Eldora

Chapter Eight (B)

Diamond nervously pushed a strand of curly hair out of her face before correcting the small waist apron over her poke-a-dot dress that looked elegant on her petite frame, she was anxious and she had terrible butterflies in her gut. She could the line of pedestrians patiently waiting for her to flip her sign and unlock the door, she glanced at her banner before doing an entire circle to make sure everything was in it's rightful place.

Black and white portraits were evenly spaced around the shop walls, Diamond hurried to fix the small chalkboard that displayed her sold items as she skimmed her menu again. An array of chocolate chips, sugar, macadamia nuts, and oatmeal cookies were being sold for $0.50 each, her chocolate and blueberry scones were $1.00 each, a slice of pie or cake of choice was $3.00, and an entire pie or cake of choice was $7.00.

She gladly admitted to herself that everything looked very edible, her cookies were chewy on the inside with a crisp barrier, her cakes were iced to perfection, and her pies were a beautiful golden brown. Diamond glanced at the clock again to see that it was time for her to open, she inched to the door and unlocked it with a shaky hand. Ethan wasn't back from the trip yet and she was scared that he wouldn't be able to see his prediction come true, would he return for her? Was he safe? 

The first person to enter was a man who had shoulder-length black hair that was starting to gray at the root, he stood in a pair of tan slacks with a plain white t-shirt tucked into it. He finished his attire with a solid, black tie and business shoes that glistened in the sparkling sun that had Eldora bustling with energy early on the beautiful morning. The man's bright blue eyes took in the layout of the new shop with interest.

"Good morning." The man proudly stated, flashing Diamond a small grin before looking to the chalkboard beside the register to see things that were being offered.

"Morning, what can I get for you today?" Diamond asked, moving behind the counter.

Her heart was booming in her chest and she was sure that it was beating so loud that the man could hear it, her lips felt very dry as she nervously pressed her top teeth into the corner of the bottom one while the man observed the chalkboard carefully. 

"I'll take two chocolate chip cookies and a slice of apple pie." The man responded, his smile still proud as he looked around the building once more while Diamond placed the order into the register. "My wife and I couldn't wait for this place to open again, it's very cozy inside."

"Thank you." Diamond smiled, stepping aside to complete the man's order. "That will be $4."

"Okay." The man said, grabbing his wallet out of his pocket as the bell went off once more, signaling someone else's entrance. 

It was an younger woman with her hair pulled into a messy bun but her make-up was done to perfection, her foundation made her face seem flawless as her hot pink eyeshadow popped to match her hot pink V-neck shirt with a snug set of jeans. With her was a teenager that kept her face buried in her notebook, she had straight, shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes scanned the book as she mouthed the words while reading. The teen wore a chevron brown and white blouse with jeans that were nearly as snug as her mothers. Diamond passed the man his order and took the man's cash as he thanked her with a nod before stepping out of line for the two new customers to come to the counter. 

"Hello, what can I get you today?" Diamond asked politely.

"Two sugar cookies for me," The woman ordered back before looking to her daughter, "do you want anything?"

"No." The teen said quickly, her eyes never leaving the book.

Diamond nodded and made the woman's order quickly. "That's $1." Diamond said as the woman quickly nodded and pulled out her bill.