Chapter Ten – Liam #2
Rich Mitchell would have been the ideal man for Hope to have married. Then again, he probably would have been the type to cheat on her.
“So what you’re saying is you’ll want me to make sure everything is running smoothly while you’re having a grand time touring the world.”
Rich shrugged. “I need someone local who knows what it means to own a place. You’re successful, as we can see by the packed house out there.”
“I also have a two-year-old daughter for which I’m solely taking care of.”
That surprised Rich. “Who is watching her now?”
“The nanny.”
“The nanny?” he asked. “Then what’s the problem? Sounds like you have someone who will watch her.”
I let out a breath. “Listen, Rich, I appreciate you thinking of me for this opportunity, but I think I’m going to have to pass. My dream has been The Muddled Moose, and to be honest, right now, where I am in my life, I’m barely hanging on by a thread. I don’t think I want to take on anything else.”
He looked disappointed. “I’m sorry to hear that, Liam, but I understand where you’re coming from. Are there any other business owners in town who you think might want to get in on this project of mine?”
I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my desk.
“Rich, have you taken this to the city yet to see if it will even pass? Moose Village isn’t like Lake Placid; they prefer to stay small.
A hidden secret, if you will. They allowed an Italian restaurant up on the lake, and it took several months for the owner to convince the town to give him the permit, and he is from Moose Village. ”
“Do you think there is a chance they’ll say no?”
Shrugging, I replied honestly, “I don’t think you have a very good chance of them saying yes. Additionally, it depends on the location of the lot. Is it even zoned for commercial?”
“No, it’s residential, but in my experience, money can buy you pretty much anything you want.”
A bark of laughter slipped free. “Not in Moose Village. Perry the Moose would have better luck opening up a restaurant on the lake than you will.”
“Perry the Moose?” he asked, a confused expression on his face.
Waving it off, I stood. “I’m sorry I can’t help you. I hope this wasn’t a waste of your time.”
With a smile, he shook his head. “Not at all. I’m going to stay, order some dinner, and enjoy the evening on your rooftop.”
“Please, order anything you want; food and drinks are on the house.”
Rich reached for my hand. “That’s mighty nice of you, Liam. Thank you.”
I walked Rich back out and got him a seat at the bar on the rooftop.
I informed Chad, the bartender, that drinks and food would be on the house for Rich, Nathan, Aurora, and their guests.
By the time I had finished talking to him, Rich was conversing with a woman sitting next to him.
I chuckled, slapped him on the back, and told him to enjoy his night.
Two weeks had passed having Kim as Winnie’s nanny, and things seemed to be going well.
Winnie was happy, I was happy knowing my daughter was safe and at home, and Kim seemed to like the schedule.
She had her mornings and early afternoons before she had to show up to watch Winnie.
Each night, I was able to leave between ten thirty and eleven, which worked out well.
I put two pancakes on Winnie’s plate and cut them into pizza-sized shapes. I filled a bowl with syrup and set it next to her. Winnie didn’t like the syrup on her pancakes; she wanted to dip them in it. I thought it was adorable—messy, but adorable.
“I thought today we could go to the bookstore for storytime and you could pick out a new book.”
Winnie’s eyes lit up as she nodded her head.
Her little blond curls bounced with the motion.
The doorbell rang and I glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was only eight thirty in the morning.
Making sure Winnie was okay, I quickly went to answer the door.
When I opened it, Aurora stood there. Her blond hair was in a braid and hung to the side over her shoulder.
She didn’t have a stitch of makeup on, and I couldn’t help but notice how it made her look even more beautiful.
And those eyes of hers. I was utterly lost in them for a moment.
“Liam?”
I shook my head.
“Liam? Are you okay?”
With another quick shake of my head, I forced a smile. “Sorry, I was just surprised to see you here.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m so sorry. I thought I would swing by before heading to the bookstore. The last few times I stopped by, I couldn’t see Winnie.”
“Why not?” I asked. It was then that I realized I hadn’t invited her in. “Shit, come on in. Winnie’s eating pancakes.”
Aurora walked in, set her purse on the small table at the front door and quickly made her way into the kitchen.
“Rora!” Winnie shouted with glee.
“Hello, little princess!” Aurora said, bending down and kissing Winnie. “Yummy, pancakes!”
Winnie dipped one into her syrup, then held it out for Aurora, who promptly took it and pretended to bite Winnie’s finger.
Giggling, Winnie picked up another one and pushed it out to Aurora.
“No, thank you! It’s your turn to eat.”
I watched as she slid into the chair next to Winnie. “I’ve missed you, little one.”
Remembering what she had said a few moments ago, I asked, “What did you mean you weren’t able to see Winnie?”
The smile faltered for a moment on Aurora’s face before she smiled once again. “I’m sure it’s nothing. It’s just, each time I’ve stopped by, Kim told me it wasn’t a good time to visit. I’ve been super busy with the remodeling of the bookstore, so I’ve had to stop by after it closes.”
“What did she mean it wasn’t a good time to visit?” I asked.
Aurora shrugged. “You’ll have to ask her yourself.”
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I said, “Don’t worry, I will.”
Smiling down at Winnie, Aurora said, “Today is storytime at the bookstore, will Kim be able to take Winnie for it? I haven’t seen her at the bookstore for two weeks.”
I frowned. “Kim hasn’t taken her in for storytime?”
Aurora shook her head. “Not the morning or afternoon ones. At least, not that I know of. I missed the morning storytime last week. Gary took me for a picnic brunch.”
I managed a nod as I pictured punching Gary square in the jaw. Picnic brunch. What…a fucking good idea, that asshole.
“How are things going with you and Gerald?”
“Gary.”
“Right. Right. How’s that going?”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m not sure things will progress past friendship.”
That lifted my brows and spirits. “Why’s that?”
Another shrug, this time it was smaller. “I thought maybe I would feel something after a few dates, but I don’t think we’re a good fit as a couple. I just don’t have those kinds of feelings for him.”
“I’m sorry, Aurora.”
Looking up at me, she smiled. “Why are you sorry?”
“I don’t know, it seemed like the right thing to say.”
Her smile faltered before she let out a soft exhale. “Anyway, I’m glad I got to see Ms. Winnie.”
I cleared my throat. “To answer your earlier question, I’m off tonight, so it will be me bringing in Winnie. I told Kim how much Winnie liked books and storytime at the bookstore, and to be sure to take her in. I can’t believe she hasn’t taken her to any. I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow.”
When she didn’t say anything, I decided to change the subject. “How is the remodeling going?”
“Good, long, but I’m glad we decided to update the outside of the bookstore. The more modern feel, I think, is attracting more customers. Even locals I haven’t seen before are stopping by.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“I think the clear glass windows and doors allow people to see it’s a bookstore.
I know I had the book displays in the windows before, but people couldn’t see inside.
Now, there is no mistaking it’s a bookstore.
Getting the city to sign off letting me remove the stones and change the inside was hard, but we kept as many historical features as we could, so it was a win-win. ”
“It was a well-deserved win. I know what you mean, though. When I remodeled The Muddled Moose, it was an uphill battle trying to change things. The outside of the building was a firm no, but we did a good job of preserving the historical interior. The only place we did any massive changes was the rooftop and the kitchen.”
“I get it, the town wants to keep the charm. But progress is also good. It’s only been a week or so since we revealed the new storefront. Betty Lou came in yesterday to give me her thoughts on the new exterior.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh gosh, what did she have to say about it?”
“She likes it.”
Surprised, I asked, “What did you say? She liked it? Like liked it, liked it?”
Aurora laughed. “I know, I was surprised too! When I saw her walking in, I groaned audibly, and my mother was ready to go to battle, and Granny put her fists up, as if ready for a fight! Lou had to drag her into the back.”
“I have to ask, why do you call Minnie Granny? Isn’t she your aunt?”
“She is my mother’s aunt, my great-aunt. And I’m not sure why we call her Granny. I’ll have to ask my mother. We’ve called her Granny for as long as I can remember.”
Winnie handed Aurora her empty plate.
“All done, darling girl?”
I took the plate from Aurora as she took Winnie out of her seat. “She is sticky as all get out!”
“Let me take her so you don’t get syrup all over yourself.”
“Nonsense, I’ll clean her up. I don’t have to be at the bookstore for another hour. Lou is opening for me this morning.”
I nodded, even though Aurora’s back was faced to me. “I’ll clean up. Her clothes for today are laid out on the bed.”
“Sounds good!” Aurora called out as she headed out of the kitchen, Winnie talked her ear off about a new Perry the Moose stuffed animal she got, but that she liked her other Perry better. I frowned, not remembering any new toys or stuffed animals I’d gotten for her.