The Quietest Shop on Main (Shops on Main #3)

Chapter 6

6

T he next couple of days were a whirlwind as Skyla changed her work schedule and eventually brought her grandfather home. Dalton had been in and out multiple times, and she would never be able to thank him enough for his kindness.

They barely knew each other, and yet he was helping her like a friend he’d had for a lifetime.

If she hadn’t already crushing on him before, she definitely was now. It was one thing to find a guy attractive, it was another to know his personality and character were more amazing than his looks.

Skyla sighed and straightened the books on a shelf. It was the first time she’d been back at the bookstore since Grandpa had had his stroke. Normally, she loved the peace and quiet of the shop, but today, her mind was in turmoil.

Would she be okay to leave Grandpa? And was it a mistake to allow herself to fall so hard for Dalton?Falling for a guy who viewed her as only friend material was asking for heavy heartache, but Skyla couldn’t seem to stop herself.

Did the female character of a story ever not fall for the knight in shining armor?

And that’s exactly what Dalton was. Skyla’s knight in shining armor. He’d helped get Grandpa home, made sure the prescription was picked up, and asked about her groceries and her schedule. He'd seriously done everything a person could do.

Everything but want to be a more intimate part of her life.

“Stop it,” Skyla scolded herself. “You’re being ridiculous. Just be grateful and move on.”

“Knock, knock!”

Skyla frowned, not recognizing the voice, and she hurried around the shelves. “Hello! Welcome to The Book—” She cut off when she realized who was there. “Oh…hello, Analiese.”

Skyla only knew Dalton’s sister by reputation. They’d crossed paths a couple of times during neighborhood watch meetings, but had never really spent any time talking. Dalton spoke fondly of Analiese, but she had a little bit of a reputation for being cold and hard to get to know.

Right now, however, Analiese looked awkward and uncertain, rather than her usual scowl. “Um…hi. I know we don’t really know each other, but…” She took a deep breath. “Dalton told me about your grandpa.”

Skyla’s smile trembled slightly. “Right. He’s…Dalton…he’s been a wonderful help the last couple of days. Thank you so much for sharing him with me…I mean us.” Great. Now she was almost spilling her feelings to Dalton’s sister.

Skyla would be lucky if Dalton ever came by again. One of these days, he was bound to figure out that she liked him, and then it would be all over.

Analiese relaxed slightly and pulled off her gloves. “You make him sound like a saint.”

“He has been.”

Analiese chuckled. “Do you have a few minutes?” she asked, glancing around the small store. “I thought it might be good for us to get to know each other.” She held up one of the cups in her hands. “I brought cider.”

Skyla’s smile relaxed, but inside, she was confused. Why would she and Analiese need to get to know each other? “Sure,” she replied, her manners not allowing her to say anything else. “Business has been slow this morning, so we can have a chat.”

Holding out an arm, she waved Analiese toward the front desk where a couple of chairs were hidden behind the counter. “Thank you.” Skyla nodded her thanks as Analiese handed her a cup. It was almost too hot to touch, but the cinnamony smell coming from the top was divine. “Oh, wow. That smells so good.”

Analiese grinned over her shoulder. “It’s a family recipe.”

Skyla stopped with a frown. “A family recipe? You made this?” She took another smell, her mind going back over her conversations with Dalton. Hadn’t he said that Analiese was a terrible cook? Was he lying? But why would he lie about something like that?

“Goodness, no,” Analiese gushed, pulling off her scarf as she sat down. “Dalton did. I’d burn water if given half a chance.”

Skyla relaxed and laughed softly. “The kitchen isn’t everyone’s favorite room.”

“Oh, I love to eat,” Analiese replied. “I just can’t make anything edible.”

“Surely, it’s not that bad?—”

Analiese gave Skyla her famous glower. “Look…I know you’re really nice and stuff, but I’m not. I really am that bad, and it’s not worth trying to make me feel better about it.”

Skyla blinked several times. “I’m sorry?”

Analiese’s glare changed, and she shook her head, smiling. “No biggie. I’m just not one to mince words. You might as well learn that about me now.”

Skyla chose to take a tentative sip of her drink rather than answer. What was she really supposed to say to that?

“So…” Analiese looked around. “This place is really cozy.”

Skyla huffed a quiet laugh. “Do you really mean small?”

Analiese’s smile widened. “No. I really meant cozy. It looks like a place to curl up and waste hours in a good book. It’s perfect.”

Skyla finally got that sip, and she moaned. “Wow…that’s really good. Thank you for sharing.”

“Thank Dalton,” Analiese said easily. “But really…you’ve done a good job with the place.” She tilted her head. “You only work here part time?”

Skyla nodded and rested the cup on her knee. “I’d love to do it full-time, but we just don’t get enough business and—” She cut off, pinching her lips between her teeth.

“And what?” Analiese pressed. “Don’t worry. I don’t have any friends, so I won’t gossip about anything I shouldn’t.”

Skyla frowned. “You have friends.”

Analiese shrugged one shoulder. “Not really. I have people who are nice to me even though I’m rude. Not quite the same thing.” She took her own sip, watching Skyla over the top of her cup.

Skyla didn’t have a large circle of friends. She was too introverted and shy to have a large group, but to not have anyone at all? It just didn’t feel right. “I don’t completely agree with that,” Skyla said carefully. “I don’t think you’re rude, maybe just quiet.”

Analiese shook her head. “Nah. And it’s okay. I discovered once that being the ‘nice girl’ meant getting taken advantage of, so now I don’t worry about it.” Another shoulder shrug. “If it bothered me, I’d change.”

There was a story there, but Skyla didn’t feel like she had the right to pry.

“I’m sorry about your grandpa, by the way,” Analiese continued. “Dalton told me that when he’s well enough, he’s going to take your grandpa out on the boat.” Analiese chuckled. “He doesn’t get seasick, does he?”

Skyla made a face. “I have no idea. I don’t know of him ever being out on a boat.”

Analiese frowned. “Dalton said it was some lifelong dream or something.”

“That’s what Grandpa said,” Skyla murmured. “But I’ve never heard him mention it before.” She pursed her lips. “I don’t know if he’s just never mentioned it, or if he’s just being contrary.”

Analiese laughed. “I think I might like your grandpa.”

Skyla smiled back, feeling slightly more at ease the longer they talked. Grandpa’s snappy wit and Analiese’s blunt nature would go together like fireplaces and books. “I think you would too.” Taking a chance she reached out and touched Analiese’s forearm. If nothing else, Skyla owed this to Dalton. “And between him and me, you’ll have two friends, so why don’t we set up a time for you to meet him?”

Dalton stomped his feet, trying to bring feeling back into them as he entered the house. The day had been a long one, and for the first time in several days, he hadn’t been able to even text Skyla.

He missed her.

But it was getting late and she’d likely be busy with her grandfather, so Dalton didn’t dare try to see her now. Taking a breath and trying to control his stupid weakness, he opened the door and froze. “Liese?”

“Oh good, you’re here.” She jumped up from the couch and grabbed her coat. “I thought you’d be earlier, but I texted Skyla so we’re all good.”

Dalton frowned. “What? Why were you texting Skyla?”

“I went to see her today,” Analiese explained, pulling on her gloves. She grabbed a dish off the coffee table and hurried his way. “Come on. We’re already late.”

“Wait!” Dalton called, but Analiese continued toward his truck. “Hey, Liese. Stop. What’s going on?”

Analiese groaned and threw her head back. “Dalt, I’m starving. Can’t we talk on the way?”

“On the way to where?”

Analiese gave him a look that said he was an idiot. “Skyla’s, of course. She’s holding dinner for us.” Analiese grinned wildly and held up the dish. “I made a cake. We’ll see if it’s edible.” She jutted her chin toward the truck. “Hurry and open the door. It’s stinkin’ cold out here.”

Dalton obeyed, but his mind was spinning. They were having dinner at Skyla’s? Hadn’t she been working today? And what about Grandpa? Was he up to guests? Why had Analiese been talking to Skyla? Where had Analiese been talking to Skyla?

Still frowning, he raced to his side of the vehicle and jumped in, starting the engine. “You have some explaining to do,” he growled, pulling back out onto the road.

“I was curious,” Analiese sniffed.

“About what?”

“About your little girlfriend.”

Dalton didn’t dare close his eyes, but he did count to ten before answering. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

“But you want her to be,” Analiese corrected.

Dalton gripped the steering wheel tighter, but didn’t argue. There was no point. “What damage control do I need to handle?” he ground out.

Analiese gasped. “You think I would damage the slowly budding relationship between you two?” She shook her head and tsked her tongue. “For shame, brother. Do you not trust me?”

“No, I don’t,” Dalton snapped bluntly. “Seriously, Liese. Skyla is…she’s shy and sweet and…”

“The complete opposite of your sister?” Analiese offered.

Dalton sighed heavily. “I didn’t say that.”

“But that’s what you meant,” Analiese said, the playfulness of her tone was gone and silence reigned for several long breaths between them. “Dalt…I wasn’t trying to do anything wrong. I just wanted to meet her. And you’re moving slower than a sloth in a pit of molasses, so what was I supposed to do?”

“You were supposed to let me handle it,” he said, his anger still fuming. He loved his sister. He really did, but she said what was on her mind and could be harsh, even without trying. If she’d hurt Skyla, there might be no chance for Dalton to finally take a chance with her, with or without the fishing trip for her grandfather.

“I like her.”

Dalton frowned and looked sideways for too long. He cut off a swear word when he had to jerk the wheel to get back on the road. “What did you say?” he asked.

Analiese blew out a breath. “I said I like her,” she said loudly. “I wasn’t sure if I would. She seems so…bland, you know? She always looks one second away from running away like a scared rabbit, but she…”

Dalton braced himself for whatever his sister had done. Maybe they could still make it through this.

“She was nice to me, Dalt. Even though I wasn’t doing anything worth being nice for. And for once…” Analiese groaned and threw her head back. “For once it didn’t feel like someone was being nice because it was the right thing to do. She was nice because she is nice.”

“The ladies at the neighborhood watch are also nice,” Dalton grumbled, though his anger had eased a bit. “Trust me. If Shiloh didn’t like you, she’d tell you.”

“No, she wouldn’t,” Analiese said with confidence. “She wouldn’t be rude to my face. And I don’t think anyone hates me, but they don’t like me. They probably feel bad for me.” She growled. “I hate pity.”

“If you would just?—”

“No.” Analiese cut him off. This was a familiar argument with them.

He wanted her to try a little harder, and she wanted him to leave her be.

There were no winners on that road.

“Besides, tonight isn’t about me and my stupidity,” Analiese stated. “Tonight is about getting to know Skyla and Mr. Bowen.”

Dalton pulled up to the small driveway and parked the SUV, but didn’t get out right away.

“What’s the hold up?” Analiese asked, her hand on the door handle. “I thought you’d be happy she invited us over for dinner.”

“I smell like fish,” he said. “I’m wet and soggy, and the girl I think I’m in love with had to work all day, take care of her grandfather after getting home, and is now working to prepare me dinner.” He turned to stare at his sister. “Everything about this feels wrong.”

Analiese smirked. “Actually, everything about this is right.” She leaned toward Dalton. “Ten bucks says she won’t care if you smell like fish. The fact that she works and cares for her grandfather tells you that she’s the best type of person. And if she was still willing to make us dinner even though she’s going to be dead on her feet? Well, that just tells you how much she’s falling for you, as well.”

Dalton blinked. “W-what? You think she likes me?” He’d hoped. Oh, how he’d hoped that was true, but it seemed like the tiny signs he was looking for in her behavior were too erratic. She liked him. Sure. But as more than a friend? Dalton just couldn’t be sure.

Analiese cackled and opened her door. “I’m gonna get rich tonight,” she sang as she hopped out. “Come on, slow poke. And I want twenty instead of ten.”