His eyes softened. “I like Logan. How does he feel about all this?”
“He trusts me. But like the rest of us, he’ll be glad when it’s over.” Right now that seemed like an eternity away.
“Amen to that.”
Chapter 10
Gray stared at the computer screen. It didn’t add up.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The numbers added up just fine. He’d been here almost two weeks, and that was long enough to see a clear picture of the store’s current finances. What wasn’t making sense was that Viola Thatcher was operating in the red, and Shelby didn’t seem to have a clue.
Viola hadn’t paid rent on the building in two months, and he’d found some bills locked away in a drawer. Those would have to be paid for the store to remain in business, but there wasn’t enough money in the account to cover those costs.
Shelby had received a pay increase a few months ago—but starting that same month, Viola had taken a pay decrease in the same amount. Shelby never would’ve willingly taken money from her grandmother. Which indicated she didn’t know the true state of the store’s financial affairs.
Which would make him the bearer of some very bad news.
He could clearly see Miss Viola had overspent in areas. She gave away books too often—charitable donations. She left inventory on the shelves too long. The store didn’t have a website—an unpardonable sin in today’s business climate. Their social media accounts were largely ignored.
Shelby could turn things around, but it wouldn’t be easy. And shewouldn’t have much time since she was behind on rent. She’d also have to hire Gram’s replacement, and that wouldn’t be cheap. He glanced at the cell showing Gram’s salary and scowled. No way would Shelby find someone for that paltry sum.
The store did a steady business. People came and went all the time—even shut off in the office he could hear the bell’s continual tinkling throughout the day. But he’d been upstairs enough to know the place was somewhat of a community hub. People often dropped by just to shoot the breeze. Viola had loved that. He suspected that had been more important to her than any profit she might make. But a business wouldn’t survive with that mentality.
And he wanted Shelby’s business to thrive. She shouldn’t have to worry about stretching dimes and staying afloat.
He wished he had better news for her. He glanced at the clock. It was closing time, but he’d seen on the sidewalk board that a romance book club met tonight. That was another thing. They gave their members 25 percent off book club selections. And with seven book clubs running out of the store, that really cut into their profits. Shelby would have to change some things if she wanted to keep the doors open.
He glanced around the office at the nine boxes of books that had arrived from UPS today. He’d stick around, scan the books into the system, and adhere UPC labels. After her book club he’d break the news to Shelby.
“Great insight, Katherine,” Lucy, the discussion leader, said. “I agree Harper could’ve been an unlikable heroine, given her jaded beliefs on love and marriage. She could even be abrasive sometimes.”
Shelby shifted on the wooden seat. They were out back in the courtyard, discussingMy One and Onlyby Kristan Higgins, their October bookclub selection and one of her favorite romances—even if it did remind her of Gray.
“Her sense of humor made her character likable for me,” Elizabeth said.
“That definitely helped,” Emma said. “But for me it was finding out about her mother. Those flashbacks were so heartbreaking. I wanted to give young Harper a big hug.”
“And the way those wounds impacted her relationship with Nick.Oh.” Margie pressed a hand to her ample bosom. “It just made so much sense. I could see their childhood hurts wreaking havoc on their marriage, and it just about killed me. I read it in one day and went through half a box of tissues.”
“Did anyone else just want to grab Dennis by his little rattail braid and throw him off the wharf?”
“A little harsh there, Sherry, but yes. In the end he was just a big oaf standing in the way of true love.”
“Can we just take a minute to swoon over Nick Lowery?” Lucy said.
The group seemed to draw in a deep breath and sigh as a whole.
Shelby couldn’t blame them. The first time she’d read the story she’d only dreamed of finding a man like Nick. Ironically, that had been when Gray entered her life. After he left, it had taken her three full years to pick up another romance novel. Even now she rarely read one. She no longer craved the kind of over-the-moon, helplessly-in-love feeling those books depicted. She’d experienced the painful side of being madly in love, and it wasn’t pretty. Now she mostly stuck to women’s fiction, suspense, and the occasional memoir.
The group moved on to the last question and had plenty to say about the epilogue. She loved these discussions—the way everyone offered their opinions and brought insight and passion to the reading experience.
It always made her realize afresh that fiction was about so muchmore than entertainment. It offered readers a unique way to learn about themselves and others. The protagonist’s journey illuminated a reader’s own experiences, her own struggles.
And when she slipped into the skin of someone different from herself, she experienced compassion and understanding that translated to people around her. She became a more empathetic human being.
It made Shelby proud of what she did. She wasn’t just a bookseller. She dealt in hope and healing. The warm glow of that reminder carried her through the club’s wrap-up and good-byes. While the others headed out she stayed out back, tidying up after them, cognizant of her dreamy smile.
All was quiet inside as she stowed the chairs and turned off the yard lights. She stepped into the hall, frowning at the light burning behind the frosted glass of the office door.
