Page 95 of More Than Words
Lucky for me, Rochelle was scheduled for the rest of the night and would close up the shop.
The bells over the door gave their usual cheerful jingle as I stepped inside.
The familiar warmth of the shop wrapped around me.Instinctively, I moved to the front counter and set down the canvas bag with the books Avery didn’t want, before shrugging out of my coat.
That’s when I noticed it.
Or rather, I didn’t notice it at first.
Something felt different.
I looked behind me, but didn’t see Rochelle.I turned slowly back to the front counter and froze.
The old, rickety desk that I’d inherited when I bought the store—and was constantly propping up with an old book under one leg—was gone.
In its place was something new.
Something stunning.
A dark-stained wood, smooth and polished to a soft sheen.Clean, simple lines, with a gentle curve to stand behind.
Slowly, I moved to look at the front, and the inlay of the lighter wood, made to look like a mountain range with books.It was a piece of art.
I stepped closer, blinking in disbelief that this piece of furniture was in my shop.And that it looked as if it had always been there.Like it belonged.
My fingertips brushed along the edge before I even realized I was reaching out.
There was no doubt who’d crafted such an exceptional piece.
And just as I knew Reid Lyons had made the counter, I knew who’d commissioned it.
He’d heard me.He’d noticed.
He’d remembered.
My throat tightened, and hot tears stung my eyes.
Behind me, I heard movement, reminding me I wasn’t alone.
I swiped at my eyes and spun around, expecting to see my employee.
“Quinn.”I couldn’t hide my surprise to see the girl standing there with an envelope in her hand.“What are you?—”
“It’s pretty nice, huh?”She jerked her head toward the counter.
I could only nod in reply.
“Here.”She thrust the envelope at me and took a step back, waiting for me to open it.
I hesitated.
“Go on,” Quinn said softly, rocking on her heels like she was trying to play it cool.“I’m not leaving until you do.”
My hands shook as I slipped my finger under the flap and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
Delaney,
I can’t undo what I did.And I won’t pretend that a counter can erase how I made you feel.But I hope it will at least serve as enough of a peace offering that you will agree to hear me out.
