He looks like I’ve just told him I’m moving to Mars. “What? Why?”
My voice takes on an apologetic tone. “Mainly, I wanted to impress you. Iwanted you to think I was here to stay.” His expression sharpens. “When Cathy took a picture of us at the Branch, the situation sort of appeared and snowballed from there. You seemed excited about the prospect of us together, and I really wanted to be taken seriously as an option to buy the practice.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw. “So you lied.”
I swallow through my sandpaper throat. “I did, and I’ve been really uncomfortable about it. My only consolation was that Fable was getting something out of the deal, too—I’ve been helping her fix up her A-frame in exchange. But I’ve felt extremely guilty about lying to you.”
He sits with that for a moment. Then says, “That’s not the kind of trustworthy behavior I expect from an employee.”
Embarrassment tightens something in my chest. “That’s why I’m here. I’m sorry.”
His fingers press into his brows. “Do you even want to stay in Fern River or was that also a lie?”
Rolling my shoulders back, I straighten in my seat. “That wasn’t a lie. This is my home. It’s where I grew up, and I love this community. I didn’t know how much I wanted to be here until I was gone. While I’d appreciate if you still considered me forthis position—it would be a dream to continue working here with Garrett and keep this place thriving—I completely understand if I’ve ruined my chances.”
A heavy silence fills the office. Arthur holds my gaze the entire time, and I can’t get a read on what he’s thinking. “This doesn’t seem like something I should overlook, though,” he finally says.
“I don’t expect you to.” I lace my fingers together and stare down at them. “If this means the end of my chances at buying the practice, I understand. But I had to be honest with you anyway.”
There’s a hint of respect in his eyes as he nods. “I’ll think about it. Give me a few days, okay?”
I stand, not wanting to take up any more of his time than necessary. “I appreciate it.”
In the hallway, I take a deep breath, feeling that weight lift from my shoulders. It may result in losing out on one dream, but I know I did the right thing.
Chapter 34
Fable
It’s midafternoon when Logan steps out of the store for his Coffee Cottage excursion. He has given up the front that he’s in it for the drinks and instead announced, “Going to say hi to Mabel” before he left.
Clutching my phone in my hands, I pace the paint aisle. I’ve been working up the nerve to call the owner of the rental space all day. Ipromised myself that if I was brave enough to do it by the end of today, I could go to the Branch and gorge myself on fries and ranch as a reward.
What would Tessa do?She’d say the only way to get to the next step is to push through this one. Get it over with.What would Millie do?She’d hold my hand and tell me to take a deep breath.
I pull a little strength from my sisters and imagine them here with me as I push the call button.
Nausea rolls through me with every ring. One. Two. Three. Four.
Until finally the call connects. “Callum Properties. How can I help you?” asks a voice through the line.
I freeze, forgetting everything I’m supposed to say.
“Hello?”
My stomach swoops, but I manage to form words. “Hi. My name is Fable Oaks, and I’m interested in finding out more information about a rental property at 416 Main Street in Fern River, Washington.”
“Ah, yes. Just a moment. Let me bring it up,” he says, typing something.
My unease spurs me to fill the quiet. “I’m looking to open a bookstore, and it seems like the perfect location. Isaw there was some work that needed to be done, but that doesn’t scare me.” I’m rambling, giving him more information than he needs this early in the conversation, but he doesn’t say anything, so I keep going. “It seems perfect, and I grew up here in Fern River. Ipromise I would—”
“Miss?” he interrupts.
I swallow down the rest of my speech. “Yes.”
“It looks like that space isn’t available anymore. We’re drawing up the contract with a new tenant this week.”
My mind goes utterly blank—no idea how to proceed past this barrier.
