“Hmm,” she said, placing a sandwich on a plate. “The summer season is usually hopping.”
“Hopping, Nana?” Jake teased, seemingly oblivious to my anxiety.
“The tourists always loved our little shop.”
The pain of letting Nana down weighed heavily on me. If only I’d tried harder. “I’m not sure people want the same things anymore. It’s a little off Main Street, too.”
“I thought you were going to put up a sign by Max’s, directing them.”
“We did, but it doesn’t seem to have much of an effect. We get a few more people who said they saw the sign and were curious, but they’re not as likely to buy.”
“What about moving to Main Street? You could sell the building and rent a storefront,” Jake offered.
Nana sighed and set her plate on the coffee table. “That’s what I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
My heart was heavy. The thing was, my heart wasn’t into a move or a grand reopening.
Nana pursed her lips. “I’d like to sell the building.”
I tried to process what she was saying. “So, you’re okay moving the business?”
“Honestly, I don’t want to be involved anymore. I’m not sure I can be of much help, and I’m happy being retired.”
I tried not to bother her with the day-to-day operations of the business. She retired, and I respected that. But the thought of being the sole owner added more weight to my chest.
“Do you want me to buy you out?” I asked her, unsure how that was possible, even if I wanted to carry on the business.
Nana waved a hand at me. “It’s yours if you want it.”
She was handing me the store, what Savannah had wanted her mother to do for years, but I wasn’t sure I wanted it.
Nana rested her concerned gaze on me. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to have me out of your hair.”
“I don’t mind when you help at the store.” I valued her expertise.
Nana tipped her head. “Then what is it?”
“I’m not sure I want the store.” It was a scary thing to admit in front of Jake, who was so ecstatic to open his business. I didn’t think he’d understand. And I always thought Nana wanted me to carry on her and Grandpa’s legacy.
Nana nodded. “I’d wondered about that.”
“You did?” I thought I’d hidden my lack of interest over the years. At first, I wanted to work there and learn everything I could. But it had gotten a little tedious the last few years. I worked by myself for the most part, and I didn’t have a steady stream of chatty customers like Brooke did. My store wasn’t a hub.
“Your heart has never been in it.”
I shook my head, not wanting her to think I didn’t enjoy working with her.
“You were sweet to stay on and help me, but I always suspected it wasn’t your first choice.”
“I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t run the store.” The thought of not having the store to go to every day left me with this feeling of vast emptiness. Was there anything else out there for me?
“Surely there’s something you want to do.” Jake shifted on the couch to face me.
I smiled softly. “You always wanted to be a mechanic. Then you wanted to open your own garage. It was never a question.”
“What do you enjoy?” Nana asked me.
I sighed heavily. “I love books, but reading really isn’t a compensable activity. We already have a bookstore in town, and I just encouraged Brooke to sell local books in her shop.”