Chapter 1 Arrival

Chapter 1 The gravel crunched under my expensive shoes as I stood in front of "The Inkwell."

The bookstore looked like it was falling apart.

The teal paint was peeling, and the sign hung by a single rusty nail. ​

I wasn't happy to be here.

I was a high-powered lawyer from the city.

I liked clean offices and fast elevators.

But my Aunt Margaret had died and left me this mess. ​

According to her will, I inherited the shop, but I also inherited a $50,000 debt.

To get my full inheritance, I had to stay here for one year and make the shop successful again. The worst part?, I had to share the job with a man named Caleb.

​I tried to open the door, but it swung open before I could touch it, a man stood there., he was big, with broad shoulders and messy dark hair.

He wore a flannel shirt and had sawdust on his arms.

He didn't look happy to see me. ​"You're late," he said. His voice was deep and grumpy.

​"I’m Elena Vance," I said, trying to sound professional. "I’m the owner."

​"I know who you are," he replied. "I’m Caleb.

I’ve been fixing this place while you were busy in the city. You haven't answered the phone in weeks.

" ​I walked inside, the shop smelled like old books and vanilla. For a second, I felt sad. I missed my aunt. But then I saw a bucket on the floor catching water from a leaky ceiling. Drip. Drip. Drip. ​"The roof is leaking," I said. ​"Great observation," Caleb muttered. "I thought you were supposed to be smart." ​I turned to face him, "Look, Caleb. I have a plan, I’m going to fix the books, modernize the shop, and pay off the debt.

Then I’m going back to my real life." ​

Caleb laughed, but he didn't look amused. "Modernize? This isn't just a business, Elena. It's the heart of this town. And the will says you can't change anything without my permission. I’m the 'Protector' of the shop." ​He stepped closer. He smelled like wood and peppermint.

"I lived upstairs for five years. I knew Margaret better than you did, She didn’t leave you this place to sell it. She left it to you because she thought you were unhappy."

​"I am not unhappy," I snapped. ​

But looking around, I felt overwhelmed. The shelves were messy. The debt was huge. And now I had to live in the apartment upstairs with this man who clearly didn't like me. ​

"Your bags are upstairs," Caleb said. "The guest room is ready. But fair warning: the water heater is broken. If you want a hot shower, you have to turn the handle halfway and wait. If you turn it too far, the pipes scream."

​"The pipes scream?" I asked, feeling a headache starting.

​"Like a ghost," he said. He picked up his tools and walked toward the back. "Welcome home, Elena. Try not to break anything." ​He left me alone in the quiet, dusty shop.

I sat down on a shaky stool and sighed. ​Fifty thousand dollars in debt. One year in a small town. And one very grumpy handyman. ​Outside, the rain started to fall. I was stuck.

I couldn’t go back to Boston unless, I solved the issues of the bookstore, and that handyman didn't seem like he had plans to make it easier for me.

I wondered if Aunt Margaret was punishing me for not spending time with her before she passed away,I wondered if this day could get any worse .

What were you thinking, Aunt Margaret?" I whispered.