Page 21 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

“Sure that’s a tough balance, isn’t it then? We’ll have to come see him.” Shannon beamed at me, and I blinked at her as terror gripped my heart. Somehow I knew once I let these women invade my sanctuary, they’d never stop coming around.

“Um, best not to excite him too much for now. His wing is in a really delicate place.”

“Mm-hmm.” Esther peered at me like she could read every one of my thoughts. “Well, keep us updated on the wee lad. In the meantime, we were just talking about you.”

“So you mentioned.” I accepted the cup of chai with a brief smile of thanks and put it on the table to cool. Trepidation filled me. If I was on the Book Bitches’ radar, that could mean anything really.

“The Winter Windows competition is starting. Nextweek. And we are not prepared.” Esther gave me a look like not only should I know what she was talking about, but I also was meant to do something about this.

“Well, good luck with it all.” I picked up my tea and blew on the top, hoping to cool it down faster so I could be on my way.

“That’s where you come in. We need someone to program the lights. If we’re going to go big this year and beat St. Andrews, well, it has to be something fantastic. And you’re a programmer, so you’ll be just the lad to help us out.”

“Um.” I choked on my sip of tea and put it back on the table, coughing. Esther slammed me on the back, and my eyes widened. The woman had some power to her. “What’s the Winter Windows competition?”

“Seriously?” Shannon leaned forward, surprise on her face. “How could you not know what this is?”

Because I moved here three years ago and am basically a hermit?

“All the bookstores in the region compete for the best windows in the month of December. There’s judging each weekend leading up to Christmas. Four weekends of judging. St. Andrews always ends up winning and we want to break that streak.”

“What do you win?”

“Money for a charity of your choice.” Esther waved that away, the light of battle in her eyes. “It’s not about the money. It’s about the bragging rights. Highland Hearts has come in second or third place for years now, and we know that we can win with some addedflavor.”

“And I’m the added flavor?” Despite myself, I was amused.

“Yes. Your technical capabilities, plus Rosie’s fresh outlook, will bring us over the finish line.”

“Have you asked Rosie about this?”

“We’re getting there.” Cherise glared at me. Right. Don’t upset Cherise seemed to be the name of the game this week.

“Ladies, what you need is an electrician. Not a programmer.” Slapping my hands on my legs in the universal sign that I was done with the conversation, I made to stand.

“Nope, we need a programmer. Look at this.” Esther pulled out her phone and clicked on the TikTok app, and then pressed play on a video. Leaning in, I watched as a house, positively drenched in lighting, flashed in tune to a rock version ofJingle Bells. “See? This is what we need. Next level.”

“That’s an entire house decorated in lights. I thought this was windows only.”

Esther glared at me.

“It’s just the concept, Alexander. Get with it.”

“Apologies.” I barely restrained a grin.

“So, you’ll need to come up with a program that can do something like this once we decide on a theme.”

“Um.” I scratched my jaw as I thought about it. I likelycouldfigure this out easily enough, but it would be putting me right in the path of temptation. In other words, one very sexy bookseller that I had no rightthinking dirty thoughts about. “December is days away. Why didn’t you talk to Rosie about it?”

“We are. Tomorrow. We felt she needed a wee break after we were there all day today,” Shannon said, taking a bite of her biscuit. At the sight of food, my stomach grumbled, and I stood up before I got sucked into further conversation.

“I really need to run. Let me know if Rosie decides to join this competition. If she needs the help, I can see what I can come up with.” I couldn’t even believe the words leaving my mouth. Not only was I volunteering to join the competition, but I was also pulling myself out of my peaceful hermit-ville to work on a project with the Book Bitches.

The women clapped in excitement.

“You’re our hero,” Esther declared. And damn it, that felt good to hear. Even if it meant having to actively avoid conversations about my non-existent dating life with this group of women, I was still happy to help.

“Have a good night, ladies.” My takeaway bag was waiting on the counter and my puffin was waiting for his dinner.

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