“To Xander!” the cry echoed in the evening breeze. Someone struck up a chorus of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and everyone joined in.
When they’d drained their glasses, Xander guided her through the happy mob, stopping along the way for hugs and back slaps, until they reached Quinn’s temporary bar table. Glasses refilled with nose-tickling bubbly, they made their way to the wide red ribbon across the archway. Together with the mayor, Xander cut it and welcomed his guests inside. “The shops aren’t open yet, folks. We’re still stocking and finalizing the interiors, but you’re welcome to stroll around. You’ll find refreshments as you go.”
He hugged Hannah close. “Ready for your tour, love?”
“Can’t wait.” She grinned up at him and patted one of the human-sized fiberglass aliens flanking the entrance, wide, welcoming grins across their neon green faces.
“Are these from Gus’s roof?”
“Yup. They were pitted and peeling, but Matteo gave them a makeover.”
She kissed him again. “You’ve thought of everything, you brilliant man.”
“Oh, we’re just getting started.” He pecked her nose. “But feel free to kiss me whenever you see something you like.”
She giggled and slid her hand into his back pocket. “Prepare for the worst case of chapped lips ever.”
While jazzy beats played from hidden speakers, Xander squired her from shop to shop. First stop: Galactic Goodies. Outside, a college-age guy refilled platters of canapes, already well picked over by the strolling guests. “Evening, boss. Saved you some of the salmon pate and goat cheese.”
“Much obliged, Cody.” Xander handed her a paper plate.
“Wow, delicious.” She crunched through her snack, realizing how long it had been since lunch.
“Right?” He brushed crumbs from his shirt front. “Here we’ll sell that saltwater taffy Gus loved so much, along with Garrett’s cookies, cheesecake from Cassie’s Café, Washington smoked salmon and huckleberry jam, cheese and cured meats from Ben York’s farm, herb blends from Jesse’s, and tea from Zora’s shop. I even talked Francesca into stocking jars of her marinara sauce.”
“It’s your gourmet market,” Hannah exclaimed.
He patted the shingled wall and smiled proudly. “Yeah, I’m allowing myself a do-over. I cast my net too wide in my first gourmet shop. I figure I’ll have better luck focusing on locally produced goods.”
“Smart man.” She gave him another smooch.
Speaking of do-overs, next door, he introduced her to the Stardust Wine Bar, a tiny chalet decorated with starry garlands and fronted by mismatched café tables and star-spangled umbrellas. “This will feature a small selection of Washington and Oregon wines and a daily menu of small plates.” He gave a sheepish shrug. “Experience has proved I don’t know squat about wine, so I arranged for winery interns to run this one.”
An oddly familiar sixty-something woman emerged with a tray of flatbreads speckled with roast peppers and olives. She gave Xander a crisp nod.
“Hannah, meet Cassie’s sister, Margaret Cartolucci.”
The chef gave Hannah a once-over and a fraction of a smile. “Been wanting to move out here for years. When my baby sis told me about this job, I jumped.” She tilted her chin toward the young woman pouring red and white wine. “What’s your poison, boss?”
“I’ll try the Columbia Valley Malbec. Hannah?”
“Something white and dry, please.”
They sat at a cute table painted with planets and stars while she enjoyed a tart Walla Walla Pinot Gris and a slice of flatbread.
Annie from the antiques shop tugged her billionaire boyfriend to their table and clapped her hands together, jiggling with enthusiasm. “It’s all so pretty, Xander. And these lights!” She gestured to the strings of star-shaped twinkle lights crisscrossing overhead. “It’s cute, but classy. You captured Gus’s spirit and dressed it up for a new generation. Well done, you!”
Michael Garwood, a newcomer to TC, gave Xander a thumbs up. “Great idea, great execution.”
“Wow!” Hannah whispered once they’d passed. “High praise from a tech tycoon.”
Xander shrugged. “Met him at Garrett’s bakery. He’s cool—just another guy who fell in love with a woman from Trappers Cove. Shall we?”
He showed her Andromeda’s Boudoir, a tiny emporium of bath goodies, including fancy soaps from the Sea Queen Spa, and “magical” herbal bath salts and oils from Zora’s shop. “See, this way, people can sample stuff made by TC merchants.”
“Mutual promotion. What a brilliant idea.” She laced her arms around his neck and laid another smooch on him.
His cheeks darkened in an adorable blush. “Well, a certain lady likes to get frisky in the bath, so I wanted to make sure she’s always well-supplied.”
