“Yes, he doesn’t poke his nose in where it doesn’t belong. I like that about him,” Eudora admitted. “He’s helped me a lot over the years, first when my husband was sick, and then after. I figured he might do the same for you.” She gestured about her. “I just love what you’ve done. You’ve brought the place back to life with books!”
“Well, I’m glad you came back. I was hoping you would. Please make yourself at home, and feel free to linger.”
Eudora watched as Leah headed to the children’s section. As much as she hated to leave the house for too long, being here feltdifferent. Somehow familiar to her. Even Alfred seemed to agree. She glanced down to see he’d curled up at her feet, on the edge of an area rug. Perhaps she would stay a while, as Leah suggested. At the very least, buy a copy of Louise Penny’s latest.
After strolling about and perusing the shelves, Eudora found what she was looking for and was paging through a French pastry book when she noticed a young girl standing behind the checkout counter. Probably a sophomore in high school, she guessed; very pretty but likely unaware of that fact, based on her body language. Eudora had seen it too many times in her years in the high school hallways, the slight hunch of shoulders, the shy tuck of a chin when someone spoke to her. How Eudora wanted to give those girls a hug and tell them not to be so afraid to take up their space in the world!
She headed for the checkout counter. The Sandy Page was so lovely she was tempted to stay longer, but Alfred had made a few grumbles and she didn’t want him wearing out his welcome. Eudora set both books down on the counter—the profiterole recipe had sold her on the cookbook, too. “Did you find everything you were looking for?” the girl asked.Lucy,her nametag read.
“Yes, thank you, Lucy. You must be so happy to work here.”
Lucy threw her an unexpectedly bright smile. “I am,” she said, softly. “It’s the best place ever.” Eudora could tell she meant it.
“I’ll take one of these, too,” Eudora said, adding one of the vintage wallpaper bookmarks to her pile. “And one of these.” She grabbed a small bag of saltwater taffy from a basket.
“The Candy Manor made those special for us,” Lucy said,pointing to the pink label:Sandy Page Saltwater. Eudora knew the Candy Manor. Just as every child in every corner of the Cape knew it.
“Leah really thought of everything!” Eudora said, taking another. She’d send one to Caroline and the kids.
“They’re too good, if you know what I mean,” Lucy warned.
Just then, the bell jangled over the front door and they both turned. A teenage boy stood in the doorway, glancing around uncertainly. Lucy’s smile instantly evaporated.
“Here you go, dear,” Eudora said, holding out her credit card. But Lucy didn’t seem to hear. She was frozen, eyes fixed on the boy. Eudora glanced between the two. Something was wrong.
“Excuse me,” Lucy said, abruptly. She left Eudora at the cash register, credit card hanging in the air, and disappeared into the back room. Brad emerged a moment later.
“May I check you out?” he asked. If he’d noticed the boy in the doorway, it did not have the same impact as it had on Lucy.
“Is she alright?” Eudora asked.
“Who?”
“That nice girl, Lucy. She was helping me.” Eudora glanced back at the boy. He was just leaving, pulling the door closed behind him. She watched as he turned down the sidewalk, his dark brown hair disappearing from view.
Brad shrugged casually. “Lucy just asked me to take over so she could take her lunch break. Was something wrong with her service?”
“Oh no,” Eudora lied. “She mustn’t have seen me at the checkout.”
When she got outside with Alfred and her two books, Eudora inhaled deeply as if she’d just had the most satisfying meal and was ready for a nap. Caroline would be pleased: she had gone out, socialized, and even reconnected with an old student. And she had two lovely new books to show for it.
But the whole way home she couldn’t help but wonder about Lucy and the boy in the doorway. Red flags were waving in her guidance counselor’s mind, a thing she’d found she could never turn off, despite retirement.
One thing was for sure, she’d have to go back to the Sandy Page.
