Chapter 15
Great. Just what she needed—her ex-boyfriend seeing her in despair yet again. She unbolted the door and jerked it open. “Aren’t
you supposed to be gone by now?”
His gaze sharpened on her face, no doubt taking in her racoon eyes. “What’s wrong?”
She gave a mirthless laugh. “Are you kidding me? Gram’s gone forever, the bookshop’s a financial disaster, and now I probably
owe my brother forty grand. Other than that, things are fan-freakin’-tastic.”
“Forty grand?”
She gave a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of her soul. “What do you want, Gray?”
“I was passing by on my way home. Saw your car and the light.”
“Yeah, well, I’m finished up and I just want to—” Her gaze dropped to a dog that edged closer to Shelby, tail wagging warily.
Her heart softened at the hopeful gleam in those brown eyes. “You have a dog?” A pet seemed like an awfully big commitment.
“Nah, he’s lost—or maybe abandoned. Don’t suppose you’d want to take him in.”
“My apartment doesn’t allow pets. He should be on a leash.”
“He hasn’t wandered farther than three inches from my side since I found him.”
She could hardly take her feelings for Gray out on the cute little pup. She squatted and let him sniff her hand. Then he jumped up and licked her face, evoking a smile. “Hi, buddy. You’re a friendly guy.” It was kind of nice to be adored for nothing more than being present. “Where’d you find him?”
“In town last night, scavenging for food. I took him to the vet this morning, but he’s not chipped.”
“Patrick Ballard?” That was where they took Chaucer. Patrick was also a customer and would read just about anything but sci-fi.
“He’s great. Why don’t you just keep the dog?”
“I’m not really in the market.”
“Well, I’m not in the market for a failing bookshop, but here we are.” She gave the dog a final scratch and stood, pinning
Gray with a suspicious look. “Is he the reason you’re still here?”
His eyes roved her face. Those eyes were like a blue flame and she was about to melt under the heat. She squirmed. Crossed
her arms.
“I have a proposition for you, Shelby.”
The low hum of his voice rumbled down her spine. She smirked to cover his effect on her. “This is getting to be a habit.”
“You need to turn this place around, and I’m sure you have ideas about how to do that. I do too. I have experience implementing
changes for profitability. I know your financials and can help you get comfortable with the POS system.”
She was betting this “help” came at a price. Probably a share of the store—possibly the 49 percent he’d just signed back over
to her. Too good to be true. She notched her chin up. “And what do you receive in return, pray tell?”
His perceptive eyes took her in and no doubt read her every thought. “This shop was Miss Viola’s pride and joy—her second
story. And according to her, this is where you belong.”
“Is that why she willed half of it to you?”
“We both know why she did that.”
Shelby tore her gaze from his. She hadn’t exactly cooperated in his reconciliation efforts.
“Because you’re too stubborn for your own good, young lady.”
You know, Gram, you could take my side for once.
“I am on your side. You’re just too stubborn to see it.”
Shelby shook her grandmother’s voice from her head.
“You deserve to carry on her legacy. She would’ve wanted you to run this place for as long as you desire.”
“So your motive is purely altruistic?” Her voice teemed with skepticism.
His steady gaze cut right through her. “Believe it or not, I loved your grandma. I care about what she wanted.”
His sincerity made her twitch with guilt. Just because he hadn’t loved Shelby didn’t mean he was incapable of loving others.
The thought stung.
Regardless, she wasn’t at all sure she could pull the shop out of this downward spiral on her own. Gray’s offer was tempting,
even if it meant putting up with him for a longer period of time. Speaking of which.
“How long are you talking about? And what about your job? Surely you’re needed back home.”
“I’ll be honest, that might be an issue. I haven’t spoken with my boss yet. But if you’re willing to take my help, I’ll ask
him for the time off. The Christmas season is coming up. If we implement some changes and have a profitable holiday, I think
we can get things back on track.”
“What kinds of changes?”
“There’s actually a lot we can do. I’d start with a website, then expand the sideline inventory: puzzles, stationery, literary-themed clothing and hats.
I know reading is your passion, but there’s a higher profit margin in sidelines.
Now’s a great time with the holidays coming up.
We can do some thoughtful rearranging and stock more of the genres that are selling better right now—romance and fantasy and also the classics.
In general, the inventory could use some refreshing. If it isn’t selling, it needs to go.
“We could do a better job of utilizing social media. And we should build up your email database. You have a lot of loyal customers,
and email is the cheapest, most effective way of reaching your customers with special offers and sales.
“Speaking of cheap... It seems there are a lot of books given away for this or that cause or charity. I love your generous
spirit, but you should hold off on donations for a while. And I understand why you give the book clubs a discount, but it’s
too steep. You’re losing your margin.”
Ouch. Her book club members were some of her most loyal customers. And people hit her up weekly for donations.
“I know it won’t be easy, but we can turn this place around, Shelby.”
He had some sound ideas. She had some of her own but didn’t know which ones would actually increase profitability. And she
couldn’t afford to take risks when the store was on the verge of disaster.
Shelby thought of the forty-thousand-dollar equity loan and winced. He might as well know the full extent of the situation.
“Things might be worse than you think.” She told him what Caleb had discovered and her suspicions about the roof.
“I’ll investigate that. Go further back in the records and see if that’s where things went off the rails.”
He was so much smarter than folks around here gave him credit for. They’d studied together—back when they couldn’t keep their
hands off each other long enough to focus. Just the memory of those stolen kisses and tender touches warmed her through.
Two months of Gray Briggs? Terrible idea.
And yet, what choice did she have? She didn’t possess the skill set to turn this store around. Hadn’t even found Gram’s replacement
yet. “I obviously can’t afford to pay you.”
“I’m not looking for compensation. I just want to do right by Miss Viola.” He regarded her for a long moment. “If I can get the time off, will you let me help?”
Shelby took in those sculpted cheekbones and deep-set eyes, staring so steadily. Her heart waved a red flag, but her brain
screamed that she—and the bookshop—was sunk without him. She hated to admit it even to herself, but she needed his help.
Having him in close proximity was a real risk. She’d just have to keep those walls good and high. He’d slipped through the
cracks before, but she was older and wiser now. Knew how to protect herself.
Still, her heart tremored as she submitted to the plan. “All right. If you can get a leave from work, I’ll accept your offer.”
A flicker of something flared in his eyes. Relief? Satisfaction? “Good. I really believe we can turn things around.”
“I sure hope so.” Because if they didn’t, Gram’s dream would go up in smoke—and Shelby’s future with it.