“Hey, Professor.” John waved cheerfully. “Come for a preview?”
Liam hefted a small but heavy box onto the counter. “Hi, John. I didn’t know you were working here. Glad to know Alicia’s got somebody competent backing her up.” He turned to Alicia and explained. “John graduated from UNC a few years back. Worst student I ever had.”
John shrugged with a grin. “It’s fortunate I had a good professor to get me through that requirement or I’d never have graduated.”
“Good to see you again.” Liam looked around. “I can see you’re making yourself useful here.”
“I’d never be able to get along without him.” Alicia found her voice and her confidence at the same time. “Speaking of which, why don’t you grab some lunch, John? You’ve been working nonstop since seven o’clock this morning.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” John reached behind the counter for his wallet and keys. “I’ll be back in an hour to help you with the finishing touches. I hope you’re going to open up soon, though, ’cause there’s not much else for me to do here.”
As he left, Alicia, with no other recourse, turned to Liam. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He looked like he’d like to say something more but he hesitated. “My mom’s library looks good.”
“Thanks. The books are back on the shelves, anyway. Your mom had eclectic taste.” As she spoke, Alicia moved behind the counter with a stack of books. She put them on the display shelves to arrange later and turned, relieved to have the counter between them, even if it was ridiculous. After all, the only time they’d kissed had been her fault, not his.
“You could say that.”
“Huh?” She’d lost complete track of their conversation. She blushed and he laughed.
“You’re still not getting much sleep, are you?”
“You could definitely say that.” She sighed and shrugged. “What’s in the box?”
“You mentioned you might want some of the rare books in trade. I thought I’d bring them by and see if we can cut a deal.”
She raised her eyebrows and opened the box, scanning a dozen leather spines with gilt lettering. “I haven’t researched these completely. You might have some really valuable volumes here. I suspect you do, actually.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’m in a bit of a cash crunch and can’t pay my bill. How much will this take care of?”
“Liam, be serious.” Alicia drew her hand away from the box as if she’d been caught shoplifting. “These are valuable. You could take them to Chapel Hill and—”
He held up a hand. “I’m not interested in a bookstore in Chapel Hill. Jim practically raised me. I was in this place more times than I can count. Half the time I’d come in empty-handed and leave with a comic book or something. I owe that man, and if these old books that are doing nothing but collecting dust in my mother’s library can help him, I’ll give them to you for fifty bucks.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Two-fifty and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Somebody needs to teach you how to bargain, lady, or you’ll never get by in this town.” He frowned at her.
“I won’t give a penny less and if I find something in here that’s absurdly valuable, I’m giving it back. Jim wouldn’t have it any other way, and you know it.”
He nodded. “I do. It’s a deal, but I’m throwing in that book of poetry you borrowed. Now, what can I do to get you to sleep more?”
The unexpected question and the concern in his eyes caught her off guard. She laughed. “Well, we’re almost done here, and once the store is open again, I can relax a little.”
He turned, taking in the neat shelves, the replenished rare books, the dusted tables and comfortable chairs. “Yeah, I can see that. Did you paint? It looks great. Much brighter and cleaner.” She saw his gaze fall on a triangular-shaped frame she’d left on the top of the counter. “Is that…Ty’s?”
Alicia touched the wooden frame around her husband’s memorial flag. “Did you know these flags are folded thirteen times at the funeral?” She didn’t wait for his reply. “Each fold represents something. You know, God and country and mother and father, that sort of thing. It’s the sixth fold that I wonder about sometimes.”
He put his hand over hers. “What does the sixth fold represent?”
Stifling a sigh, she looked up. “Where the heart lies.”
His hand tightened on hers, but his gaze didn’t waver. “You don’t ever have to wonder about that. I know exactly where his heart was, no matter where he was when he died.”
How easy it would be to get lost in Liam’s green eyes like a nymph in a shepherd’s field. She was in danger of doing that very thing and she cleared her throat, looking away. “I’ve really got to get it hung. I’m hoping Jim will be well enough to come to the grand reopening, and he’d be happy to see it there.”
He took his hand away from hers. “Where were you going to hang it?”
She pointed to a spot above the cash register. “There.”
He nodded. “Good choice. Do you have a bracket and nail? I can hang it for you.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Alicia shook her head, startled and hoping he didn’t think she had been hinting.
“It’s nothing. Besides, I’d like to do something for Jim.”
With no other reason to protest, she handed him a hammer. “There’s a bracket and nails on the back for hanging it. Let me know if you need any help.”
He found the stepladder she’d been using to dust off a shelf nearby and brought it over. Alicia watched him, noticing the way his T-shirt clung to the muscles of his back, letting her gaze move down his back to the waistband of his jeans.
“About here?”
He was looking at her, his eyebrows raised inquiringly. “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. Well, maybe a little to the right?” He obliged and she nodded. “That’s perfect.”
He detached the bracket from the back of the frame and held the framed flag down to her. “Hold this for me?”
She took it, her face burning as their fingers brushed. What the hell was wrong with her? All of a sudden her hormones were out of control. She couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss they’d shared, wishing she could feel his lips again and ashamed of herself for that longing. I can’t be feeling this way already. It’s too soon.
He cursed and she looked up. He was struggling with the bracket, which was designed to fold up when nothing was in it or it wasn’t nailed to the wall. It snapped shut on his finger and he cursed again. “Who the hell designed this thing?”
Alicia giggled, glad for the distraction from her self-reproach. “Can I help?”
“Do you have another ladder? This is a two-person job.”
“There’s a stool in the back. I’ll get it.”
She brought the stool, an old-fashioned one with steps that folded out from beneath the seat, and set it up next to his. “I’m at your disposal.”
The look he gave her made her blush again but he said only, “Good. I’ll hold the bracket and you nail it in.”
“Shit, you’re kidding. No way. What if I hit you?
“You’re not going to hit me.”
“Why don’t I hold it?” She reached for the bracket, but he shook his head.
“No.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because I might hit you.” At her glare, he shrugged. “I didn’t say I was being fair, but I’m not going to take that chance.”
“Fine.”
“Really?”
“Sure. I’m not as worried about hitting you now.” She gave him a playful smile as she raised the hammer again.
At the last second she hesitated. His lips twitched and his voice sounded a little rough when he said, “You’re not going to hurt me.”
Biting her lip and thinking about
the many meanings of his words, she carefully tapped the nail into the wall, then drove it home.
* * *
He took her to the bar for lunch. He guided her to his favorite corner table, and Angela, his favorite waitress, brought them two diet colas and a basket of onion rings. “It’ll be a few minutes for the chicken wings, Liam.”
“Thanks, Angela.” He turned to Alicia. He reflected that he’d never seen anyone as lovely in the bar, but that wasn’t quite right. He’d seen her there before. “I hope this is okay. We do have fantastic chicken wings.”
“Is that why you bought the place?” She looked around, her eyes lingering on the worn but beautiful wood of the bar, the pool tables in the back, the obligatory neon lights on the wall. She turned to him, her eyebrows raised.
He took a sip of his drink, leaning back in the booth. “You’re very curious about that, aren’t you?”
“I am.” She shrugged. “I admit, it’s intriguing. You say you have a lot of memories here.”
“That’s my story.” He nodded.
“But you also admit you’ve got a problem with drinking.”
“I’m an alcoholic.”
“Right. So, those memories probably aren’t all that great, then.”
“You’re guessing.”
She shrugged acquiescence. “I admit, I don’t know for sure.”
He sighed nostalgically. “You’d be surprised, probably. Those might have been some of my fondest memories. The best and worst of me, you could say.” He looked up as the door opened. “Oh crap.” Turning to Alicia, he raised his eyebrows playfully. “You might want to hide.”
“What?” Alicia leaned forward.
“Don’t look,” he hissed, sinking further into the seat. “It’s Sandra.”
“Really?” Alicia turned all the way around as Sandra approached their table, her brow creased in a frown as she studied her mobile phone.
“Damn.” Sandra shook her head in evident despair. “Idiots.” She paused almost directly in front of them, punching keys with her thumbs. Liam rolled his eyes at Alicia.
“Hi, Sandra.” Alicia spoke up, surprising him.
Sandra raised her head and flashed a blinding smile. “Oh, hello. Liam and… I’m so sorry, dear. I don’t remember your name?”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” Alicia smiled back. “I haven’t seen you around much.”
Liam couldn’t help but notice she managed to make “thank God” hang in the air between them though she didn’t say the words out loud. Evidently Sandra noticed it too, for she turned to him with a flirtatious look. “I’ve been out of town for a while, Liam.” He noted the slight emphasis on his name as she cut Alicia out of the conversation. “But I’m back now. Maybe you’d like to get together again? Remember how much fun we used to have with just a pizza and a six-pack?” She leaned over, placing a hand on his shoulder, to whisper loudly in his ear. “I’d love to get back to the basics with you.” Straightening, she let her hand linger on his chest for a moment before turning away with a light wave. “Call me.”
“Yikes.” Liam shook his head and glared at Alicia. “I told you to hide.”
Alicia snorted. “I’m not hiding from anybody anymore. Besides, you never told me how, um, intimate you and Sandra are. I can’t imagine why you’d want to hide from such a willing friend.”
“Don’t give me a hard time. That was a total lapse in judgment on my part. I’ll be the first to admit it.”
She plucked an onion ring from the basket and shook it at him, but he noticed playfulness in her expression. “At least you admit your mistakes. Not much like most men. Does she come here often?”
“Often enough to know where to look for me.” He indicated the booth with a rueful expression.
“Yes, I noticed the way she paused so conveniently right here.” She shook her head again, but a frown creased her forehead. “She must be a very lonely woman.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “You are absolutely amazing.”
“What?” She took another onion ring from the basket. “These are really good. Addictive, though.”
He waved the compliment away. “Look, I know what she did—at least I think I do—the night of the fair. I asked around and found out what she’d been saying about you. I don’t blame you for being angry.”
“Thanks. It was a momentary thing, though. I’m over it.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Really?” As he spoke, Angela brought another basket and two more diet colas. He gave her an appreciative nod before returning his attention to Alicia.
She sighed, picking up the new glass and transferring her straw from her empty one. “It doesn’t do any good not to be. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from life, it’s that you have to focus your energy on the people and things that really matter. Right now I have enough energy for that and none for anything or anybody else.”
“That’s very mature.”
“I’m only immature in short spurts.” She sank her teeth into one of the chicken wings.
“An admirable quality.” He leaned across the table. “I have to ask you one more thing, though.”
She wiped her hands and mouth on a napkin and straightened her shoulders. “Go ahead.”
“Am I included in the people who are worth a share of your energy?” He tried to make the question light, as if his heart and ego weren’t at stake.
She blushed and looked away, losing her playful poise. Then she raised her gaze to his. “Yeah. You are.”
Satisfied, he took a wing from the basket and waved it at her. “Not sure how I got so lucky.”
* * *
Alicia chose the first Saturday of June to reopen the bookstore. Liam had offered to come early and help her prepare, an offer she accepted gratefully, more because she wanted the moral support than because she expected droves of customers.
At seven o’clock Penny arrived with Amy, who was going to babysit. Alicia hugged her friend, surprised as she was to see her. “What’s up? You’re not up until at least ten on Saturdays.”
“I’m up. And I’m here to assist you in whatever way I can. There’s a platter of homemade cookies in the car and I’m really good at making coffee, so I figured I’d come give you a hand.”
“You’re the best!” Alicia clapped her hands, thrilled by the show of support. “I got some cookies from the bakery yesterday, but we’ll save those for backup. Nobody bakes like you do!”
“Good thing.” Liam opened the back screen door. “The entire town would be overweight if they had nonstop access to Penny’s cookies.”
Penny raised her eyebrows and muttered something about not being surprised to see him there, but Alicia ignored her, offering Liam a cup of coffee. He accepted it with a weary look. She wondered if he’d been up late. Maybe he’d had a date. The thought popped into her head, bringing with it an unwelcome surge of an emotion she didn’t want to call guilt, although she knew it was. She turned away and caught Penny’s narrowed gaze. Can she read my mind?
“Are we going to stand around here all day drinking coffee or go get the store ready, anyway?” Penny said.
“Let’s go.” Liam accepted the invitation as if it were uppermost in his mind, tossing back the dregs of his coffee and heading out the door. Alicia paused to give Amy last-minute instructions before joining her friends.
Liam stood by his Camaro talking to Penny. As Alicia stepped outside, he glanced over, then shook his head and got in, cranking the car and backing out into the street. Penny looked after him for a minute, a satisfied expression on her face. “All right then.” She turned to Alicia. “Let’s get this show on the road. You can ride with me.”
Alicia sipped her coffee and thought about the day, planning what she needed to do to open the store. She’d soon have it down to a routine, but now everythi
ng was new and fresh, even the humdrum things like opening the safe and turning the Closed sign to Open.
“So I guess Liam’s found himself another lady love, huh?” Penny’s voice was a harsh interruption.
Remembering her earlier thoughts on that very subject, Alicia turned sharply. “What do you mean?”
Penny shook her head. “He says he’s going back to Chapel Hill for a couple of weeks. Usually that means he’s got something—or somebody—more interesting to do.” She glanced sideways at Alicia. “I told you he wasn’t very dependable.”
“Actually, you seemed to indicate he might have more in mind for me than friendship.” Alicia kept her voice dry, fighting against a tremble in the back of her throat. “I don’t recall dependability being a factor.”
Her friend shrugged. “Maybe I misjudged him and his better nature took over.” Keeping her eyes trained on the road ahead of her, she added, “Maybe he realized it was way too soon for you to be getting involved with anyone else.”
Alicia bit her lip against the unreasonable rise of anger Penny’s words sparked. Maybe it was too soon after the death of the husband she loved to get involved with another man, but she couldn’t help the resentment at being told so. As if she couldn’t figure it out for herself.
The two friends remained silent through the rest of the short drive and pulled into the parking lot behind the store to find Liam and John already hard at work bringing out cardboard boxes for recycling. Liam waved cheerfully and came over to help unload the car. Penny handed him the platter of cookies and smacked him playfully when he gave it an appreciative sniff. “That’s for the customers.”
“I’ll buy a book, then.” Liam didn’t look as tired now. “I hear this place has some good stuff.”
Where the Heart Lies Page 14
