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“Hmm, maybe CeCe was making her toast a reality,” she muttered to herself.

Cat was through with the idea of happily-ever-after, but she wanted it for her sisters. At one time she thought she had hers, but once again she’d learned there was only one person she could count on: herself.

Elena walked into her kitchen from the garage and heard banging. She set her purse and the bag from the bookstore down on the island and walked into the living room.

“Hi, Nicolas. I didn’t think you’d be working this late,” Elena said, gazing at the large bookshelf he was hammering a small nail into.

“Hi, Ms. E. I’m just finishing up.”

“Are you never going to call me Elena?”

“I just can’t do it,” Nicolas said. “At least I don’t call you Ms. Burkett any more.”

“Okay, okay. You’re doing such good work,” Elena said with amazement in her voice.

“Thank you. This is going to hold more books than I’ll ever read.”

“No, it won’t.” Elena chuckled.

“If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be reading anything,” he said, putting his tools away.

“You give me too much credit. All you needed was a little help getting started.”

Nicolas smiled at her and stood to his full height. “You’ve been gone for a while and that makes me happy.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t leave this house often enough.”

“You’ll be happy to know that I’ve found a place to ‘hang out’ as you like to say,” Elena said.

“Yay! Tell me about it,” Nicolas replied.

“You’ll never believe it, Nicolas. I’ve been to a bookstore.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Of course you have. Is it the new place with the liquor store and the beauty salon?”

Elena nodded. “The Sloan Sisters’ Shopping Center or something like that.”

“The Sloan Sisters’ Shopping Extravaganza,” Nicolas corrected her and chuckled. “CeCe cuts my hair and her sister named the place. I think it’s kind of a joke.”

“I only went into the bookstore today, but I’m going back tomorrow and may stop by the liquor store.”

His brows rose and he smiled once again. “You’re going back tomorrow?”

“The bookstore has a place to sit and read, and the owner, Cat, has agreed to talk about books with me,” Elena explained.

“That must be a little piece of heaven for you.” He smirked.

“Don’t tease me. Besides, you never know, I may find a book or two for you.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure they’d have the kind of books I like to read.”

“If Cat doesn’t have it, she’ll get it for you. What are you looking for? Let me guess… Cabinetry.”

Nicolas scoffed. “I know all about building things. I learned everything from my Pops. You know that.”

Elena chuckled. “You and your father are the best. That’s why I wanted you to build this bookcase. Now, back to the books. What can I bring you from the bookstore tomorrow?”