Page 55 of The Library of Second Chances
“Of course, you can,” he said, smiling at her in the rearview mirror. “You can have all the books you want.”
“Yes!” she said, doing a little victory dance.
Carly rolled her eyes. “She acts like I’ve never bought her a book before.”
It was a busy afternoon downtown, so they parked a few blocks away near Hill House.
“Isn’t it a beauty?” Logan asked, stopping on the sidewalk in front of it.
“It looks like it’s haunted,” Alex whispered, as if the ghosts she imagined inside might hear her.
“It certainly looks like it’s seen better days,” Carly quipped.
“It has character,” Logan said, before launching into a list of the repairs it needed and how it was all just cosmetic.
“Didn’t you and Fuller talk about restoring historic houses once you got your careers established?” Carly shot him a sideways look.
“There are plenty of historic houses in Boston,” Logan countered, shuffling the group toward Lucy’s store. Although Boston wasn’t a permanent job, maybe he’d at least be there long enough that he and Fuller could buy something and getit started. After all, Fuller would be there long-term to see it through.
When they entered the bookstore, Lucy turned from the customer she was helping and surprise filled her expression. Tilting her head, she smiled at him then finished speaking with the older woman scanning the new releases.
“Uncle Logan, look at this ladder. It’s just likeBeauty and the Beast!” Alex exclaimed as she ran over to it.
“Alex, honey. It says don’t climb it. You can look, but don’t touch.” Carly followed Alex over to the where the ladder stood at the end of the bookshelves closest to the front window.
Lucy left the woman to read the back of several books she’d pulled off the shelf for her and walked over.
“Uncle Logan, huh? Is that your sister?” She nodded in Carly’s direction.
“It is.” He smiled at her. “Hey, Carly. I want you to meet someone.”
Carly approached and held out a hand. “Hi, Carly Simmons. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
As Lucy shook her hand, she glanced at Logan. “Oh, is that so? Only good things I hope.” Her laughter was stiff, a little nervous.
“I did leave out the part about how you still have an answering machine.” He winked at Lucy. “This is my nephew, Aidan.” Logan put his hand on Aidan’s shoulder and then pointed in Alex’s direction, where she was bent over petting Lizzy. “And that’s my niece, Alexandria, who goes by Alex.”
“It’s so nice to meet you all.” Lucy smiled broadly. “I’m glad you decided to visit Heron Isle.”
“I hear that’s thanks to you.” Carly nudged Logan in the arm. “I don’t remember the last time my brother invited us to come visit him somewhere. My guilt trips never work on him. You’ll have to tell me your secret.”
Lucy blushed, looking at the ground. Her long lashes fluttered as she looked back up at Carly and then him.
Aidan, who’d been fidgeting next to Logan, broke into the silence. “Do you have the new Werewolves of Wichita book?”
“I sure do. Second shelf on the right over there.” Lucy pointed to the other side of the store. When she saw Logan’s confused expression, she said, “Really popular graphic novel series.”
“Come on, Uncle Logan. I’ll show you.” Aidan motioned for him to follow.
Logan didn’t love the idea of leaving his sister alone with Lucy—no telling what she might say—but it felt nice that his nephew wanted to hang out with him. He really should make a point to see Carly and the kids more often. His parents too.
By the time he and Aidan emerged from the graphic novel section, Carly and Lucy were like old friends. They were sitting in the big blue chairs at the front of the store, talking as if they’d known each other forever, with Alex sitting a few feet away petting one of the cats. He hung back for a minute before they spotted him and watched how animated Lucy was as she talked about the books she’d pulled out for Carly to read. She smiled while she spoke, looking off into the distance as she described the big family in one of the books and how nice it must be to have so many brothers and sisters.
Carly caught him watching Lucy and raised an eyebrow in his direction. It was clear she thought Lucy was his perfect match. He could see it in her knowing stare.
She turned back to Lucy and joked, “Yeah, well having a sibling isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” Carly jerked her head in his direction.
“Yeah, I can imagine with one like that.” Lucy laughed, but warmth filled her eyes, the warmth he’d been so attracted tothat first afternoon on the sidewalk talking about archaic dental practices.
