“I witnessed this vast library being shelved,” Gabriel happily interrupted, “and I simply couldn’t resist—I barged my way in, didn’t I, Abby?”
“He has honed the art of barging in to a science,” muttered Hannah, between her teeth.
“Oh, come now, I’m not as bad as all that. You mustn’t give this fine lady the wrong impression, when she and I have only just met.”
“I’m sure this fine lady has already formed her own opinion, and it may not be as favorable as you would like it to be.”
Gabriel clicked his tongue several times, chiding. “And just when I was all set to buy this book.”
The fine lady could be excused for feeling a trifle buffeted at this back-and-forth, this inexplicable sense of animosity radiating between the two. She looked from one to the other, following the comments like a tennis match spectator, then nodded slightly with a faint smile. “You want to make a purchase?”
He tore his annoyed gaze away from Hannah, and her own deliberate attitude of exasperation, to answer that, yes, he did, indeed, want to make a purchase. This book, in particular.
With the ease of long practice, Abigail gathered up her satiny skirts and rose. “Ah. Hereward the Wake, by Charles Kingsley. An excellent choice, Doctor. Come along, and you can settle up the cost with me.”
“And have it wrapped, perchance?”
Abigail smiled. “In my finest tissue paper, of course.”
Somewhat confused, Hannah rose as well, to momentarily delay the transaction. “So Table of Contents is a bookstore?”
“That, and many other things. As I explained, everything here is for sale to the right customer.”
“You don’t think what you offer in this marvelous shop will prove to be too much competition to others in town? The library, for instance, or the Mercantile.”
The attractive proprietor paused with another smile. “Look around you, my dear. Does this atmosphere put you in mind of either of those places? “
“Well, no...More like the Cave of Ali Baba, I must admit. Still—”
“Exactly. I plan to present a whole new concept to the townspeople, and I hope they will stop by often to take advantage of something so different. And, hopefully, so appealing.”
Just then the bell jangled, interrupting their conversation; two ladies out shopping for the afternoon had decided to enter, a bit timidly, but quite curious, and Abigail turned to greet them.
“I’m sorry, Hannah, but I believe I am needed elsewhere. Might we postpone my interview for another time, perhaps? Yes, Gabriel, patience, if you please. Certainly, your purchase must come first.”
On the way home, Hannah picked up some things from the local store. She carried her bags as the cold wind blew on her. When she stumbled, a bag dropped and the contents fell out.
Gabe ran over. “Let me help you.”
“Thank you.”
As she went to pick up some thread, he did too, and his hand landed on top of hers. She gazed into his pretty eyes as her heart fluttered.
He helped her to collect the materials she had bought to make a dress.
“Let me carry a bag for you,” the good doctor said.
“Thank you.”
As they walked back to Hannah’s house, they chatted.
“I’m thinking about doing what your sisters did,” he said.
“Get a mail order bride?”
“Perhaps. Many men are advertising for wives in newspapers. I would love to settle down and ask for a woman’s hand in marriage.”
“But you are an eligible bachelor. Many single women hang on your every word.”