Books, in a banquet of colors and shapes, lined deep blue shelves. Overhead, tiny pricks of light showered down from the ceiling like stars. The checkout counter was an old oak cabinet, deeply carved with winged faeries and crescent moons.
A woman with dark, choppy hair sat on a high stool behind it, idly paging through a book. She glanced up and adjusted silver-framed reading glasses.
"Morning. Can I help you?"
"I'm just going to look around, if that's all right. "
"Enjoy. Let me know if I can help you find anything. "
As the clerk went back to her book, Nell roamed. Across the room two generous chairs faced a stone hearth. On the table between stood a lamp fashioned from a figurine of a robed woman with her arms lifted high. Other shelves held trinkets, statues of colored stone, crystal eggs, dragons. She wandered through, passing books on one side, rows of candles on the other.
At the rear, stairs curved to the second floor. She climbed and found more books, more trinkets, and the cafe.
Half a dozen tables of glossy wood were arranged near the front window. Along the side was a glass display and counter boasting an impressive array of pastries, sandwiches, and a kettle of that day's soup. The prices were on the high side, but not unreasonable. Nell thought she might have some soup to go with her coffee.
Moving closer, she heard the voices from the open door behind the counter.
"Jane, this is ridiculous, and totally irresponsible. "
"It is not. It's Tim's big chance, and it's a way off this damn island. We're taking it. "
"The possibility of an audition for a play that may or may not be produced Off Broadway is not a big chance. Neither one of you will have a job. You won't-"
"We're going, Mia. I told you I'd work till noon today, and I worked till noon. "
"You told me that less than twenty-four hours ago. "
There was impatience in the voice-a low, lovely voice. Unable to help herself, Nell edged closer.
"How the hell am I going to keep the cafe up without anyone to cook?"
"It's all about you, isn't it? You can't even wish us luck. "
"Jane, I'll wish you a miracle, because that's what it's going to take. No, wait-don't go off in a huff. "
Nell caught movement in the doorway and stepped to the side. But she didn't move out of earshot.
"Be careful. Be happy. Oh, damn it. Blessed be, Jane. "
"Okay. " There was a loud sniffle. "I'm sorry, really, I'm sorry for leaving you in the lurch this way. But Tim needs to do this, and I need to be with Tim. So. . . I'll miss you, Mia. I'll write. "
Nell managed to duck behind shelves just as a weeping woman raced out of the back and ran down the stairs.
"Well, isn't this just fine. "
Nell peeked out, blinked in automatic admiration.
The woman who stood in the doorway was a vision. Nell couldn't think of another word for her. She had a mass of hair the color of autumn leaves. Reds and golds spilled over the shoulders of a long blue dress that left her arms bare to the silver bracelets that winked bright on each wrist. Her eyes, sparking with temper, were gray as smoke and dominated a flawless face. Slashing cheekbones, a full, wide mouth painted siren red. Skin like. . . Nell had heard skin compared to alabaster, but this was the first time she'd seen it.
She was tall, willow-slim and perfect.
Nell glanced toward the cafe tables to see if any of the customers who loitered there were as awestruck as she herself. But no one seemed to notice the woman or the temper swirling around her like water on the boil.
She inched out to get a better look, and those gray eyes shifted. Pinned her.
"Hello. Can I help you?"
"I was. . . I thought. . . I'd like a cup of cappuccino and a bowl of soup. Please. "
Annoyance flashed in Mia's eyes and nearly sent Nell back behind the shelves. "I can handle the soup. We have lobster bisque today. I'm afraid the espresso machine is beyond my current capabilities. "
Nell looked at the beautiful copper-and-brass machine, felt a little tingle. "I could make it myself. "
"You know how to work this thing?"
"Yes, actually, I do. "
Considering, Mia gestured and Nell scurried behind the counter.
"I could make you one while I'm at it. "
"Why not?" Brave little rabbit, Mia mused, as she watched Nell take over the machine. "Just what sent you to my door? Backpacking?"
"No. Oh. " Nell flushed, remembering her pack. "No, just exploring a little. I'm looking for a job, and a room. "
"Ah. "
"Excuse me, I know it was rude, but I overheard your. . . conversation. If I understand it correctly, you're in a bit of a jam. I can cook. "
Mia watched the steam rise, listened to the hiss. "Can you?"
"I'm a very good cook. " Nell offered Mia the frothing coffee. "I've done catering, I've worked in a bakery, and I've waitressed. I know how to prepare food and how to serve it. "
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-eight. "
"Do you have a criminal record?"
A giggle nearly burst out of Nell's throat. For a moment it danced lively in her eyes. "No. I'm tediously honest, a dependable worker and a creative cook. "
Don't babble, don't babble! she ordered herself, but she couldn't seem to stop. "I need the job because I'd like to live on the island. I'd like a job here because I enjoy books and I liked the, well, the feel of your shop as soon as I walked in. "
Intrigued, Mia angled her head. "And what did you feel?"
"Possibilities. "
Excellent answer, Mia mused. "Do you believe in possibilities?"
Nell considered. "Yes. I've had to. "
"Excuse me?" A couple stepped up to the counter. "We'd like to have two iced mochas and two of those eclairs. "
"Of course. Just a moment. " Mia turned back to Nell. "You're hired. Apron's in the back. We'll work out the details later today. " She sipped her cappuccino. "Well done," she added and stepped out of the way. "Oh-what's your name?"
"I'm Nell. Nell Channing. "
"Welcome to Three Sisters, Nell Channing. "
***
Mia Devlin ran Cafe Book the way she ran her life. With a style born out of instinct, and largely for her personal amusement. She was a crafty businesswoman who enjoyed making a profit. But always on her own terms.
What bored her, she ignored. What intrigued her, she pursued.
At the moment, Nell Channing intrigued her.
If Nell had been exaggerating her skills, Mia would have fired her as quickly as she'd hired her, and with no regret. She may have, if the spirit moved her, helped Nell secure a job elsewhere. But that wouldn't have taken much time, or interfered with her business.
She'd have taken that step only because something about Nell had tugged at her the instant those big blue eyes met hers.