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“When is the interview?”
“Next week. So we’ve got to get these last details at the inn completed before then.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem. We just need to take care of the details.” She pulled the cart to a stop. “We’re here.”
They both got out of the cart and stared up at the Seaside Bookshop. She loved this little shop. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the owner, Melinda Coleman, was a good friend. She was also Harvey’s daughter.
Melinda had been by her side through the death of both of Sara’s parents as well as Cari moving away. Sara didn’t know how she’d have gotten through any of it without her. Melinda did more listening than she did talking. She let Sara get all of the pain out in the open. And then there were other times when talking wasn’t needed, and they’d sit together watching a movie. Sometimes Sara watched the television and other times she let her thoughts meander as she came to terms with the changes in her life.
Sara hadn’t told Melinda they were stopping by today. Frankly, she hadn’t been so certain Kent would go along with her idea. He seemed like he was ready to be done with this project once and for all.
She couldn’t blame him. They’d been working on the lobby for a week now. And this was supposed to be Kent’s vacation. She felt bad that he’d spent so much of it working.
At least the refresh project was coming to an end. Hopefully he’d get some time to relax before he had to go back to work. He deserved it after all of the hard work he’d done for his sister.
And then she realized that at the end of next week was the Concert on the Beach, and they had a date. Not an official date but plans for the evening. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of spending more time with Kent.
As they both got out of the cart and headed toward the bookshop, she said, “I’m sorry you haven’t been able to enjoy your vacation.”
“Don’t be. This was all my idea. The refresh project helped me figure something out.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t want to do refresh projects every day. It was more involved than I’d been thinking.” He glanced at her. “And I appreciate all of your help. I’m sorry it’s taken up so much of your time.”
“It’s okay. It was for a good cause. Besides, I have some vacation time saved up too. After this week of working from morning until night, I’m thinking I might take some time off after Josie returns to relax with Oreo and maybe read a book at the beach with my toes in the sand.”
“Sounds nice. Maybe I should join you.”
Her heart leapt into her throat. Was he serious? She swallowed hard and hoped that when she spoke, her voice sounded normal. “You definitely should.”
He hesitated as though he was trying to figure out if she was serious or not. “I don’t know. After all, Oreo needs someone to play with while you’re sunbathing.”
She arched a brow. “You think my kitten likes you that much?”
“Actually, I think he does.”
It wasn’t just the kitten that liked Kent a lot. When she glanced at him and his gaze met hers, her heart thump-thumped as heat rushed to her cheeks. Not that she was going to act on her feelings. She glanced away. After all, he was planning to move.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Kent that Sara was now calling Oreo “my kitten.” He was glad Sara had found the kitten. She seemed to need Oreo in her life.
He didn’t get a chance to say more as they reached the bookshop. It was a charming older brick building that had been whitewashed. The display window had a display that included a pink, blue, and yellow striped beach towel, sunglasses, a fruity drink, and books. Lots of books. And then he noticed a stuffed dog with a corner of the towel in its mouth, as though it were pulling it. Kent couldn’t help but smile. Whoever created the display had a lot of imagination.
The Seaside Bookshop was owned and operated by Melinda Coleman. He knew her from town hall meetings and other events around town. She was one of those friendly people that were easy to talk to.
He pulled the wooden door with a large glass window open. The brass bell above the door jingled. The air conditioning was most welcome on such a warm day.
The bookshop was busy with both young and old people meandering up and down the aisles. He’d only been in the shop a couple of times. Reading wasn’t one of his hobbies. He supposed that was because he spent a lot of his free time playing softball with his brothers or going fishing out on the ocean.
To both the left and right were bookshelves crammed full of books. Directly in front of them was the checkout counter. No one was tending it. They must be helping one of the customers.
He’d never seen so many books in one place. The signs at the end of the aisles indicated they had books on most every subject. Maybe he should pick out one or two books and join Sara on the beach. The offer was certainly tempting.
His gaze moved to Sara, who was glancing around the shop. He’d really enjoyed getting to know her. She was so different than he’d originally thought. He’d assumed that she carried grudges, but once she learned her sister’s secret, she’d let go of the past.
“Kent?” Sara waved a hand in front of his face. “Didn’t you hear me?”
He blinked. “Uh, sorry. What did you say?”
