Page 144 of Labor of Love

MAKLIHN

Sunlight streamed through the window, brightening my shop in a way my wolf appreciated. It had been far too long since I’d allowed myself to go for a run. The beast was getting more and more restless by the day. He preferred to be outside rather than cooped up indoors. At least with the warmth of the day, he’d calmed enough to let me focus on work.

I straightened the stack of books until they were just right before stepping back to give the display a once-over. The autumn colors contrasted well with the festively drawn illustrated covers I’d put together.

As much as I loved a shirtless man on the front of a book, I’d found it easier to display and sell the kind that left something to the imagination. Plus, my patrons with small kiddos really loved not having to explain what all those parts were.

“Yes, dear, that’s an earring in his chest. No, you may not get one. Why? Because I said so.”

That conversation was the one to finally do me in. Who knew nipple piercings would draw so much attention from a four-year-old? Since then, I’ve kept the shirtless men more to the aisle and higher places. Low spots and front windows get all the cutesy stuff that doesn’t garner too many questions.

The bell above the door chimed as someone came into the store.

“Morning, Maklihn,” a cheery voice called out.

When I turned, I found Kris Warn headed my way. I stuck my hand out and plastered on my customer service smile. “Morning to you too, Kris. How can I help you today?”

“I need a book for Judy’s cousin. Something to help with a broken heart.”

My brows rose. “A broken heart, you say? Fiction or non-fiction? Both have their purpose.”

“Fiction, I’d think. He’s pretty torn up about it.”

“Was it a fated rejection?”

The question was bold, but since Kris, his wife Judy, and I were old friends, I figured it was fine to ask. Besides, if it was a gift, I wanted to get it right.

He shook his head. “Not fated, just long-term. Three years down the drain. Poor guy is a mess. I’ve had to buy bulk size tissues.”

“Wait, he’s here? In town?”

At my frown, Kris gave me an odd look. “Yeah. Did I not mention that part? I came here to get out of the house for a little bit. They needed privacy to talk about how all men are the devil.”

We laughed at the notion. Judy was as obsessed with Kris as he was with her. They were a fated pair, and it was quite obvious in how they loved one another. No one could see them together without swooning.

Whatever talk those two were having was an excuse for the man to vent. Heartbreak could make you bitter if you didn’t work through it. I was glad he had his cousin and Kris to help him through.

I led my friend over to the romance section of the store. It would be a gamble sending him a happily ever after. I could onlyhope he’d feel encouraged by the story, rather than reminded he hadn’t reached his yet.

My own happy ending hadn’t arrived either. Over three hundred years on this earth with not a single glimpse of the one meant for me.

I’d wait for eternity though. Nothing less than a fated mate would do.

Call it a romanticized view of life. I couldn’t help it.

Scanning the titles, I picked out a few I thought would work. “Any of these should encourage him. They’re all about second chances. This one is even about shifters. I figure he is one since he’s related to Judy.”

Kris took the shifter one from me first. He flipped it over to read the back over.

“This sounds good. I might even borrow it from him when he’s done. And yeah, he is a shifter too. A wolf like us.”

I laughed at his excitement. “You really should. That author is a favorite of mine. I’ve got something else that might help too.”

We went back up to the front desk where I had a recently delivered shipment of smaller book-ish items for people to purchase. They were a new endeavor I was hoping would encourage more people to shop here. Blankets, bookmarks, and mugs sat in the open boxes. I’d been so focused on the displays I hadn’t unloaded them all yet.

“Those look great. Can we add a few of those too?”

I nodded to Kris. “Absolutely. Anything in particular you think would work?”

---