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 turned and reached for the doorknob when Lou stopped me by calling my name.
“Liam?”
Glancing back at her, I asked, “Yeah?”
“May I offer you a piece of advice?”
I smiled. “Please.”
“Just because I won’t tell you where she is doesn’t mean you should stop looking for her. I mean, if you found her, I think it would mean something to her.”
She used air quotes around the word found.
She suddenly smiled, and it was more of a sinister smile than a friendly one. “I wasn’t sure if you needed to stop by my parents’ house and say hi. It’s been a long time since you said hi to them, after all.”
Frowning, I said, “I don’t know your parents on that level of simply stopping by to say hi, Lou.”
Her smile faded, and a look of utter disappointment crossed her face. “Jesus, do you need written instructions on making up with my sister, or should I just take your hand and walk you there?”
It dawned on me what she was saying. “No.” I smirked. “I think I got it now.”
She threw her hands up. “Finally! Praise be.”
“Praise be! Amen!” Granny called out from the other side of the door.
When I opened the door, the woman nearly fell into my arms. I steadied her, and she squeezed my upper arms.
“Oh. Dear. My goodness, you are built. That shirt is deceiving. I was just…well, never mind. Lou, someone up front needs your expertise on finding a particular BDSM book.”
“Right, I’m on it.”
Lou quickly rounded the desk and headed out the door.
Looking down at Granny…er…Minnie, I asked, “She’s not really going to help someone find a book on BDSM, is she?”
Granny huffed. “She’s the house expert. You can show yourself out. I need to put my dogs up; it’s been a busy day.”
I watched as Granny moved into the office, turned, gave me a slight push out the door, and then slammed it.
Aurora
My mother handed me a lemonade and sat down next to me on the outdoor sofa.
“It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?” she asked before taking a sip.
I nodded. “It is. Before you know it, fall will be here, and we’ll wish for these moments.”
“Fall was always your favorite time of year behind Christmas.”
Sipping the lemonade, I tried not to make a face. How many lemons did my mother squeeze into this? Holy cow. I’m going to have a permanent pucker.
Once I could speak, I set the drink down and smiled. “Decorating for Christmas is going to be a blast this year with the new exterior of the bookstore.”
“I have to say, I wasn’t on board with your decision to update the shop, but you did an amazing job. I love that you can see all of the books. People know it’s a bookstore now!”
I laughed softly. “Yeah, it’s been a pain in my ass, but it was worth it. I’ve been thinking about something. Brystol has a store cat, and people love it. What do you think about getting a store pet for the bookstore?”
“A store pet? Would they stay at the store all the time?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’ll bring it upstairs with me each night. Or maybe I can put in a cat door and it can make its way to and from when it wants.”
“That might be a good idea,” my mother stated. “The kids would love it at storytime.”
“I think it would be a nice addition to the store, and I’ve always wanted a cat.”
She frowned. “Is that a jab at your father and me?”
I laughed. “No! It’s just I’m grown up now and if I want a cat, well, I can get a cat!”
She rolled her eyes. “You have always wanted a cat since you were old enough to ask. A white cat. With blue eyes.”
“What are the chances a white cat will be at the shelter?”
With a huff, she replied, “Slim to none, darling. What about people with allergies?”
“They don’t have to pet the cat if they don’t want to.”
“Fair enough.”
Turning in my seat, I tucked my legs up under me. “So you think I should do it? I should go to the shelter and get a cat?”
Her smile was warm and comforting. “What is the real reason you want a cat?”
I exhaled. “Is it that obvious?”
“You showed up at our doorstep today, declaring you wanted to spend a few days with us. You’ve been avoiding phone calls all day, and your sister sent a warning text that you were heading our way to hide out.”
My head drew back. “I’m not hiding out! And Lou is a traitor.”
Reaching for my hand, my mother lightly squeezed it. “She isn’t a traitor. She loves you. And she knows you better than you know yourself.”
I screwed up my face. “She does not.”
“She told me she thinks you’ve fallen for Liam Turner.”