I knocked on the glass door, which was on a corner. I'd heard that she wanted to add a patio that would wrap around from the back to the side with a covered area where people could sit and socialize.
The sign on the door read Opening Soon.
The door opened, and Belle smiled at us. "Come in."
"I love books," Ayla said as she walked in.
"I do too." Belle took the box from her and set it on a round table by the wall. "I'll have books on the tables when people come in and place novelty items over here."
The shelves and displays were already arranged, and it looked like she was stocking books. There were a few tables and comfy-looking leather couches to read.
Belle wore a yellow cardigan set with a brown corduroy skirt with tights and boots. Her brown hair had more volume than mine. "You can arrange things however you'd like. This table is yours until your shop is open again."
"I really appreciate this, Belle. Should we discuss a contract for consignment?" I couldn't believe that she'd offered an entire table.
Belle's face screwed up. "Absolutely not."
It was more than I expected. "I can't thank you enough."
She placed her hands on her hips. "You might not remember this. But you stood up for me in town halls when Bill didn't want Eve to allow me to open my shop."
"I know what it's like to deal with Bill. I didn't want him to destroy your dream."
Belle squeezed my arm. "I owe you one. Not the other way around."
There was another knock on the door. There was a man wearing a Sterling Brothers sweatshirt, his truck parked on the street outside.
It had to be one of Hudson's brothers. I wasn't familiar with most of them, except for Ford.
Belle's expression was wary. "Maverick's here. It's probably for the patio I'm planning."
There were large French doors that led to the side area and the back. They allowed lots of light in, and I could see that it would be an inviting space for book lovers. I had a feeling Ayla would want to spend a lot of time here after school.
Belle opened the door. "Mav, It's good to see you."
His face pinched. "I go by Maverick now."
Belle swallowed and nodded slowly. "Maverick then."
There was a little bit of awkwardness between the two. I wondered if they knew each other in school. The Sterlings had grown up here, but I didn't know if Belle had too.
Maverick nodded as he moved into the room, taking in the space and us before settling on Belle. "Eve relayed what you want. I'm just here to do some measurements."
Belle tipped her head to the side, her hair swinging with the motion. "You don't want to hear what I want?"
Maverick grunted as he moved passed us to the back of the store. French doors led to what looked like a small grassy space.
Belle stood next to him, and I opened my box, starting to unpack. "I was thinking we could do a stone patio with a fountain in the middle and cafe-style chairs around it."
"Eve said the same," Maverick said curtly.
She rested her hands on her hips. "I just want to make sure you have my vision for what I want. This store is my dream, and I want everything to be perfect."
"I'm good at what I do." His voice was tightly controlled.
"I'm sure you are. It's just— I'd feel better if I show you my designs." Belle moved to the counter to grab a sketch pad.
He paused then and looked at her. "You drew them?"
