Page 21 of Enemies in Paradise

“That is, if I can get the funds in place,” I add quickly. “I don’t even know where to start. Who’s going to loan me money for a bookstore when people don’t read anymore?”

Georgia pulses with an excited energy almost as intense as Bear’s drums. “Let’s brainstorm the money tomorrow. I’m sure I can help. I’m also sureAt Home With Georgia Rosecould use an episode or two about an old auto shop being converted to a bookstore. That will drum up online business. You’re not just serving the people in Paradise, you’re giving readers everywhere what they want. Right, Evie?”

Evie’s energy matches Georgia’s. “Absolutely! And there are plenty of people in town who read. Adam loves to read. So does Bear. I don’t read as much as the two of them, but Ilove wandering the aisles of a bookstore, smelling the pages, searching for the perfect story.”

“Me too.” I take a deep breath, almost smelling crisp pages and black ink under the aroma of meat and potatoes that permeates the restaurant’s air.

Of course, the new book smell isn’t really there, no matter how hard I try to imagine it.

But with the notice about my leave, I can finally imagine the possibility of leaving behind the craziness of my job in LA for a more quiet life. A life thatmightrestore my faith in humanity, and my faith in myself to make the world a little better place.

I like both possibilities.

What I don’t like is the scowl on Bear’s face as he watches the three of us talking excitedly while Georgia sketches out some ideas on the back of a napkin. He knows we’re talking about the shop, but his scowl helps me push away my last conflicts over his feelings. Healthy adults manage their own emotions.

He can scowl all he wants because Iwillmake this bookstore happen. I have to. If I walk away from a fight with Captain Markham, I’m running head-on into this dream.

Even if I have to brawl with a Bear to make it come true.

Chapter 6

Bear

Late Monday afternoon, Ihave an appointment with Lester Newman from the city council to talk about my proposal. I told Britta I’d check on its progress, so I have to follow through.

But Lester spends most of the time telling me how the pond was used for irrigation when he was young. Not in a vague way. In a detailed, let-me-take-you-through-the-benefits-of-pond-irrigation way.

I leave knowing more about irrigation than I’ve ever wanted to and nothing about where my proposal is in the approval process.

Things don’t get better when I come home to find Grandpa, Georgia, and Evie waiting for me in the newly-mine apartment. Molly’s happy for the company, but all signs point to nothing good happening from what is looking like an intervention. Grandpa has a hard time with stairs, but he climbed the steepstaircase on the outside of the garage to get up here. So, something is going on.

Also, I need to start locking my door.

Just as soon as I get a key made—does the door even lock? Zach might not have thought about that when he built the apartment four years ago. It never crossed my mind until now.

I shut the door and toss my Jeep keys onto the side table. “Make yourselves at home. How come Zach and Adam didn’t come for the party?”

Evie lets out a nervous laugh. “Zach’s helping Adam at the Garden tonight. Britta too.”

“Dad?”

“He’s with your mother,” Grandpa answers gruffly.

“So, to what do I owe this honor?” I set down my tool bag and wait.

All three of them shift nervously on the sofa that Zach left behind when he moved out. Molly is next to Grandpa, even though she knows she’s not supposed to be on the furniture.

Apparently she’s taking her cues from Grandpa, who’s got one foot on the coffee table, even though he knows better, too. That rule hasn’t changed from when this place and all the furniture still in it were Zach’s. This apartment has never been a frat boy bachelor pad with old tables that nobody cares about getting scuffed. He decorated it similar to one of Georgia’s model homes.

Now that he’s living in Georgia’s house and not some replica, he doesn’t need any of the furniture. Perfect for me because I need all of it. Not only that, but I feel like an adult living in a place with real furniture and style. Without it, I would have had to move my old bed and dresser in here and use a card table and folding chairs for a kitchen table.

This surprise attack, however, is making me feel like the kid I’m trying not to be anymore. Despite the casual wayhe’s reclined, Grandpa is stony-faced, looking ready for a very serious discussion. Georgia and Evie are a cross between worry and pity. Basically, I’m sure the bad thing all the signs are pointing to is the thing I’ve been afraid was coming.

Evie is the first one to crack. “Cassie is planning to make an offer on Grandpa’s shop,” she blurts. “We wanted you to hear it from us before it happens.”

Before I can say anything, Georgia jumps in. “She still has to get funding, but she won’t have much trouble. She’s got great credit and money in the bank for the down payment. I’m helping her put together a business plan.”

I cross the room to my kitchen sink and fill a glass with water. I’ve got money in the bank too; it’s the great credit that’s the problem. I don’t have bad credit. I’ve just never had a reason to haveanycredit. Zach has pointed this out to me before, and I have ignored it. I have no reason to need credit.

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