Page 108 of Authentically, Izzy
He moved, nodding. “Do you think that also impacted your choices?”
“Definitely.” A sad little laugh puffed out. “And my relationships. I tried to force myself into fitting, tobeingwhat I thought they wanted. And I’ve loved working at the library, but it still was something my aunt encouraged me to do since I adored books, but it didn’t quite fit either.” She looked up at him. “Not like how I see things fit for you. You’re doing exactly what you love, what you were meant for.”
“But I didn’t always know it.” He pushed her hair back from her face, attempting to rein it in from the wind’s hold. “Believe it or not, I started university with the intention of becoming a teacher.”
“A teacher?” She laughed. “Did your parents support that with the family business expectations?”
“Of course, and a teacher is a noble profession, but after only a year away from the bookshop, I realized I truly loved working in the family business, so that’s when I made up my mind to pursue a business degree, and the rest is history, I suppose.” He grinned, studying her. “But I can see how the uncertainty of belonging would have a drastic impact on learning whoyoureally are. That’s the only reason why I suggested you work your magic on Sutherland’s. I think, instead of stepping into something someone else has made for you, perhaps you could unleash it with your complete authenticity right here. No strings. No mold to fit. Just... you doing what you do best. Loving books and people in a creative way.”
Loving books and people in a creative way?
She searched his face, a face that had become more and more dear with each passing conversation. Each additional touch or kiss. Did he truly see that in her? And was he offering her this unbelievable opportunity to see if what she loved could be formed into a real profession? A place to belong?
Could she be brave enough to try? She met the confidence in his gaze.
Maybe now.
“You think your mom would let me try?” She blinked away the tears forming in her eyes. “I have a lot of ideas.”
“We might have to prod her a bit, offer a deal, but more than that, I thinkyouneed it. The freedom to create, to see your ideas enacted.”
She pressed a kiss to his jaw. “How come you're so smart all of a sudden?”
“I’m not really all that smart or I’d have sorted out more of the problems of Sutherland’s before now.” He tugged her close, securing her against him. “But I’ve become a very avid study of a certain bookish American, and I would like to show her what I see she’s capable of... and who I see her to be.”
She sighed and stared back at the horizon, her mind swirling with possibilities. “Well, I might overwhelm your mom. I mean, my brain is already buzzing with easy fixes.”
“Like?”
“Well, since the King and Queen Festival is happening Friday, I’d immediately feature a bookshelf with royal reads, and I’d create a display window with a mixture of new royal releases, old popular bestsellers of the same genre, as well as some local favorites.” She turned to him, trying to help him envision the possibilities too. “And I’d truly create a children’s section in Sutherland’s. One that brings the innate magic of the bookshop to life, especially for such a magical week as the King and Queen Festival. There really should be children’s prince and princess paraphernalia for sale, like swords and crowns and stuffed dragons.”
“Stuffed dragons?” His brows rose.
“Of course! Stuffed dragons are all the rage.” She began to pace across the balcony. “And one of the real selling features of new bookshops is merchandise. Bookish paraphernalia—like bookmarks andnotebooks and coffee mugs with things like a typewriter on them and popular bookish quotes. And local gifts like the jewelry made from those scree stones you talked about only being in this part of the world, or local handcrafts. I mean, you’ve said Skymar is known for its woodcrafts and wool wear, so why not see how we can feature some of those in the shop. Nothing big, but maybe unique bookends or handmade jewelry or scarves and fuzzy socks. Fuzzy socks, mugs, and books go together in a very special way.” She turned toward him, hands in motion as she talked. “And that would support local businesses so they’ll refer people to Sutherland’s too. When I walked through Skern yesterday, I saw all sorts of merchandise that Sutherland’s could easily promote.” She took another turn around the balcony, excitement building with the speed of her words. “And we’d need to reorganize the bookshop for the most effective way to bring people in, kind of like from the streets to the shelves.” She laughed at her own comment.
“‘From the streets to the shelves’?” Brodie joined in with a chuckle. “Brilliant.”
She paused her steps and faced him, breathing in his compliment. “Thank you.”
“Excellent way to accept a compliment, Karre.”
Her smile brimmed. He was right. She usually deflected or redirected the conversation when compliments came. But... but she could be grateful for her God-given talents and passions, couldn't she? After all, God must have given them to her for a reason. “I’m trying.”
His gaze searched hers. “I know.”
With a reluctant pull from his gaze, she began pacing again. “This might be a big change for your mom, but... secondhand books shouldn’t be in the front of the store, unless there’s a very special secondhand we’d like to showcase. Featuring unique books and new releases in the front grab folks’ attention, especially tourists. And children need a bookish spot that screams ‘my place.’” She met Brodie’s amused expression. “What?”
“I didn’t realize what I unleashed with that simple request.”
She folded her arms across her chest and stared at him, her stomach quivering a little with the fear she’d overstepped the offering. “You gave me free rein, right?”
“I did and I’m happy you believed me.” With a flash of his smile and a grab of her hand, he pulled her back into the house.
“Where are we going?”
“To make a game plan.” He tugged her toward the stairs. “We only have three days before the festival begins, so we need to decide which parts of this plan we can make happen and which we can’t.”
“Wait.” She pulled him to a stop. “You want this to happen before the festival?”
