Fireside Books sat at the corner of Lookaway Lane and Main Street, right beside the nineteenth-century firehouse. It had occupied the same Victorian storefront for seventy-five years. Every time Tess stepped onto the wide, uneven floorboards and inhaled the good scent of books, she felt revitalized. Today was her late day because it was story hour time. She maneuvered her upturned clown shoes past the boxes of new stock in the mystery section.
Her employee, Flo Garret, lifted a brow in her direction. Flo was in her fifties and had come to work at the bookstore after her husband died. She was soft and round and appeared to be all fluff and nervous energy, but underneath she had a deep caring for people and a quick mind. Her curly hair was wild today with the humidity, and she wore jeans with a red jacket and pearls.
“I’m reading If I Ran the Circus,” Tess explained. “You know how the children love it when I dress up to match the story.” The clown outfit was a bit too big and sagged in the rear end. The pant legs dragged on the floor as well, but it had been the only thing she could find at the costume shop in Burlington.
“I wondered if I could take off early tonight,” Flo said. “I have the town meeting.”
“Sure, I can close for you tonight. Is it about the train?”
“Yes. We’re going to discuss all the reasons we can give that make Smitten a good fit for a stop on RailAmerica.” Flo’s hazel eyes glowed. “Think of all the tourism it would bring in.”
Tess nodded. “We need that train! It would bring in so much business too, and you know how we’re struggling to make ends meet.”
She would do whatever she had to in order to save the bookstore. It was unthinkable that it would ever close. The place was an icon, a spot for villagers to gather and discuss politics, culture, and good books. And what would she do? She’d worked here since she was sixteen and had saved every nickel until she was able to buy it when the owner moved to New York. It was more than a business to her. It was the one place she belonged, the one place where she fit.
“What can I do to help convince the train executives? Any idea when we’ll know?”
Flo’s curls bounced as she nodded her head. “It’s going to take awhile.” She studied Tess’s face. “I keep your books, Tess. I know you’re barely taking enough of a salary to keep yourself afloat. I want this as much for you as I do for the town. I’ll do my best. We can both pray.”
“I will.” Troubled, Tess walked to the back of the store to her lovely children’s book section.
“Miss Tess!” Sophia ran to her and hugged her leg. “You look funny. Your shoes are too big.”
“Clowns are supposed to look funny.” Tess glanced around for Ryan and found him laughing, so she looked away.
Maybe she did look ridiculous. Candace wouldn’t have allowed herself to look so frumpy. The warm sensation that still lingered from yesterday’s time with him vanished. Stupid to allow herself to have an ounce of hope that he might look at her with interest.
A group of ten children had assembled on the colorful interlocking mat in the children’s area. She had them sit in a circle while she read the story. The kids gasped at the appropriate times and laughed at the right places too. Tess got into the story, acting out parts. Let Ryan snicker. What difference did it make? This was who she was.
When story hour was over, the children drifted off with their parents. But Ryan stayed with Sophia on the mat. Tess pulled off her clown nose and hat. “I need to wash my face,” she told Ryan. “It’s itchy.”
His gaze roamed over her face. “I think you’re reacting to that makeup. Looks like you have a rash.”
Her fingers flew to her cheeks, and she felt the bumps under the thick layer of greasy makeup. “Oh no!” She rushed for the bathroom in the back and locked the door behind her.
There was nothing in the bathroom except liquid hand soap, but it would have to do. She scrubbed the white and red grease from her face and winced when she saw her skin. Blotchy red patches covered her cheeks and chin. Her forehead had a particularly frightful raised spot, as though angry mosquitoes had attacked her. She wanted to bang her head against the wall.
And Ryan was right outside. Unless he’d had the grace to leave while she was evaluating the damage. But no, she couldn’t be that lucky. He was probably browsing the shelves with Sophia as usual. When they came, they usually stayed at least an hour.
She patted cold water on the spots, but it didn’t help. And the makeup bag she’d brought was in her purse. Which was under the counter up front. She’d have to walk through the store like this. Sighing, she yanked open the door. Hiding here would do no good, and Flo would be leaving in fifteen minutes.
She spied Ryan at the bookshelves. He hadn’t seen her yet. Her heart pounding, she raced past him with her face averted. But in her haste to escape, she didn’t watch where she was going. The long, curling toe of her clown shoe caught a chair leg. The next thing she knew, she was flying through the air and landed facedown on the carpet.
Tess looked like she’d been attacked by bees. Even her lips were swollen. Ryan had helped her to the chair behind the counter, and she still sat there nursing a swollen ankle. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, and he wasn’t sure if it was the pain from her sprain or the humiliation of her fall. Women were hard to read.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked after Flo had finished fussing, then left for her meeting.
“I’m fine,” Tess snapped. “I have some work to do.” She pulled the keyboard toward her and called up a program.
She seemed mad at him. He tried again. “I can run get you something to eat. Maybe some green tea?” Sophia came to him with two books, and he laid them on the counter.
“I said I’m fine!” She glared at him, but the sight was so funny with her face that he chuckled. “It’s not funny, Ryan. You can leave right now if you’re going to laugh at me.” Her voice was strangled as though she might cry. “I didn’t laugh at you in that tiara yesterday.”
“You snorted.” His comment didn’t change the scowl on her face. “I didn’t mean to laugh, honey.” Too late he realized the endearment had slipped out. “It’s just that clown suit and your poor swollen face. Can’t you see the humor of the situation?”
“I doubt you’d think it was funny if you were the one who looked like a puffer fish.” She sniffled and reached for a tissue.
Oh man. He hated to see a woman cry. Especially if he was the cause—and it was clear he was. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m a jerk for laughing.”
Her eyes were incredibly blue in her red face. When she’d walked in with that clown suit on, he’d been so delighted that he hadn’t been able to hide it. How many women were so intent on making other people happy that they were willing to appear just a little ridiculous? In a good way, of course. Candace wouldn’t have dreamed of appearing in public like that. She was always conscious of her face and figure. But even if Tess cared about other people, no one wanted to be made fun of, and he wished he could go back and hold that laugh. He wouldn’t have hurt her for anything.
“You’re forgiven,” she said. “But only because I want to get back into your attic.” She pointed her pencil at him and narrowed her eyes. “But if you laugh at me again . . .”
“We’re through?”
“Exactly.” But though she laughed with him, she continued to study him with wide eyes.
Did she feel the pull between them, or was it all on his side? He was used to women who cared about his money and status, and she clearly cared about none of that. If he wanted to impress her—and he did—he had no idea where to start. What did a woman like her care about?
He leaned on the counter. “What time are you finished here?”
“Not until nine. It’s Flo’s turn to close, but she has a meeting. Then I have to take the money to the bank.”
Sophia would need to be in bed by then. He’d hoped he could take Tess out for coffee or ice cream. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“And dinner, don’t forget dinner. It’s your turn to cook.”
He grinned. “I hope you’re not expecting a three-course meal. I’m a pretty plain cook.”
“He makes good eggs,” Sophia said.
“I’m sure he does,” Tess said. “With no salsa, though, right?”
Sophia wrinkled her nose. “On eggs?”
“You like hot stuff, Sophia. Try it sometime.”
He took out his wallet as Tess rang up the books. “Are you trying to corrupt my daughter?”
“I think it’s too late. Face it: you’ve lost her to Mexican food.” Tess handed him the bag. “See you tomorrow?”
“You bet.” He took his daughter’s hand and exited the store.
On the sidewalk he nearly ran Candace’s sister down. He grabbed her arm and steadied her. “Whoa, sorry, Isabelle.”
Her face lit with a smile. “Ryan, I had no idea I might run into you. Where have you been hiding since I got back to town? I’ve left two messages on your voice mail.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been crazy at work, and I wasn’t sure how long you were going to be around.” Not long, he hoped.
Isabelle had made no secret of the fact that she wouldn’t mind stepping into her sister’s shoes. And he had no intention of being caught in her games. She’d flirted with him even when Candace was still alive, and it had made Candace furious.
“Can we do dinner one night? I’d love to catch up with you and this little darling.” She finally deigned to notice Sophia, who was hiding behind Ryan’s leg.
“Who is that lady?” Sophia asked in a loud whisper.
Isabelle frowned, then recovered and smiled as she knelt by Sophia. “I’m your Aunt Isabelle, honey. Your mommy’s sister.”
“I ’member,” Sophia said. “You sent me makeup. Daddy put it away until I’m bigger.”
Isabelle rose with her smile gone. “Every little girl likes playing with makeup, Ryan.”
“There’s plenty of time for that later. She’s only four.”
Isabelle’s eyes were sparking. “You’re a tough dad. So what do you say about dinner? What’s your schedule look like?”
He edged away. “I’ll have to check and let you know. When are you leaving?”
“I’m not sure.” She was being coy. “I may move back.”
He barely managed to hide his dismay. “Oh. Maybe we can have a family dinner. Get your parents too. Sophia would enjoy that.”
He made his escape in the wake of her displeasure. It would be like walking a minefield to keep peace in the family.