AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And talk to yourself, she thought.
Whoever took charge of street cleaning had done the job, and she parked at the curb in front of the bookstore.
She’d make a note of town businesses, check their websites, their online presence.
A woman with a two-story library hardly needed books, but to Sonya’s mind nothing held the pulse of a community like a bookstore.
She studied the sign—well done, good graphics—then climbed the trio of steps to the covered porch. Chimes rang as she opened the door.
It smelled of books, coffee, and fresh orange peel.
The long counter to her left held the coffee station, a checkout station, and a workstation with a monitor. To the right, books lined free-standing bookcases, made clever stacks on tables. Along with them stood spinners of bookmarks, greeting cards.
A woman with streaky brown hair worn in a bouncy tail looked up from the monitor. “Hi, welcome to A Bookstore. Can I help you find anything?”
“I thought I’d look around.” She walked to the counter, held out a hand. “I’m Sonya MacTavish. I’m living up at the manor.”
“Collin Poole’s niece.” The woman pushed off her stool, took Sonya’s extended hand. “It’s great meeting you! Diana Rowe. Everyone’s been wondering when you’d come into the village. How about some coffee, tea, hot chocolate? On the house.”
“I’d love some coffee.”
“The white chocolate mocha’s our flavor of the month.”
“Who am I to say no to that? It’s a great store.”
“There’s more in the back. Books, of course,” she said as she went to the coffee station. “And sidelines. Soy candles made locally, T-shirts, book bags. Feel free to look around. Here’s my partner. Anita, it’s Collin Poole’s niece, Sonya.”
“Oh! I see it. You’ve got your uncle’s eyes. Welcome to Poole’s Bay.”
“Thanks.”
Anita had a thick, soft fall of light brown hair and a firm handshake.
“Are you settling in? The manor’s an amazing place.”
“It is. I’m starting to settle.”
“The library,” Anita said in tones of reverence.
“My favorite room.”
“Collin was a big reader.” Diana brought the coffee around the counter, offered it. “He used to come in at least once or twice a month. Not so much in the last few years.”
“He’d call in an order,” Anita continued. “Deuce Doyle—I know he’s handling the estate, so you’ve met him—would pick them up and take the books to him. Or Trey would—Deuce’s son—if he couldn’t make it.”
“I know you never met him,” Diana said, “but he was really well-liked. We just loved him, didn’t we, Anita?”
“We did, and we miss him. Why don’t we show you the rest of the store?”
When the door opened, bells chiming, Diana waved them off. “I’ve got this.”
“You’re a graphic designer, isn’t that right?”
“That’s right. Oh, this is wonderful.”
Two cozy chairs faced an electric fireplace. More books, a section for kids with some pint-sized chairs. An open corner cabinet displayed the local candles, diffusers. Another held colorful T-shirts and book bags.
“You’ve got more space than I thought from outside. And you’ve managed to make it cozy.” After a sip of coffee, Sonya lifted her eyebrows. “Where’s this been all my life?”
