Page 111 of Authentically, Izzy
Luke
PS: Everything makes you think ofThe Sound of Music.
PPS: Trout is the most romantic food in the world.
Text from Izzy to Luke and Penelope:That was a mean thing to send to Penelope. You know she’ll research photos andghosts now for a week and then end up terrifying herself into not sleeping!
Luke:When you become a big brother, you can tell me how to do it.
Penelope:Maybe wearing a button-down (white or not) that isn’t flannel every once in a while might help you find your dream woman.
Luke:Says the woman who still wears a princess hat.
Penelope:I’m dressing for the job I want.
From: Josephine Martin
To: Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood
Date: June25
Subject: Re: Epiphany of all epiphanies
Izzy,
Those photos truly are amazing. Are you certain that house is really Brodie’s? You know, men will go to all sorts of lengths to impress the woman they like. Just be careful. You are very far away and there’s not much we can do to save you from mishap, though I have contacted my great uncle who works in the government to let him know where you are in case we should be forced to find you. He’s not known for being a very chatty person, but I was wholly surprised that he seemed nonplussed about my request to research Brodie’s family. You would think government officials would take these types of things more seriously. At any rate, Maybelle, the secretary from the sheriff’s office, has given me several websites to research that give detailed information about various countries of the world. Skymar’s crime rate is surprisingly lowand their main source of income is fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Really, Izzy? Fishing? What would you do in a fishing place?
And did you know that winter lasts almost half the year in Skymar? Almost HALF THE YEAR!! I can barely stand a month of solid cold. Can you imagine half a year of it? Except right now. Right now is the hottest summer we’ve ever had. And I think something is wrong with Patrick. He’s taken to wearing his winter coat indoors in June!! Perhaps he’s coming down with something. I’ve been sweating every day!
At any rate, I hear that men who are about to become fathers for the first time do strange things.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying your time in that little bookshop. You are much too generous with your ideas, Izzy, and I’ve always thought so, but make sure they’re not trying to steal them.
The babies are growing at preposterous rates, or so it seems. If they remain as active outside of my body as they are inside my body, I may have to hire Penelope as a live-in nanny. Oh, Izzy, you’d be the perfect live-in nanny... but only if that fits into YOUR plans. (See? I’m trying.)
I need to go. Babies on the bladder are not comfortable at all. And I’m starting to cry again. What is wrong with me?!?
Josephine
PS: Penelope, Tommie Cauldwell is still in prison. Please get rid of the pen.
***
Sutherland’s looked like something out of an advertisement.
After spending one whole day moving shelves and a morning with Isabelle as he introduced her to local business owners (who loved the idea of Sutherland’s showcasing some of their merchandise), Brodie had needed to complete a few business meetings in the afternoon, so he’d left Sutherland’s only to return to Isabelle’s handiwork on full display. Of course, watching her passion rub off on the locals only secured the many talents he already knew about her, but it was a delight to see how others recognized and responded to them too.
After hours away, he was a bit concerned when he couldn't find Isabelle anywhere on the first floor. In all honesty he’d been so distracted by the transformation of the shop, he may have detoured a few times before actually searching in earnest. The first window display beamed with lights and festive decorations, couching top-seller royal reads as well as a few favorites, with crowns, silk, and even several pieces of fine scree jewelry and a coffee cup or two to boast their new addition of merchandise. They’d even taken one of the old vanities from the attic and repurposed it as an almost “magical” mirror complete with modern-day fairy tales atop. In the other window Izzy had placed a massive stuffed dragon peering down from its perch on some shiny bluish material, which must have been used for sky or clouds, and this window was clearly meant to appeal more to the younger population with its foam swords, wooden shields, and handy display of children’s royal headgear.
He entered, half in laughter and half in awe. He’d only been gone five hours, and he’d left Isabelle, Mum, Fiona, and Brynna busily restocking shelves they’d moved to various new places in the shop and unboxing merchandise he’d delivered earlier in the morning. How had they accomplished so much in such a short amount of time?
The front room still held its massive number of books, but instead of merely rows and rows of shelves, there were now little nooks forreading. Each window seat boasted pillows and soft lamps nearby for added light. A mismatch of antique furniture from the attic scattered throughout the shelves, each adorned with merchandise and softening the angles of the shelves with a cozy charm. Coffee cups, tea towels, plaques with book quotes, notebooks, and other book-related gifts begged for perusal from the tourist and local alike. Twinkle lights dotted various places and even twisted up the spiral staircase. Unbelievable!
“It’s a marvel, isn’t it, Mr.Sutherland?”
He turned to find Lylla carefully placing books on the shelf near the checkout counter.Fairy Tales, the embossed collection they’d ordered several months ago. The teenager’s smile mirrored his own. “Isabelle’s taken everything in hand and done this.” She waved toward the room. “It’s better than anything I’ve seen in New Inswythe or anywhere else on Ansling, if you ask me.”
“I think you’re right, Lylla.” Another laugh burst from him as he pushed a hand through his hair. “I knew she had a gift, but I had no idea.”
