Page 9 of Drive Me Wild (Owl Creek #2)

I ’m almost back to my new apartment when I remember that Serena said she keeps daily office hours, so I flip the car around and head back to town.

All day, I’ve been thinking about the books in the library and where they’ll go while the town figures out what to do about the termite situation. I know it’s a weird thing to obsess about, but books are sort of my thing.

I find a spot in front of town hall. It isn’t big, but it’s in a pretty, well-kept, nineteen-twenties-style building with two hanging flower baskets and a bench out front.

The glass front doors are propped open, so I step inside and see a few doors on both sides of the shallow hall. The placards next to each display the council chamber, toilet, administration office, and Serena’s office.

I try the knob to her office, and it’s locked, so I go to the administration office door, and it swings open. Inside, there is an older woman on the phone sitting behind a counter. She smiles in a greeting, so I look at the corkboard mounted on one wall while I wait for her to finish her call.

I see a flier for an art festival that happened the weekend before I arrived, a few business cards for handyman services and lawn maintenance, and a hand-drawn one for after-school babysitting. But the notice in the middle of the board is the one that draws my curiosity.

Bookstore for sale.

“How can I help you?”

Her voice startles me. “Oh, hi. I was wondering when Serena, er…the Mayor, would be in?”

“She’s usually here right about now. If you want to wait a few minutes, I’m sure you’ll catch her.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

I start to walk out toward the benches in front and then stop. “Actually, can you point me in the direction of the bookstore that’s for sale?”

“Sure thing. Just head down Main Street two blocks, hang a right past The Daily Dose, go one block, then turn left. It’s in a red Victorian house that they turned into a shop. Can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.” I wave to her as I bust out the door and hurry to my car. The library books can wait one minute. I need to see this shop.

The house-turned-shop is exactly where she said it would be.

It’s three stories tall, including what is likely the attic.

The front has a long, wide porch with a few tables and chairs set up like a cafe.

There’s a pointed turret on the left side, with windows all around on each of the three floors.

The front is fenced with twisted wrought iron painted white and a flower-lined stone path leading up to the front door.

It’s the most beautiful building I’ve ever seen.

I walk the path and climb up the three stairs leading to the front door, which has a stained glass image of a cat sitting on a stack of books on the top half. It’s one of those doors that is split in two, so you can have the bottom part shut and the top half open.

I step inside and take a deep breath. The scent of coffee mixes with that old paperback smell, and I drift through what used to be the front parlor but is now filled with bookshelves.

“Help you find something, dear?”

A woman with white hair piled into a loose bun approaches me. She has a warm smile and is wearing a T-shirt that says, “I burn for book boyfriends.”

I think I love her.

“Is this the bookstore that’s for sale?”

“It is. You know someone who’s interested in buying? Don’t have any kids to pass it on to.”

“You’re the owner?”

“That I am. Want some coffee? I bought one of those fancy espresso machines a few years ago.”

“Sure.” I follow her into the kitchen, which has been converted into a small cafe of sorts. A single glass case for pastries and desserts and the espresso machine separate one side from a few tiny tables and chairs.

“My name is Mabel. What’s yours?”

“Nice to meet you, Mabel. I’m Zoe.”

“Are you new in town? Or just passing through?”

“I moved here this past weekend. I’m renting a room from Chief Barone.”

“Oh, he’s a good kid, our Chief. Saved us from some awful fires earlier this year.”

“I heard.”

“Here’s your coffee. Want some cream or sugar?”

“Cream, please. So Mabel, why are you selling?”

“I’ve been ready to retire for a few years, but I don’t have anyone to take over the store.

I’m not as young as I used to be. Can’t keep walking up and down those stairs every day.

” She points down a long hallway to a flight of stairs with a chain across.

A sign hangs from the chain that says ‘Private.’

“Do you live upstairs?”

“Sure do. Lived here my whole life. My parents left me this house when they passed away, which was a tragedy when they died. I was only eighteen and not married.”

“And you don’t want to stay here?”

“Like I said, those stairs are getting to be too much. I wouldn’t mind moving into one of those single-story mid-century houses they have in Port Stratton.”

I take a sip of the coffee. It’s smooth and nutty, and I vow to come here in the mornings to buy one before going to Caleb’s every day.

“So, the sale is for the house and the business?”

“That’s right. Current inventory included, of course.”

“Wow. It’s a turnkey business.”

“It sure is. And for the right person, I think this would be a great place to raise a family. There’s plenty of space upstairs.

I’ve been renting out the spare bedrooms to summer tourists for the last twenty years.

Before that, it was a rooming house. There are plenty of bathrooms and a big kitchen up there. Want a tour?”

“Oh, no, I need to go see the Mayor about something. Maybe next time?” I finish my coffee and pull out my wallet to pay her.

“That cup was on the house. Come back to see me soon, Zoe.” Her eyes twinkle as she smiles at me.

“I will. What time are you open tomorrow? That was so delicious. I’m coming back here for my morning cup of coffee.”

“Officially at ten. But you can ring the bell starting around eight, and I’ll let you in. At my age, I’ve already been up for hours, and I wouldn’t mind the company.”

“Thanks, Mabel. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She walks me to the door and waves when I turn around to catch another glimpse of the most beautiful bookshop in the world. My inner bookworm is doing a boogie in my mind.

When I return to Town Hall, I see that Serena’s door is open so I let myself inside. She’s on the phone and gives me a little wave, so I pull up a chair in front of her desk and wait.

When she puts the receiver down, she gives me a look that tells me that it wasn’t the easiest phone call.

“Hi, Zoe. How are you settling in?”

“Things are great at home, but I was pretty bummed out about the library.”

“You and everyone else. That was the principal of the high school. They don’t have room there to store the books. They were actually thinking of donating some older volumes to us to make room in their library.”

“Any other options?”

“I’m calling a council meeting for tomorrow so we can assess the situation. The building, the books, our rainy day fund...”

“Rainy day fund?”

“The savings account.”

“I see. Well, I wanted to let you know that I am volunteering to help move the books to their future home if you need it.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Zoe. I am sure I’ll take you up on it.”

We sat in silence for a few moments, and then I stood to leave.

“Was that all you wanted to talk about?”

“Until you know what’s happening, I guess it is.”

“Well, thank you for coming by. It was good to see you again. If you want to sit in on the council meeting, it’s open to the public.”

“Really?”

“Well, we are doing the people’s work, so yes. Anyone can sit in on the meetings. They’re in the chamber room across the hall. It’s not much, but it’s our official meeting space.”

“I’ve never done anything like that.”

“I hope you’ll come then.”

“I’ll think about it, but I’m not sure I’m ready to get that involved. Thanks for the invite, though.” I give her a little wave and walk to my car to drive home.

It’s funny because I’ve only been here a few days, and it already feels a little like a real home. And that thought carries me all the way down the road to my apartment.

When I get home, I call my mom for a quick chat to tell her about the library and bookstore. Before I can finish telling her about Mabel, she insists I think about buying the bookstore because, as she puts it, ‘I’ve always had my nose in a book.’

“Mom, I don’t even know how much she wants for it.”

“Only one way to find out.”

“When did you get so—”

“I guess Chris brings it out in me.”

“I’m glad you are happy together.”

I feel my throat catch and heat rise to my cheeks. It was hard leaving her. We were a team. But ever since she met Chris, I saw that he’s on her team too. And I had to give them space to be together.

“We are. And I know you’re building your happily-ever-after, too.”

“I’m trying.”

“You’ll find it, sweetheart.”

“Love you, mom.”