“Yes, excellent questions,” Hettie Mae added.
The girl’s mother said to Lola, “Time to head home, sweetie. What do you say to Ms. Quinn?”
Lola turned to Penny. “I love coming here. Your bookstore is really fun.”
Penny smiled. “That is so nice of you to say. Thank you, Lola. I can’t wait to see you here again soon.”
The girl cast a concerned glance at Daniel. “Can you tell him about Santa?”
Penny smiled. “I will definitely do that — promise.”
“Okay,” Lola said, finally satisfied. “See you later. Merry Christmas!”
CHAPTER 21
Eleven long hours later, with a sigh of relief, Penny locked the front door of the bookstore and flipped the “Open” sign to “Closed.” Her feet were sore, her shoulders were aching, her brain was tired, and she was ready to crash — but she’d made it. A very long day at The Tattered Page had come to an end.
Daniel, bless his heart, was still at it, busy shelving books that had just arrived. Over the course of his long day, he’d not only turned himself into a box-unpacking and book-shelving machine, he’d manned the counter to ring up sales for countless customers and cheerfully answered questions about his own books from a steady stream of customers who recognized him. He’d also fielded questions about his Christmas essay. “I’ll be doing a press event tomorrow, right here at the bookstore,” he’d told folks who asked. “If you’re able to, please attend.”
Penny was about to announce that the work day was done when her phone buzzed. There was a text from Mom: “Casserole in the oven. Join us?”
Yes, most definitely, her stomach growled.
Followed by a thought that jolted her.Could I?Should I?
With a nervous flutter, she typed, “Okay if I bring someone?”
The answer came back instantly. “Of course!”
Daniel approached from the back, a book in hand. “Shelving done, except for this one. I think it’s a special order?”
Penny looked at it and nodded. “It goes on the shelf under the counter. I’ll call the customer tomorrow to let her know it’s here.”
As Daniel headed to the counter, Penny cleared her throat. “So, a question for you.”
“Ask away.”
“You hungry?”
He turned around and looked back at her. “Starving.”
“If you’d like, you’re welcome to join me for a late dinner with my mom and dad.”
His eyes lit up. “Really? You sure?”
“Very sure.”
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
Pleased that she’d asked and even more pleased that he’d accepted, she got herself bundled up. A moment later, she ushered him out the door, turned off the bookstore lights, and stepped into the cold winter night.
“I live about a six-minute walk away,” she said as she locked up. “Is your car parked nearby?”
“A block from the square.”
“We can either take your car or walk.”
“A walk sounds great.” He took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp air. “It’s nice being outside.”
