We near The Reading Nook and I spy Ronin’s grandmother, Nora, behind the counter inside. The sight of her familiar Christmas sweater and fluffy white hair has me pulling open the door before I even realize I’m doing it.
Nora glances up as Mom and I enter, and a wide smile stretches across her delicate features. “Amelia! What a wonderful surprise!” She hurries around the counter to greet us and embraces me in a tight hug.
“Hi, Grandma Nora.” I squeeze her back, inhaling her familiar scent. Her perfume sends a wave of nostalgia washing over me, and I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment before releasing her.
“It’s so lovely to see you, dear. I was hoping you’d come by to see me.” Nora gives my mother a pat on her arm and squeezes her hand. “Grace, dear, always a pleasure. How’s Patrick?”
The two women exchange pleasantriesand fall into a comfortable flow of conversation, updating each other on families and recent happenings. I know they’ll be at it for a few minutes, so I take this time to peruse the bookstore.
The register is directly to the left of the entrance, the front counter a deep, walnut wood that compliments the dark hardwood floors. The walls are a beautiful contrast, painted a soft gray color that’s almost white. Nora has hung framed black and white photographs of the town along the walls of the front entrance, moments in our town’s history frozen in time.
I step forward to get a closer look and one photo in particular jumps out at me. Me and Ronin, in our late teens, sitting side by side in a pair of the large, comfortable chairs that litter the shop. We each have a book held up and covering the bottom half of our faces so that only our eyes peek out, our grins apparent in the crinkling skin around them.
We spent so much of our time here growing up. The space is infused with memories, and I swallow hard against the growing lump in my throat before turning away from the wall of photos.
“Amelia, I was hoping to have a word before you take off, if you have a moment?” Nora’s soft voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts.
“Of course.” I stuff my hands into my coat pockets. “What’s up?”
“How about we have a seat in the back room?” Nora gestures farther into the shop.
I agree, so we leave Mom browsing a rack of bookmarks and make our way into the employee lounge.
Upon entering, Nora takes a seat on the small sofa set up against one wall and pats the space next to her. I sit and turn to her, curiosity plainly written across my features.
“What’s going on, Nora? Everything okay with Julian?”
Nora waves a hand dismissively. “Oh, yes, everything’s just fine. Julian is home, probably asleep in his favorite armchair like usual.”
I giggle, remembering all the times Ronin and I had to sneak past his sleeping grandfather on our way down to the basement.
“He is, however, a part of what I’d like to discuss with you,” Nora continues. “I’ll get right to the point, Amelia. I have a business proposition for you.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Oh? What sort?”
“Well, you know Julian and I are getting up there in years now—oh hush, you know it’s true—and well, we both think it’s time to take a step back from the bookstore.” She pauses, pinning me with a surprisingly intense look, her gaze piercing right through to my heart. “I was hoping you might want to run the bookstore. Is that something that you think might interest you?”
I lean back into the sofa, reeling. A job offer? Here, in Blue Fields? I consider the reality of saying yes, of taking Nora up on this opportunity. I hadn’t even considered moving back home when I booked this trip. My life is in LA.
Is it, though?
I think about my tiny apartment. I think about my shitty job, one of many that I’ve worked over the last few years. This one is the worst yet, working for a small company that publishes nothing but scummy paparazzi articles. I let myself entertain the idea of quitting, of packing up my apartment and coming back to Blue Fields. To being here with Bree again, with Evan and Cat. My parents.
Ronin.
“Wow. Nora, I’ll admit, I’m caught off guard by this offer. I wasn’t expecting this at all.” My voice catches and I have to clear my throat, emotion threatening to undo my careful composure.
“I know, it’s a bit out of the blue. When Grace informed us of your visit, it felt like fate.” Nora smiles softly, a brief look of sadness brushing her features. “Unfortunately, Julian has a hard time these days being on his feet so much. It would be good for him to retire, as much as it pains him to admit. And I can still help at the store when you need, but I wouldn’t say no to working less, either. It would be nice to have the extra help.”
She takes my hands into her rough, wrinkled ones. “There is no need to answer right now. Take a few days, think it over, talk to your mother about it. She already knows. Sodoes Ronin.” She levels her stare at me, her expression saying everything her words don’t. I gulp, reminded of how we could never hide anything from her as kids.
“And what does Ronin think about you asking me?” I inquire. “He doesn’t want to take over this place?”
“Well, dear. If you want to know the answer to those questions, I suggest you ask the man himself.” Nora’s eyes twinkle.
I chuckle, and squeeze her hands gently. “Okay. I’ll think about it. And Nora… Thank you.” I smile at her. “It means the world to me that you would think of me for this.”
“Oh, Amelia. There isn’t anyone else I would want for this than you.”
