“Of course! Alyssa was just about to tell me about an idea she had for a job. Which I’m dying to know about.” I jerked my head to the comfy chair just a few feet away from the central sitting area. “Take a seat. I’ve got coffee in the back. Want some?”
“Yes, please.”
I had a massive amount of work to do, but I’d gladly stay late if it meant Ellie had a few moments of peace in her life. After getting three cups of coffee, I placed them on a tray, along with cream and sugar, then headed back out to the girls.
“So, tell me about this job.”
Her eyes darted to Ellie as she stirred in her cream and sugar. “Actually, I was thinking that maybe Ellie would want some help at the boutique.”
The shop got deadly quiet as Ellie’s hands shook around her mug. For a moment, I thought she would flee, but when she raised her eyes and looked at us, the pain and sadness in their depths held her captive.
I didn’t think twice as I rushed to her side, gripping her hand in mine.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I’m just—I don’t know if I can go back.”
“That’s where I thought I could help,” Alyssa smiled. “You’ve worked so hard for your shop, and I know people are wondering when it will open again. I thought maybe I could take over for you until you’re ready to come back.”
“But you don’t know about the system or the ordering process…”
“Well, that’s stuff you could teach me when no one’s around.”
“And we can make sure Ryder’s there,” I chimed in. “Or JR. I’m sure Delaney and Josie would be willing to help you get things going again.”
As she bit her lip, I sent up a quick prayer that she would accept the help. If Ellie didn’t start somewhere, she might be stuck in this perpetual state of agony for the rest of her life.
“I mean, I guess we could try it.” She gave a hesitant smile, then went back to her coffee. Her hands were no longer shaking, and as she eased back into my couch, I got the distinct feeling that this might be just the thing for her.
While the girls sat and talked about the shop, I got back to work, shelving books and pricing new collections that arrived. When all that was done, I dusted the books and made sure nothing looked old and outdated.
The day passed so quickly that I didn’t even realize it was closing time until I glanced up at the clock just as someone entered.
My whole body stiffened when Wyatt stepped inside, his dark eyes trained on me. After the fiasco at Thanksgiving, I was seriously hoping that I wouldn’t see him anytime soon.
Yet, here he was. Standing in my doorway and staring at me like he was going to eat me alive.
Or murder me.
And based on how crazy his family was, I hadn’t ruled out the latter.
“Wyatt,” I finally pushed out of my lungs. “Uh…we’re just about to close.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
Unease skittered down my spine as he took a single step forward, then another. Swallowing hard, I watched as his rough hands shoved deep into his pockets, but just because they were out of the way didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to strangle me with ease.
“You’re…here because we’re closing?”
He took another step forward, his eyes narrowing further on me. “I came to talk about what happened the other night.”
“Oh, that,” I swallowed hard. “Um…”
“I’ve got a new sliding door for you in the back of my truck.”
“Oh, well…that’s really not necessary.”
He took another step forward. My heart kicked up a notch, and as I glanced around the store, I wished more than ever that Alyssa was still here with me. Wyatt had never actively made a move against anyone I knew, but his whole family was a little nutty. And based on how he exploded at my house, I knew just how angry he could get.
“I insist. We broke your door. It’s only right that I replace it.”
