Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I thought today we could go to the bookstore for storytime and you could pick out a new book.”
Winnie’s eyes lit up as she nodded her head. Her little blond curls bounced with the motion. The doorbell rang and I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only eight thirty in the morning. Making sure Winnie was okay, I quickly went to answer the door. When I opened it, Aurora stood there. Her blond hair was in a braid and hung to the side over her shoulder. She didn’t have a stitch of makeup on, and I couldn’t help but notice how it made her look even more beautiful. And those eyes of hers. I was utterly lost in them for a moment.
“Liam?”
I shook my head.
“Liam? Are you okay?”
With another quick shake of my head, I forced a smile. “Sorry, I was just surprised to see you here.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m so sorry. I thought I would swing by before heading to the bookstore. The last few times I stopped by, I couldn’t see Winnie.”
“Why not?” I asked. It was then that I realized I hadn’t invited her in. “Shit, come on in. Winnie’s eating pancakes.”
Aurora walked in, set her purse on the small table at the front door and quickly made her way into the kitchen.
“Rora!” Winnie shouted with glee.
“Hello, little princess!” Aurora said, bending down and kissing Winnie. “Yummy, pancakes!”
Winnie dipped one into her syrup, then held it out for Aurora, who promptly took it and pretended to bite Winnie’s finger.
Giggling, Winnie picked up another one and pushed it out to Aurora.
“No, thank you! It’s your turn to eat.”
I watched as she slid into the chair next to Winnie. “I’ve missed you, little one.”
Remembering what she had said a few moments ago, I asked, “What did you mean you weren’t able to see Winnie?”
The smile faltered for a moment on Aurora’s face before she smiled once again. “I’m sure it’s nothing. It’s just, each time I’ve stopped by, Kim told me it wasn’t a good time to visit. I’ve been super busy with the remodeling of the bookstore, so I’ve had to stop by after it closes.”
“What did she mean it wasn’t a good time to visit?” I asked.
Aurora shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her yourself.”
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I said, “Don’t worry, I will.”
Smiling down at Winnie, Aurora said, “Today is storytime at the bookstore, will Kim be able to take Winnie for it? I haven’t seen her at the bookstore for two weeks.”
I frowned. “Kim hasn’t taken her in for storytime?”
Aurora shook her head. “Not the morning or afternoon ones. At least, not that I know of. I missed the morning storytime last week. Gary took me for a picnic brunch.”
I managed a nod as I pictured punching Gary square in the jaw. Picnic brunch. What…a fucking good idea, that asshole.
“How are things going with you and Gerald?”
“Gary.”
“Right. Right. How’s that going?”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not sure things will progress past friendship.”
That lifted my brows and spirits. “Why’s that?”
Another shrug, this time it was smaller. “I thought maybe I would feel something after a few dates, but I don’t think we’re a good fit as a couple. I just don’t have those kinds of feelings for him.”
“I’m sorry, Aurora.”
Looking up at me, she smiled. “Why are you sorry?”
“I don’t know, it seemed like the right thing to say.”
Her smile faltered before she let out a soft exhale. “Anyway, I’m glad I got to see Ms. Winnie.”
I cleared my throat. “To answer your earlier question, I’m off tonight, so it will be me bringing in Winnie. I told Kim how much Winnie liked books and storytime at the bookstore, and to be sure to take her in. I can’t believe she hasn’t taken her to any. I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow.”
When she didn’t say anything, I decided to change the subject. “How is the remodeling going?”
“Good, long, but I’m glad we decided to update the outside of the bookstore. The more modern feel, I think, is attracting more customers. Even locals I haven’t seen before are stopping by.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“I think the clear glass windows and doors allow people to see it’s a bookstore. I know I had the book displays in the windows before, but people couldn’t see inside. Now, there is no mistaking it’s a bookstore. Getting the city to sign off letting me remove the stones and change the inside was hard, but we kept as many historical features as we could, so it was a win-win.”
“It was a well-deserved win. I know what you mean, though. When I remodeled The Muddled Moose, it was an uphill battle trying to change things. The outside of the building was a firm no, but we did a good job of preserving the historical interior. The only place we did any massive changes was the rooftop and the kitchen.”