07

Memorising its location, she kept going behind some old shelves and at the end, sighted a few coffee tables. She was about to walk over when Frank’s voice called out – “Rylan, how are you ?”

Norah’s ears perked up at the name and she snuck a glance between the shelves over at the front counter. A man stood talking to Frank, he appeared to be in his late twenties, a five o’clock shadow adorning his jawline and he smiled at Frank, giving her a glimpse of the dimple in his right cheek. Light brown hair was swept from his face and he looked like he had just come from work, his white shirt was covered in dust and had stains where he had obviously rubbed his hands. The same marks were only slightly visible on his black jeans.

He didn’t seem to mind, and Norah couldn’t help but notice that his clothes accentuated the fact that he was in good shape. Examining his average frame, she noticed he did have a rock hard – personality, she corrected her thought. Dammit but Olivia had been right.

So, that’s the guy who left Olivia on the edge of the road, she thought. She wanted to go over and chastise him but since he didn’t know who she was, it would probably be awkward. He started to turn her way and she quickly went back behind the shelves, pretending to examine the tables beside her, heart pounding in fear of being caught perving. His soft voice didn’t reach her ears and she waited for them to finish talking before coming out of hiding.

When she walked out, Rylan was gone and she went over to Frank. He looked up as she approached. “Have you found anything ?”

“Yeah.” She showed him the coffee table and couch she had picked out. The coffee table was a simple dark wood and it was just long enough to maybe fit in her car.

She asked him about delivery and he said that was fine. “I can bring out the couch this afternoon, if you’re home ? I would bring the table too but I won’t have any room in the tray for it.”

“That’s fine, it should fit in my car.” Frank helped her carry out the long coffee table. It was heavier than it looked and she wondered how she was going to get it into her house. Frank waited as she folded the back seats down and helped her lift it inside. They had it halfway in when the phone rang inside.

“Oh shoot, I bet that’s my insurance, give me a second.” Dropping the end, he raced inside and Norah’s legs buckled under the weight. She tried to push it in but it seemed to be caught on the seat further in. She tried to lift – cursing Frank for ditching her – when two hands appeared beside hers, lifting the table with ease and sliding it in. The scent of saw dust and pine and drifted over her and her back brushed against someone’s chest.

She spun around to say thank you and paused ; her mystery helper had been Rylan, who was already walking away. She stared at his back for a moment, confused that he hadn’t stuck around for her to say thank you.

“Thanks, Rylan,” she said it softly and turned as Frank came running back out.

“Sorry about that, oh look, you got it in yourself.”

“I had some help.”

“Good, good, lucky we are such a friendly town. I better get back in there, I put them on hold. I’ll see you this afternoon then.”

Shutting her trunk, she paid Frank for the furniture and headed back down the main street. Her thoughts drifted back to Rylan. It was strange he had taken the time to help her, but didn’t hang around to wait for the praise. Most men were like puppies that way ; they craved women’s gratitude – or at least the ones she knew did.

Maybe these Bellvale men were different.

As she passed the next block down, a white brick building caught her eye and she came to a stop, mentally kicking herself for not noticing the book shop sooner. Her book radar must have been on the fritz, normally the book shop was the first place she located in a new town. Unable to go home without taking a look first, she got out of her car and headed inside.

The brick work inside matched the outside but retained its natural red colour, faded from age. The walls were covered in shelves and the owner had made use of the small space, cramming every available surface with books. New books faded into old books as she went down the small aisle towards the voices at the end. Two women stood near the counter in a heated argument. They appeared to be in their late twenties, one woman had dark olive skin that made her green eyes stand out. Her black hair was tied back in a messy bun and as Norah approached, she heard what she was saying –

“Karl Urban is one of the sexiest men alive. To say that he isn’t is just preposterous. Have you even seen Star Trek ?”

“I have,” the woman with strawberry blonde hair replied. “And I think he holds a certain charisma, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say he is sexy. He’s not in my top ten anyway.”

The black haired woman scoffed in indignation and saw Norah observing them. She motioned her to come over with her perfectly manicured hand. “We need a third party to settle this ; is Karl Urban sexy, sweetie ?”

Norah saw a metal pole behind the counter, leading up to the next floor and tried to refocus on the conversation at hand. “I think you both have solid points from what I’ve heard, but I have to agree with – I’m sorry I don’t know your names.”

“I’m Wendy,” the dark haired woman said. “And this person with no taste in men is Madison.”

Madison smiled and waved. “Hi.”

“Okay so –“ She looked at Madison. “First of all, who’s your number one ?”

“Jensen Ackles.”

Norah nodded in approval. “Then you do have taste. Damn good taste at that, but I think I still have to side with Wendy. Karl Urban is definitely sexy in my opinion.”

“Ha !” Wendy raced around the counter and tackled Norah in a bone crushing hug. “I like you.”

“You like everyone who agrees with you, Wen,” Madison said wryly.

Wendy stuck out her tongue and gave Norah’s shoulders a small shake. “Sorry about that. Was there any book in particular you were looking for before we dragged you into our discussion ?”

“I’m just browsing, actually. I’m new to town so I’ll probably be floating through here on most days of the week –“

“Oh, you must be Norah !” Wendy hugged her again. “Olivia raved about you the other night. I do hope you let me see your writing sometime. I’m a pretty decent critique.”

“Maybe one day.” Norah, stepped away, unused to so many hugs in one day. “Would you recommend any books about the area ? I’ve been busy the last month so I haven’t been in a book shop for a while.”

Wendy went to a shelf at the front of the store and pulled out a thick book. “If you’re going to be staying in Bellvale, then you need to get on the wolf train.”

“Wolves ?”

Wendy handed her the book. It was about wolves and their history and surrounding mythology. “It’s more of a research book, but it’s one of our best sellers.”

“Why is that ?”

“Because of the wolves in the forest,” Madison interrupted. “Also, because Wendy spreads false rumours about werewolves.”

“I would never !” Wendy declared, while Madison mouthed, ‘she does’ behind her back.

“Are the wolves sighted often ?” Norah thought of the tail she had seen on the cliffs the night before.

“They tend to keep to the centre of the forest,” Wendy explained. “It’s rare that anyone sees them near the town.”

“That’s good, » Norah breathed a sigh of relief.

Wendy nodded, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “I’m pretty sure whatever pack it is, is up further north at this time of year, so don’t stress.”