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“And how did your wife feel about your decision?”
“She wasn’t exactly pleased,” he says, although I imagine that’s an enormous understatement. “She tried to persuade me to stay where I was, and told me I was wasting my time and should just sell the shop, rather than try to keep it going.”
“But you didn’t want to sell?”
“No. It never even crossed my mind. I knew I wouldn’t earn as much as I could by working for someone else, but I’d grown up in the bookstore. I love everything about books… the way they feel, the smell of them…”
“I can understand that.”
He smiles. “Besides, Mom was still alive when all of that happened, and I knew how disappointed she’d be if I gave in at the first hurdle.”
I stare into his eyes, seeing a hint of sadness in them. “You miss her, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I miss my dad, too, but I guess he’s been gone longer.”
I nod my head. “I know how you feel… at least in part. My father died a few years ago.”
He tightens his grip on my hand. “I’m sorry, Zara.”
“Thank you.”
“What happened?”
“He had a heart attack when he was at work. Mom got a call from his boss, but there was nothing that could be done.”
“Where were you when this happened?” Tanner asks.
“I was at college, but fortunately, because I’m so shy, I’d decided to study close to home, and I could get back to her within thirty minutes or so.”
“So, you were there for her?”
“Yeah. I’ve always been relieved about that. Although it made it hard to leave and come here. I had to be sure she was okay.”
“You couldn’t have stayed?” he asks, and then shakes his head. “Sorry. That came out wrong. I’m grateful you’re here. I’m just wondering why you had to leave.”
“Because there was no school in the town where I grew up.”
“Where did you study when you were a child?”
“In a town about seven miles away. There was a school there.”
“I see. And you couldn’t have commuted there for work?”
“I could, and I did for my student teacher training, but when it came to getting a job, they had no vacancies. And in any case, I wanted to spread my wings. My mom encouraged me to find something further afield, and the job came up here.”
“So, where’s ‘home’?” he asks.
“It’s here now,” I say, and he smiles. “Although I’m originally from north Vermont.”
“Not a million miles away, then?”
“No. It’s about two hours by car. Far enough that I feel I’ve gained some independence, but still close enough to visit.”
At that moment, our appetizers arrive. The smells are enough to make my mouth water and although I regret having to let go of Tanner’s hand, I’m hungry, and the food in front of me looks delicious.
“This is good,” Tanner says after his first mouthful.
“It certainly is.”
