Page 19 of Drive Me Wild
“I heard.”
“Here’s your coffee. Want some cream or sugar?”
“Cream, please. So Mabel, why are you selling?”
“I’ve been ready to retire for a few years, but I don’t have anyone to take over the store. I’m not as young as I used to be. Can’t keep walking up and down those stairs every day.” Shepoints down a long hallway to a flight of stairs with a chain across. A sign hangs from the chain that says ‘Private.’
“Do you live upstairs?”
“Sure do. Lived here my whole life. My parents left me this house when they passed away, which was a tragedy when they died. I was only eighteen and not married.”
“And you don’t want to stay here?”
“Like I said, those stairs are getting to be too much. I wouldn’t mind moving into one of those single-story mid-century houses they have in Port Stratton.”
I take a sip of the coffee. It’s smooth and nutty, and I vow to come here in the mornings to buy one before going to Caleb’s every day.
“So, the sale is for the house and the business?”
“That’s right. Current inventory included, of course.”
“Wow. It’s a turnkey business.”
“It sure is. And for the right person, I think this would be a great place to raise a family. There’s plenty of space upstairs. I’ve been renting out the spare bedrooms to summer tourists for the last twenty years. Before that, it was a rooming house. There are plenty of bathrooms and a big kitchen up there. Want a tour?”
“Oh, no, I need to go see the Mayor about something. Maybe next time?” I finish my coffee and pull out my wallet to pay her.
“That cup was on the house. Come back to see me soon, Zoe.” Her eyes twinkle as she smiles at me.
“I will. What time are you open tomorrow? That was so delicious. I’m coming back here for my morning cup of coffee.”
“Officially at ten. But you can ring the bell starting around eight, and I’ll let you in. At my age, I’ve already been up for hours, and I wouldn’t mind the company.”
“Thanks, Mabel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She walks me to the door and waves when I turn around to catch another glimpse of the most beautiful bookshop in the world. My inner bookworm is doing a boogie in my mind.
When I return to Town Hall, I see that Serena’s door is open so I let myself inside. She’s on the phone and gives me a little wave, so I pull up a chair in front of her desk and wait.
When she puts the receiver down, she gives me a look that tells me that it wasn’t the easiest phone call.
“Hi, Zoe. How are you settling in?”
“Things are great at home, but I was pretty bummed out about the library.”
“You and everyone else. That was the principal of the high school. They don’t have room there to store the books. They were actually thinking of donating some older volumes to us to make room in their library.”
“Any other options?”
“I’m calling a council meeting for tomorrow so we can assess the situation. The building, the books, our rainy day fund...”
“Rainy day fund?”
“The savings account.”
“I see. Well, I wanted to let you know that I am volunteering to help move the books to their future home if you need it.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Zoe. I am sure I’ll take you up on it.”
