The Bookshop Rescue
Автор
Rochelle Alers
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Chapter One
Pinpoints of color from late-afternoon sunlight shimmered through the Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired patterned beveled glass on Chapter One’s solid oak door as Lucy Tucker locked it and flipped the sign over to “Closed.”
Since fostering a pregnant rescue golden retriever from the Furever Paws Animal Rescue, she’d made it a practice to go directly home after closing for the day on the days when she didn’t bring Buttercup to the bookstore. But the gentle canine was with her today, resting on her bed in the rear office, so Lucy decided to take the time to change her display window.
She picked up a book on gardening and positioned it in the window display with several cookbooks on grilling, smoking meat, the perfect picnic and entertaining. Then she set out several books featuring ideas for Mother’s Day. It was early May in Spring Forest and, with warmer temperatures, the titles on display celebrated the spring and coming summer months.
Lucy was proud of her storefront. She’d meticulously review stacks of books, searching for ones she felt would catch the eye of anyone passing by. She went all-out for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, when she decorated the window with holiday-themed books and colorful miniatures of houses, stores, cars and people.
Her first Christmas display had been highly successful with young children. They’d stood outside the bookstore, transfixed by the rotating snow globes in the center of a winter wonderland of a miniature town.
Owning and operating her own business had only become a reality after Lucy, at twenty-six, resigned her position as a Charlotte elementary schoolteacher. Remaining in her hometown had not been an option for her after her fiancé had run off with her best friend/maid of honor a month before their wedding. Lucy had known she couldn’t continue to live in a place where she would inevitably run into the newlyweds on a regular basis.
Fortunately, she was able to get a refund of ninety percent of the deposit for her wedding expenses, plus the money she got for selling her engagement ring. It was enough to start fresh in Spring Forest, a suburb of Raleigh that was more than one hundred and fifty miles from Charlotte.
While it was a comfort to be away from people who knew about her past, she couldn’t escape her own emotional scars. Even after more than a year, she still struggled to come to terms with the betrayal from Danielle—someone she had always thought of as her sister. It had completely shattered Lucy’s ability to trust other people. She struggled to make new friends and absolutely refused to consider dating again—so she ended up throwing herself into work.
When she’d first moved to Spring Forest and seen the vacant storefront in the historic downtown area, she’d known it would be the perfect location for a new bookstore. She’d poured all her heart—and all her time—into getting the store up and running, and she was proud of all she’d achieved. Just as she was proud of the display that was now...done.
She had just finished when she heard tapping on the window. Calum Ramsey, the owner of the bowling alley next door—Pins and Pints—motioned for her to unlock the door. Smiling and nodding, she went to the door.
Lucy had initially met Calum when she’d walked into the bowling alley to introduce herself as his new business neighbor. When she’d told him she projected opening within a month once all the shelves were installed, she’d found herself mesmerized by his intense stare. To her relief, his gaze wasn’t lecherous, but rather curious. Curious as to who she was and why she had moved to Spring Forest. If Calum had been intrigued with her, then it was the same with Lucy. The owner of the bowling alley was a trifecta: tall, dark and incredibly attractive—something she’d been unable to ignore during their subsequent encounters, no matter how hard she tried. She didn’t want to date, didn’t want to fall in love—never wanted to be that gullible again. But man, he made it hard to keep her attraction in check.
Although it had been a year since their initial introduction, there were occasions when she still found her reactions to Calum vaguely disturbing. Whenever he volunteered to move merchandise for her, Lucy forced herself not to ogle the rippling muscles in his biceps or how the fabric in his slim-cut jeans strained against muscular thighs whenever he bent down to pick up boxes of books. But as deeply drawn she’d found herself to Calum, she knew nothing would come of it because she refused to become involved with another man.
Lucy opened the door, a tentative smile lifting the corners of her mouth as she took in Calum’s cropped dark hair, neatly trimmed goatee and large, light-brown eyes. She took a deep breath to steady her runaway pulse as he walked in, the familiar scent of his cologne wafting to her nostrils.
“Is Buttercup okay?” Calum asked.
“Yes. Why did you ask?”
“I came by earlier this afternoon and Miss Grace told me you had gone home to get something for Buttercup.”
She knew Calum’s concern for Buttercup was genuine. He’d gone with her to pick up the dog from Furever Paws after Buttercup and many others had been rescued from a backyard breeder.
The decision to foster Buttercup until she could be adopted had been a win-win for Lucy. Her bookstore was successful, but after a year of devoting all her time to it, she was lonely. When she’d mentioned to Calum that she’d wanted to foster one of the rescues, he’d offered to accompany her to select a dog.
The instant she’d seen the pregnant golden retriever, Lucy had claimed her, agreeing to foster Buttercup until she weaned her puppies. Calum had been the one to carry the heartbreakingly underweight one-year-old dog to his SUV.
“I had to go home and get more food for Buttercup. She needs to eat smaller meals throughout the day.”
Calum nodded, smiling. “It’s great that she’s getting back to a healthy weight. I wish I could come visit her more, but I’ve been tied up organizing the summer bowling leagues.”
“You need an assistant, Calum. You can’t do it all. When I first opened the bookstore, it was impossible for me to take care of the register and help customers find the books they’re looking for, so that’s when I advertised for two part-time assistants.”
“I know, Lucy. I keep telling myself I need to advertise for one, then something comes up and I forget about it until the next mini crisis. Now, back to Buttercup. How is she?”
“Her belly is getting nice and round,” Lucy said, voice filled with pride.
“That’s because she’s living the high life.”
Lucy laughed. “It’s because she’s really spoiled.”
Calum’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he crossed muscular arms over a broad chest. “Now I wonder just who spoiled her.”
She dropped her gaze. “Guilty as charged.” Lucy wanted to tell him that spoiling Buttercup was the least she could do after what the canine had endured at the puppy mill.
“I really like Buttercup.”
Lucy sobered. “So do I. I really don’t want to think of the time when her pups are weaned and they will all leave to be adopted.”
“That’s why you foster, Lucy—to get them ready to be adopted out.”
She’d grown so attached to the golden retriever that she’d seriously thought about adopting her. However, when she’d signed on to foster a dog, she was aware it was temporary and that someone else may want to adopt Buttercup.
“I know, but it’s not going to be easy letting her go. I hope I don’t lose it and start bawling. And let me warn you that I cry ugly.”
“I doubt it will come to that, Lucy.”
“You don’t want to be around when that time comes, Calum.” Lucy knew she had to psych herself up for the inevitable. That once Buttercup weaned her puppies, they would no longer be her responsibility. They would go to their forever homes. And she’d be left behind.
Calum stroked his goatee with a forefinger, grinning affectionately when Lucy mentioned crying ugly. Even with red and swollen eyes, he would still find her stunningly gorgeous.
When Lucy Tucker had first walked into his bowling alley more than a year ago, he’d found himself doing a lot of volunteering for the tall and curvy woman who occasionally kept him from a restful night’s sleep. However, as he’d gotten to see more of her, he’d realized she was the type of woman a man married and settled down with.
At thirty, Calum had had his share of relationships, abruptly ending them whenever the subject of marriage and children was mentioned. It was different with Lucy because not once had she indicated she wanted more than friendship, which he found refreshing. And their friendship extended to his willingness to lift boxes of books and/or accepting deliveries whenever the bookstore was closed.
Calum’s gaze took in everything about Lucy’s face. Even without makeup, she was a natural beauty. Her dark brown, chin-length, naturally wavy bob framed a flawless khaki-hued complexion radiating good health. He liked the way her dark brown eyes crinkled at the corners whenever she smiled, while he struggled not to rudely stare at her full, sensual mouth that he’d fantasized about kissing. And knowing there would never be anything more than friendship between them was a blessing in disguise for Calum. He knew without a doubt becoming romantically involved with Lucy was certain to make him forget why he wasn’t the marrying kind.
“You’ll do just fine, knowing Buttercup will go to a good home.” He hesitated. “Maybe after Buttercup and her puppies are adopted you could ask Bethany to become a permanent foster,” he said, referring to the director of Furever Paws.
Lucy sighed. “I don’t know about that. It all depends on how I feel after giving up Buttercup. If I don’t have a complete meltdown, then I will consider fostering another dog.” She paused. “I know I haven’t told you this, but I truly appreciate you helping me doing some of the heavy lifting here in the store.”
“I told you before, folks in Spring Forest look out for one another. And that goes double for us in the business district. Live local, shop local isn’t just an empty slogan, Lucy. We do what we have to do to keep folks coming in and our doors open.”
Lucy lowered her eyes. “You’re right, Calum. I have to keep reminding myself of that, but I still appreciate your help.”
“Speaking of helping, I stopped by earlier because a box of yours was delivered to me while you were out. Do you want me to bring it over now?”
“Okay. And thank you again, Calum.”
A slight frown furrowed his forehead. “For what?”
“For accepting my deliveries.”
Leaning close, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Appreciation and thanks accepted.” He took a step back. “I’ll go and get that box now.”
Calum left the bookstore and walked over to Pins and Pints. He didn’t know what had possessed him to kiss Lucy. Even if it was only her cheek. He didn’t want to believe he was weakening, lowering his resistance when it came to the bookshop beauty when he knew he should stay away from her.
There were days when he deliberately walked past the bookstore and he forced himself not to even look in, and then there were days when he’d slow down and wait to catch her gaze through the window before waving and moving on. But today, the shipping company had dropped off boxes that gave Calum a legitimate reason to contact Lucy.
He opened the door to Pins and Pints and was met with a rush of cool air from the newly upgraded central air-conditioning system. What had been an old-fashioned, decades-old bowling alley had undergone a massive renovation three years ago after Calum had purchased it from the original owners. The updated floor plans included a ten-lane bowling alley with the mini pin and bowling ball set up to the right of the front door, a massive mahogany bar with plenty of bar stools, and ten tables for food service. Several months ago, he’d installed a half dozen flat screens, always muted with closed captions and tuned to sports channels.
The bar offered everything from soda fountain pop to local beer on tap to a specialty cocktail. Pins and Pints also offered a small food menu with a variety of appetizers, sides and sandwiches. Freshly made popcorn was a favorite.
Once he’d decided to go into business for himself, Calum had developed a detailed business plan specifying quarterly projections for the first two years. It wasn’t the life he’d imagined following his graduation from Duke University with degrees in accounting and finance. But after years in an investment bank, he’d gotten tired of making money for other people and decided he wanted to run his own business.
That’s when he’d returned to Spring Forest to purchase and restore the bowling alley. He came in before nine—two hours before Pins and Pints hours of operation—and most nights he didn’t leave until midnight. Fridays and Saturdays were the exception when the bowling alley closed at one in the morning.
For Calum, putting in long hours during a seven-day workweek was not conducive to dating or socializing. Whenever his friends from Raleigh or former coworkers invited him to get together, work was always his excuse. Although fully staffed, Calum knew Lucy was right about his hiring an assistant manager—someone to come in and supervise the other employees so he could take more time off. He was aware working so much was a recipe for burnout.
He found the box in a corner of the stockroom, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and retraced his steps to Chapter One. It was after six and young couples were coming in after work to bowl. When all the lanes were in use, the sound of balls hitting pins, followed by cheers or groans, never failed to make Calum smile. He nodded to a couple that had recently celebrated their engagement at Pins and Pints.
Lucy was waiting for him when he returned to Chapter One.
She’d taken off the smock and he swallowed to relieve the dryness in his throat when he stared at the outline of her full breasts under a long-sleeved, light-blue cotton tee she’d paired with jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places. Lucy Tucker was blatant temptation on two long legs.
“Where do you want me to put the box?”
“Follow me, and I’ll open the office for you.”
Calum stared at the gentle sway of her hips as she walked, then forced himself to look away before his appreciation became impossible to hide. It had been a long time—much too long—since he’d been that turned on. Just his luck that she had no interest in him beyond friendship.
To distract himself, he focused on the bookstore’s décor. Lucy had told him once that she’d decided she wanted Chapter One to resemble a personal library with stacks of books, well-worn leather armchairs and mahogany side tables for those wishing to sit and read. Even the children’s area, with child-sized chairs and tables located toward the left rear of the store, beckoned her youngest customers to come and read as their parents browsed row upon row of books. Her preference for the Art Deco era was reflected in the patterned stained glass on the front door and the door to her office. The contractor had refinished the dark wood floor and applied polyurethane until it glimmered a deep golden brown. Rather than cover the stark-white walls with photos of authors and book covers, Lucy had opted for famous quotes from various books stenciled in black calligraphy.
Calum glanced at some of those famous quotes as he walked past dark wood bookshelves, but his eyes kept getting drawn back to Lucy’s voluptuous body as she unlocked the office and stepped aside to let him enter.
“You can set it on the workstation.”
Calum complied, looking over to see Buttercup lying on her side on a large orthopedic dog bed in a far corner of the office. She opened her eyes, but didn’t move. Lucy was right. Her exposed belly was a lot rounder than the last time he’d seen her.
“It looks as if she’s had a haircut.”
Lucy smiled and nodded. “Last week I took her over to Barkyard Boarding to be groomed because she was shedding all over the house. She looks great, right? So different from the rescue that I brought home from Furever Paws.”
“I’ll get out of your way so you can go home and take care of Buttercup. Good night.” He wanted to run, not walk, out of Chapter One just to put some distance between himself and Lucy.
“Good night, Calum.”
When he made it out the door, Calum swore under his breath. He hadn’t had a serious relationship since college and when that had ended, he’d made a practice to stick strictly to casual dating. She couldn’t know it, but Lucy was pushing him closer and closer to rethinking that self-imposed vow.
Calum had always been forthcoming when he told women he wasn’t ready for marriage and/or children. Some were willing to take him at his word, while others thanked him for his honesty and a nice evening, and politely informed him that he should lose their number.
Since returning to Spring Forest, he’d told himself he was too involved in making his business venture viable to date, but a silent voice told him he was in denial. He wanted to ask Lucy out, but he wasn’t certain how to go about risking the change to their friendship.
Calum knew there was only way to find out.
And that was to ask her.
