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Still, he reminded himself he did not fit into his life in any other capacity than as an employee. They would undoubtedly drive each other insane if they attempted any other level of connection. Just today, during lunch, she had nearly fried the microwave by forgetting to put water in her ramen bowl.
When he got to his upstairs apartment, he kicked off his shoes, letting the day roll off his shoulders. He had found that it was always important to decompress after a long day—just taking a moment to process the day’s events and shake off any minor annoyances. His rituals had served him well, and he found that this was one he couldn’t do without.
With a sigh and another roll of his shoulders, Daniel slipped his laptop off the kitchen counter and headed to the bedroom to get in some writing before bed. His head was buzzing with new ideas, but as he opened up the Word file to where he had left off, something felt different.
He took the time to read over his last few paragraphs as he often did before embarking on a new writing session, and something nagged at his mind. For the last several chapters, he’d felt something was missing but had yet to pinpoint it. He pushed through anyway, determined to get words on the page. But the nagging feeling wouldn’t leave him. With a frustrated sigh, he closed the laptop after just a few paragraphs.
The book was supposed to be about a man rebuilding himself from the ashes of his broken past, but the delivery was just falling flat. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t see himself in the character he had created. Perhaps that’s why this feeling was bothering him so much.
He stripped his flannel off and climbed into bed. Maybe the new day would give him new inspiration. The book had been his constant companion for the past two years, after all. It could wait one more night.
Chapter five
Tessablewonhersteaming coffee, her eyes glued to the book in her hands. It was a romance she had purchased the day before from the TikTok table. She would have to be careful, or her entire paycheck would be going to the books in the shop. Still, she couldn’t resist the cutesy cartoon cover and the happily ever after that it promised.
She hadn’t had time to indulge her romantic side while working as a book reviewer. Their publication had specialized in literary fiction, and Tessa had taken her image seriously, only bringing “respectable” books to the office to read while eating her lunch. It felt nice to relax into old routines again.
It wasn’t that Tessa didn’t appreciate more serious literary works. They were often masterpieces that deserved their esteem. But sometimes, she wanted something saccharine sweet to lose herself in. Life was not always kind, but picking up a book with a guaranteed happily ever after could help her forget that for a few hours.
Turning another page, she sipped at the coffee, filled with sugary creamer, just the way she liked it.I bet Daniel drinks it black and talks down to people who don’t.The thought came out of nowhere, but lately, thoughts of Daniel had been cropping up at the oddest times, so it was hardly surprising.
The blissful escape was interrupted by a stray thought. Tessa sighed and checked the alarm clock on the nightstand. It had been a week since her first day at Turn the Page, and she hadn’t been late since, thanks to Patty showing her how to work the alarm clock correctly. In her haste that first night, she had apparently set the alarm for p.m. instead of a.m. Mystery—and problem—solved.
But today, Martha would be manning the shop while Tessa and Daniel helped out with preparations for the Harvest Festival. They were supposed to meet there at 10 a.m. and it looked like it was time to start heading out.
Slipping the paperback into her shoulder bag, Tessa wrung her hands through her wild curls, hoping to tame them somewhat. She glanced at the mirror above the dresser and sighed. It would have to do for now.
“Are you ready to hit the town?” She asked Pippin as she clipped the leash to his collar. In response, she received a hearty tail wag and a sloppy lick on the face. “Yeah, I’m excited too.”
The old stairs of the boarding house creaked beneath her feet as she took them two at a time. Pippin followed close at her heels. With a bounce, she hit the last step and turned to leave for the day.
“Oh, hon, there you are! I was wondering if you had left for the day yet.” Patty was behind the desk, as per usual, reading the town’s paper with her reading glasses perched on the edge of her nose. She looked at Tessa over the rims of her glasses, a broad smile on her face. “Off to the Harvest Festival, I presume?”
Tessa nodded, “Yeah, just got some reading in before heading out.”
Patty clicked her tongue, shaking her head, “Poor Algon. He should really slow down at his age, anyway. I’m so glad you agreed to help. You’re a very sweet young lady. I’ll probably be there a little closer to the afternoon. I have a guest checking in soon.”
A blush bloomed on Tessa’s cheeks as she shyly looked away, “You’re not bad yourself, Patty. Well, I better head out. Daniel is liable to have a coronary if I’m late.”
Patty chuckled and waved her out the door, “Give him hell, dear.”
As soon as Tessa stepped out onto the main thoroughfare, she breathed in the light scene of autumn settling in. It seemed like the season was aware of the festivities being planned, lending its signature atmosphere to the event. She smiled as she led Pippin down Main Street, heading toward the town center.
It was a short walk there, but on her way, Tessa ran into three different people that she had come to know through the bookstore. She stopped to discuss their current reading habits and their respective excitement for the upcoming festivities. After each interaction, Tessa felt an extra pep in her step.
She hadn’t expected to fall so head over heels in love with this town and them with her. But she had found genuine connections here, something that had been sorely lacking in Boston. Tessa couldn’t remember the last time a conversation had felt so genuine. The quick, warm welcome from the town had lightened the burden of her earlier failure, and it gave her hope for a better tomorrow.
The town square came into view ahead, and she urged Pippin forward. She was a bit late due to conversations she’d had, but she found herself not caring in the slightest. Surely, Daniel would be understanding, as this wasn’t exactly a professional setting.
As she entered the town square, she glanced around to find the display that Patty had discussed with them earlier that week. It didn’t take long to spot it. Already, the skeleton of a cornucopia was set up, and a few people working on the structure. Daniel was among them, Tessa noted, hammering at the base.
Straightening her shoulders and gripping Pippin’s leash tight, she nimbly stepped around the construction supplies for various displays. She approached Daniel with a smile on her face and cleared her throat to get his attention, “Tessa Winters, reporting for duty.”
Daniel turned, and his face twisted into a stubborn scowl, “Oh, so you have finally decided to grace us with your presence. As you can see, we’ve begun in your absence. Though, to be honest, I am not sure how much help you’ll be. How much experience do you have with this type of thing, anyway, Big City?”
Tessa felt indignation welling up in her chest. How dare he? Patty had been more than happy to accept her help, regardless of her skill level. “I am admittedly a novice,Small Town, but I think with a little direction, you’ll be surprised at how quickly I can catch on.” She tossed back her hair and fixed him with a glare, “So? A little direction?”
Daniel chuckled and put down the hammer that he had been using. Tessa noticed with an increased pulse that Daniel was not wearing his usual flannel shirt. Instead, he was decked out in an old band t-shirt and jeans, his strong, muscular arms on full display. She hated that they had an effect on her, but something about seeing the sweat of hard work glisten on those arm muscles left her feeling a bit dizzy.
