Bookshop by the Sea - Denise Hunter Page 0,57
owner of the new bookstore.”
“Pleasure, ma’am,” Brandon said as they shook hands. “Can’t tell you how happy I am to be getting a local bookstore.”
“Nice to meet you. What’s your reading pleasure?”
“Mainly biographies. Though I read up on history sometimes—the World Wars, mostly.”
“We’ll have an excellent selection of both. And if there are particular books you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to ask. We can always special order.”
He took in the office. “Looks like you’ve got enough books to keep me busy until the end of time.”
She laughed. “That’s my intention.”
Aiden shoved a box aside with his foot. “Brandon here saved me from buying the wrong topcoat.”
“Well, not so much wrong as inferior.”
“Are floors your business?” Sophie asked Brandon.
“Aw, no, I’m really just a handyman. I know a little bit about a lot of things.”
“I neglected to mention his last name’s Hooper,” Aiden said. “His dad owns the hardware store, and Brandon launched his own business.”
“I do odds and ends for people.”
Aiden gave the man a tolerant look. “He’s a contractor, a framer, and a licensed electrician besides. And apparently knows a good deal about refinishing floors too.”
“A handyman you are then,” Sophie said.
“The floor’s still curing, of course.” Aiden motioned for Brandon to follow as he wove through the maze of boxes. “But come take a peek. If I did it wrong, I trust you’ll pretend otherwise.”
Brandon surveyed the hall and the room opposite the office. “Seems like I won’t have to strain my acting abilities. You did a good job.”
The men chatted a bit, Brandon giving advice about the floor’s upkeep, which Sophie tucked away for later.
A while later Brandon said, “I should let you two get back to your books.”
When he passed Sophie he handed her a business card. “If you have any questions or need an extra hand, give me a call. And welcome to Piper’s Cove.”
“Thanks so much. I hope you can come to the grand opening.”
“Wouldn’t miss it. And my mom’s excited about that author who’s coming.”
“Tell her to bring all her friends.”
He chuckled. “Oh, she will.”
“Nice guy,” Sophie said once the door closed behind him.
“I seem to meet someone helpful every time I go to the hardware store.”
“It’s a friendly town. I hope they all like to read.”
“I’ll bet they do—and tourists are always after beach reads, right? You know what they say about setting up a business—location, location, location. I think you nailed it.”
“Hope you’re right.”
Aiden lowered a box at Sophie’s feet. “Here are the last memoirs I could find. What next?”
“Let’s do the biographies. I think most of those are over there.” She gestured to the corner, her eyes taking in all the boxes. It was a little overwhelming. “I hope I didn’t underestimate how much time this would take.”
“Any chance of calling in reinforcements this weekend?”
“Seth is working—wants to impress his new boss, I guess. And Jenna and Grant don’t return until tomorrow night. I hate to bother them the moment they step off the plane.”
Aiden said nothing, but a muscle flickered in his jaw. He settled across from her and helped her with the books. “What about Joshua?”
She glanced at him, but he was already busy with the price gun.
“That’s his name, isn’t it—the guy you’ve been talking to?”
“Well, yes, but . . .” She didn’t realize he’d noticed. “He did offer to help, but I can’t accept—we haven’t even met in person.”
That muscle flexed in his jaw again. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t turn down free help.”
She had no doubt Joshua’s offer had been sincere. But the thought of bringing the two men together gave new meaning to the word awkward. Kind of like when Tiffany had shown up on their doorstep last night.
“Maybe I shouldn’t.” She shot him a defiant look, which he missed entirely. “Too bad Tiffany couldn’t come and help today. Did she have to go back so soon?”
Sophie applied a sticker to a Fred Rogers biography and set it aside. She felt Aiden’s gaze but pretended not to as she reached for another book.
“Yeah, she’s . . . headed back home.”
“I thought she might stick around awhile.”
There was a long pause, the ch-chck of the price guns punctuating the silence. Of course he didn’t want to talk about Tiffany with Sophie. Truth be told, she didn’t want to hear it. Even now she envisioned the romantic scene from last night: the woman’s slender frame close to his, her long hair whipping in the wind.
Sophie’s chest squeezed tight. She had no reason to feel jealous over someone