Chapter 39
Eiley stood behind the counter of Thorn & Thistle, a serene smile on her face.
Usually, this many people would overwhelm her – and it did, just not enough to override the pride she had finally allowed herself to feel.
At least three dozen people had crowded into the bookstore tonight to celebrate Harper’s official belated launch party, including family and friends: the kids, Mum, Cam, Sorcha, Fraser, Andy.
Later, when the others left, they’d also celebrate Harper and Fraser’s engagement with the champagne tucked away under the counter.
For now, Eiley could tell Harper delighted in the Proper Authorness that sitting behind a table to sign her books brought while guests socialised.
Much of their discounted stock from the floods were clearing off the shelves, too, making room for new beginnings.
The lights of Main Street blurred like bokeh in the rain-spattered windows, and Eiley imagined it to be just like a perfect ending to one of her books. Not a romance, and that fact still left her stomach hollow and sore, but not all stories were love stories, she reminded herself.
Then again, Warren had been a gift, and she still saw him as that.
Before she’d met him, she’d yearned to feel what her favourite characters did, but had thought nobody could ever make her feel that way.
He had. Though there would be no grand gestures, no “ I love you ”s or pleas of forgiveness, she knew now that not all men were as unfair and untrustworthy as Finlay, and she was beautiful enough to be desired.
Knew that she was capable of being brave enough to care for someone even if it hurt.
One day soon, when the wounds weren’t still weeping, she’d be able to open a romance book again and find a bit more magic to give words to the feelings she had let herself feel.
“I can’t believe how well you’ve done with all this, dear.
” Maggie joined her behind the counter, made up with her hair in a voluminous up-do and her manicured nails longer than the pencils in Eiley’s stationery drawer.
“Uncle Stephen would be chuffed to see how it looks now. I’ve sent him a few pictures, but apparently, he doesn’t have much signal in Norway.
I’m a bit worried he’s gotten lost in the fjords. ”
Eiley chuckled. “I’m sure he’s fine. Probably found a nice Scandinavian lady to show him around.”
Maggie shuddered. “Aye, that does sound like him.” She pulled Eiley in for a hug, which Eiley didn’t much like. “I’m very grateful for all your hard work, dear. I know I’ve been rubbish, leaving so much of it in your hands.”
“No, not at all. I’m grateful I’ve got so much input.
This place really does mean the world to me,” Eiley replied, and then was brave enough to squirm out of Maggie’s grip.
After the Glasgow trip, she was quite enjoying the concept of boundaries, even if the idea of causing friction made her uncomfortable.
Maggie didn’t seem to notice. “Well, you never know. Maybe one day, you might take it off my hands.”
Eiley snorted. “Me, running a business? I’d do a hopeless job.”
“That’s not true, dear! Have some faith in yourself. You’re capable of more than you think, and I wouldn’t mind showing you the ropes.”
She frowned. “I thought you were enjoying taking over from Stephen.”
“Well, enjoying is a strong word. I’m not quite able to give the shop all the care he did, what with my other properties.
I think maybe Thorn & Thistle should belong to somebody who loves books as much as you do.
Tell you what, I’ll appoint you manager once your youngest wee bairn is at school, and we can go from there? ”
Eiley blinked. “I feel like I’ve barely put the work in, yet. I’ve spent more time trying to fix the place than actually sell the books.”
“Exactly! You’ve put the effort in. Look at how beautiful it all turned out.”
Eiley did, the glow of the fairy lights she’d strung over the windows bathing the new shelves and furniture in warm amber. The store did appear a lot fresher, but it was Fraser and Warren who had brought the place back to life, as well as Maggie’s workers.
Maggie must have sensed her reluctance, because she patted Eiley’s hand a final time. “Something to think about. I’d better get set up for Harper’s reading.”
“Thank you, Maggie.” It was good timing, because Morag from the tearoom was currently stroking Harper’s rebound books, which were on the special edition display under the author’s insistence.
Eiley had already sold a few, her handiwork much neater after weeks of practice.
The hobby really had awakened a new love of creating in her, and she’d treated herself to more supplies from the crafts shop to keep at it.
Maybe she could do other books, sell some here even. Was Maggie right? Could she maybe one day take care of this place?
A new hope ignited in her chest, one she would never have allowed herself to feel a few months ago. She could imagine it. The children would grow up in a place filled with stories and magic, maybe inherit a passion for storytelling.
After Morag had purchased a copy with gold sprayed edges and fairy silhouettes etched into the cover, Fraser joined Eiley behind the counter. Harper must finally have let him retire for the night as her personal photographer.
“It’s nice to see you smiling like that again,” he pointed out.
“Aye, it feels good.” Especially when she saw the kids over in the corner, reading their favourite books with Mum.
Soon, they’d be back to living here and Mum could have some much-needed peace.
Eiley wasn’t sure how to thank her for all the times she’d pushed everything aside for them.
She was lucky to have a soft place to land.
A second home. She’d never take it for granted again.
At her attention, Brook wandered over with another Frankie the Fireman instalment in his hands. “Mum, is Warren not coming tonight?”
Fraser gave her a knowing look, and Eiley’s pulse stuttered as sadness filled her.
Despite finally moving forward with her life, part of her was still stuck on that morning in the rain, forever replaying their conversation and all the things she would have said differently.
Like, how she was grateful that he’d cared for her so much, and that he really, really did deserve happiness.
That she was sorry, and not just because it was instinct to apologise, but because she earnestly wished they would have worked.
Did he know what he meant to her? Did he know how he’d changed her for the better?
“I don’t think so, munchkin,” Eiley said softly. “I’m sorry.”
Brook waved his book. “I never see him anymore. I want to read this one to him.”
He missed him more than he missed his dad, which said plenty. In fact, Brook had asked Eiley fearfully if they ever had to go back to Glasgow. It had been a relief for both of them when she replied no, never again.
“Well, he’s very busy.”
“Tell you what, next time I see him, I’ll ask him,” Fraser decided. Satisfied, Brook whirled and went back to reading with Mum, Sky, and Saff.
She blew out a long, tense breath. “This whole time, I tried to avoid hurting them by keeping them separate, and yet they still ask after him.”
“Warren was great with them, but they already have so many folk here who love them. They’re not lacking anything.”
But she was. She felt it most at night, when the house went quiet and there was no way of avoiding thoughts of him.
Or in the quiet of the bookstore after closing time, where thoughts floated around her head that she couldn’t voice to anyone but him.
“I meant to talk to you about something, actually.”
“Aye?” Fraser crossed his arms.
“Now that you and Warren are sort of pals—”
“Wouldn’t go that far, but I don’t hate the bloke. Don’t think we’ll be catching up over a pint anytime soon if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“No. But he’s …” She bit her lip, unsure how much she had a right to say. Warren’s story was his, and she couldn’t spill it without permission. But nobody could build a home alone. “He’s building his own house up where Galbreath Farm used to be.”
He cocked his head. “The place that burned down donkey’s years ago?”
“Aye.”
“Hm. So, what’s that to do with me?”
“I thought maybe you could, perhaps, offer some of your expertise?”
“Does he want me to?”
“He doesn’t know I’m asking you. And he shouldn’t, if you do decide to go up. I just think he might appreciate the help. And he deserves it. A lot.”
Fraser scratched his head, but she knew him. Knew that he’d likely already decided to help, because it was in his nature to do so. And because she’d asked him to, and she wasn’t above exercising her sisterly powers over him for the right cause.
She just couldn’t bear to imagine Warren living in a van for longer than he needed, with the approaching winter too. He deserved that home he dreamt of, even if she couldn’t be there to see it.
“I’ll think about it,” Fraser decided.
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand gratefully, some of her worry easing.
He only let out a begrudging hmph . “So, if you care about him enough to hire reinforcements behind his back, is there a reason you can’t just, I don’t know, be with him?”
“Lots of reasons,” she murmured.
“Eiley …”
She nudged him away before he could try to convince her of her mistake – because, deep down, she was already well aware of it. “Harper’s in need of her photographer again.”
He grabbed the camera off the counter, giving her a lingering look that said the conversation wasn’t over. Eiley watched as Fraser returned to the woman he loved, kissing her on the forehead before listening to her request as the enthusiastic reader she was with clapped her hands excitedly.