The Little Bookshop at Herring Cove

‘You understand what I’m saying, right? This is going to happen whether you want it to or not. We will build around you. Three-quarters of your building will be in shadow. You’ll have tourists peering into your flat upstairs as they go about their business. Day in. Day out.’

‘I don’t care.’ Sophie folded her arms, her eyes not leaving his.

Alexander’s heart began to thunder in his chest. This was the worst-case scenario. His father wouldn’t care about building around a small business. Making their life untenable, but he did. Very much so.

He cupped the back of his neck and worked through the options to make things better for Sophie.

‘Take me up on my offer. Let me help you build the shelves. I’ll make a new sign for outside since the old one’s looking like it’ll fall apart in a gentle breeze. I can repaint the walls the same shade if you want me to.’

Sophie shook her head. Her lip in a stubborn line.

‘Please, Sophie. Let me work with you. Let me help build you up. Don’t let your determination to stay in your home be in vain.’

Ginny came to stand beside Sophie and laid her hand on her forearm. ‘Soph, I hate to say it, but can you afford to say no? Don’t let pride get in the way of your business succeeding. Not when you’ve got so many excellent ideas on the boil. Alexander’s offering free labour, even though he doesn’t have to. What’s in it for him?’

What was in it for him? He’d be able to walk away from Herring Cove knowing he’d done right by all concerned. Those who’d sold would have enough money to make their lives infinitely easier. With his help, Sophie’s business would have a chance at survival. And his values would be intact. All the while, as far as his father was concerned, he’d have done right by the family.

He massaged a knot in his neck as he realised his mistake. His father. He’d left him out of the equation. Helping Sophie meant needing time. Time he did not have. He was expected back in the office any day now. Offers signed. Job done.

The fluttering poster on the pole caught his attention.

That was it. He’d use the rising tension in Herring Cove as his cover. He’d stay for the week to smooth things over with people. Slap some backs. Shake some hands. His father would understand that. The last thing he’d want was negative press coverage due to villagers holding protests when building was due to begin.

‘Will you let me help? No strings attached?’ Alexander pressed his palms together and gave his best big-eyed pleading look.

Sophie’s chest rose then fell as she exhaled a long, loud breath. ‘I’m going to regret this. I already think I’m an idiot for considering it, but… Fine. I have conditions though.’ She held her fisted hand up and began listing off her rules, a finger rising for every statute. ‘You will work here only when I’m here. You will work out the back, away from customers. You will only interact with me. And you will only use the materials I provide you with. If you cannot or will not agree to those terms, then we have no deal.’

Without hesitation Alexander stretched out his hand, kept his face devoid of emotion. Wanted Sophie to see he was serious. That he genuinely wanted to help. ‘Deal.’ Her palm met his as they shook hands in agreement.

Sophie’s eyes widened, as if she’d been zapped by an electric fence. Her hand jerked out of his. She took a step back. Another. A flush of pink bloomed on her cheeks.

Alexander swallowed hard as he tried to figure out what had just happened, what he’d just done. He’d just agreed to do something magnificently stupid. It went against everything he’d had drilled into him by his father. Yet, he didn’t say no to Sophie’s conditions. Couldn’t have. He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, the warmth of Sophie’s hand still making its presence known.

He couldn’t have said no because it was the right thing to do. And good could come of it. What kind of good he didn’t entirely know.

But for the first time in a long time, he couldn’t wait to find out.

CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_93d6a432-56b9-5bea-ae1a-52bc77b0a192)

Sophie massaged her temples in an attempt to fight off the nagging headache that had pulsed, low and painful, since she’d woken that morning. The cause of said headache wasn’t hard to pinpoint.

It fell squarely at the feet of a man who wore a suit far too well, whose smile came too readily, and whose offer to help her rebuild her shop couldn’t be trusted.

Yet she’d agreed to let him help. Fool that she was.

A good-looking face and a bit of encouragement from Ginny and she’d been thrust into a déjà vu spiral. She’d made the mistake of trusting a handsome face before and look how that had turned out. Her heart well and truly dented, and her business in danger of being taken from her.

At least this time she wasn’t going to be fooled by a pretty face and charming ways. She was simply going to let him do the work, then send him on his way. No chit-chat. No case of the friendlies. No letting her guard down.

‘Morning. Alexander Fletcher, reporting for work.’

Sophie dragged her gaze up to see Alexander saluting her, a wide grin on his face, emphasising the twinkle in his eyes and the straight, white perfection of his teeth.

Fooled by his pretty face she would not be, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate it. Herring Cove wasn’t exactly teeming with men you’d call a good catch. Not that she wanted to catch a man. Her hook was firmly reeled in. There was no law against looking though.

Alexander released his salute. ‘So, what have you got for me to do?’

Sophie dragged her hand across her eyes and stifled a yawn. ‘Are you always so perky at this time of day?’ She pushed the home button on her phone. ‘It’s only just after nine.’

‘I wake at five sharp. Go for a run. Check emails. Deal with whatever needs dealing with.’

‘Like destroying people’s lifestyles.’ Sophie mentally zipped her lips. Alexander had offered to help for free. It wasn’t right to be rude to him. And she couldn’t afford to look this gift horse in the mouth. ‘Sorry, Alexander. I know you think you’re doing something good here by building the resort, and even though I’m vehemently against it, I shouldn’t be rude, not when I’m taking blatant advantage of your kind but misguided offer.’

Alexander shrugged. ‘At least we know where we stand with each other.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘So, where are the materials? I’m ready to go.’

Sophie waved her hand towards the storeroom, which led to the storage area behind the shops. ‘Follow me.’

‘I’m glad you liked my library idea. It’s pretty cool, if I do say so myself. And I really like your idea of writer talks, and setting up a website. E-commerce is a must in this day and age.’

The thrumming in Sophie’s temples intensified. ‘How about you just start with the shelving and we’ll see how that goes, shall we?’ She unlocked the door and pushed it open. ‘Here we go.’ She swept her arm over the ‘materials’ he had to work with.

‘Pallets. That’s what you’ve got for me?’ Alexander knelt down and ran his hand over the pale gold, streaked with colours of honey timber. ‘Because a hammer and some nails would be good. Maybe a bit of sandpaper so I can smooth off the edges?’

‘Not enough nails in your wallet?’ She waited for him to rise to the bait.

‘Nope. Just keep the one in there. It’s kind of like a good-luck charm.’

Okay, so he wasn’t catching. She bit the soft inner flesh of her cheek, torn between wanting him to give up and go and knowing she needed the help.

‘Sophie? Are you alright? You’re looking a bit dazed.’ Alexander stood and before she could say no, he’d placed his hand on her forehead. ‘Are you coming down with something?’

Sophie swiped the hand away, his kindness adding to the squirming in her stomach. ‘I’m fine. Just got a headache. The hammer and nails are by the door there. I’ll get you some sandpaper. I’m sure Ginny’s husband, Mike, will have some we can use.’

‘Great, thanks.’ Alexander bent over and scooped them up. His hand confidently grasped the hammer like it was second nature to him.

Which made no sense. What kind of businessman was as at home in a suit as he was with handling a tool?

‘Right, I’ll get started then.’ Without another word, he turned his back on her and began pulling out nails from the pallets using the claw-end of the hammer.

He made it look so easy. Like pulling a thorn from your skin.

If only she could remove the financial problems of the bookshop as easily, in a way that didn’t mean selling up.

‘If there’s enough wood left over I’ll make some new display cases.’ Alexander didn’t look up from his work. Didn’t look for confirmation.

Sophie backed towards the door. ‘Okay. Thank you.’

What else could she say? ‘No’ would be churlish, and questioning why he was helping her out was a waste of words since he’d made his position and reasoning clear.