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With her jeep idling at the only stoplight in Purgatory Waverly decided to fuss with her wind-tousled hair. It was the perfect day to have her top down in the jeep and after spending the last two months backpacking through Ireland she had missed her cherry red jeep.
Out of the corner of her eye, something caught her attention as she turned her head towards the strip of businesses that had been there since the beginning of time. Except for one.
Haught Ice Cream.
“That just sounds silly.” Waverly scoffed before turning her attention to whoever was in an eight-foot vanilla ice cream cone costume. Complete with a cherry mask.
“Now that...is ridiculous. It’s like ninety degrees out today.” Waverly mumbled with a shake of her head.
The vanilla cone waved at her with enthusiasm as Waverly kept staring before giving her signature smile and wave back to them. This seemed to please the Vanilla Cone as it leaped forward doing a impressive front flip.
As the light turned green Waverly noticed the cherry mask on the sidewalk. No doubt falling off the face of whoever was under that hyperactive cone after their front flip. With a grin, Waverly floored it before remembering Shortys was two blocks down. Looking in her rearview mirror just as the Cone disappeared inside the shop.
“Gotta love strange small towns,” Waverly mumbled to herself before pulling into her parking spot and strolling into the bar.
“The town sweetheart returns.”
Busting out into a wide grin, Waverly rolls her eyes at Wynonna before running into open arms.
“You say that every time.” Waverly whispered as she squeezed her sister a little harder.
Wynonna laughed before pulling away from the hug. “I mean it every time. Now...what did you bring me?”
After spending the next hour reliving her trip and getting chastised for not finding even one person for a hook-up while away, Waverly had nearly forgotten about the new ice cream shop until Wynonna started making a drink and topping it with three cherries.
She must’ve noticed the odd look on Waverly’s face. “For my new friend. She always comes in about this time.”
“Speaking of new.” Waverly started as she felt someone sit on the stool next to hers. “What’s up with that ice cream shop? It’s weird right?”
Wynonna tilted her head before sliding the drink she made over towards the person sitting next to her. “What do you mean?”
With a furrow of her brow, Waverly sighed. “It’s like the owner did no research before opening. It’s Purgatory, where it’s either raining, snowing, or cold eight months out of the year, ring any bells?”
Slapping her hand on the bar with a new thought Waverly sat up straighter. “Oh, and they had a poor worker out in this heat fully kitted out in a vanilla ice cream cone costume with a cherry mask on. I mean...talk about horrible bosses.”
Hearing her stool neighbor slightly gasp and then laugh Waverly turned fully towards them for the first time since they had sat down. Preparing to come face to face with an ex or even old drunk Charlie, Waverly is more than pleasantly surprised when met with a beautiful woman instead.
The first thing Waverly noticed was the shoulder-length vibrant red hair. The way it contrasted beautifully with perfect ivory skin and deep chocolate brown eyes. Soul searching eyes.
“Well, you’re new. Hi. I’m Waverly.”
“Waverly this is my new friend Nicole H...” Wynonna starts before being interrupted.
“Nicole. Hi. I’m Nicole.” Nicole interrupted with a wide smile.
A smile that showcased deep gorgeous dimples.
“Wow. Wynonna said she had a new friend, but I figured they were imaginary.” Waverly joked. “What brings you to Purgatory?”
The sound of Wynonna choking on her drink drew Waverly’s attention away from the cute newcomer. “You alright Wy?”
“Mmhmm...yep!” Wynonna coughed as she gave the ‘a-okay’ signal with her fingers before burping. “Nicole? What did bring you to Purgatory?”
With her interest highly piqued Waverly kind of felt as if she were on the outside looking in on some sort of elusive joke. “What?”
Twirling her tumbler full of amber liquid and those three cherries Nicole smirked at her. “Nothing. It’s nothing. I guess Purgatory just felt like home. I like the mountains and small towns. I’ve always had a thing for small-town women too.”
Leaning towards Nicole, Waverly whispered. “Took me getting out of Purgatory to realize I’ve always had a thing for small-town men and women. Who knew traveling the world could help you understand yourself.”
A small grin formed allowing only one dimple to show itself as Nicole tapped her fingers on the bar. “Good to know. Now tell us more about this ice cream shop it certainly sounds interesting. Something about a cherry mask?”
“Whoever was wearing the outfit did a great front flip. Probably a high school cheerleader or something. I was head cheerleader in high school and valedictorian you know.” Waverly subtly bragged with a wink. “Although their landing could have been better. If it was, maybe the cherry mask wouldn’t have fallen off.”
Nicole laughed and it was the prettiest sound Waverly had ever heard. Prettier than the sounds of waves crashing, more wholesome than hummingbirds flying around her head, she wanted to hear it again and again.
Picking up a cherry by the stem Nicole popped the artificially red fruit in her mouth as long slender fingers played with the stem. “Someone in an ice cream mascot outfit in this heat? Sounds crazy.”
Throwing her hands up in excitement Waverly shook her head in agreement. “Exactly. Imagine how sweltering it had to be in there. Whoever owns that Haught Ice Cream shop should really think about things like that. Maybe they should put the outfit on and see what it’s like in there.”
“Heard they had great alcohol ice cream though.” Wynonna chimed in with a smile. “Bourbon caramel by the pint? Sign me up!”
Nicole’s eyebrows shot up. “Vodka vanilla dipped donut is supposedly flying off the shelves.”
Shrugging her shoulders Waverly sighed. “Who eats ice cream in the winter or when it’s cold for that matter? Which is seriously like eight months out of the year. Terrible location for a business if you ask me.”
Nicole and Wynonna locked eyes before Nicole drained her drink. Cherries included. “I’ve got to use the restroom. Be right back.”
Turning back towards her sister Waverly fanned herself before exclaiming. “She is so hot!”
Wynonna chuckled. “You have no idea, baby girl.”
Paying no attention to the odd comment from her older sister, Waverly leaned closer to the bar. “Tell me about her. Is she single? How old is she? How long has she been here? Does she plan on staying? Give me the details.”
“She’s twenty-six. She’s here for a long time. Single as a dollar bill. She’s a little vanilla. Loves cherries. Has a few odd masks.”
Wondering how her sister knew Nicole was a little vanilla made her miss Nicole’s arrival back to the bar.
“Well ladies it has been a pleasure, but I’ve got to head home. A lot of paperwork to catch up on, washing of uniforms, you know the boring stuff.” Nicole said with a grin as she laid a business card down next to Waverly’s drink. “Come by if you get a chance, Waverly. I’d love to have you in.”
Utterly transfixed by the gorgeous woman in front of her, all Waverly could do was gulp and nod. “Absolutely! I’d love to.”
What she was agreeing to she really wasn’t sure but for some odd reason, she felt as if she would trust Nicole with her life. Even if she didn’t know the woman’s last name yet.
“See you later Wynonna. I know you’ll be in.” Nicole said. “Waves…seriously stop by. I mean it.”
As she walked away Waverly couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. She was in some sort of dry-spell trance an it didn’t help the way Nicole’s hips swayed as she walked away. Once the heavy bar doors closed, the trance broke and Waverly turned back towards her sister who had a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Foot meet mouth.” Wynonna laughed as she pointed at Nicole’s business card.
Confused she grabbed the card off the bar before turning it around.
Haught Ice Cream.
481 Purgatory Main Street
Nicole Haught
Owner and lovable Ice Cream Mascot.
With wide eyes and a grimace, Waverly groaned before slamming her head on the bar top.
“Well...fudge.”
It took three days before Waverly mustered up the courage to show her face at Haught Ice Cream. Standing on the sidewalk exactly six feet from the dancing Vanilla Cone mascot Waverly balls her fists before exhaling and walking towards them.
“Nicole. I need to formally apologize. I am beyond sorry. I had no right to condemn someone’s business I have never even stepped foot into before.” Waverly began before panicking slightly. “Wait. I shouldn’t ever condemn someone’s business at all. Jesus. I’m messing this all up.”
The Vanilla Cone just stood there. Cherry mask long gone, a chocolate sprinkle mask in its place, before they took it off revealing a teenage girl. “Umm...I’m Rachel. Nicole is in the shop but wow girl if you’re apologizing I would take a moment and just...breathe. Also maybe rethink your apology? It kinda sucked. Now I gotta get back to my TikTok Cone Dance.”
“Great.” Waverly sighed to herself as she approached the door to the shop. Looking through the glass door sure enough there was the beautiful redhead situated behind the counter. “Here goes nothing.”
Opening the door slowly as it chimed her arrival Waverly couldn’t help the butterflies floating around her stomach at the smile and excitement that seemed to radiate off Nicole at seeing her.
“Waves! Hi! Glad you could make it. I was starting to wonder if I scared you off.” Nicole shouted across the shop.
Walking slowly across the red and white tile linoleum Waverly felt as if she had time-traveled to the 1950s at a mom and pop diner. She was in love instantly.
Stopping at the counter Waverly couldn’t help but stare at the counter filled with machinery that looked extremely complicated. Nicole must have noticed as she started to explain what every machine was used and needed for.
“This here.” Nicole pointed at a metal circular plate. “Is my ice plate. Haven’t used it much but it’s fun for the kids.”
The way Nicole explained how the alcohol ice cream was made in-house and that they would be serving hot drinks during the winter made Waverly feel even worse about her comments before.
“Nicole. I’m so sorry. I’ve never been that rude about anything in my life. What can I do to make it up to you?” Waverly said with a small shrug.
“Let’s make a bet. If you can finish my ice cream challenge I’ll forgive you. Also, you get a gift card.” Nicole teased. “If you lose though…Earn my forgiveness by wearing a mascot outfit. Mask included.”
Biting her lip Waverly decided to up the bet. “If I win, how about I get the gift card, forgiveness, and a date with you?”
A slow smirk spread across Nicole’s face. “I don’t usually date women who bad-mouth my business. Especially when they bad mouth it unknowingly to me.”
Like a child being told no Waverly was about to argue about why she should be given this opportunity.
“However.” Nicole continued. “I would be a fool not to take you up on that offer. It just really really blows that you’re not going to win.”
The cocky head tilt and smirk Nicole sported drove Waverly a little crazy in all the best ways. “You don’t know what you’ve unleashed Nicole Haught.”
“I guess we will see won’t we Waverly Earp.” Nicole purred. “The ‘Haught's Gone Bananas Split’ challenge is no joke sweetheart.”
Nicole pointed towards the huge board on the wall. Three-pound banana split sundae. Three scoops of ice cream, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Four bananas. Loaded with whipped cream, sprinkles, nuts ‘unless allergic’, and a massive amount of cherries.
Gulping Waverly tried to stand with confidence. That was a lot of ice cream and toppings. She could do this though. She had to do this. Not only has she been challenged but she really wanted the opportunity to take Nicole on a date. She wanted to get to know the woman who had created all of this.
Stepping back from the board Waverly propped her elbows on the counter before leaning towards Nicole. “You’ll come to learn this about me Nicole but I never back down from a challenge and I usually always win or get what I want in the end.”
With a step back from the counter Waverly relished under Nicole’s attention. Those brown eyes looking her up and down as slowly as cold molasses dripping out of a jar. One finger beckoning her towards the redhead. “Follow me.”
As Nicole exited from behind the counter Waverly was able to get a better view of the retro ice cream parlor uniform. Tight form-fitting black slacks, cherry red crisp long-sleeve button-up shirt, and a white bow tie. The black and red apron lay lonely on the counter as Nicole strutted by.
Jesus that woman-owned wearing that outfit. “Anywhere.”
The word slipped from her mouth in a whisper. She was unsure if Nicole even heard her, but the slight tinting of her cheeks made Waverly believe she might’ve.
Following closely behind as they walked across the shop Waverly felt as if she were walking in a field of vanilla-dipped doughnuts. “Vanilla?”
Turning her head slightly Nicole just winked at her. “The vodka vanilla-dipped doughnuts is my favorite.”
“Wow.”
Stopping at the wall Waverly stepped beside Nicole. “What’s this?”
On the wall was a huge corkboard split in two that was full of pictures. All but one picture was under the title ‘wall of shame.’ The one picture filed under ‘wall of fame’ just so happened to be Wynonna.
Of course.
“Hey! That’s Mel.” Waverly said with excitement as she pointed towards a polaroid on the wall of shame. “She named her cat after me you know.”
Nicole smiled and Waverly melted a little like an ice cream cone outside in the middle of July. “Must be a sweet kitten then.”
Pointing towards another polaroid Nicole taps it. “This is Na. She bragged that she could do the challenge even if it was five pounds. Poor woman bowed out early.”
Smiling softly Nicole taps on Wynonna's picture. “Honestly, she could have eaten two or three of them. That’s how we became friends.”
She could just imagine it. Wynonna bragging and trash-talking Nicole as she shovels the ice cream down her throat. Of course, her sister would be the only one who beat the challenge.
Until now. She hoped.
“Well, Nicole. What are you waiting for? Where’s my banana split?” Waverly challenged. “It’s not going to make itself is it?”
“Yes ma’am!” Nicole whispered in her ear before heading back towards the counter. “No allergies to nuts?”
Shaking her head Waverly pulled out her cell phone to call Wynonna.
After the third ring, she picked up. “Helllooooo?”
With an aggressive whisper, Waverly ducked behind a fake plant. “Get to the ice cream shop. NOW!”
“Why?” Wynonna chuckled.
Glancing at the counter to make sure Nicole wasn’t within hearing distance Waverly raised her voice a bit. “I agreed to the ice cream challenge for forgiveness. And a date. You’re the only one who was won. Give me pointers and get down here for support. Please.”
As a loud and heinous laugh nearly deafened her Waverly rolled her eyes as she could hear her sister leaving Shortys. “What do I get?”
Waverly whined into the phone. “I’ll do your laundry for two weeks. Please help me.”
“Swallow. Use the fact you don’t have a gag reflex and just shovel it down. That’s what I did. If you get brain freeze just ignore it. It’ll hurt but get over it.” Wynonna offered.
The bells chimed beautifully as Wynonna walked in and hung up. “How ya doing Ginger Cone.”
“Better than you Earp!” Nicole shouted. “Almost done making Waves’ banana split.”
Yanking Wynonna by the arm into her little hideout Waverly stomped her foot. “How am I supposed to flirt and look cute while I shovel three pounds of ice cream down my throat? I can’t look disgusting. She’ll be watching me.”
“Ah. I see the predicament.” Wynonna sympathized. “I bet she’d be more impressed if you win than looking hot while doing it.”
Wynonna walked away as Nicole set down a humongous bowl on a table. Slowly walking towards it, Waverly felt as if she were in a load of trouble. Three pounds of ice cream looked much bigger than it sounded.
“Crap.” Waverly’s breathed out as she sat in the chair Nicole had graciously pulled out for her.
Nicole slid her finger over Waverly’s shoulder causing heat to travel up her spine as she adjusted herself in the seat. “Once you pick up that spoon the time starts. Thirty minutes for a picture on the wall of fame, my forgiveness, a gift card, and of course a date.”
Waverly nodded.
“However...if you lose. You will be a Haught Ice Cream mascot. Mask included.” Nicole declared. “I’d love to see some of those head cheerleader moves you bragged about in one of my cones.”
Determination setting in, Waverly balled her fists on the table. “Not gonna happen Nicole. Get ready to start the timer.”
“Hell yeah baby girl!” Wynonna shouted in the empty shop. “You got this!”
With all the confidence in the world for absolutely no reason, Waverly picked the spoon up and dug into the top of the banana split. Scraping down to the bowl a mix of vanilla ice cream, walnuts, two cherries, and a glob of whip cream spilling over the tiny spoon and she brought it to her lips.
“Mmm. wits dewicious,” Waverly mumbled around the ice cream in her mouth.
“No talking. Only eating.” Wynonna encouraged. “Don’t waste time.”
Nodding while swallowing Waverly dug back into the massive banana split in front of her. Perseverance and stubbornness fueling her body as she once again brought the mountain on top of her spoon to her lips.
“Use your hands! I did!” Wynonna encouraged as she slapped the table. “Gotta really dig in.”
Lips numb from the cold and her mouth feeling as though she had built a snow fort inside of it, Waverly figured she may as well take the pointers from the only one who had won the challenge.
“You’ll have to lick your hands and fingers clean for it to count.” Nicole pointed out. “Can’t have a huge glob of ice cream between those pretty little fingers.”
Spoon abandoned Waverly digs into the giant bowl with both hands. The ice cream squishing between her fingers as she brings them to her mouth shoveling the cold mess into her mouth.
“Atta girl Waverly. Swallow, no chewing, swallow again. You got this.” Wynonna commanded.
Digging back in for two more fistfuls is when her brain felt attacked. Instantly her ice cream-filled hands went to her head. Leaving sticky freezing ice cream in her hair and face. “Geez!”
“Suck it up, Waverly. Keep going.” Wynonna yelled. “You don’t want your face on the wall of shame!”
Persistence and the thought of Nicole dressed up for a nice date melted away the brain freeze instantly. Well actually it didn’t but a little brain freeze never killed anyone. Or had it?
Waverly started shoveling the ice cream and bananas in her mouth. Chewing slightly so she wouldn’t choke on the solid fruit. Time felt as if it was standing still yet going faster than the whiskey did when Wynonna was around.
“Thirteen minutes left Earp. That’s a lot of ice cream left. Sure you can do it?” Nicole teased. “Wynonna was done by this point.”
Whipping her head towards Nicole she did her best sexy glare that she could manage with hands full of ice cream and whip cream smeared nearly all over her face.
“I wot dis.” Waverly mumbled.
Wynonna slapped Nicole on the back. “Never underestimate an Earp. She’s got this Haught. She wouldn’t want to disappoint her sister now would she?”
Shaking her head Waverly doubled her efforts. Semi-conscious of the fact that this could possibly be the least sexy thing on earth.
Feeling her throat contract and try to push the ice cream back up Waverly fought back as she swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure when she’d ever be able to eat ice cream again.
“Three minutes Waverly,” Nicole said.
Looking at her bowl with maybe a spoonful or two of ice cream along with whipped cream and a cherry Waverly takes her spoon and starts to mash.
It’ll be easier to drink at this point she figures.
Lifting the heavy bowl to her mouth she starts to gulp heavily and fast. Slamming the bowl down on the table as Nicole starts to countdown from twenty.
“20…19…better get that ice cream off your fingers Waves or else you’re a loser…15..14…” Nicole urged.
Fingers in her mouth Waverly wonders where in her life she took such a wrong turn to be having her whole fist in her mouth.
It was not sexy.
“5…4…3…” Nicole shouted.
Slamming her hands on the table Waverly stands up. “Done! Done. All done.”
Wynonna cheered while Nicole inspected her bowl before softly taking Waverly’s hands into her own. Slowly turning them over and running her fingers across her palms.
It was kinda hot.
“Well Waverly…as sad as it is for me to say.” Nicole started with a frown. “You’ve won!”
Instantly interlocking their fingers Waverly jumps up and down yelling in excitement as Nicole tried to hide her own. Wynonna hollering next to them.
“Hold on. Let me get my camera. You need your picture.” Nicole laughed before releasing their hands.
A weight released from her shoulders Waverly sighed in contentment. She had won.
Yet she still felt bad. Maybe she could spend an afternoon as an Ice Cream mascot. It might even be fun.
With the picture taken, Waverly was able to put it in the ‘wall of fame’ herself before giving Wynonna a look to give her a minute with Nicole.
“Hey…so I was thinking. You shouldn’t be obligated to go on a date with me. That’s weird. Plus, I decided to be an Ice Cream mascot anyway.” Waverly declared.
Nicole stood there with her arms folded across her chest. “Well, that’s good news. I’d much rather ask you on a date. However, I’ll have to see how well you do as a mascot first. Follow me.”
Laughing Waverly followed Nicole to the back with the mascot outfits. “I think you’ll be pretty impressed. Do I get the cherry mask?”
Walking towards her Nicole bent down a bit until her lips were almost touching Waverly’s ear. “You look more like a strawberry mask woman. The cherry mask is and always will be mine.”
Putting the outfit on was a little harder than Waverly expected. Almost getting stuck until Nicole helped her maneuver her head into the slot of the cone.
“You look pretty cute as a vanilla cone.” Nicole breathed out with a giddy smile.
Moving slightly in the Cone to see how much space she actually had, Waverly laughed as she got within inches of Nicole. “I can’t see myself, but I’ll take your word for it. Let’s go.”
Walking out and heading for the door she hears Nicole call her name.
“Waverly. Don’t forget your mask.” Nicole chuckled as she held the mask out.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Waverly said as she caught the mask before pushing the door open and walking outside.