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He lowered his umbrella and flashed her a smile. “Hey, there, beautiful.”
“Wow, I…I can’t believe you’re here.” She rounded the counter then paused. “You’re not going to spontaneously combust or anything, are you? You know, being this far from home and all?”
He laughed, one of her new favorite sounds filling one of her absolute favorite places.
“I sure hope not,” he said, leaning his umbrella near the door. “Especially before I’ve had the chance to receive the grand tour.”
“That’s very sweet, but you don’t have to say that. I know bookstores aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.”
“Not gonna lie, it’s been a while since I’ve been in an actual bookstore, and nothing like this. Also? Your aunt needs to update her website, because it’s not doing her shop justice. This place is really cool.”
She looked around the space, trying to see it the way he did. Having grown up in Brooks Books, she’d explored every nook and cranny of the store over the years, from its rustic brick walls to the hand-built islands of shelves and the storefront displays. “You really think so?”
“Definitely. I’ve looked at a lot of independent bookstores online the past few weeks, trying to get ideas for how to best feature yours on our event page. This store has such a warm and inviting feel to it. Makes you want to come in and stay awhile.”
Del smiled. “That’s exactly what my mother always wanted—a welcoming space to help foster the love of reading. It’s why we still host story time for toddlers and young readers every other Wednesday evening. Not sure if I’ve told you this, but it’s my favorite time of the week.”
He studied her for a minute, head tipped to one side. “I didn’t realize you had such a heart for kids.”
“Oh, I love kids—love to get them all riled up and send them on their way.” She laughed. “I’ve had plenty of practice at it, too, with Brooklyn. But I knew she wouldn’t be little forever, so this gets me my little kid fix each week. And it’s the best feeling when you have a group that’s totally into the story and hanging on your every word—like watching their love of reading blossom right before your eyes.”
Isaac wandered toward the back of the store, Del following to offer commentary where needed. “But you don’t just sell kid books, I see.”
“Nope. We’ve got a little of everything, really. New books and old. Faye thought it would encourage people to read more if we gave them an option to sell us the books back when they were done. Since there’s no library in Bourbon Falls, she thought this was the next best thing. Of course, she doesn’t make anything off the used books, but that’s never been the store’s main focus.”
“And here?” he asked, stepping around the far shelving unit and kneeling to look on its lowest shelf. “What’s waiting in the shadows here?”
“Back here?”
As she bent to get a better look at the section he was motioning toward, Isaac tugged her face to his and gave her a long, slow kiss.
“Sorry,” he grinned, tracing her jawline with his thumb. “Been wanting to do that since you left.”
“I’ll allow it, but just this once,” she said with a wink. “Got a whole town watching through those front windows, so we can’t stay here long.”
“Ah, yes. I should have known that.” He stood and moseyed on, turning his back to the front window with a conspiratorial grin. “First time I’ve kissed anyone in a bookstore, for the record.”
“First time I’ve been kissed in here and not duked the guy responsible,” she answered.
“What!”
Del laughed. “Herbie Meyers snuck in and planted one on me in the fourth grade. He left with a fat lip. Pretty sure I got grounded for that one.”
“Definitely not good business to go punching your customers.”
She scoffed. “Not good manners to be making moves on the staff, either.”
“Touché.” Isaac motioned toward a newer rocking chair and woven rug in the young reader’s section. “And I take it this is where the magic happens?”
“It is.”
“Are there pictures of this anywhere? Because it would be the perfect addition to our ‘why you should support our fundraiser’ page.”
“I’m sure there are, but they’re probably not all that recent. Maybe I can hit Mia up to take some pictures next time.”
“Hit me up for what?”
Isaac froze as Mia’s voice rang out from the back hall, genuine fear in his eyes. Something in his past certainly had him spooked. Del hated to see him this way; hated the thought of him leaving even more.
