Flash Fiction #1: Gem Shop Love

Harper Moore needed a getaway. The young engineering professor was on a summer weekend road trip with her best friend, Angie. Their first adventure stop was a small amusement park nestled in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The park boasted cave tours, photo booths, gifts shops, and rides. Hanging flower baskets brimming with petunias and daisies decorated the old western-style porches along the main street. It was the perfect place to relax, have fun, and eat chocolate peanut butter fudge.

In the middle of the afternoon, Harper and Angie stepped off the Alpine Coaster ride as thunder rumbled nearby. Storms often blew in quickly in the mountains. The park rides would have to close temporarily. Harper pointed to a row of shops lining the street. “Let’s check out the rock shop. If we’re lucky, the weather will pass soon, and the rides will open again.”

Harper looked up from a display of small fossils and purple amethyst jewelry. There was a loud thud in the back of the store. Harper’s eyes snapped toward the noise. A woman in overalls emerged from behind the sales counter. She approached Harper and Angie and urgently motioned toward the front door.

“Sorry, ladies, but I’m going to have to ask you to step outside.”

Scrabbling noises and another thud of a box hitting the floor came from behind them, as Harper and Angie followed the woman’s cues. “Sure. Is everything ok?” Crash!

“We had the backdoor open and a little critter skittered into the storage closet. We’re pretty sure it’s a skunk, so we need to clear the store while we convince her to go back outside.”

Harper laughed. “Whoa. Ok, we’re outta here.” She and Angie hurried toward the front door.

As they exited the shop, a man near the entrance turned away from a display of geodes and accompanied them outside. Harper glanced at the burly thirty-something guy with an attractive face and… bang. The large wooden shop door closed swiftly behind them.

“Did she say a skunk?” Angie asked.

“Yeah. You don’t hear that every day.” Harper noticed the darkened skies. Large raindrops fell everywhere all at once. She and Angie stood under the covered porch and watched the rush of people scurrying down the main street, away from the rides, seeking shelter beneath building overhangs.

The man with the handsome face introduced himself. “I’m Bruce.” He offered a hand, and Harper accepted the handshake with a smile. “Guess we’re stuck here for a while.”

Angie’s phone rang in her pocket. “Ugh,” she groaned, looking at the screen. “It’s my boss. I need to take this.”

“I’m sorry, Harper,” Angie said a minute later. “The boss wants me to phone consult with him for about an hour. I’m going to find a quiet spot and call him back.”

“No problem,” Harper told her. “Meet me in front of the barbecue place at five, so we can grab dinner.”

Angie smiled. “Perfect.” She gave Harper’s arm a quick squeeze, popped open an umbrella, and headed off toward a building with a large, covered patio and outdoor tables on the opposite end of the square.

The rain continued, as Harper and Bruce made small talk. Harper enjoyed Bruce’s enthusiasm for travelling around in the mountains and the rock shop. “I’m an amateur rock collector,” he said. “It’s a fun hobby, and I find all kinds of interesting small-town shops to visit.”

“What do you do for a living-- when you’re not rock hunting?” Harper asked.

“I own a bike shop on the west side of Denver. I bought it soon after my wife died.” They continued talking, and Bruce asked her about her work in Boulder.

“I’m an engineering professor,” Harper said. “But today is all about having fun and taking a break. Plus, I’m a sucker for carnival food. There’s nothing better than funnel cake and chocolate peanut butter fudge.”

There was a loud creak as the woman in overalls swung the shop door open and peeped her head out with a smile. “All clear! We’re back open for business.”

“I want to make a purchase,” Bruce said. “Will you wait for me? I’d really like to continue our conversation. If that’s ok with you?”

Harper nodded. “I’ll wait.”

As Bruce ducked into the store, Harper quickly texted Angie. “Ok if I invite Bruce to eat with us?”

“Go for it. He’s a hottie. Single?” Angie texted.

As Harper grinned and looked into the store, Bruce had his back turned, inspecting a glass case full of mineral specimens. His broad shoulders and trim waistline made her pulse race. He was just as sexy from behind.

She tapped out a reply. “Yes, single!”

The roar of the rain softened to a trickle. Bruce chose a few items and returned to the porch with his purchases. “Treasures,” he said proudly. “Would you like to walk with me over to the general store so I can buy you some of that fudge you mentioned earlier?”

Harper gave Bruce a quick smile. “Angie and I are having dinner at the Barbecue restaurant. Want to join me?” Heat rushed to her face. “I mean, join us?”

Bruce smiled warmly in return. His eyes playfully glanced between hers, then at her mouth, and he blinked several times before looking into her eyes again. “I’d love to, Harper.”

He held out his elbow for her, his brows raising in a question. “If you’re up for it, I’d like to have a drink with you in town after dinner.”

Harper’s stomach fluttered, and she nodded as she slid her hand around the offered arm. Her heart was bursting with happiness, a new and wonderful sensation for her.

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