Page 9 of With a Grain of Salt

"Larkin," I chastise in a soft voice, giving Sage an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"Don't be," Sage says with a sweet smile. "I'm always excited for books, too! You're going to love this month's book, Larkin."

I watch as Sage comes out from behind the counter, my throat clogging up the way it does every month when she pulls a book from the shelf rather than from a box like I'd expect if every child in the community was getting one.

I should probably have more pride and avoid this place. The only other option would be to actually buy books here, but when I did that, Sage said I won some contest and was the millionth winner or some nonsense like that. I have no doubt if I tried again, I'd be the winner of something else she stammers through on the spot.

"Mommy, look!"

Larkin turns the book in my direction and before she opens her mouth again, Adalynn, the owner of Fondante's Inferno, the local bakery, walks up with her ever-present smile.

"I love book day," the woman says as she smiles down at my daughter. "What do you have there?"

"Cars!" Larkin says, tapping the front of the book, her little finger on the pink car. "Is it out of gas?"

And there it is, what she was going to say before Adalynn walked up.

"My car is out of gas, too," Larkin says, just the right amount of disappointment in her tone to make both women look in my direction in explanation.

"She has a toy at the house that needs a new battery," I explain.

"We have some batteries," Sage says, hitching her thumb over her shoulder. "Do you know what kind?"

"It's one of those ride-on car things. I have it on order."

I feel Adalynn's stare on the side of my face, so I don't look in her direction.

She's just as guilty as every other person in town, giving me free stuff because she feels sorry for the single-parent widow.

"You bought the one from Kristina, right? The one Justin grew out of?"

I turn my head and give Adalynn the best smile I can manage right now as I dip my head.

"It's on order. What do I owe you for the book?" I ask, directing my attention back to Sage.

"It's the free monthly book," Sage says.

"Thank you," I tell her before scooping Larkin into my arms and heading for the front door.

Swallowing my pride is always a hard thing to do, but the smile on Larkin's face is why I do it so often.

The child doesn't want for anything, but at the same time, she could also have so much more.

My budget is limited, but she's young enough that every toy she gets, no matter if it comes from a thrift shop or garage sale, is new to her. I know that might change once she gets older, but for now, she's all smiles and happiness.

Convincing her to leave the book in the car when we get to her grandparents' house is a different story.

"Mommy is going to read that with you this weekend," I explain for a second time as she clutches the book to her chest when it’s time to get out of the car. “Larkin, please.”

She allows me to pull the book from her chest, but her eyes are locked on it the entire time I unbuckle her.

“There’s my sweet girl!” Nora exclaims from the front porch.

With the book forgotten, Larkin wiggles to get out of my arms.

Nora stands like a statue, her body blocking entry to the house.

"She's had a few sniffles," I tell Nora as I attempt to hand her Larkin's bag.

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