Since I’d already listened to the first two, I grabbed the next two paperbacks in the series, then wandered around the rest of the store to make sure I didn’t miss anything before checking out.
I came to a complete halt when I saw that the very back of the store was mostly wide open, as in no shelving in the center of the floor like at the front and center of the building. Butted against the middle of the back wall was a raised platform no bigger than five by five with a microphone and stand at the front edge.
Possibly for book and poetry readings? For local musicians?
Huh.
I had to assume since the town was so small there wasn’t much when it came to entertainment. I figured on the days or nights someone was performing, folding chairs would be set up in the empty floor space for the audience.
A Keurig coffeemaker with a stack of disposable cups and a wide selection of beverage pods sat on a small table directly to the right of the platform with a sign that told customers to help themselves. To the left of the tiny “stage” was an open stairway blocked by a white plastic chain and a small metal sign hanging from it that said “Private.”
Tucked into the other corner to the right of the platform was an antique wood desk sitting at an angle with a large computer screen sitting on it. Also on the desktop was a pile of what looked like used spiral notebooks along with a Ball canning jar jam-packed with pens. A bunch of sticky notes covered the wall behind a newer gamer’s chair that did not match the desk’s style whatsoever.
Scratching my head, I stared at the set-up. It made me realize I really needed a better set up for my own writing. I couldn’t work all day in a rocking chair. My body would hate me for it. I needed a real desk with a supportive chair, but I also needed to find a spot to put it so I had a view of the lake and the mountain beyond. The whole reason I bought the Coleman cabin.
Adding another room onto the back—no, front—of the cabin would work as an office, but I liked the open-air covered porch, too, and wanted to keep it as-is. However, a temperature controlled all-season room would let me see the mind-clearing view and allow me to write in all kinds of weather.
I could always add it to the side, right off the bedroom, and have it installed before winter. I could even open up the back of the fireplace so it was two-sided and…
I shook those thoughts from my head. I needed to get back to being productive first and get the first three chapters sent to my agent so I could afford to do all that.
I sighed and took one last glance around before heading back toward the front of the store where Rett, and now Timber, waited.
As soon as I stepped up to the counter and set the two books down, Rett’s eyes zeroed in immediately on my wedding band.
Shit.
Quickly curling my fingers into my palm, I dropped my hand to my side and out of his sight. I didn’t want more questions from Mr. Nosy. Especially about my ring. Or my marriage.
Or, hell, about anything.
Even after two years, I couldn’t make myself remove my wedding band, despite how many people told me I should move on with my life.
I was. But in my own way. Like moving to Eagle’s Landing to get away from all of those same people when I hadn’t fucking asked for their goddamn opinion.
I also didn’t need people in this new-to-me town riding my ass about how unhealthy it was that I wasn’t capable of letting go.
I would do it when I was good and ready. Not a moment sooner.
Or, screw everyone, I might never do it at all.
Whether I did or didn’t was no one’s business but my own.
It was my life and I wanted no one to tell me how to live it.
Like Mr. Nosy, now standing directly behind the counter instead of sitting in the corner on the stool. His brown eyes lifted from my reading choice to my face.
With his lips rolled under, the man appeared to be fighting back questions or comments, or maybe even judgment. It took him a few seconds, but he finally got out, “They’re signed.”
No shit, Captain Obvious. “I noticed.”
“That’s book three and four in the series. Are you sure you don’t want to start with the first two books? I recommend you read them in order.”
I took a slow, deep inhale and the fingers of my right hand automatically curled, too.
Rett’s eyebrows rose up his forehead and he lifted a palm. “Sorry I asked. Read in whatever order you want. I was just trying to be helpful.”