AllFreeNovel
Share Us
1
CASSIDY
I’ve conquered a lot of fears in my days: heights, flying on airplanes, and giving blood to name a few.
But spiders? Not one of them.
I’ll go to my grave terrified those beady-eyed, eight-legged critters will find their way into my sealed coffin.
I didn’t give much thought to spiders when Great-Aunt Ester offered up her old basement bar space in downtown Daisy Hills. She made the idea of opening my own business sound so romantic after I’d uprooted my life and moved to town to help take care of her and her enormous house. She didn’t want me to regret the move as she settled into a comfortable retirement that allowed her to focus fully on her home quilting business. She insisted I needed—and deserved—more to do than hover over her.
She wanted me to feel like Daisy Hills was my home, too.
Admittedly, I didn’t show up on her doorstep in great shape. The timing of her request was miraculous, to say the least. I’d been dealing with a creepy ass stalker that decided to walk right through his restraining order and take my front door off its hinges before the cops showed up.
Maybe that’s why the idea of opening The Book Cellar in this charming small town so easily swept me off my feet.
If I’d have been of sound mind during that initial conversation with Great-Aunt Ester, maybe I wouldn’t be cowering on the old, well-worn bar right now staring down at the biggest damn spider I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Don’t you dare get any ideas about crawling up here.”
I hold up my shoe, as if I’m actually brave enough to flatten it and its hairy ass legs should it skitter its way up to me. Me. The girl who is so terrified of killing itty bitty spiders that she actually traps them in mason jars and sets them free outside. Many, many blocks away.
There isn’t a mason jar big enough for this one.
“I thought this was going to be a bookstore,” a male voice calls out.
I scream and nearly roll off the bar. My death grip on the counter ledge is the only thing that saves me from falling on top of the eight-legged monster below. I’m laser focused on the wolf spider and refuse to take my eyes off of it to look up at the uninvited guest.
Because a staring contest with a fucking spider is less threatening than locking eyes with Declan Maxwell.
“Can I help you?” I hiss, irritated mostly with myself and these stupid feelings I want nothing to do with.
“I’m here for the inspection.”
“What inspection?”
“The fire safety inspection.”
This turns my head in a sudden snap. It’s a big mistake because the frustratingly irresistible man is wearing a black t-shirt with the Daisy Hills Volunteer Firefighters logo on his chest. A shirt that fits quite snuggly around those impressive muscles. It’s like surrendering to a siren call. I can’t seem to look away, even with Charlotte’s fucking evil twin loitering behind the bar. “Where’s the fire chief?”
“Knox is out of town. Family vacation.” Delcan wanders closer to the bar, seemingly interested in what I keep looking at that he can’t see from the opposite side of the counter. If I wasn’t trying so damn hard to pretend I can’t stand him, I’d let him be the hero just this once. But I don’t need him getting any ideas. “He asked me to fill in.”
I chance a quick glance at the floor behind the counter, ensuring the little demon hasn’t gotten any ideas about crawling up the bar. I hate to take my eyes off of it, but I can’t very well cower up here forever. “I didn’t realize bookkeepers did fire safety inspections.”
“I’m the assistant fire marshal. More than qualified.”
“Of course you are,” I mumble.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.” I flinch when Miss Muffet’s nemesis moves, first charging for me. I wave my shoe, but it flies out of my hand in the wrong direction. Luckily the beady-eyed critter gets the message and bolts toward the dark hallway leading to the restrooms. Great. I’ll never go back there again.
“Is…everything okay?” Delcan offers me the rouge shoe.
“Just a giant man-eating spider plotting its murderous attack. No big deal.” I shift from being on all fours to sitting on the edge of the bar so I can put my shoe back on. When Declan offers his hand to help me hop down, I ignore it. One touch could be my undoing. I can’t take that risk. Not when I’m just getting back on my own two feet. Not now.
Probably not ever.
