Page 135 of Book and Ladder
“The petition wouldn’t matter,” I explain. “They already broke ground. The property is being developed. We can’t stop it. And that whole street will never be the same. The increase in traffic around Moss and Maple might bring more customers into her shop, but the competition from Home Mart would bring fewer. And the whole feel of being out there—finding a pocket of sweetness and solace at the end of the earth—that’s gone for good.”
I think Daisy’s dad wants to check to see if there’s been a wholeInvasion of the Body Snatcherssituation and I’m no longer the actual Patrick O’Connell.
“Why?” He utters the one word, his face a shroud of confusion.
“Why should we save the bookshop? Or why shouldn’t we send the petition?”
“Why do you want to do this?”
“I love her.” The words slip out so easily.
“You … ?”
“I love your daughter. I know I’ve had a downright disastrous way of showing it. And she most definitely hates me, so there’s that. But I love her. And even if I didn’t, this town loves her. And we love Moss and Maple. No one wants to see that shop die—not even the people who voted for the Home Mart to come in. Most of them just want cheaper lawn chairswithout having to drive to Nashville to get them. They weren’t considering the impact on Daisy—on Waterford.”
I let out a long breath. “So, Mister Clark, I want to save Moss and Maple. But I’m going to need your help.”
He studies me, guard dropping and a warm smile taking its place.
“Call me Brian,” he says, shaking his head lightly. “And tell me what you need me to do.”
My smile is so wide it could crack my face in half. Daisy may not love me, but I’m going to make it up to her—all the things I’ve done over the years. The ways I wasn’t there for her. The things she lost because of me. I’m going to give this to her simply because she deserves it.
Over the next few days, I visit shop after shop, swearing each one to secrecy before letting them in on the plan. Every single person has the same reaction. “What can I do?” They love her. I’m not sleeping well, but this time it’s not remorse keeping my eyes open, it’s anxious anticipation. I’m so eager to spring this surprise on Daisy, I can’t sleep.
When I set up a donation box at the fire station, the guys tease me relentlessly.
“I thought you and Daisy hated one another,” Dustin says with a smirk.
I look at Cody, his face isn’t as neutral as usual when it comes to the topic of me and Daisy.
“I don’t hate her,” I say.
“At all,” Cody mutters, turning his head so only I hear his comment.
“I think this is great,” Greyson says, neutralizing the teasing with his serious tone.
“I think Patrick’s got the hots for a bookshop owner,” Dustin says, ramping things back up in his usual style.
“It’s not the hots,” I defend.
“Ahhh ha!” Dustin points at me. “So you do like her!”
“I like her, alright?”
“Darn straight it’s alright. This is awesome!” Dustin smiles as if Daisy and I just announced our engagement.
“She hates me,” I say, trying to keep the dejected tone to a minimum.
“For now. Wait til she sees all you’re doing,” Dustin says.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Besides, I’m not trying to get her to like me. I’m just doing what’s right.”
“Like the civil servant you are,” Cody says, winking.
I eventually get them to change the topic.
People stream in throughout our shift, bringing donations and sometimes a note or gift along with the requested contribution.
