twenty-six
Elisa sipped her coffee as Sadie unlocked the blue door of Second Story and stepped inside. Immediately, the scent of used books and incense hit Elisa’s nose, followed by a waft of cinnamon. She drew a deep breath as Sadie flipped on the lights, revealing shelf after shelf of carefully organized tomes awaiting perusal.
She turned a circle, taking in the strands of twinkle lights draped over a cozy sitting area in the back corner, which boasted a set of end tables, deep armchairs, and a brightly patterned rug. A winding staircase led to the second floor loft. On a normal day, Elisa would have loved to stay and browse.
But this wasn’t a normal day. In fact, it wasn’t even seven o’clock in the morning and her day had already held multiple surprises. Some hard. Some good.
Some confusing.
She cast a glance at Noah, whose tense expression proved a stark contrast to the colorful children’s area packed with boardgames and bean bag chairs. His apology had seemed genuine. But he hadn’t moved toward her at all, hadn’t touched her. Hadn’t offered any hint that he was interested in more than a heartfelt apology and a desire to finish the hunt.
Maybe that was all he was after. And just like she had to surrender the diner, she needed to be okay with that too.
Even if the thought ripped at her heart more than losing the Blossom.
She shook off the melancholy. This wasn’t about her right now—it was about Noah. About his grandfather. And hopefully, about a way to end this hunt and get both her and Noah what they needed.
Even if that wasn’t all she wanted.
“This place is a reader’s paradise.” Elisa faked a bright smile at Sadie, who had been more than kind in opening early for them. “You’ve thought of everything.”
Sadie surveyed her shop with a satisfied smile. “I certainly hope so.”
Noah set his coffee on the front counter, then ambled toward one of the shelves, tilting his head back as he gazed up toward the loft. “I spent more than a few of my childhood summers pulling a wagon full of Grandpa’s purchases back to the inn.”
“I think Gilbert read everything in my American History section at least twice.” Sadie turned a knowing glance to Noah. “You’re here for that book, aren’t you?”
His expression lit with hope. “Youknow?”
Elisa glanced back and forth between them. “I think you both know more than I do. What are we looking for?” Noah hadn’t offered any answers on their brisk walk to the book shop, and she didn’t feel she could press in front of Sadie.
“Your grandfather brought a book in a few weeks before he passed.” Sadie motioned for them to follow as she led the way up the wooden staircase to the loft. “I was given strict instructions not to sell it. I thought it was a strange request at the time, but…” She shrugged, as if to finish her sentence with a silent “That’s Gilbert.”
The wooden boards creaked under their feet. Elisa shot a glance over her shoulder to check on Noah, but he didn’t seem to mind this particular staircase. His gaze was fixed on the top, a man on a mission. They’d come so far since their lighthouse climb—in so many ways.
She swallowed. Not so much in others.
Sadie led them across the loft, also full of bookcases and lounge chairs, past the section marked Classics. A hanging tapestry with vibrant blue and gold threads decorated a quarter of the back wall, matching the rug tucked under the nearby reading nook. “Gilbert wanted me to keep this book safe. It was the least I could do for my favorite customer.”
“Safe?” Elisa frowned. “Why not keep it in his study at the inn?”
Sadie didn’t answer as she moved aside the tapestry to reveal a wall safe.
Good gravy. Elisa’s eyes widened. “I guess he meant keep itliterallysafe.”
Sadie shielded the keypad with her back as she punched in a code, then opened the small metal door. It groaned a little, as if it didn’t get a lot of use. She shuffled through the contents, pulled a book free, and then handed it to Noah with a soft smile. “I believe this is yours.”
Elisa stepped closer to Noah, her breath catching as he accepted the book. “Is that…”
“A collector’s edition ofThe Count of Monte Cristo.” Noah’s fingers grazed over the brown cloth cover. “Grandpa must have known I’d eventually clean out his library. Didn’t want me to miss what’s inside.”
He took a shuddering breath, then looked at Elisa with a little laugh. “What’s potentially inside, anyway. I’m almost scared to look. If this isn’t it…if I’m wrong.” He swallowed, his eyes glassy. “So much is at stake.”
Elisa started to slide her hand into the crook of his arm, then thought better of it. She kept her hands at her side, her vision misting. “You have good hunches. I believe in you.”
He handed the book to her. “Do you want to do the honors?”
Elisa shook her head, pressing the brown volume back into his hands. “This is your moment. You figured this out.” She smiled, hoping against hope he was right. “I’m sure the Puzzle Master would be proud.”
