“I was stressed.Set-up day is always stressful.And you weren’t exactly the most organized person,” he said.
Well, he had a point there.But the tone of his voice made it clear that he thought it washerfault that he had been rude.Her hackles went up.She planted her feet in the grass, refusing to take another step forward.
“You put us in the Reject Woods,” she said, watching him carefully.
“The Reject Woods?”Hawk repeated, face blank.“I don’t even know what that is.”
“Of course you do.”Lilian could feel her voice getting higher in frustration.Was he really playing dumb?“You're the faire manager.You know everything that goes on around here.”
“I do.”His tone brooked no argument.It was exactly the kind of arrogant response she would have expected, and now he was looking at her like she was crazy.“And I can tell you firmly there is nothing here called the Reject Woods.”
“Maybe not officially, but you know placement at the faire matters, and there's clearly an area where businesses go to be snuffed out,” Lilian stated.“It's not right.”
“It’s not real,” Hawk shot back.“If your business isn’t doing well, that’s on you.Not the faire.”
Oh.Lilian’s face flushed at the accusation.His words hit their mark, amplifying all her fears and doubts.She snapped back at him before she could second guess herself.He was practically screaming that she was a failure.“Maybe you’re right, but the season isn’t over yet.Me and my bookshop aren’t going anywhere.”
Hawk closed his eyes, clearly realizing his misstep.“Lilian…” He started, but it was too late.
The moment of grace between them had been shattered, and so had the pleasant evening.“I’ll walk the rest of the way myself.I’d rather be trampled by the cows than spend another second with you.”
Third Week of Faire: Fantasy Weekend
“Ithinkwehavea branding problem.”Lilian sighed as another gaggle of corset clad women walked by.They were exactly her type of customer; each styled beautifully for the faire with elf ears, stylish boots, and flowing dresses.But they didn’t even glance their way.
It was Fantasy Weekend, a weekend she’d been sure would bring some attention to her bookstore.Just to be sure, she’d put all the fantasy novels at half price.They’d sold only two so far.
Lilian watched the patrons closely as they traveled down the beaten path, trying to figure out where they might be going wrong.
Margo nodded.“The show should help with that.”
“Yeah, but the problem is we’re one yellow cottage in a sea of buildings.Look at Russ,” Lilian said, pointing toward their neighbor.“He has dresses on display and pictures of his commissioned work on a display table.We need something like that.”
Margo’s eyes lit up.“Something to catch their eye?”
“Yeah,” Lilian said.“Our sign is a good start, but we need something more.”
“Well, that’s an easy problem to solve.”
“It is?”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, both contemplating their options.“A table?”Lilian suggested finally.“One with books that are buy one get one free?It would help free up more shelf space.”
“Maybe.”Margo looked doubtful, her eyes roaming over the walls of their cottage.“We might also need more interior decor.The books are nice and all, but they don’t really hold attention.”
Lilian took another look around the shop, heart sinking.She’d been so proud of it when they had first set everything up.Shestill wasproud of it.But after walking past all the other shops earlier in the week, it was hard not to notice that hers looked… well, immature.
Margo wasn’t wrong.The interior felt bare.The counter held nothing but the iPad for processing orders.The two largest walls were taken up by bookshelves, but the entire back wall sat empty and awkward.The place could use a rug.Maybe some flowers.Something to make it feel finished.
Vendors like Russ had their shop brand down to a science.They knew exactly what items sold well, which ones to advertise on display, and which ones would appeal to certain customers.Now that she thought about it, the other vendors all kept to their themes.The pirate shops had nets, flags, and other piratey things lying about.The Viking shops had runes and furs.In comparison, her shop was a bookstore without any real personality.That was a death kiss at the Ren Faire, where personality was everything.
They had to do more.
“All right.I’ll think of some things for interior decoration.In the meantime, can I put you in charge of curb appeal?”
Margo rubbed her hands together excitedly.“Curb appeal.Got it.”
“Nothing too crazy.”The rules were strict about what they could and couldn’t do to the cottages for decor.No new paint without management approval.No permanent fixtures.No damages.
