“I don’t either, but I really don’t have much choice.”
“At the very least I hope you got that deal in writing. He’s not exactly known for keeping his word.”
“I had Mr. Greenwood draw up the papers. Gray will sign them this morning.”
“Would you like me to look them over?”
Shelby glanced at her watch. “Thanks, but I’m supposed to meet him at the store in ten minutes. Anyway, I’ve already read the contract. It’s pretty thorough. I hate to dash, but...”
“No, it’s fine. I’m due at work too.”
They deposited their trash, then exited the bakery.
When she started to say good-bye, he took her hand. “I admit I’m not crazy about the idea of you and Gray tucked away in that bookshop for days on end.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I only agreed to this to get the bookshop back.”
“Yeah, but why didheagree to it? Giving up two weeks of his time plus the ownership?”
That question had been swimming around her head the past twenty-four hours. “I think he wants to respect Gram’s wishes.”
Logan smirked. “Forgive my cynicism, but I think it’s more likely he knows what he’s lost and wants it back.”
“That’s not gonna happen. Even forgiveness seems like a stretch at this point. He’ll be sequestered down in the office auditing the books and doing Gram’s job while I find a replacement. That’s all.”
He searched her face and nodded. “Okay. I’m here if you want to talk.”
“I’m sure I’ll be ready to bust by the end of the day.”
At five-nine Logan was only a couple of inches taller than Shelby. So he barely had to lean over when he offered a peck on the lips—as much of a display of public affection as he ever offered. “I’ll call you tonight.”
“Okay.” She headed the opposite direction, pulling her jacket against the cool breeze. She nodded hello to friends and acquaintances, shop owners, and tourists. It was a friendly, bustling little town. She loved the colorful canopies jutting over the walkway and the red, white, and blue Open signs. She adored the brick sidewalks and the pretty lamps and maple trees that lined the street. It was a picturesque sight, captured on many canvases in the art galleries sprinkled throughout town.
The area had become something of an artists’ haven in the past ten years or so. The chamber of commerce had done a lot of work toward that end. And the giant mural on the side of the old train depot was one of the most photographed spots in town.
In the distance the lake shimmered under the sunlight. The area was mostly flat but for the small hills surrounding the lake. The deciduous trees on those hills burst with autumn colors, a lovely contrast to the deep green evergreens.
“You sure are pretty today, Shelby,” Miss Lucy called as she set a pot of yellow mums outside her florist shop.
“Thank you. Enjoy the beautiful fall day.”
“You do the same, honey.”
Not likely. She dreaded the hours ahead. Maybe Gray wouldn’t show up—he hadn’t exactly proven himself reliable in the past. But then she’dbe stuck with him as a partner—and what would that look like? She didn’t even want to know.
Surely he wouldn’t move back to Grandville where he and his dad were town pariahs. People, especially the Remingtons and their elite circle, hadn’t forgotten what Ferris Briggs had done. Even before he’d accidentally killed Troy Remington, he practically had his own branch on the town grapevine: public intoxication, drinking and driving, disorderly conduct.
And the antics of the Briggs boy also lived in infamy, some of them gross exaggerations or totally fabricated. Gray had always taken the public scorn with resolute silence—almost as though he felt he deserved it. But the injustice used to drive her crazy.
The grapevine was apparently already abuzz with his presence in town. It surely wouldn’t take long for news of Gray’s share in the store to circulate. That wouldn’t be good for business. Perhaps she should circumvent the possible fallout by sharing news of their deal. She’d mention it in passing to Miss Glenda or Miss Tammy and the rest would take care of itself.
As the sign for the bookshop came into view, Shelby’s heart quickened. She clung to what she’d said earlier—that Gray would be down in Gram’s office and Shelby would stay busy assisting customers upstairs.
Being a Friday, it would likely get busier in the afternoon, and that’s when Haley (fantasy and graphic novels) would arrive. Hiring the eighteen-year-old as a favor to Shelby’s former English teacher hadn’t been one of her better ideas. But she was grateful she and Gray would have a buffer for the second half of the day.
She passed Cedar Lake Gallery, then rounded the corner of Patsy’s Boutique, her gaze going straight to the man standing on the shadowed porch. Gray wore a blue half-zip sweater and khakis, accented with a brown belt and matching suede dress boots. He appeared every inch the businessman, and for just a quick second a bubble of pride swelled. He’dgone off and made something of himself. At one time that had been so important to him.
Then she remembered his sudden departure and her long tear-filled nights. She raised her chin a notch and mentally slid that barrier into place.
