He hurried up and grabbed a book from the shelf before turning around.When he saw Connie standing there, he forced a smile to his lips.“Hi.”
She looked directly at him.“Did you see that Felicity is back?”
He nodded.“I did.”Before he could stop himself, he asked, “How long is she going to be here?”
“I’m not sure.At least until Christmas.I just couldn’t believe it when she walked in the door.And then when she found I was shorthanded, she immediately offered to help out.Can you believe that?”Connie wore a proud smile.“She didn’t let the big city change her.She’s still the same sweet, thoughtful girl, I mean woman, that I remember.”
He nodded, not knowing what he was supposed to say in response.
Connie’s gaze moved to the book in his hand, and she arched a brow.“That isn’t your normal genre.It’s good to see that you’re branching out.”
He had no idea what book he had in his hand.He merely nodded and said, “I, uh…like to read different genres.”
“More people should be like you.”Connie smiled at him.“By the way, the book you ordered is at the counter when you’re ready to check out.”Her gaze lowered to the book in his hand.“Would you like me to take that one for you?”
“Uh… No.”
She nodded in understanding.Once she was out of sight, he lifted the book and looked at the cover.There was a shirtless guy with a cowboy hat.Justin inwardly groaned before he stuffed the book back onto the shelf.Of all the books for him to pick up.
He glanced toward the front of the shop to get a glimpse of Felicity, but he couldn’t see her.He changed rows.He still couldn’t see her.
He kept moving and trying to catch sight of her.He had so many questions for her.But instead of going to the front and having a conversation with her, he stayed in the back.
Just then Connie appeared again.Her gaze narrowed on him.“Are you sure I can’t help you find something?”
He shook his head as he pretended to look at another book.“I was just looking around before I pick up the book I ordered.”
“Okay.If you’re sure…”
He nodded.Once she moved on, he looked down at the book in his hand.The cover was of a shirtless man with a trim waist and bulging arm muscles.He found himself sucking in his stomach.
He continued staring at the cover.There’s no way that was a real photo.There had to be a lot of airbrushing.No one had such a perfect physique.He rolled his eyes as he put the book back on the shelf.
It was definitely time to go.He swallowed hard and moved to the checkout counter.
Ding.
He reached for his phone.It was a message from his brother Michael.
There’s been a dognapping.
Wait.What?He must have read it wrong.But after a second perusal, he found that there really was a dognapping.His fingers moved rapidly over the screen of his phone.
Justin:Whose dog?
Michael:Belle Sinclair.It’s one of the dogs that Candi brought to town for adoption.
Justin:What can I do to help?Make flyers?Spread the word around town?
Michael:Nothing.Don’t want to spook the person.Parker is investigating.
Justin felt better knowing his brother, the town’s sheriff, was involved.Parker wouldn’t rest until he found the puppy.Still, a dognapping in Kringle Falls?Things like that didn’t happen in these parts.
“Can I help you?”The familiar voice came from behind the checkout counter.
Justin kept his head lowered as he focused on the messages.“I just need to pick up a book.”
Justin:Keep me updated.
