Page 50

The longest wall was floor-to-ceiling shelves, stuffed with different shapes and sizes of books.

The rolling library ladder, which followed each wall in the shop, added a feeling of whimsy and a good deal of practicality to the space.

The tables in the middle of the store were stacked with gently used books, arranged by subject matter.

At the back of the shop, a little gas fireplace blazed merrily, even though it was now late summer.

A small, comfortable, second-hand couch flanked it, and the low coffee table held a selection of tea and teacups for customers to enjoy.

She waited for the feeling of joy to infuse her but, as had been the case for the last few weeks, she felt only emptiness.

“I’m running out for coffee,” Norman declared, tossing his apron on the counter. “Want anything?”

“No, thank you,” she murmured, lost in her thoughts. Perhaps new paint? Maybe a bright shade of yellow would cheer her.

Probably not.

“Hullo,” she heard Norman greet the patron who just entered. “If you need anything, the owner’s in the front.”

“Thank you,” the man replied, and Ellie’s heart leapt to her throat.

No.

It couldn’t be.

But it was. Colin rounded the corner, his presence filling the space. Ellie stopped breathing, suspended in a moment of absolute agony that pierced her soul, rendering her unable to move, or think, or be.

“I see you got my gift,” he said, his voice low. A slight question at the end of it, perhaps, to goad her into responding.

She remained silent even as her heart yearned for him.

He rocked back on his heels, looking around the shop. “This is really nice. I can see why you’re such a success.”

Another customer entered and called out. She managed to reply, and the woman came around the stacks. “Self help?” she asked .

“Back wall, just there.” Ellie pointed, and the woman turned her back to them with a nod of thanks.

Ellie looked back at Colin. “Can I help you?” A small wave of relief washed over her when her voice didn’t shake.

“You haven’t returned Candice’s calls. She’s in a bit of a panic, you know.”

Ellie’s stomach dropped to her toes, and she resisted the prick of tears. Of course. He still thinks I’m the determining factor of his business here.

“I’ve been busy.”

“Oh?” Colin asked, taking a step toward the counter. His eyes were molten chocolate, and they bore into hers, the intensity robbing her of breath. “I’d like to remind you of the contract you signed with Celtic Connections. You promised to give it a try. Reginald told us he ended things.”

“He did,” she replied, her throat dry.

Colin stared at her. “You told me that you were ready to find love.”

Ellie glared at him. “ I was ready. It was the fool I fell in love with who was not.”

He paused, his eyes glinting, and he leaned back. “So it’s like that, then.”

Wearily, she sighed. “The contract was for three months, with an option to extend.”

“Yes.”

“Well, my three months are up. And I choose not to extend.”

His face remained impassive, and Ellie felt a flash of annoyance beneath the hurt. “Can I help you find a book, sir?” she asked, drawing herself up. “Anything to move you along from this shop?”

He stroked his chin. “Do you have anything on gardening?”

She gripped the edge of the counter, her knuckles turning white with repressed emotion. She didn’t know if she was angry, annoyed, or just immeasurably sad, but she willed her voice into compliance. “Many titles. What type of gardening?”

“Well, I’m not quite sure. Maybe you can direct me a little here.

You see, I had the chance to hold a flower that was both strong yet fragile.

It’s a rare one. Stunningly beautiful at first glance, but as it began to grow and open itself to me, I realized that it was so much more.

Its beauty went all the way to its core, and I suddenly realized what a treasure I was being entrusted with.

I was overwhelmed, and terrified that I would ruin it, simply by accepting its gift. ”

“Was it an orchid?” the woman by the self-help section asked. “Those are quite complicated and require a lot of maintenance.”

“No, no,” Colin replied, his eyes still locked on Ellie’s. “This flower doesn’t require maintenance. It simply requires trust, and room to grow.”

“What kind of flower is it?” the woman asked breathlessly.

Ellie closed her eyes against her tears and gripped the counter harder.

Colin stepped closer. “A poppy.”

“Colin,” Ellie whispered. “Why are you doing this?”

The woman, realizing they knew each other, discreetly left with a murmur.

“Because I’m a pompous ass. Because I’m an idiot.

” He reached over the counter and touched her hands, gently releasing her death grip.

He kissed first one hand, then the other.

“Because once upon a summer night, I fell in love. Not a little, Ellie. No, I fell all the way, head-over-heels, fully, truly, soul-deep in love. The intensity of it scared the daylights out of me. I thought loving someone would mean I’d ruin her chance at happiness. ”

She couldn’t see him at all now. She remained still, his hand now gently cupping her face, his thumb wiping away the steady stream of tears.

“I have messed up in the worst of ways. You gave yourself to me over and over, and I rejected you each time. I’m begging you, please, let me spend the rest of my life showing you how wrong I was.

Let me love you as bravely as you loved me.

As I hope you still love me. You’re my soul mate, Eleanor Carberry. And you’re the other half of my heart.”

“You hurt me, Colin,” she whispered.

His breath caught. “Never again, love. I vow it. I will work every day to put a smile on your face. I will give you all of me, forever, and be your hero, as you are mine. I am yours, Ellie. Eternally.”

She swallowed, and blinked away the tears. His chocolate eyes implored her to believe him, to trust him.

“What about your company?”

“None of it matters if you’re not by my side. I’m empty without you, Eleanor.” He stepped closer. “I miss you. And I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. Please let me back into your heart. I’ll never take it for granted. I’ll love you with all of myself. Forever.”

She blinked away her tears. “You told me once that Fate had a different tale for you.”

“And you suggested it might be a fairy tale,” he remembered.

“In my world, fairy tales end with a happily ever after.”

He looked at her with such love, she lost her breath. He whispered, “I guess that begs the question…do we get a fairy tale after all?”

“I think we do, Colin.”

His eyes lit up, and he gently tugged her around the counter. She took a step towards his open arms and immediately tripped into him with a muffled, “Oomph!”

He barked out a laugh. “You are my imperfectly perfect soul mate, Eleanor.” He pressed his lips to hers, gently branding her.

“Never—” he kissed the corner of her mouth “—ever—” he moved to the other side “—change.” His lips claimed hers in a searing kiss, and Ellie accepted it, mind, body… and soul.

The End