8. Kara
CHAPTER 8
KARA
I force myself to start sorting through inventory. Though every book I touch feels like a countdown clock ticking toward losing everything. The creaky wooden floors, a sound I've grown to love, are a reminder that this place has history. Wrapping around me like a familiar embrace, is the scent of ink and paper. But today, even that comfort isn't enough to settle the weight pressing against my chest.
I start making a list of what I have to do. Maybe I can run a clearance sale--make as much money as I can while clearing out inventory. But then I'm faced with another problem. Where would I even put the extra books? Could I afford a storage unit? How much would it cost to rent a moving truck? I know Ty said I can store stuff in his guest room, but for how long? All my thoughts begin to spiral, and before I know it, panic sets in. My breath comes faster, my vision blurring slightly, as I grip the edge of the counter.
Sinking onto the stool behind the counter, I rub my temples as I try to push back the fear clawing at my throat. The idea of walking away from this place, from everything I built, is unbearable. Closing my eyes, I will the stress to ease, but it only intensifies.
I pull out my phone and start looking into my mobile bookstore idea to give me something else to focus on. My heart sinks when I see I will have to spend over twenty thousand for a decent bus that will run and not need a bunch of engine work. That doesn't include the remodel cost. I just don't have that kind of money.
The bell over the door goes off, letting me know someone is here. I look up and find Ty walking in, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. The sight of him--solid, steady, familiar--grounds me for a moment. I exhale slowly before setting my phone down and focusing on him.
"Hey, Beautiful," he says, stepping beside me and dropping a kiss on my cheek. His voice is easy and warm, though his eyes flicker with concern as they scan my face.
Though I attempt a smile, it doesn't quite land. "Just... trying to figure things out."
Ty's gaze drops to the piles of books scattered across the counter, and the list I started scribbling in the notebook by the register. He picks it up, scanning the haphazardly written to-dos. "You really going to do all this alone?"
I shrug, avoiding his eyes. "I don't have a choice."
"Yeah, you do."
Finally, I look up at him, and there's something in his expression that makes my stomach flip. Ty's never been one for empty promises, and the quiet intensity in his gaze tells me he's already got something up his sleeve.
"Come with me," he says, reaching for my hand.
"Ty, I have so much to do--"
"Trust me." His fingers tighten around mine, warm and calloused. "Just for a few minutes."
He pulls out a bandana from his pocket and holds it up. "I have a surprise. Will you wear this for me?"
Even though I protest at first, the twinkle in his eyes and the mischievous smile on his face have me agreeing. He wraps the blindfold over my eyes and then stands behind me and places his hands on my hips and starts guiding me out of the store and across the street.
When he finally stops, he positions me in front of something, his breath warm against my ear as he whispers, "Okay, ready?"
I nod, excited at whatever it is he wants to show me.
He removes the blindfold.
Blinking against the sudden light, I look around. We're inside a large, empty storefront. The space is bigger than my bookstore, with high ceilings and tall windows. The potential of it makes my breath hitch.
"What...?" I breathe. My gaze drifts toward the window where I see we are in the store directly across from my shop, then back to Ty, who is watching me intently.
"Your new shop," he says simply.
My heart pounds. The space is bigger than my current store, with tall walls begging for shelves and cozy reading nooks. It's perfect. But...
I stare at him in disbelief. "I can't afford this."
He grins. "You don't have to. The owner agreed to rent it to you at a discount since the upstairs apartments need work. If we help fix them up, he will only charge you what you are paying now."
I whisper, staring around the space. "This can't be real."
Ty is grinning, watching my reaction. "It's real, Bookworm."
Tears burn in my eyes. "How did you--?"
Ty shrugs, nudging me playfully. "Made some calls. Asked Ruby to pull a few strings, the usual."
He steps behind me, his voice low. "My buddies and I are going to help fix it up. Levi's already on board. All you have to do is say yes."
I turn to him, eyes wide with disbelief. "Why would you do this for me?"
His jaw tightens, and for a second, vulnerability flashes in his eyes. He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Because your dreams matter, Kara. And I'm not letting you lose them."
I shake my head. "You can't just fix my life for me." But my voice wavers because, deep down, I want this. I want to believe there's a way to save my dream.
"I'm not fixing your life," he says tenderly. "I'm showing up for you. Let me do that."
I stare at the keys. This is everything I need. But I'm also terrified. Because if this doesn't work out, it'll hurt more than just losing the store. It'll mean I let myself believe in something good, and it slipped away again.
After a long pause, I reach for them. My fingers brush against Ty's, and our eyes lock. "Okay." The word comes out barely above a whisper, but it's there.
Ty grins and bumps my shoulder. "Then let's get to work."
Before we can seal the deal with a kiss, Levi pulls up in his truck, and hops out, grinning. "Ready to map this place out?"
I stare at them both, overwhelmed, but undeniably hopeful. Glancing back at the storefront one more time, I throw my arms around Ty, squeezing tight.
"Thank you," I murmur against his shoulder.
Ty hugs me back, his strong arms enveloping me in a warmth that feels like home. When we finally pull apart, his eyes are shining with a tenderness that makes my heart skip a beat.
"Anything for you," he says softly, his thumb brushing over my cheek.
Taking a moment, I lean into his touch to savor the comfort of it.
"Alright, lovebirds," Levi teases. "Let’s get this show on the road."
We spend the next few hours mapping out the new space, brainstorming ideas for layout and design. By the time Levi heads out, we have a solid game plan and I'm starting to feel better.
Once back at the bookshop, I hug Ty again, pulling back to meet his gaze. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
His smirk is slow, teasing. "Oh, I've got some ideas."
I roll my eyes, laughing. "Of course you do."
He leans down and places a soft kiss on my lips.
"Close the bookstore early," he whispers against my lips. "I want to celebrate."
"What do you have in mind?" I ask, trying a little flirting.
"Ice cream. Then my place," he says.
I can agree with that.
Closing up early, I follow him hand-in-hand down to the ice cream shop. It may be March in Montana, but that has never stopped us from an ice cream run to celebrate anything from passing tests in school, new jobs, or even hitting savings goals. It's what has always motivated us.
The sun is just starting to set, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and orange. It’s a perfect moment in time that I want to remember.
Once at the ice cream shop, Ty orders for both of us without even asking what I want. Though he knows me well enough to get it right. A double scoop of dark chocolate for him, and a waffle cone piled high with coffee chocolate chunk for me.
As he pays, a man a little older than me asks for directions back to Whitefish. I give them to him, and he is on his way out when Ty walks up to me with both cones, handing me mine. We take our cones and sit at a table near the back, out of the way of the people coming into the store.
"What?" I finally ask, nudging him with my elbow. He looks at me, but I just smile. "You're jealous."
Ty scoffs. "I am not."
"Oh really? Then why did you glare at the guy I was talking to like he stole your dog?"
Ty grumbles. "Because he was looking at you like you're dessert."
Grinning wickedly, I tease, "And that's a problem because...?"
Ty leans closer, his voice low. "Because you're mine."
Heat flickers between us, something unspoken, but undeniable. His gaze drops to my lips, and my breath catches as anticipation coils in my stomach.
While we finish our ice cream, his heated eyes are on me the whole time. A shiver caresses me as I feel them running over every inch of my body.
Once back at his house, he kisses me again like he did at the bookstore. This time, there's no hesitation, no holding back. We lose ourselves in each other, in the way we fit together, the way every touch sets us on fire. The world outside doesn't exist. Just this moment, just him, just us.
And for the first time in a long time, I let myself fall completely, with no fear of hitting the ground.