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“Anytime,” he said, walking towards the front door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye.” Elena smiled and locked the front door after he closed it.

It had been almost twenty years since Nicolas Navarro had shyly walked into her classroom. She had tutored him from first grade all through elementary school. After that she followed his progress through middle school then on to high school. There were times he needed her help when he was struggling, but he worked hard and was a good student. After graduation, all he wanted to do was work with his father and build things. They had a small construction company and did all sorts of renovation jobs.

Whenever she needed something repaired around the house, she called Nicolas. They had become friends more so than teacher and student as the years passed. Elena and her husband, Dean, didn’t have children, but if they’d had a son she would have wanted him to be like Nicolas. He had a big heart and such a positive outlook on life. She needed his optimism right now.

After Dean had died suddenly, their roles had reversed and it was Nicolas checking on her rather than the other way around. He called or came by and it always lifted her spirits. Maybe she’d come up with another project around the house when he finished the bookcase.

Elena went back into the kitchen and took her new book purchases out of the sack. She planned to eat a light dinner and start on one of these books. It was time to escape her sadness and a sapphic romance was a great place to start.

3

Cat was at the register ringing up a customer when she saw Elena walk through the front door. “Hey,” she said with a big smile. “You came back.”

“I told you I would. I’m sure you can guess where I’m going.”

“I’ll meet you in the reading nook.”

Elena smiled and kept walking towards the comfortable chairs.

Cat finished with her customer and walked over to where Elena was already settled into one of the chairs. “I’ve added something to this little oasis. How about a cup of coffee?”

“Oh, how nice,” Elena said.

“It’s nothing fancy, but there are a variety of creamers,” Cat said.

“I’m not fancy,” Elena said. “Let me see what you have.”

After Cat showed Elena the options, Elena prepared a cup of coffee. She inhaled the familiar scent and said, “I almost finished one of the books I bought yesterday.”

“I have plenty more waiting for you.”

Elena went back to her chair with her cup of coffee and sipped. “This is just right.”

Cat smiled and looked at Elena.. “You mentioned yesterday that this was a good reason to get out of the house,” she said tentatively.

Elena nodded. “My husband died not too long ago and I decided to move from our way too large house into one that felt more my size.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Cat said. Her heart lurched in her chest and she felt such sadness for her new friend.

“Don’t look so sad,” Elena said, reaching over and patting Cat’s arm. “I’m glad I moved and now I have a place to go that makes me happy.”

Cat smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I. Now, you mentioned yesterday that you quit your job to open the bookstore,” Elena started. “What did you do before?”

Cat sighed. “I was a tax accountant. I know. What a boring job.”

“Not at all. My husband was a lawyer with one of the big firms in Dallas and worked a lot of long hours. I have a feeling you did, too.”

“You would be right.” Cat tilted her head. “Several of my clients were law firms. Who knows, I may have worked for him at one time.”

“Wouldn’t that be interesting? His name is Dean Burkett.”

“Hmm, was he with Jennings, Turner, and Allen?”

“Yes, he was a partner there. Did you know him?”