Page 16 of Once Upon a Beast

She shook her head. “Long story, but technically the town owns the building; we just rent the space. And even if Bourbon Falls did have that kind of money sitting in a bank somewhere, we can’t expect them to put it toward reroofing an old building. Those reserves are for bigger things that protect the public, like failing roads or bridges. So, yeah, it’s up to us to come up with a pretty big chuck of change. You didn’t happen to bring your checkbook with you, did ya?”

“Afraid not. I’m also pretty sure even if I did, my check would bounce before you made it out of the bank’s lobby.”

She offered him a grin and shrugged. “I had to try.”

There was a twinkle to her eyes as she said it, a subtle spark of orneriness. Lonely or not, he was finding Del fun to be around.

“Anyway, I should get going. It’s way past my bedtime, and I still need to get everything ready for tomorrow’s gathering.”

Isaac knew he should let her be on her way, but his selfish side wanted her to stay a little longer. “Wow, just how big a gathering is this?”

“Maybe ten or so. My sister Mia—Brooklyn’s mom—will help, and Brooklyn, too. But I like to have everything just right, you know?”

He did, because back east he’d been the same way. Here, he didn’t have that problem. It was just him and Louie he needed to impress, and neither were very picky. “Well, good luck, and hopefully they come up with the perfect idea to help rescue your store.”

“Thanks, I sure hope so. If you have any fabulous ideas for fundraisers, send them my way.”

Isaac was relieved she hadn’t invited him to join the party; he would have hated to turn her down. Just because she hadn’t recognized him so far didn’t mean he’d be so lucky with the rest of her guests.

“Will do,” he said. “Oh—do you think you’ll still have time to come help with my yard this weekend?”

“Yep, that’s my plan. Shoot for Saturday, say nine o’clock?”

Her confirmation helped lift his spirits, even if it meant this weekend he’d be rolling up his sleeves and getting sweaty and muddy. To enjoy more of her company, he’d gladly do it. “Sounds good to me.”

“Great, see you around. Oh”—she glanced over one shoulder—“and can I offer a word of advice?”

Isaac’s breath caught in his chest. Had he read her wrong? Had Del discovered his secret after all? She leaned closer, her look conspiratorial.

“I wouldn’t stand here, staring at this section much longer if I were you. People might start to talk.”

Del gave a subtle head-tip toward the end of the aisle. Isaac looked past her to spy a little old man shuffling past, his shock of white hair barely contained by a worn fedora. The man glanced toward the two of them, eyed the colorful packages to their right, then shook his head and kept on going. Isaac dropped his head in embarrassment.

“Appreciate the tip.”

Del bumped her elbow to his. “Anytime, buddy.”

Buddy? A warmth blossomed in his chest. Was he beginning to be her buddy?

It was futile to deny he was lonely and homesick. Having even just one friend here could make his stay in Indiana more tolerable. But was it wise to come out from hiding, even with just one person?

As disappointment settled in when Del rounded the endcap and disappeared from view, he had his answer. Wise or not, Isaac needed a friend. Who was he to turn away the one person fate had dropped into his life?

Chapter Five

Delaney stood inher backyard the next evening, surrounded by the women she leaned on most in Bourbon Falls. Faye was at the punch bowl, ladling their family’s go-to 7Up, Hawaiian Punch, and rainbow sherbet mixture into red plastic cups. Mia was beside her with a bottle of Bacardi in hand, ready to add an adult splash for anyone needing extra brainstorming inspiration. The three guests receiving their beverages—well spiked, as was to be expected—were The Sisters, a trio of elders born and raised here who maintained a pulse on anything and everything Bourbon Falls: Margaret Harper, Barbara Thompson, and Nan Harrington. Brooklyn sat on a lounge chair nearby, playing on her cell phone. Just past her was Gina Pickett, who ran the town’s Sweet Mash Diner with her husband Jimmy, and Robyn Owens, owner of the Fancy Fringes salon and Mia’s best friend since kindergarten.

Her family, her friends, and her mentors. Surely, together they could come up with a plan to save the bookstore.

“Okay, so you all know why we’re here,” she said, voice raised as she made her way toward a seat on the back patio, pen and notepad in hand. “We’ve got a bookstore that needs a new roof or it’s done-zo, and I, for one, am not ready to see that happen.”

The others left their posts to assume seats as well, The Sisters sitting together in their usual cluster. “And how much is this new roof going to cost?”

“The initial estimate was twenty-five thousand,” Faye said, lowering herself into an open seat to Del’s left. “After some additional nudging by the mayor’s wife, it sounds like town hallmaybe willing to cover five of that. Though, I’m not sure we can count on that to happen.”

“We could get it down to ten if I threaten to get his mistress involved,” murmured Margaret, the former town reporter, with a twinkle in her eyes. Those who didn’t know her would never suspect the conniving mastermind behind her petite stature and puff of silver hair.

Nan rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you? There is no mistress.”

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