Sweet Holiday Romance Books 1 - 4

Chapter 3

3

There was something comforting about a stack of old books. The stack currently in front of Eve included all different types of fiction; romance, fantasy, sci-fi, children's books. It also included some non-fiction; health books, business books, books on how to lose weight and some on how to find love. The stack of books was precariously balanced on a wheeled cart, which Eve pushed carefully through the narrow aisles of the bookstore. When she found the section that a book belonged in, she took it from the cart and added it to the shelf.

This was the only used bookstore in their town. It was the only bookstore of any kind in their town, in fact. Eve had worked here since high school. First as a part-time cashier, then after she returned from college she had taken over as manager.

As jobs went it was perfectly suited for Eve's personality and interests. As a career it was mostly dead end, but then so were almost all of the jobs in their town. For a young woman with an English Lit degree, who was not interested in being a teacher, it was about as spot on a job as she could expect.

The bookstore bought used books for pennies and turned around to sell them, either in person or online, for a few dollars. They also assisted the older generation in town with navigating online purchases of both new and used books. But their biggest draws were the comfortable chairs and sofas placed around the store and the sale of fresh coffee, tea, scones and cookies. They played classical or jazz or sometimes French bistro music, and patrons could sit and read as long as they desired. Eve loved spending time in the bookstore.

Today she was a bit preoccupied with thoughts of her father and his haunted house stories. As she made her way through each aisle, she wondered if the entire town thought her house was haunted and, if so, what exactly did they think of her? She was a single woman, admittedly introverted, a little dark in her sense of humor who loved Halloween and owned two black cats, cats that happened to be named after famous witch characters. She shook her head at the ridiculous idea that she was some kind of haunted character in a fictional story, but she had to admit, from the outside looking in, it was possible people thought of her that way.

Eve glanced at the overstuffed denim blue chair in the corner where one of their regulars, Joanna, a retired post office employee was quietly reading. Joanna spent at least three days a week munching scones and sipping tea while reading romance novels and books on exotic travel, and Eve knew she wouldn’t mind an interruption. Eve pushed her cart in Joanna's direction and when the woman looked up and acknowledged her with a friendly nod, Eve sat down in the dark red chair next to hers.

"Have you ever heard the rumor that my house is haunted?" Eve asked.

Joanna let her open book rest in her lap and looked over the top of her bejeweled reading glasses at Eve.

"Yes," she said matter-of-factly. "Everyone knows that."

"What? How can everyone know that? It's not even true!"

Joanna thought for a few moments before answering, "Your Dad used to talk about it all the time. That must be where the rumors started." She gave Eve a kind smile. "You know how he liked to tell stories."

Eve opened her mouth to protest the validity of the haunting rumor, but was interrupted by the sound of bells. A small bundle of bells hung from the front door of the store and jingled when it opened. From where she sat she couldn't see who had come in, so she stood up and went to the front counter leaving Joanna to go back to her reading.

At first glance, Eve only saw a tall, dark businessman standing in the front, looking around at the store. When he turned to face her, however, she realized with more than a little surprise that the businessman was Chip Hendricks. Chip, captain of their high school football team, president of their senior class, son of one of the richest men in town, general heartthrob and Eve's school girl crush, was standing at the counter.

"Chip!" Eve was so surprised she almost shouted his name. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Joanna leaning forward to peer at the commotion. Eve blushed slightly at her outburst. Chip smiled in a half grin, half smirk kind of way. She lowered her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm back home for an extended visit. Thought I'd stop by and see if you're still here," he said. His voice was soft and smoky and sent nervous flutters through her stomach.

"Yeah," she shrugged lightly and looked around the bookstore, which suddenly seemed a little dusty and dumpy. "Still here."

Chip let his eyes wander down her body, taking her in. She felt unusually exposed under his gaze even though she wore a modest T-shirt style dress that didn't show much of her figure, not that she had much of a figure to show. Eve glanced around shyly to see if anybody was watching. Joanna was back to reading. There were only a half dozen more patrons in the store and all of them had their noses in a book. When she looked back, Chip was giving her that same smirky grin.

"You look good," he said.

She felt heat rise in her cheeks and hated the fact that she was about to appear silly and juvenile by blushing in front of him. She didn't want him to know she was flustered, so Eve took a moment to let her eyes boldly wander up and down his body. She noticed his very nice dark grey suit that was well cut to his tall, wide shouldered form. She took in his black and silver tie, his neatly trimmed, thick, dark hair, his deep brown eyes and closely shaven face that perfectly showed off his square jaw and nicely formed lips. She had to concentrate to keep from sighing.

"You too.” She tried to use a confident, sensual tone. She was no longer in high school, after all.

"Catching up on your reading?" Chip nodded his head towards the book she held in her hand.

Eve looked down. It was one of the self-help books she'd been putting away and forgotten she was holding. The title was encased in a giant, bubble heart and read, 'How to Find Love in 30 Days". Eve hurriedly set it on the shelf behind the counter out of sight and ignored the teasing look in Chip's eyes. She cleared her throat and tried to think of something to say. Nothing came to her. He caught her eye and held it with a deep, smoldering gaze. They looked at each other for a long moment. Just when she thought she might start batting her eyelashes uncontrollably at him, the front door banged open, bells jingling madly.

"Chip!" Belinda exclaimed, drawing the attention of all seven book lovers in the store.

Chip lifted his eyebrows and turned to see who was calling his name. Belinda practically danced to the front counter, her blonde hair was pulled up in an orange bandana that had small jack-o-lanterns in place of polka dots, and she wore a tight grey T-shirt that had sequins in the form of a black cat on the front. She opened her arms wide and went in for the hug. Chip had no choice but to hug her back.

"Belinda," he said, pushing her out to arms length, his calm, cool demeanor barely dented by her bubbly greeting.

"It's so good to see you!" Belinda said, still loud, still attracting everyone's attention.

Now that Belinda was safely removed from him, Chip leaned against the counter, giving Eve an amused glance. Belinda reached up and stroked the sleeve of his suit jacket.

"What are you all dressed up for on a weekday?" She cooed.

Chip straightened his tie with mock importance. "A little board meeting at the old man's company."

The Hendricks family owned a grocery store, two gas stations and a liquor store in town. Chip, it was said, had moved to Chicago after college and worked his way up the ladder at an insurance and investment company. Not too bad for the hometown heartthrob.

"Well, it's very nice. Nice enough to wear to my Halloween party and be Bruce Wayne," Belinda suggested. "You're invited." She reached into her shining patent leather purse and pulled out an index card sized invitation, handing it to him. "Or you could come as Batman!"

Chip grinned, skimming the information on the invitation. He gave Eve a meaningful look. "Are you going?"

"Of course she's going," Belinda answered.

Again, his eyes slid down the front of Eve's chest, making her pulse quicken.

"What are you wearing to the party?" He asked.

"Um..." Eve's mind had gone blank.

"It's a surprise," Belinda saved her. "You'll have to come to the party to find out."

Chip assured them that he would be at the Halloween party before leaving. As soon as he walked out the door and past the giant window at the front of the bookstore, Belinda started tiny hopping up and down with excitement.

"Now you have to come," Belinda commanded.

Eve knew she was right. Though parties weren't her strong point, the draw of Chip being there was enough for Eve to want to at least make the effort to show up.

"I don't have any idea what to wear for a costume," Eve said.

"Don't worry about that," Belinda said confidently. "I know exactly what you should wear."