“Does that mean you’ve changed your mind about selling the store?” Ellie asked.
He began stacking the books on the counter. “I’m still mulling it over. We’re waiting to hear back from the doctor on Alicia’s condition. They say that sometimes being in a warmer climate helps slow the progress of the disease.”
“How is Alicia?” Zora asked. “I haven’t seen her since the New Year’s Eve party.”
“Fair. Some days are better than others, but we’re trying to take it one day at a time.”
Knowing how sensitive a subject this was for Sam, Ellie redirected the conversation. “This is new,” she said, inspecting a display of classic romance novels.
“I’m glad you noticed. I just finished setting it up,” Sam said proudly. “Apparently, in Chicago and Indianapolis, stores are selling out of them, so I figured I’d give it a shot.”
Ellie glanced at Zora. “Still okay on time?”
Zora nodded and picked up a copy ofPride and Prejudice. “This is my all-time favorite. Have you read it?”
Ellie examined the cover and shook her head. “Is it any good?”
“Is it any good?” Zora cleared her throat. “‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’” Her voice was thick and dramatic. “That’s how the book begins. Isn’t it lovely?”
“If you say so.”
Undeterred, Zora turned a few pages and read another passage.
“‘Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.’”
She skimmed ahead.
“‘She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.’”
Zora pressed the book to her chest. “How can you not be moved by her words—so beautiful, so elegant?” She swooned. “Do you know how many times I’ve read this book?”
“More than once, I presume.”
“Eleven,” Zora proclaimed. “Hands down, Jane Austen is my favorite author. Are you telling me that when you were in college you never read any of her books?”
Ellie shook her head.
“Charlotte Bronte?”
“Nope.”
“Tell me you at least read something by Elizabeth Barrett Browning?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Zora, but while you were reading about what love should be like, I was experiencing the real thing.” She flashed a mischievous little smile.
“Aha.” Sam pulled a hardcover copy ofSupernovas: A Detailed Look into the Death of Starsfrom the last box. “I believe this is what you’re looking for.”
“Wonderful,” said Ellie.
“Would you like a bag?”
“That won’t be necessary.” She returned to the counter. “Thank you so much for doing this, Sam. You’re a lifesaver. What do I owe you?”
“Three dollars should cover it.”
Ellie opened her purse and whispered, “And while I’m at it, add that one to the bill.” She nodded in Zora’s direction.
“Most certainly.” Sam did the math. “That brings your total to five dollars even.”
