get you the books you want, all right?”
Both three-year-olds immediately sat down. “’Kay,” they said in unison.
“We’ll stay here,” Rosie said.
“Yeah, right here,” Nicky added, patting the table with his chubby little hands.
Sam’s jaw fell. He could never get the twins to do much of anything at the same time, much less sit still. One of the many challenges of parenting twins. It didn’t help that his former wife, Teresa, was always criticizing everything he did. “Wow, you’ve really got the touch,” he said to Allison.
She smiled and waggled her eyebrows, then gestured at the shelves surrounding them. “No, I’ve just got the books.”
“Well, whatever you’ve got, it’s working.” Sam rubbed his jaw. “Maybe I need some pointers.”
“Ask away,” Allison said as she went to a shelf on the left side. She pulled down a large book. “I’m somewhat of an expert on kids.”
He drew his eyebrows together. “Do you have kids?” He forced himself not to look at her left ring finger.
“No, I’m not married, so no kids. But, if you remember, I took care of my younger sisters all the time when we were growing up, so I’ve got some experience.” She set the book on the table in front of Nicky.
“That’s right. You had, what, three younger siblings?”
“Just two,” she said, holding up two fingers as she went to a different shelf. “Amanda and Amy.”
“I remember now. You were the oldest, and Lori often went to your house because you had to babysit all the time.” More details came back to him. “Your parents owned the wheat spread on the outskirts of town, right?”
She pulled another book from the shelf. “Yup, and they still do.” She shrugged stiffly. “Although I don’t babysit for them anymore.”
He noticed her rigid shoulders and wondered what they signified but didn’t want to pry. Instead, he said, “Your sisters are still in high school, right?” He’d seen them around the school, but he hadn’t had either of them in class yet.
“Right. Amanda works at Sweet Dreams Bakery.”
More details materialized. “I seem to remember Lori telling me you moved away some time ago, correct?”
Allison set the book in front of Rosie. “Here you go, sweet pea.”
The endearment made his throat tight.
Allison looked up at Sam. “That’s right. I had a job opportunity in Kansas City after I graduated from high school, and I lived there until just a few months ago when I was selected by the SOS Committee to run this store.”
“You always were a book lover, weren’t you?” Another memory surfaced. “In fact, didn’t you and Lori start your own book club way back when?”
Allison’s big blue eyes went round. “You remember that?”
“I do.”
She smiled. “Good memory. Yes, I’ve always loved books.”
“You must be thrilled to have this store, then.”
She sat down next to Nicky. “Definitely. This is my dream come true, honestly. I have to make this place work.”
“Yeah, a lot’s riding on the SOS plan panning out.” Such as his job as a math teacher at the high school. If the plan didn’t right the economy in Bygones, the schools and the police force would be the first to go. In fact, Sam had already put out feelers for teaching jobs elsewhere in case the SOS plan didn’t work. Although with Teresa threatening to try to get sole custody, his future was up in the air in a lot of ways.
“I work at the high school, and my job is at risk,” he confided. They’d managed to keep the school district going since Randall Manufacturing had closed, but how much longer would funds hold out? He hoped the SOS Committee’s plan to revitalize the town with the six new stores on this block would pan out. Then his job would be safe, and he could focus on the kids.
“Yes, I realize that.” Her eyes shone with determination. “But all the other new shop owners are just as determined as I am to make this block a success.”
He shook his head. “I’m sure you all have good intentions, but I have my doubts about the SOS plan. A lot of people have already moved away, and despite the anonymous benefactor’s generosity, the town is still floundering.”
“Hopefully that will all change.”
“Well, I’m not counting on anything,” he said. “I’ve already put out feelers for other jobs.”
“Oh, no. You’re planning on moving away?”
He set his jaw. “Hopefully not. But I need a job, and I might not have one here. I have to be practical.” His life was a mess right now.
“Yes, I suppose so.” She gave him a look rife with speculation. “Who do you think the benefactor is?”
“No idea,” he said. “Whoever it is has taken great pains to stay anonymous.”
She opened her mouth to reply, then froze. “Oh!” Glancing quickly at her watch, she sprang to her feet. “It’s almost time for Story Time.”
“Story Time?” he repeated.
“I want to go to Story Time,” Rosie announced. “Please, Daddy?”
“Me, too,” Nicky said. “I like stories.” He stood, his small hands struggling to pick up the big car book Allison had brought him. “Lots.”
Allison grinned and her nose crinkled in the most appealing way. “I’m sure they’d love it.” She came closer.
The scent of peaches floated to him. He once again noticed the barest hint of freckles sprinkling her pert nose and he had to smother the urge to count every one. Words stuck in his throat. Whoa. He hadn’t ever had the urge to count anyone’s freckles...
“Whaddya say?” Allison leaned in. More peaches.
He fought the urge to inhale deeply.
At that moment, Nicky took off, shouting, “Story Time! Let’s go!”
Allison went after him, looking back, her eyes alight with excitement. “If you stay, you might get a few minutes of peace and quiet,” she said. “I’ll round him up.”
Sam cleared his throat, liking her can-do attitude. “Oh, well, sure, we’ll stay. Thanks.” Anything to keep the kids occupied, Nicky in particular. Though watching Allison wouldn’t be a chore on Sam’s part— Oh, man! Where had that thought come from?
She gave him a thumbs-up. “Great.” She disappeared around the corner bookshelf, hot on Nicky’s heels, taking her appealing peach scent with her.
Sam started breathing again.
