“I understand. It’s hard to find someone to trust and open up to.”

“I’d love to talk to you about her, and maybe bring her into the shop sometime. I know she’d love Sweet Surprise,” Mack said.

“Any time.”

“Thanks.” Mack looked at her watch and said, “I suppose I better get you back. It’s been nice.”

Flora smiled. It had been nice. Spending some social time with Mack had been nice. She felt excited and safe with Mack, and feeling safe meant everything to Flora.

“Yes, it’s been nice.”

“Why don’t we do this every day? As long as Sandra can spare you from the shop at this time.”

Flora’s heart hammered, and she managed to croak, “Okay.”

This was strange. In a short time her life was expanding to places she hadn’t even dreamed about. Could she actually make and keep a friendship, with a friend that she also had the hugest crush on?

Flora gave Dexter a kiss and put him down on the ground.

“You’ve got a new best friend there,” Mack said.

When they stood up, Mack pointed to the big stone lions at the side of the war memorial. “I’ve always loved those lions.”

Flora smiled. “My grandpa used to tell me they’re called George and Mildred.”

Mack laughed. “Then that’s what we’ll call them.”

“Yes.”

Mack offered Flora the crook of her arm to hold.

Her brain and her hormones screamed take it, but that anxious girl inside her told her to run from this offered connection. She had to take a snap decision, and she fought against everything that her anxiety told her and grasped Mack’s arm.

Flora had taken the first step. She fought her demons, her anxiety, and won. A small victory, but a start.

Chapter Seven

The next two weeks were a revelation for Flora. She was loving her new friendship with Mack. Every afternoon they walked Dexter, and as long as it wasn’t raining, Mack would buy them a cake and coffee to sit and enjoy in the square.

Flora learned a little bit every day about how to be a friend. She couldn’t have done it with anyone else. Mack seemed to understand her and never pushed for conversation or anything that Flora didn’t want to talk about.

She was excited for every day now. It was only half an hour out of her afternoon, but it made her brighter, and somehow knowing Mack was next door made her feel safer. Today was the last day of the working week, and Flora was going through her morning ritual of filling her sweet jars and lining them up just right.

It was going to be a long weekend on her own.