Clock Tower Bound (Bookstrings Book 2) by Chautona Havig

Author:Chautona Havig [Havig, Chautona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Havilah Press Publications
Published: 2024-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-One

Aunt Debby’s wisdom: The best friendships become a long conversation that always seems too short.

September 28th

After a long, miserable day at work, and being sent on an errand to the boss’ house by his office manager, and after leaving Anne and Milton alone all week, Gage decided he wanted (probably needed) an infusion of her quirky sunshine. A leaf floated down onto his truck window as he pulled out of his boss’ neighborhood and headed back to the highway. Mr. Christner lived on the west side of Highway 27 where many of the homes were larger, newer, and… He grinned at the thought as he flipped his turn signal. “Have no character. Why don’t people like houses with character anymore?” Anne never wanted for opinions.

He turned right on Main Street and for the first time, a sense of autumn slammed into him. Maybe it was the cornstalks wrapped around light poles or gourds nestled into flower planters. Whatever it was, Gage now realized that it was almost October! Where had the year gone? Only two weeks until Anne’s birthday. He still didn’t know what to do. Nadia had nixed his surprise party in her store. She was right, of course. Doing that was manipulative and pushy—the best way to push Anne away.

He could have an open house at his place. People coming and going wouldn’t be too pushy. Nadia could come, wish her happy birthday, talk to a few others, and go. Or she could stay home if she preferred. Whatever made her comfortable.

Since he’d missed his street, he pulled onto Fulton and parked behind Clock Tower Bound. Maybe Milton and Anne would come over for dinner. He could grill burgers or maybe bake some pork chops—if he could get to Community Markets. That would be good. Maybe Anne would give away something she wanted to do with Milton. Something like going over to Grand Lake Saint Mary’s maybe. They’d done that the year Berned Books opened—Gage, Nadia, and Anne. It had been a wonderful—

“No!” He slammed the palm of his hand on the steering wheel and shook his head. “Not happening. More manipulation—or it’ll seem like it, anyway.”

As he walked toward the front door of the store, he gazed over at Berned Books. The whole thing was ridiculous. Then again, it wasn’t at the same time. If Nadia had done what Anne honestly believed she had, it would have been a betrayal of the worst kind. A blow not to Anne’s pride but her spirit.

Stepping inside the store, all the turmoil in his spirit eased. In one corner, Sarah (he didn’t know her last name) sat reading some book in the best chair in the place. Milton stood at the counter, scribbling on papers. He spoke without looking up. “How are you? Haven’t seen you since Sunday at church.”

“I’ve been letting you guys do your thing. Where’s Anne?”

“Chicago. She’s been there for three days now. Went to Cincinnati on Monday and then drove up on Tuesday.”

Aaah… book shopping. Something she hadn’t done much since she opened.

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