The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

Author:Shauna Robinson [Robinson, Shauna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Women, Literary, Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, African American & Black
ISBN: 9781728246451
Google: leJcEAAAQBAJ
Amazon: B09RTHLTJD
Barnesnoble: B09RTHLTJD
Goodreads: 60305888
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2022-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

The days that followed saw a steady uptick in customers. A couple who had attended the T. J. Hull event came back, this time curious to explore the literary attractions. They stopped by the store on their way to the museum and greeted me like we were old friends, then leaned in and asked to buy from my sci-fi stash.

A few locals came by too, also to ask what books I had stashed away. My collection was growing now. In addition to stocking up on more sci-fi titles for last week’s event, I’d also updated my entire inventory to keep the selection fresh. Sales from my hidden inventory had never been better, and the online store was doing well, too. But this all counted for nothing if Ralph’s mysterious plans were going to throw a wrench in things.

I’d asked Vernon about it, to no avail. Asking what he knew of Ralph’s plans got me a shrug, and probing about his family’s past with Edward Bell earned a gruff “None of your business.” I tried asking Malcolm too, when we met for lunch on my day off, but his eyes got shifty and he said something about classified information.

And so when Ralph entered the store that week with a woman in a Bell Society shirt, I was already on edge. Dread snaked through me, even more so when he caught sight of Dahlia at the table in the back and said, “Would you mind leaving us? We need to have a quick Bell Society huddle.”

Dahlia stood to pack up her laptop, tossing me a meaningful look. I’d babbled to her yesterday about my worries for so long that she’d taken me out for drinks to help get my mind off things. It had, briefly. But it would take a lot more than two cranberry vodkas to keep me from worrying about whatever Ralph had in store.

When Dahlia left, I faced Ralph, feeling my shoulders tense up. “What did you need to talk to me about?” I asked.

He broke into a cheerful smile that looked unnatural on him. “I’ve decided to return Edward Bell’s books and writing table to the bookstore.”

I hesitated, waiting for more. “Really?”

“Really. We’ve enjoyed having them at the museum, but their home is here. They’re not selling as well at the museum. I know you’ve done well selling the classics here.” I averted my gaze, thinking of the falsified sales reports I’d been sending him. “I’m sure that with a little more time and practice you’ll be able to sell the Bell books even better.”

My shoulders relaxed. No bad news yet. “Great!” I glanced at the person next to him, wondering if she was going to start hauling in the books.

“And I wanted to introduce you to someone,” Ralph said. “This is Cynthia. She’s a transfer from the museum.” The word transfer put a cold feeling in my chest.

“Hi,” I said slowly.

Cynthia, a woman in her fifties with brown hair in a sharp, polished bob, smiled and extended a hand.

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