Page 2 of Timeless Pages
“Isa, why didn’t you tell me you planned on selling the store?” she demanded.
“What?”
“The sign in the window. I never thought you would sell this place.”
“I’m not,” I said through my teeth as I came from behind the counter and went outside to see what she was talking about for myself. Sure enough, in the corner of the front window was a For Sale by Owner sign and what I presumed to be my Father’s phone number.
I'd better start calling the lawyers on my list before he gets a call. I knew three real estate moguls who would snap this place up in a heartbeat, but it would have to be over my dead body because I wasn’t letting go of Timeless Pages without a fight.
Chapter two
Nathan
Igot out of the car and looked at the bookstore with triumph. I have been after Timeless Pages for years. No matter what gifts, bribes, or offers I sent to Jason Garner, he always refused to sell the place. I never understood why. He didn't seem like the bookstore type. Nevertheless, he was always adamant that he would never sell it. Sadly, Jason died, but luckily for us, the family doesn't want the store.
"I still think we should keep it a bookstore," Evan said as he stepped out behind me.
"We don't need a fucking bookstore, Ev," I replied. "How many times do we have to tell you that before you get it through your head?"
"We're missing out on a good investment opportunity by keeping it a bookstore. We could build a little coffee shop in it, which could be a lucrative addition to the business complex,” Evan argued.
“Would you give it up, man?” Dom asked. “Jason’s brother-in-law just texted me and said he was running late. Why don’t we go inside and wait?”
“And maybe discuss my coffee shop slash bookstore idea?” Evan asked hopefully.
“No,” Dom and I said at the same time.
We walked inside, and the first thing I noticed was the beauty behind the counter. The woman’s wavy brown hair hung past her shoulders, her skin was porcelain white, and her eyes looked like pools of melted chocolate. Something about her instantly made me want to protect her from the world. Maybe it was how frail she seemed, not that I could tell much about her body from the oversized sweater she wore.
She smiled at the customer she was checking out. When she handed the gentleman his change and our eyes met, her smile fell. Her eyes narrowed with anger as they moved past me to my best friends. The woman rounded the counter and stomped toward us when the customer walked past us to the door.
“I should have known you three would come sniffing around here eventually. No means no. Uncle Jason didn’t want to sell to you, and neither do I. Get out of my store. It’s not for sale,” she demanded.
She was Jason’s niece, but his brother-in-law was selling it? I looked at Dominic in confusion.
“I’m sorry, you are?” Dom asked, holding out his hand to shake hers. Dominic could charm the pants off of a nun if he needed to, so if anyone could calm this little beauty down, it would be him.
“Isa Wilcox,” she replied, ignoring his outstretched hand.
After a few seconds, it was clear she wouldn’t be shaking his hand, so Dom let it fall to his side. “Well, Isa, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Dominic. These are my business partners,Nathan and Evan. Are you related to Morris Wilcox? Because that is who I have as a contact for the sale of Timeless Pages.”
“He’s my father,” Isa growled.
So, her father was selling the store, and she disagreed with him. I applauded her effort to run us off before he arrived, but we didn’t run that easily.
“Sorry, beauty,” I said, “As much as you may not want your father to sell the store, it’s happening. I’m sure you can find another place to move the store to.”
Isa opened her mouth to reply, but the door opened, and a man entered. Her mouth snapped shut when she saw him, and fear entered her eyes. His eyes met ours before settling on Isa and narrowing.
“Isabella, I hope you are being a gracious host to our guests,” he said. His voice was smooth as silk as he moved to her side and put his arm around her shoulders. She flinched away from his touch so briefly that I thought I might have imagined it. “Don’t mind my daughter. She’s rather attached to this place and doesn’t want to see it sold,” he explained.
I kept my eyes trained on Isa and saw him squeeze her shoulder. Her eyes pinched slightly as if she were in pain, but if I hadn’t been watching her, I wouldn’t have noticed. I looked at her father with renewed interest. Something more was happening here, and I was determined to figure out what it was.
Chapter three
Isa
Father’s fingers dug into my arm painfully, and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from showing just how badly it hurt. I refused to give him the satisfaction of my pain, but more so, if I let on that he was hurting me in front of these men, I’d be in for it for sure.
