Page 39 of The Sandy Page Bookshop

Lucy

Her secret was out at work, and Lucy knew just who to blame. Shortly after she arrived, Leah called her into her office.

“Why don’t you shut the door, honey.” As soon as she saw the look on Leah’s face, Lucy understood. It was the look people had given her all summer: in the market, on her neighborhood street, whenever some well-meaning person who knew about Ella bumped into her. She hated that look.

“Lucy, some information just came to my attention. I feel terrible that I didn’t say this to you sooner, but I’m really sorry to hear what happened to your sister.

” Leah gestured to the green velvet couch, but Lucy shook her head, no.

No, she did not want to sit. She did not want to be here listening to whatever incoming tide of sympathy she was about to drown in.

She beat Leah to the punch. At this point in the summer, Lucy had it down like lines memorized for a school theater production: “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.

” She waited, as she always had to, to see if this was satisfactory enough to shut the person up.

The way Leah was looking at her, it was not.

So she went on with the next set of lines.

“My family appreciates the support, but we’re doing fine. Ella is getting better each day.”

“Well, I’m very glad to hear that,” Leah said, leaning back in her chair. “I can’t imagine what you’ve all gone through.” She leaned forward, hands clasped solemnly on the desk. “But it’s you I’m wondering about.”

Here it comes, Lucy thought.

“Is there anything you need? Time off? Shorter shifts? Because I’m happy to give it to you.” Her expression was so sincere, her words so kind, and yet all Lucy could think of was punching her boss. Right after she punched Eudora. “Whatever you need, you’ve got my support.”

Lucy felt the muscles in her jaw trigger, felt the familiar grind of molar on molar. This shop was her one safe place. Now everyone knew and it was over. “Is it okay if I get back to work, now?”

For a moment Leah didn’t say anything. “Sure, of course.” Lucy was halfway out the door as Leah went on. “I appreciate what a great job you’re doing…”

Eudora was setting up for her knitting group in the studio as Lucy blazed through.

“Oh, hi, Lucy! I brought you something.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a brand-new ball of yarn. As she stormed by, Lucy caught the exquisite amethyst color out of the corner of her eye. “It’s that special yarn you liked so much.”

She left Eudora standing with her hand out, the stupid lovely yarn just sitting there like a bird in her palm. It hurt Lucy’s heart. And that made her even madder.

“Are you able to join us today?” Eudora called after her.

“No thanks,” Lucy said, over her shoulder. She hated herself for doing it. Eudora was one of the nicest people she’d ever met. This never would have happened if Eudora had kept her big mouth shut.

All morning she avoided the studio. When the knitters, and the old man with the vegetables who kept showing up to join them, wrapped up their gabfest, Lucy kept her head down, organizing books in the children’s section.

When Eudora emerged, later, with her little dog and looked in her direction, Lucy ignored her and made haste to the nearest customer.

She could tell Eudora was waiting; she probably wanted to show her that yarn again.

She would ask how the knitting was going.

That was another thing. It turned out Lucy didn’t mind knitting.

It was actually kind of relaxing, even though it wasn’t easy.

It took her mind off the really hard stuff.

She’d taken to practicing her seed stitches before bed each night, head bowed, eyes on her needlework in the dim lighting of her room.

Without realizing it, it became a soothing part of her evening routine.

But she wouldn’t be doing that anymore. Not when it came with the hassle of a pity party.

It seemed Eudora had finally given up by the time Lucy checked out the customer she’d been helping.

The woman bought a copy of Steven Rowley’s latest for herself, and after consulting with Lucy, two Tracy Deonn titles for her teenage daughter.

Afterward, Lucy ducked around the register and into the back to grab her lunch.

Somehow Eudora and Alfred had snuck past her.

“We missed you today,” Eudora said, looking up from the project table.

Lucy groaned inwardly and went around to the butler’s pantry where Leah kept a mini fridge for their lunches.

The studio was adjacent, and so Eudora kept talking.

“I know it’s hard to join the group while you’re on duty, but I was hoping to give you that yarn before I left. ”

Still bent in the fridge, Lucy cursed quietly under her breath. Could the woman be any nicer? Now she’d have to talk to her. She emerged with her lunch. Sure enough Eudora had set the ball of yarn on the table between them.

“You didn’t have to do that for me.”

“I wanted to. How’s your needle work coming?”

Lucy shrugged. “It’s coming.” The ball of yarn was sitting there, yearning to be touched. Lucy could tell how soft it would feel against her skin. But she was still mad.

Eudora must have read her mind. “This wool was dyed with the petals of Iris blooms. I get it from a farm who raises their own alpacas. Isn’t it lovely?”

She could feel Eudora studying her as she stared at the wool. There was no way she could not accept it. Sure enough, the wool was supple and soft in her hand when she picked it up. She felt her mood become a little more supple, too. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Lucy Hart.” Eudora looked at her hard. “I realize now that your sister is Ella Hart. I hope she’s doing alright.”

Lucy squeezed the yarn in her hand. “I figured as much.”

“I hope it’s okay that I shared that with Leah. It’s important the people you work with understand.”

Lucy didn’t need any more understanding. What she needed was space. And for people to stop asking her about her family. She almost set the yarn back down.

“I can tell I’ve upset you,” Eudora said, suddenly. “I’m sorry. I have a bad habit of sticking my nose in, my husband, Milton, used to tell me all the time.”

Lucy wanted to tell her Milton was right.

Instead she said, “My lunch break is ending. I should go eat.” They always ate at the project table, but Lucy took her lunch out to the storefront.

She knew Eudora was disappointed, but just as she was about to forgive her, she had to go and bring up Ella. Lucy needed some air.

Outside the day was bright and the sidewalk busy.

Tourists lingered across the way at the overlook, taking photos.

Dog walkers passed, along with the usual stroller-pushing young parents and chatty toddlers.

Lucy ate her turkey sandwich slowly, savoring the sun.

She wasn’t going to the beach this summer, nor was she hanging out in town.

The one bonfire Reya had mentioned, she’d skipped.

Those were the things she did with Ella.

It seemed impossible to go to them without her.

On her way back in she was surprised to see a tall platform ladder set up by one of the front windows.

Brad stared down at her from the upper rungs.

“The things I do for this woman.” Lucy watched as he strung tiny paper lanterns across the front window.

They were pale blue and delicate, in the shape of little beehives.

When he finished the first string, Lucy passed him another from the box on the floor, this one the color of wheat.

“Handmade by a woman in Provincetown who does dinner party decor,” he said before Lucy could ask.

“They’ll sell fast.” Lucy had no doubt. It gave her an idea.

Ella would love them. She selected a blue string; the price tag was about four hours’ pay for work, but after hesitating she held on to it. “Mind if I save this by the register?”

Brad nodded appreciatively. “Get them while they last. There’s a whole box I still haven’t unpacked. If you could put them out on display, that would be great.” He indicated a spot he’d cleared on the front table.

One thing she loved was going through new merchandise.

Leah selected some of the prettiest wares from local craftspeople, things Lucy would never think to buy for herself, but they proved hard to resist. She had just settled the last package of lanterns into a pretty display basket when the bell jangled over the front door.

Jep Parsons stood in the doorway, looking ruffled. “Can I talk to you?”

Lucy glanced around. The store was quiet and thankfully there was no sign of Leah or Brad. “I’m working ,” she said. How many times was he going to pull this stunt? Then, under her breath, “I gave her the note, so let it go.”

“That’s not why I’m here.” Jep’s eyes were drilling holes into hers. “We need to talk. Like right now.”

Had he not just heard what she said? “I can’t.” At that moment Leah emerged from her office.

“Hello there,” she said, looking between the two. Lucy wanted the floor to open up right then and there. Leah had seen Jep before. She’d gone so far as to mistake him for Lucy’s boyfriend.

Jep cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but is it alright if I speak to Lucy really quick?” God, he was ballsy.

Lucy began to protest, but Leah cut her off. “Of course!” Then, looking sympathetically at Lucy, “Go ahead, take as long as you need.”

Damn Eudora. Lucy had no choice but to follow Jep outside. By then, she was livid. She stormed around the side of the house, out of sight of the shop front. “What are you doing here? You’re going to get me fired.”

But this time Jep looked even madder than she felt. “Your family is suing me?”

Lucy froze. Her parents had said they’d filed the suit. Jep must have just found out. “It’s not personal!” she said, hearing just how ridiculous it sounded. Of course it was personal to him.

“Do you know a marshal came to the garage yesterday? Served me papers in front of my dad and all our customers.” Jep’s eyes were wild with the hurt of it.

“It’s because of the hospital bills,” she tried to explain. Though she didn’t have to. It wasn’t her job and what Jep did was the reason he was in this predicament in the first place.

“I’m going to lose everything! My dad’s business. My work. And now her .”

Her. Lucy flinched. Among everything he was losing, Ella counted. In spite of all Jep Parsons had done to her family, Lucy felt for him. He was just another dumb, flawed human and he was falling apart, right there in front of her.

“How else do they pay all those bills? What if she doesn’t get better?” Lucy asked. “They had no choice.”

“Well, now I have no choice, either.”

It sounded like a threat. Lucy crossed her arms, bracing herself. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know why I sent her that note? I wasn’t going to tell you or anyone else, but now I have to.” Jep stepped so close to her that she could smell his shampoo. His voice wavered, just above her ear. “It was Ella.”

“What was Ella?”

“She was the one driving my car that night.”

“No.” Lucy stepped back against the side of the house, the full effect of his words radiating through her. “Don’t you dare.”

“It’s true,” he insisted. “I let her drive my car home after the party, but I had no idea she was drunk.” He glanced nervously around, but no one was there to hear.

“You’re just saying that,” Lucy hissed. “You’re saying that because we’re suing you. Because you’re scared.”

“I am scared! But it’s still the truth.” Jep grabbed her hands in his own. “You have to tell your parents, so they call off this suit.”

“Are you crazy?” She tried to tug her hands free, but Jep held on tighter. Fear started to course through her like a current.

“I swear,” Jep went on. “I’ll still take the blame to protect Ella, but I can’t lose the garage. It’s my family’s business. My grandfather started that garage, and my father passed it down to me. Please don’t do that to them.”

“You’re lying. I don’t believe one word.” Lucy jerked her hands free and stalked toward the sidewalk. She had to get away from him, from his disgusting lies.

Jep followed. “I took the fall for her.”

“No, you didn’t. You’re blaming her now to cover your ass.”

“Don’t you get it? That’s why I wanted you to give her the note! I didn’t want her to tell the truth because she’d be arrested. Because she’d have a record, and then Tufts would find out.”

Lucy spun around to face him. “What does Tufts have to do with anything?”

“They’d take her scholarship away! She’d lose everything she’s worked for.”

“Hasn’t she already?” Lucy wanted to scream. What he was saying was outrageous. The police had never said anything different. Nor had the accident report, or the lawyers. Jep was lying.

Lucy blazed around the corner of the house and down the sidewalk, shoving past the tourists coming toward them. She didn’t care. Jep Parsons was a lying piece of crap. He’d almost killed her sister. Now he was trying to take her down with him.

The sound of footsteps reverberated behind her, and Jep pulled up alongside her just as she reached the shop door. She reached for the handle, but he grabbed for it first, holding it closed.

“Lucy, please.” His breath came in gasps. “Tell your parents to call off the suit. It wasn’t me.”

Eudora appeared, eyes wide with alarm on the other side of the glass. When she tugged the door open, Jep let go. Lucy surged inside. Only then did she stop and turn around. Jep Parsons was gone.