An hour later Shelby unlocked the bookshop and slipped inside. The lights were off but sunlight flooded through the plate-glass window, illuminating the path to the office. Boxes of books were stacked along the hallway. Gray had texted that Phoebe’s upcoming release had arrived—and boy had it. At least fifteen boxes lined the hallway leading to the back door.
Chaucer crept out from behind a box, emitting a loud meow as Shadow approached. Their noses met, twitching as they sniffed. Shadow’s tail wagged exuberantly and Shelby waited for Chaucer’s hiss. But it never came. The cat simply slunk away as Shadow turned his affection on Shelby.
“That’s a good boy. It’s great to see you two getting along. Where’s your daddy, huh?” She found him in the office. Gray glanced up from the computer, his expression softening at the sight of her. Something like relief flared in his eyes.
Gray was worried about her when he should be worried about himself. Someone wanted to chase him out of town badly enough to bring a gun into the picture. She extended the Americano she’d brought from Latte Da.
“Thanks. I could use some caffeine. Almost as much as I could use a little taste of you. Come here.”
She eased onto Gray’s lap, careful of his coffee, and pressed a kiss to his lips. “How’s that?”
“Ah, much better. I don’t like you being out of my sight right now.”
“You’re the one with a target on your back.”
“But whoever it is knows I care about you. That puts you in danger too, Shel.”
“Do you think whoever did it meant you physical harm? Or were they just trying to scare you off?”
“The chief seems to think it’s the latter. That might be true, but we really have no way of knowing—and I’d just as soon err on the side of caution.”
She didn’t want to talk about this right now. The implications of their situation stirred up a cauldron of dread. “Guess what—Caleb and Liddy are moving to Grandville.”
“Hey, that’s great. I know you were wishing they would.”
She filled him in on Caleb’s representation at the gallery.
“How were Liddy and Ollie doing? I feel like last night must’ve traumatized everyone.”
“They’re fine. How’s your shoulder?”
“I can hardly feel a thing.”
He was probably downplaying the injury. She stroked the planes of his face, her fingers meeting uncharacteristic stubble at his jawline.
“Forgot my razor at the house.”
“Are you staying at the hotel again tonight?”
Something flickered in his eyes before he averted his gaze. “Uh, no. Did you get hold of Phoebe?”
“Yeah, she’s actually in town today so she’s going to pop over and sign the books for us. That way we can start packaging them.”
He lifted a brow. “For the record, I’m not here.”
Upon Phoebe’s arrival Gray slipped from the office to greet the woman (whose face lit up like a Christmas tree at the sight of him). The flush that crept up his neck tickled Shelby to no end.
But he handled the older woman’s flirtation well, even teasing her about getting hand cramps from the autographs.
By the time Shelby locked up behind the author, it was suppertime and her spirits were higher. The presale orders would go a long way toward alleviating the loss of revenue from the apparent boycott. As long as it didn’t go on much longer.
Please, God.
She headed down to the office, Shadow on her heels. As she approached the door she caught sight of Gray hunched over the keyboard, brows pulledlow over his beautiful eyes. He’d been working so hard for her. For this store. He’d put aside his job and his life to be here for her.
“Have I told you how grateful I am for your help?”
His attention turned to her, his eyes turning to a liquid blue pool. “You would’ve been just fine without me. You’ve got everything you need to turn this store around, Shel.” His words bolstered her, but something in his expression begged for a change in subject.
