Our courthouse was located right behind the mill wheel and housed all the officially elected offices, clerks’ offices, PVA, and much more. Most of the lawyers in town even rented office space there. The sheriff’s department was in the back, and the volunteer fire department was located in the building next to the back parking lot. It was a one-stop legal shop for all of Sugar Creek Gap.
Even the library’s parking lot, which was right next to the courthouse’s lot, was full. I could only imagine how happy they must be to possibly piggyback on marketing and get some author events for them as well.
When Grady was a little boy, I used to take him to the library to the children’s section. I loved to read and asked several times throughout the years if they had any author events. Each time they told me the same thing, that no author wants to come to a small town with nothing really to offer, and there’s no bookstore for the community to buy books, so why would they?
Eventually I stopped asking, but with the bookstore, all that could be a much-needed change. It was something I’d have to snoop out when I delivered the mail today.
“I’m shocked the preservation committee got the building passed to even make the old thing into a safe shop.” I shrugged and leaned up against the counter, picking up the various yarns.
“I’d not been in the building since I was a little girl.” Leotta turned back around and twisted the knob on her radio a smidgen louder once Lucy Drake, the morning DJ, came on the air. “I couldn’t imagine what hoops the owner had to go through to get it passed or even the cost.”
“Welcome to Coffee Chat with Lucy. I’m Lucy Drake, your WSCGR DJ, and we are going to be spending a little more time than usual together today. If you haven’t heard all the buzz about the newest shop in downtown Sugar Creek Gap, then you’ve been living under a rock. Y’all, we have got ourselves a bookstore opening up. Just so you know, one of our very own, young twenty-three-year-old Stella Jane Clark, has written a romance book called Beyond Boundaries.”
I looked at Leotta, and she wiggled her eyebrows in excitement. I wasn’t so sure if I could buy it. The cover alone would make anyone in Sugar Creek Gap blush if it was seen out in public, and if Clara saw it at her young age, I’d die. Not that I was a prude. I certainly wasn’t, but if the inside was as steamy as the cover, I had to wonder where on earth Stella Jane had learned so much about such behind-the-door matters. And where was Elsbeth when this type of learning was going on?
“If you didn’t see the cover on the national news when Stella Jane was on there, you need to get on your computers and google Beyond Boundaries. It’s already slated to be a big hit before it hits bookshelves this morning. To make matters even sweeter, our sweet Stella Jane is going to be signing books tomorrow at the Old Mill Books . But for now, I’m looking for your comments and thoughts on our small-town gal making it to the big time.”
Lucy Drake sent the listening audience to a song. Leotta turned it down again.
“This town is so excited.” Leotta grabbed a woven basket from underneath the counter and placed the rolled yarn balls in it. “What on earth did Grady say?”
“I’m not sure he even knows. You know I text him every morning before he goes to work, and when I went back to the post office to get my second loop, I left him a text.” I pulled my phone out of the blue long-sleeved uniform cardigan I’d thrown on since the weather in the morning was still a bit nippy. “Still nothing. I bet he’s in class.”
“I just can’t believe it,” she squealed and put a whole bunch of knitting needles in the basket.
“Do you have a class this morning?” I asked.
The Front Porch Ladies and I had taken a class from Leotta. All four of them were experts in knitting. I had been and still was the novice, though I piddled here and there. We were taking a fall class, and anything I ever did now was really based around Clara, so my new project was a little Christmas sweater for her to wear in our annual family Christmas photo. It had to be special since it would be her very first Christmas.
The thought of it was way more exciting than the bookstore opening or even Stella Jane.
“No. I’m teaching a pot holder knitting class over at the community center for the Sugar Creek Gap Senior Living.” I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. It seemed like everyone was trying to be sensitive and not call it a nursing home. “They have field trips for their residents, and I had ten people signed up for the ten spots. I was pleasantly surprised, but what I’m most excited about is Elsbeth Clark has signed up, and I can’t wait to hear what she says.”
“I figured she’d be first in line at the bookstore.” I made the general comment and looked back at the door when the overhead bell rang, signaling one of Leotta’s employees coming in.
“This is what’s most exciting.” Leotta greeted the other lady, who was taking off her light jacket to replace it with a Social Knitwork apron. “The store opens at eleven, which means it’ll be right when classes end, so I’m hoping we will all go over together.”
“Eleven, huh?” In my head I was calculating just how much time I had to get all of the downtown area delivered, which meant all the various offices in the courthouse and the Front Porch Ladies, who I knew were already gathered on one of their porches anticipating my arrival.
If I had to bet who was most excited, I’d say it was Gertrude Stone because I happened to notice a letter from her daughter who lived way far out west.
“Bernie, I hate to run off, but I’ve got to go.” Leotta grabbed the basket and headed around the counter.
“I’ve got to go too. I’ll see you at class tonight.” I followed her out.
“Oh, that’s right. See you tonight.” She hurried down the sidewalk toward the community center, which was about four buildings down from her shop.
I was able to quickly slip in and out of Tranquility Wellness since Peaches Partin was in a morning yoga class. I knew I wouldn’t get out of the next place so fast. . . the Wallflower Diner. Our family diner, where my mom and dad were watching the door. Instead of going in, I slipped on by into the General Store.
Gill Tillett, Vivian Tillett’s husband, was behind the counter. Gill was a good ol’ boy who wore overalls and boots. He was about my parents’ age, and Vivian was much younger. I faintly remembered some rumblings about when they’d gotten together, which was big-time gossip in Sugar Creek Gap, but I didn’t care too much.
They had a daughter named Drucilla.
“I’m gonna tell you that I see a lot of photos funnel through here and a lot of babies, but that Clara is a gorgeous little baby.” Gill knew how to get to my heart.
“There’s nothing wrong with your eyes,” I teased, and excitement made my heart go faster with the anticipation of the photos I was there to pick up.
“You took one that really captured her little smile.” He reached down on the shelf behind the counter and grabbed the envelope of photos.
The bigger pharmacies on the outskirts of town let you drop off film or even plug your phone into their fancy photo machines to get prints, but those weren’t as convenient for me.
The General Store, which was right here on Main Street and on my route, was a little pricier but easy, so I’d dropped off the 35mm film from the old camera I had been playing around with. I was happy to hear the photos were ready.