Chapter 9
Willow Creek was unfamiliar, but oddly, Emily felt safe here.
After half a month of careful scouting, she chose a quiet street in the city’s old district and opened a small vintage bookshop called Second Light Books.
The space wasn’t big, but the lighting was perfect sunlight poured through the large front windows.
She’d spent three months renovating it, turning what used to be a dusty shell into a warm, cozy reading nook where the scent of paper and time lingered in the air.
Willow Creek’s rainy season stretched long.
Emily stood at the glass door, watching the soft drizzle blur the world outside.
The bell over the door chimed.
“Welcome,” she said instinctively, turning around–and froze.
A tall man stood in the entryway, holding a sleek black umbrella still dripping with rain.
In his arms was a little girl, maybe five or six years old, her twin braids damp from the mist as she tucked her face shyly into his shoulder.
“Do you have any picture books for this age group?” the man asked, folding his umbrella. His voice was calm and gentle.
Emily’s breath caught.
His face came into full view–clean–cut features, a pair of wire–rimmed glasses perched on a straight nose, and warm, intelligent eyes behind the lenses.
“Dr. Nathan Brooks?” she blurted before she could stop herself.
The man blinked, clearly stunned. He studied her for a second–then recognition lit his face.
“Emily Harper?”
Memories crashed over her like a wave.
Nathan Brooks–two years ahead of her at med school. Top of his class. Talented, charismatic, and famously good at the piano.
He’d been the campus heartthrob. Every girl had crushed on him at some point–including her.
“What a small world,” she said, smiling. Her gaze drifted to the girl in his arms. “Is this your daughter?”
“My niece,” he said gently, brushing rain off the child’s hair. “Her name’s Ava.”
“Ava, say hi to the nice lady!” he encouraged.
The little girl peeked up with a face like a porcelain doll and whispered, “Hi, miss.”
Her voice was as soft as a marshmallow.
Emily’s heart melted.
She crouched to meet Ava’s eyes. “Hey there, sweetheart. Looking for a storybook? I’ve got some really fun ones I think you’ll like.”
Ava blinked, then reached out with one tiny hand and touched Emily’s cheek.
“You’re really pretty,” she said shyly. “You look just like my mommy.”
The air went still.
Nathan’s expression faltered.
He bent down and gently pulled Ava closer to him. “I’m sorry… Her mom passed away a few years ago.”
Emily felt a sharp pang in her chest.
She looked at Ava, this little girl who’d lost her mother—and suddenly, her own children came to mind.
Lucas and Lily…
They still had Sophia.
But Ava?
Chapter 9
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She had no one.
“It’s okay,” Emily said softly, brushing a hand over Ava’s head. “Do you like fairy tales? I’ve got shelves full of beautiful ones, just waiting to be read.”
Ava nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up.
For the next half hour, Emily showed her everything from The Paper Bag Princess to Goodnight Moon, describing each one with infectious warmth.
Ava gradually relaxed and even grabbed Emily’s hand, tugging her over to the reading corner to hear a story.
Nathan stood nearby, watching the two of them with a soft, unreadable expression.
By the time Emily got to The Little Prince, Ava was curled against her like a sleepy kitten, completely absorbed.
“You’ve got a gift,” Nathan said as he paid for the books. His voice was low. “Ava’s usually pretty shy, but she took to you right away.”
Emily smiled as she passed him the bag of wrapped–up books. “I felt a connection too… Honestly, if Ava were my daughter, I’d be the luckiest woman alive.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Her chest tightened.
But Nathan only gave a thoughtful nod and said nothing.
Can we come back again?” Ava asked as they were leaving, tugging gently on Emily’s coat. Her round face tilted up hopefully.
Emily knelt and tapped her little nose. “Anytime, sweetheart. My door’s always open for you.”
Nathan opened the umbrella and carried Ava out into the misty rain.
She leaned over his shoulder, waving at Emily until they disappeared around the corner.
Emily stayed at the door long after they were gone, watching the gray rain swallow them.
And for the first time in a long while, something warm stirred deep in her heart.
归
