A/N: I know the first chapter was short so I thought I would add the next couple up so people could see what it like! –S.G
Katie St. George sighed as the final customer left the shop, loaded down with books. She eased her 33 year old feet out of her sneakers muttering "I'm getting to old for this job."
Chuckling came from behind her as a knarled old man hobbled out of the back room.
"If you're too old for this job, there's no hope for me!"
Katie smiled up at the old man from the overstuffed sofa she sat on.
"Oh Mr. Reynolds you'll never be to old for this shop, you love it to much."
He beamed down at her, slowly shaking his head."How many times have I told you! It's John now. You're not a little girl anymore. You basically run this shop!"
She looked at him sheeplishly replying "Sorry, old habits dye hard."
She shurgged her shoulders. She would never be able to see him as anything other than Mr. Reynolds. Katie leaned back into the comfort of her memories. This store was the one constant in her ever changing childhood. Her mother had tried but she just wasn't cut out for parenthood. Constantly on the move, jumping from one apartment to the next, one boyfriend to another. Katie's childhood was filled up with a hodgepodge of others lives. Her past she had always described as a highway. People got on at one point and off at another. Never staying for a long drive. Except for Mr. Reynolds and this book shop. They had always been there.
And now that she was on her own, Mr. Rey- correction John had offered her a job. She knew even though he didn't say it that she was being trained as his replacement once he retired. Leaning against the soft cushions she felt perfectly content. She couldn't imagine a better job, than working in this shop with the books she used as replacement for friends.
A thump chased away her thoughts and she raised her eyes to see John putting the a new delievery on the shelfs. Amused she laughed softly at seeing the old man so excited.
"Mr. Reynolds can I help?"
There was no answer from the old man whose eyes were glued to the book.
"Mr. Reynolds?" she spoke louder hoping to catch his attention.
"OH, Kay!" (he always called her Kay when he was excited)"It's the new Habaferd!"
His eyes locked with hers and she felt heart fill with love when she saw the youthful glow in them.
"But that wasn't suppose to come in until next month!" She was excited now as well.
"Oh yes, but I'm good friends with the author and he sent me a few early copies!" His voice was becoming more high-pitched than usual, a genuine sign of his excitement.
"I'll stay and help you put them on the shelves."
„NO, Kay you've down enough today, you haven't eaten since breakfast! Go get something, the books will be here tomorrow."
It was then she realized just how hungry she really was. She nodded and turned to grab her things. Glancing out the window as passed, she groaned. Raining would not be a proper word for what it was doing outside. Monsooning would be better. As a born Londoner, Katie was used to the rain, but this shocked even her. Grumbling she grabbed her coat and keys and proceeded out into the downpour. Within 2 blocks she was drenched."At least it's not windy" she muttered.
The Mexican restaurant she was addicted to was only three more blocks.'Screw it I'm running' never one to care about appearance or manners Katie sprinted the next block and a half. As she rounded the last corner, her body smacked into what felt like a brick wall. She landed in a puddle, all pretence of keeping at least remotely dry was gone.
"I am so sorry." She stammared squinting into the night. After trying and failing to make out what or who she ran into she stood up.
‚Oh don't worry about it, I'm fine" replied a gravelly voice
The voice stepped into the light and Katie got a much better look at the owner. Katie surveyed the damage she had done. He was soaked from shoulder length brown, tinged grey hair, all the way down to his well worn shoes. He appeared to be in his mid-30s and handsome except for the deep worry lines that graced his face. Ignoring the fact that he was wearing extremely weird clothing, a robe type thing, she moved forward.
„Look at the mess that I made! I was just trying to get out of the rain to get something to eat."
I hope you like Katie…I'm rather fond of her. Please don't forget to review because that's the only way I know if you like it or hate it. Cheers! –S.G.
