By the time we’d finished our shopping, it all came to a pretty penny, but since I expected it to last us until spring, I didn’t mind. It felt good to get so much at once, since it meant that we could hole up at the homestead. I reckon it would be nice to spend a bit of time with Clarence and Irene, as long as Clarence warmed up to us. But I had no desire to come into town on the regular, especially since it seemed hard for us to pretend to be friends rather than sweethearts. We could practice with Clarence and Irene on our visits there, and maybe when we started coming to town in the spring, it’d prove easier.
Once I’d paid for our supplies and asked the owner to hold them until we brought our mule by in an hour or so, I went to look at the hats while Oscar sidled up to the counter with the little drawstring bag I’d given him. I watched out of the corner of my eye, wondering what he’d get and certain it would be candy or chocolate. I’d seen his eyes about bug out when he saw the display case with all the sweets—fudge, peppermints, imported chocolates and the regular stuff like penny candy, twists and licorice. He hadn’t had anything but a few peppermints since that time I’d brought him some back from the store in Dawson City. I recalled the image of him, sitting on the bed in my big shirt, his legs crossed as he sucked on a licorice like he was afraid to eat it too fast.
Gawd, I should have known even then that there wasn’t any getting away from him or this thing between us.
Oscar tipped his hat to the lady behind the counter.
“Hello. Would you like to buy something?” she asked.
“Why, yes I would,” Oscar said, and I imagined him throwing the full force of his smile her way. “I’m lookin’ at all these sweets, and I’m havin’ some trouble making up my mind.”
“Is that so?” she said, with a lilt to her voice that expressed more than a casual or a business interest in my handsome lover.
“’Tis so. Why, you have more candy in this display window than I’ve ever seen before.”
The young lady giggled, and I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling.
Yes, ma’am, I know just what you’re up against.
T’was all I could do not to turn and watch them. Instead, I listened, and picked up a top hat to examine it.
“Our chocolate is brought in by steamer, but this is the last of it until spring when the river opens up again. It’s good Belgian chocolate, the finest in the world.”
“Well, well,” Oscar said, not giving anything away.
“And the licorice is made local, so it’s very fresh.”
“Why, that looks good, too.” Oscar sighed. “I can’t make up my mind.”
“Well, now, let me see. How much do you want to spend?”
“I got about twenty-five cents, Miss.”
“I see. Well, would you like me to put together a collection of things for you to try?”
“That would be wonderful! Yes, thank you so much.”
She giggled again. “You got any favorites? Do you like chocolate, or do you prefer hard candy?”
“I do like my candy hard,” Oscar said, and I just about choked on a gasp.
I pretended to succumb to a coughing fit as they continued talking. I missed a bit of their exchange, but when I could hear again, Oscar said, “I wonder if you might throw in a few gumballs. I like them, too.”
“Of course, I can. Here… I’ll give you an extra for free, since you’re so nice.”
“Why, thank you, kindly.”
“My name’s Lucy. Are you new to Port Essington? I haven’t seen you before.”
“Good to meet you. Thank you for helping me with the sweets.”
“I—well, of course. You’re welcome,” she said, sounding a bit put off.
In a moment, I felt a bump against my arm.
“Oh, excuse me, sir, I must have tripped,” Oscar said, gazing up at me with good humor. “Oh, it’s you!”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course, it’s me. I said I’d wait for you.”
