Bachelor Dad on Her Doorstep by Michelle Douglas Page B

against the counter, ummed and ahhed under her breath. Then her face suddenly lit up. ‘We’ll have a book fair, that’s what we’ll do! It’ll stir up some interest in this place again.’
    ‘A book fair?’
    ‘We’ll get in entertainment for the kiddies, we’ll have readings by local authors…We’ll have a ten per cent sale on all our books. We’ll get people excited. We’ll get people to come. And, by golly, we’ll save this bookshop!’
    Jaz clutched her hands together. ‘Do you think it could work?’
    ‘My dear Jazmin, we’re going to have to make it work. Either that or make the decision to sell up to Mr Sears.’
    ‘No!’ She cast a glance towards the back wall and the unfinished portrait of Frieda. ‘I’m not selling to him.’ She hitched up her chin. ‘We’ll have a book fair.’
    She and Mrs Lavender spent the rest of the morning planning a full-page advertisement in the local newspaper. They discussed children’s entertainment. Jaz started to design posters and flyers. They settled on the day—the Saturday of the Mother’s Day weekend.
    If the book fair didn’t work…
    Jaz shook her head. She refused to think about that.
     
    At midday Mrs Lavender excused herself to go and sit on her usual park bench to torment Boyd Longbottom.
    ‘What’s the story with you and Boyd Longbottom, anyway?’ Jaz asked.
    ‘He was a beau of mine, a long time ago.’
    Jaz set her pen down. ‘Really?’
    ‘But when I chose my Arthur over him, he swore he’d never speak to me again. He’s kept his word to this very day.’
    ‘But that’s awful.’
    ‘He never left Clara Falls. He never married. And he’s not spoken to me again, not once.’
    ‘That’s…sad.’
    ‘Yes, Jaz, it is.’ Mrs Lavender opened her mouth as if she meant to say more, but she shut it again. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
     
    At quarter past twelve Connor jogged across the street to Mr Sears’s bakery. On his way back he stopped right outside the bookshop window to survey the new display.
    Jaz stood behind one of the bookcases she was tidying and watched him. Her heart squeezed so tight the blood rushed in her ears.
    Turn your back. Walk away.
    Her body refused to obey the dictates of her brain.
    At least close your eyes.
    She didn’t obey that order either. She remembered how she and Connor had once shared their drawings with each other, offering praise or criticism, suggestions for improvements. She searched his face. Did he like her display?
    She couldn’t tell.
    He didn’t lift his eyes and search for her inside the shop.
    Eventually he turned and strode away. The tightness around Jaz’s heart eased, but nothing could expand to fill the gap that yawned through her.
     
    At a touch after three-thirty the phone rang. Jaz pounced on it, eager to take her mind off the fact that Melly wasn’t here. She’d known Melly wouldn’t show up here today. Just as she knew Melly wouldn’t show up here tomorrow…or any other day from now on.
    She didn’t know why it should make her feel lonely, only that it did.
    ‘Hey, mate!’ Her business partner’s voice boomed down the line at her. ‘How’re you doing?’
    ‘Mac!’ She grinned. ‘Better now that I’m talking to you. How are Bonnie and the kids?’
    ‘They send their love. Now, tell me, has the town welcomed you back with open arms?’
    ‘Yes and no. Business could be a lot better, though. I’m not getting any local trade.’
    ‘Are they giving you a hard time?’
    ‘Well, there is a rumour that I’m the local drug baron.’
    His laughter roared down the line, lifting her spirits. ‘What? Little Ms Clean-as-a-Whistle Jaz Harper?’ He sobered. ‘I bet that’s doing wonders for business.’
    ‘Ooh, yeah.’
    ‘Listen, mate, I have a job for you, and I have a plan.’
    Her smile widened as she listened to his plan.

CHAPTER SIX

    ‘O KAY , Princess Melly—’ Connor held the door to Mr Sears’s bakery open ‘—what is your pleasure?’
    Mel’s