A smile deepened the lines around his eyes. “Nobby’s just fine. I don’t want to be stuffy Uncle Norbert who you call only out of obligation once a year. Will you give me a chance to be Uncle Nobby?”

Unexpected tears burned in her eyes. Jesus, what was that? The past two nights with Anja had probably made her much more emotional. Not trusting herself to speak, she just nodded.

Uncle Nobby pulled her into his arms.

His cologne—the same brand that her father had used when she’d been a child—wafted around her, and for the first time in years, she allowed herself to enjoy it.

Anja stepped back into the store, and when Susanne looked at her over her uncle’s shoulder, Anja gave her a smile so warm that Susanne felt as if she were the one hugging her, not Uncle Nobby.

When Anja wheeled the second card carousel outside, Uncle Nobby let go and regarded Susanne. “So you and Anja, hmm?”

Susanne shuffled her feet. “Yeah.”

“I should have seen it coming. She was fascinated by you from the start.”

Susanne couldn’t help beaming. “She thought I was a controlling asshole out to fire her.”

Uncle Nobby chuckled. “That too.” He sobered. “Just don’t lead her on, please. I don’t want to see her—or you—hurt.”

“That’s the last thing I want either. I can’t make any promises since I have no idea where I’ll be in a month, but we’re talking openly about that. I…” She glanced through the glass door to make sure Anja was still outside and couldn’t hear her. “I really like her.”

Uncle Nobby patted her shoulder. “Good. Then you should know that her birthday is coming up.”

“Really? When?”

“The first of March.”

“That’s next Thursday—the day the website and the new store will go live! She never mentioned it’s her birthday when we set the date with the web design firm.”

Uncle Nobby shrugged. “That’s Anja.”

“What about me?” Anja asked as she returned to the store.

“You’re the person responsible for calling Herr Schneider to tell him his order is in,” Uncle Nobby answered smoothly. “You know the old grouch gets grumpy if I’m the one calling. I think the only reason he orders a new notebook every week is so he’ll get to talk to you.”

Susanne couldn’t blame him.

“Well, whatever works to help save the store, right?” Anja grinned and picked up her coffee. “I’ll go call him.”

When the door to the back rooms clicked shut behind her, Susanne turned back toward Uncle Nobby. “I need a present.”

“Maybe a refill for her traveler’s notebook.” Uncle Nobby gestured at the center island.