filled with more bottles stacked on the floor. Down the center were low display cases loaded with chocolates, cocoas, small bags of coffee and a respectable tea selection. The far side of the space was filled with gifts, wine racks, accessories, and home sized wine coolers for sale. There was a large glass faced refrigerator in the back with a nice assortment of cheeses, bagels, cream cheese, water, and soft drinks. Most of the gifts appeared to be handmade.
The combined scents of the coffee, chocolate, and sage was amazing.
Bill, followed by the other two, walked to the sales and tasting counter in the far back corner of the space. There was a petite woman washing glasses, who appeared to be in her late fifties or early sixties. She had gray hair, stylishly cut, and definitely appeared to have some Native American blood by the features of her face.
“Kai Fisher?”
The woman looked up, startled. She had not heard them over the sound of the running water. “Yes, that’s me. Welcome to my store!”
Kai turned off the faucet, grabbed a towel and dried her hands.
“Hi, I’m looking for a place around here where my family and I used to camp. It was on the way to some lake. The manager at the Narrows restaurant said you were the lady to see… that you know this area as well as anyone.”
“That’s probably true,” she replied with a smile.
She had a puzzled look on her face. The man was wearing a Dodgers ball cap…but that wasn’t it. She smiled and nodded at the second man and the teenager.
“I think I know you but can’t quite figure it out.”
Bill gave her a small nod. He got that often. Sometimes he told people who he was, at other times he just smiled.
“We’ve been up here a few times in the last couple years so maybe we have seen each other around.”
“That could be it. Why don’t you look around for a minute while I finish? If I don’t get these wine glasses dried right away, they will spot. Then I’ll get my maps and we can try and find the area you are looking for.”
Jake looked at some of the gifts, a significant number of which looked like they were of Native American design. Bill looked at some of the books and Natalie looked bored.
Kai finished quickly, still unable to place the guy. She shook her head, came around the counter and extended her hand, sure she knew the taller man from somewhere.
“Well, tell me what you do remember, and I’ll see if I can help-.”
When their hands touched, Bill started, goose bumps breaking out across his lower jaw. He blinked, moisture started to fill his eyes, and he felt an incredible warmth.
Kai’s face became pale and her eyes were wide open.
Kai looked at Jake, and her eyes opened wider.
Natalie was looking first at her dad, and then the woman and back.
Jake smiling, raised his eyebrows. This is interesting.
“Oh…oh my… I remember you. The teacher.”
Natalie snorted.
“You’ve grown up.”
“How do we know each other?” asked Bill quietly.
Their hands were still gripped together; he felt wonderfully comfortable with her touch. The look on her face was one of tremendous warmth and her gaze was beautifully inviting.
“Please sit. It’s a bit of a story.”
Kai looked at Jake. The time had come.