As Tommy darted off, Isabel turned to Frank. “You look tired. Did you sleep at all last night?”
“Not much,” Frank admitted, his voice low. “Some contractors installed a security system at my house this morning, so we should sleep better tonight.”
Isabel nodded. “Has there been any more news?”
Frank shook his head. “Nothing concrete, but we’re being cautious.”
Before Isabel could respond, Lynda appeared beside her, looking slightly frazzled. “I hate to interrupt, but we’ve got a line forming at the register, and Mrs. Simmons is asking about special orders.”
“I’ll be right there,” Isabel assured her.
“And don’t forget to call Denise Wilson,” Lynda added. “The house she’s selling sounds perfect for you.”
“I won’t forget,” Isabel promised. She turned to Frank and William. “I’m sorry I can’t spend more time with you, but enjoy the store. There’s coffee and refreshments by the window.”
“I’ll come back later,” William said quietly.
Isabel nodded, remembering their arrangement from the night before. “I’ll be here.”
Frank’s eyes met hers, revealing concern and something more complex. “Isabel, are you sure about all of this?”
“I am,” she replied. “We can discuss it later, but my answer won’t change.”
As she turned toward the sales counter, Tommy joined them with a book clutched in his hands. “Look what I found!”
It was a colorfully illustrated book about marine biology. Isabel smiled at his enthusiasm. “That’s a wonderful choice, Tommy.”
“I like stories about fish. We’re going to the craft market after this. Can you come?” Tommy’s voice dropped as he glanced at William. “We won’t be there too long. We have to be careful because the bad man’s in town.”
Frank’s face paled, and William placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.
“It’s okay, Tommy,” Frank said quietly, “We’re safe here.”
Isabel knelt beside Tommy, hoping to ease some of the tension. “I can’t come to the market, but I could see you after work. Would that be okay?”
Tommy nodded. “I’ll tell you all about it.”
“That sounds fantastic.” Isabel looked across at the sales counter. “I have to go, Tommy. I’ll see you after work.”
As she rang up purchases and chatted with customers about the store’s changes, Isabel glanced at Frank. He stood near the history section, talking quietly with William while keeping Tommy in sight.
The reopening was everything she’d hoped for—the store was filled with people and everyone was enjoying themselves. But her thoughts kept drifting to what might happen after today.
Frank was facing some incredible challenges. If the man who’d arrived unexpectedly in Sapphire Bay came back, she didn’t know what Frank and Tommy would do. But at least they’d be safer with William beside them. At least, she hoped they were.
CHAPTER 26
Two evenings later, Frank listened to William and Isabel discuss the security options for her bookstore. Isabel didn’t want a bodyguard keeping her safe, so they’d made sure she was never alone. Between her friends and her customers, it was easy to keep her surrounded by people during the day. But as soon as she went home, she was on her own.
“The basic package includes door and window sensors, motion detectors for after hours, and a monitoring service,” William explained, spreading brochures across Frank’s kitchen table.
Isabel nodded, making notes in her small leather-bound notebook. Her expression reminded Frank of how she’d studied the cottage purchase agreement—thorough, practical, and leaving nothing to chance.
“What about cameras?” Isabel asked. “I’d like to have them in my store, but I don’t want customers to feel as though they’re being watched.”
William pointed to a photo on one of the brochures. “We can position them to cover the entrance and sales counter, like these ones. Most people won’t even notice them.”
Isabel studied the photograph. “How much will all of this cost?”
