Each vendor building was a unique wooden structure, disguised to look like an old-timey cottage.Some were painted bright vibrant colors, others more subdued.People were already in their assigned spaces, preparing for the upcoming festivities with brooms, merchandise, and fresh paint.
Lilian followed the dirt path toward the back, where the trees and foliage were more overgrown.There, she found a small collection of empty buildings.In the middle stood one painted a sunny yellow.It was too small to be a real cottage, but there was plenty of room for a one-room shop.
Lilian took in every detail she could.The chipped paint, worn down by years of standing up to the Midwest weather.The small window and open doorway, offering a clear view of its empty belly.
“We’re going to need another broom.”Margo sighed beside her.“I’ll go grab extra cleaning supplies.Be right back.”
Her friend hustled back toward the main gate, leaving Lilian alone in front of the shop.The chatter and bustle of the other workers echoed farther down the path.But here it was oddly quiet.The neighboring cottages were still empty.It was just her and the shop.
Hershop.
She’d never seriously thought about renting shop space at the faire before.For some reason, books weren’t something people typically expected to see at Renaissance Faires, though she’d never quite understood why.
Many of the faire’s visitors were avid readers.She’d seen men dressed likeLord of the Ringscharacters and women dressed like fairies.Books were often one’s first doorway into worlds filled with knights, queens, elves, and magic.
The more she thought about it, the more the idea of a bookshop at the faire felt inevitable.Like a piece that had always been missing.
And now she was trying to fit into that empty space.
The bookshop was a place of love for her mother, who’d bought it from the previous owner for pennies.It had been a staple in their small town for decades, its inventory built from years of townies coming in to exchange paperbacks for nickels.But now, it was time to clean up.The place barely made any money, and it was in desperate need of a makeover.They had to make room for books that would sell and make a profit.
Which was where the faire came in.
If Lilian was going to spend her fall weekends tying up corsets and walking the faire grounds, she might as well sell inventory while she did it.There were plenty of old novels in the shop that she could sell.And that was what she intended to do.
Stepping into the small structure, she set down her wheelbarrow, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work.
By noon, she was drenched in sweat, red-faced, and questioning every decision she’d ever made.But the shop was coming together.
She and Margo set up shelves on opposite sides of the small space.On the right, they stacked thick collections of fantasy novels, fromLord of the Ringspaperbacks to older editions ofTheWheel of Time.A few newer releases accompanied them as well.She’d been decisive when it came to the general fantasy section, choosing classics along with ones a more modern reader might enjoy.
On the left side sat a wall of romance novels.Those had required more scrutiny to determine which books would make the cut.And from there, her OCD broke the collection down into mini categories fit for the faire.Handmade labels taped to the wooden shelves read:Medieval England, Highlanders, Vikings, Pirates, andRomantasy.
The combination of books was sure to draw in a good crowd, but a faire shop needed more than good merchandise.It needed a name, one that was both punny and a little sexy.
That was Margo’s job.
The wheelbarrow clunked down the dirt road as her friend returned with the final touches for their shop.“Did somebody order a sign?”
Lilian’s heart gave a nervous little flutter as she caught sight of the colorful wooden sign her friend carted in.
“Prepare to be amazed!”Margo laughed as she lifted the piece.Bodice and Brawnwas painted on the large wooden plaque.The lettering was an exact copy of the old Harlequin typography, complete with elegantly swooping letters.
“Oh my god, it’s perfect!”Lilian loved it instantly; she wanted to hang it in her house and stare at it day and night.But for now, all she could do was let out an excited squeal of delight and wrap her arms around both Margo and the sign.“You are the most talented artist in the entire faire!”
“I don’t know about that,” Margo said, unable to hide her smile, “but I did do a pretty good job.”
“Now,” Lilian said, looking from the sign to the bare spot above the doorway, “how do we hang it up?”
The thing no one told you about owning your own shop at the Renaissance Faire was that you had to do everything yourself.Absolutely everything.Including hanging your shop sign.
It should have been simple.It proved to be the most difficult task of the day.She and Margo had brought tools for exactly this reason, but the faire was already out of ladders.They would have to wait until the equipment became available.For now, all she could do was hydrate and stare lovingly at all their hard work.
Hershop.
The thought still sent a thrill through her body.
“Is this one of the new ones?”
