“We’re looking for a book on…um…magic,” I explain.
Ginger starts to giggle. “My, my you two.” She begins to walk down the aisle and bends down to a lower shelf. “This one always seemed to make things a little more magical for Rusty and me,” she says, blush painting her cheeks. She stands and hands me a book titledHow To Have Mind Blowing Sex And Keep Having It.
“No,” I blurt out, not taking the book and waving my hands. “I didn’t mean that. I meant actual magic. Sorry.”
She giggles again. “My mistake. You two probably don’t need any help in this department.” She begins to bend down to put it back on the shelf when Everett stops her.
“Actually, I think we might get that one too.” He wiggles his eyebrows in mydirection.
“No, we won’t.”
“Couldn’t hurt,” he quips.
“No!” I say a little too loudly. My face heats, and I cut my eyes in his direction. Given the goofy grin plastered across his face, it’s clear he thinks he’s hilarious. “We don’t need it, but thank you,” I assure her a little more calmly.
“Okay,” she muses, shrugging. “If you’re sure. It is a good one though.”
She replaces it on the shelf and then stands, cocking her head to the side in thought. “Let’s see. Magic? Magic. Magic. Magic. I know we have a book on magic tricks over in the kids section, but I’m guessing that’s not what you’re looking for?”
“No,” Everett says.
“Hmmm,” she hums to herself and begins to walk to the back of the store. “Follow me.”
“Should we get a puzzle then?” he asks as we follow her.
“Why?” I question.
“So we can live out your fantasy,” he explains. “I think I saw a second turtleneck in my closet, and I’m sure I could find some glasses if you’re into that.”
“You’re insufferable sometimes. You know that?”
“Maybe, but I know it turns you on,” he whispers.
“Does not.”
It does.
“Then why do you have that look in your eye?”
My mouth falls open, and a chuckle rumbles his chest.
“Here we are,” Ginger chimes as we approach a small shelf full of discounted books, stuffed pumpkins with faces, and craft kits. “This is what’s left over from Halloween. There might be something on here.” She scans the spines.
“Tarot cards, crystals,” she mumbles to herself. “Oh what about this?Magic 101 for the Modern Witch?”
Everett and I glance at each other. “Sure, that sounds interesting,” he says.
Ginger giggles again, pulling it from the shelf and handing it to him. “Why are you two suddenly interested in magic?”
“Claire’s looking into becoming a part-time Etsy witch to help pay the bills,” Everett says, throwing his thumb in my direction.
Ginger shakes her head, and I roll my eyes. “You sound like you’ve been spending too much time with Cami,” she says. “Anything else I can help you find?”
“Any books on the town’s history?” I ask.
She begins walking, and we follow her again. “Let’s see,” she says as we arrive at a small section. “This one.” She pulls outA Brief History of Sugarplum Parkby Stella Crumb and hands it to me.
“Or, if you want something more thorough, I have this one.” She hands Everett a thick book titledSugarplum Park: A Complete Historyby Stella Crumb.
