by Mina Carter
The morning flew by, and soon Ashley was saying, "Do you want me to go to the diner to get lunch?"
Jane nodded. "That'd be great. Get me a turkey sandwich on wheat, please." She heard the bell chime above the door when Ashley left. The store was finally quiet as she busied herself with the paperwork. There were several bestsellers that were selling out as soon as she ordered them, so she decided to order more than usual to keep up with the demand. The Bedford Valley Book Club would be meeting in two weeks, and so she would need to order surplus of the book of the month.
Time ticked by. Jane stared down at the book order list in front of her. It was almost complete. Her stomach growled, and she glanced at the clock wondering what was taking Ashley so long to get back with lunch.
The bell above the door rang, signaling someone entering the store. "Finally," Jane said. "I was starting to think that you got lost."
When Ashley didn't answer, Jane looked up to see a tall gentleman in a black leather jacket. Her heart skipped a beat. It was her new neighbor.
She watched him as he approached the counter. He looked to be in his late twenties with a shock of jet-black hair that fell in front of his light blue eyes. A perfect smile was spread over his face. "Expecting someone else?" he asked, his voice deep and smooth.
His blue eyes were piercing and mesmerizing. For a fraction of a second, she thought that she knew him. In the years since she had lost her memory, she had never had that feeling. However, he made no indication that he knew her, so she quickly pushed the thought out of her head.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I sent someone to get lunch." She tucked the order list away. "Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. ---?"
"Alexander. Sebastian Alexander." He extended his hand over the counter.
His name didn't evoke any memories. "Jane Walker." She put her hand in his and instantly felt a connection with him that felt like static electricity coursing through her veins. Every hair on her body stood on end. She quickly pulled her hand back, hoping that he didn't notice her sudden gesture. She wondered if he had felt the same thing, but his expression remained impassive. "Is there something I can help you with?" she asked.
"I'm new to town. I've really just been spending the day walking into all of the shops, checking everything out." He glanced at the bookshelves. "But since I'm in here, do you have any antique books?"
She nodded. "How old would you like? I have a few from the early 1920s and 30s, and I have numerous books from the 1800s."
"1800s," he responded.
She led him to a large cabinet on the right side of the counter. From the stretchy key chain on her wrist, she found the right key, unlocked the cabinet and opened the doors.
Sebastian stepped forward, and she caught a whiff of his cologne. It was invigorating. She noticed he was meticulously groomed and moved gracefully. His skin was pale, almost translucent and perfect just like the rest of him appeared to be. She watched his blue eyes as they scanned the titles of the books. She didn't mean to stare, but she had trouble looking away.
"Do you collect antiques, by any chance?" she asked, attempting to make pleasantries even though she already knew the answer. She had watched the moving men carry plenty of antiques into Sebastian's home.
"Yes, I do." His long index finger hooked onto the top of one book's spine, and he carefully removed it from the shelf. He stared down at the book in his hands as he opened the cover. "I have quite a large library I would like to fill."
"I could always try to find you some more antique books if you would like. I don't sell very many, so I try to keep more of the current books in stock."
He returned the book to its place in the bookcase. Then he turned and looked down at her. "I would like that very much. Thank you."
Jane felt as if she would melt under his gaze. He was tall and seemed to tower over her petite frame.
The bell above the door rang, and she was thankful to be able to break her gaze from him. Ashley flew through the door carrying two take-out bags and drinks in a cardboard carrier. "Sorry it took me so long. The diner is short-staffed, and I think everybody in town was in there ordering lunch. They were all out of wheat bread, but I got you ---."
Jane watched as Ashley's mouth dropped open as she caught sight of Sebastian, and Jane wondered if her jaw would actually touch the floor. Jane quickly cleared her throat, and Ashley instantly snapped her mouth shut. "I didn't know there was a customer in here." She quickly put the food and drinks on the front counter. "Hello," she said, approaching them.
Sebastian barely regarded her and said, "Hello," quickly. Then he turned his attention back to Jane.
Jane was surprised by his reaction. Ashley was tall, blonde and belonged on the cover of a magazine. Practically every man she came across fell at her feet.
Ashley shifted uncomfortably, and then finally said, "I'm going to take my lunch break."
Jane realized Ashley was disappointed that Sebastian wasn't one of the many men that drooled over her the moment they met her. "Sure. Go ahead." Jane turned to Sebastian. "Everyone is buying electronic books, but you just can't replace the feel of a real book in your hands." She carefully removed an old book from the shelf. She brought the book up to her nose and inhaled. "I just love the smell of antique books."
"Vanillin," he commented.
She smiled. "Yes." She placed the book in his hands and watched him carefully open the cover. "I bet your library smells wonderful."
He looked up at her and grinned.
She suddenly felt flustered and said, "I'm sorry. You've probably never met somebody so obsessed with books."
He shook his head. "No, I haven't actually." He chuckled. "But it's great to see somebody with so much passion about something." Glancing at the bookcase, he said, "I'll take all of these."
Jane's eyes grew wide. "Okay."
"Could I have them delivered?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Great." He carefully closed the book in his hands. As he returned the book to her, his fingers gently grazed her hands. Jane gasped as she felt the same electric current as before running up her arms. His touch was sending a message to her, but she didn't quite know what the message was.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes," she said quickly. She walked behind the counter and retrieved a delivery slip. Even though she already knew his address, she didn't want to let on that she did. "The address where you want the books delivered?" she asked.
He smiled. "113 Sycamore Street."
Ashley peeked around the corner and said, "That's next door to Jane's house."
"Is it?" he asked, but he didn't sound surprised.
"I'm 114 Sycamore," Jane commented.
"Then the delivery shouldn't be a problem," he said with a smirk on his lips.
"I could bring the books to your house after work tonight if you're going to be home."
"Sure. That would be perfect."
"I'll see you tonight then." Jane watched him leave. A long sigh escaped her lips, and she hadn't realized how tense she had been around him until that moment.
"He is your new neighbor?" Ashley exclaimed.
"Yes," Jane hissed. "I only caught a glimpse of him last night."
"Well, now that you got a good look of him, what do you think?"
Jane hesitated. There was no doubt that her neighbor was attractive. Okay. More than attractive. He belonged on the cover of GQ. She nervously twisted her wedding ring around her finger. "He's…okay."
"Just okay?" Ashley asked in disbelief. "Well, if you don't want him, then I call dibs," she joked.
A pang of jealousy ran through Jane, and the feeling shocked her. It's not as if she was going to date Sebastian. She should let Ashley go out with him. But something deep inside of her didn't want that. Feeling flustered, she quickly said, "I'm going to get his order ready."
* * *
Sebastian left the store, crossed the street and jumped into his car. He put his head back against the
seat and tried to calm his quivering nerves. He had seemed calm and collected in the store, but inside he was a ball of anxiety. He hadn't seen Jane for months. He periodically checked in on her, but he kept his distance. When Jack died, he thought she would thrive and be all right. She was always so strong. But slowly it seemed that her world was crumbling faster than she could pick up the pieces.
Plenty of nights he had snuck into her house to watch over her while she slept, and many of those nights she spent crying herself to sleep. He couldn't bear to see her so unhappy. There was no other choice but to come back into her life and try to rekindle what they once had.
He started the car's engine and headed home. He parked the car and climbed out. Staring at his newly purchased house, a sense of dismay came over him. He hated the thought that he had to compel the owners, but deep down they missed their estranged daughter terribly. She was pregnant with their grandchild, and they dreaded the child not even knowing his or her grandparents. Sebastian artfully mended the broken relationship and sent them off on their way. It was worth it in the end. They were finally content, and he could be closer to Jane this way by living next door to her.
He walked into the house and stared at the clock. It would be a long three-hour wait until Jane arrived. But he had been waiting so long for this moment, that three hours seemed like no time at all. He would do his best to make her fall in love with him again. And this time he vowed not to let anything or anyone come in between them. He would never lose her that easily again.
* * *
Jane timidly knocked on the front door of Sebastian's house. The box of books was heavy in her arms, and she leaned against the doorframe to counter some of the weight.
A few moments later, the door opened and there stood Sebastian. He was wearing a black button-up shirt, the cuffs loose and rolled up over his muscular forearms.
His lips stretched into a smile. "Hello, Jane." He held his arms out for the large box in her hands. "Let me take that." With ease, he lifted the heavy weight out of her arms. "Please come in."
She followed him into the house. She had been inside the home numerous times when the Johnsons had lived there. However, the décor was now dark, gothic and sexy, and she realized that's exactly how she could describe Sebastian. There was something about him that made her heart flutter.
"I'm sure the house looks different," he commented, as if he had been reading her mind.
Jane nodded slowly. "Just a little," she joked.
He grinned. "Let me show you the library."
She followed him down the hall and into the vast room. Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, and Jane remembered how jealous she was the first time she had been in the Johnsons' library. Her own library at home consisted of two bookshelves, and she was constantly rearranging them to make room for new books.
She noticed that Sebastian had filled some of the shelves, but most remained empty. "Mr. Johnson had a vast collection. That is why he put in the custom bookshelves," she explained.
"Ah, yes. I remember seeing his collection when I was interested in purchasing the house."
Jane decided to pry since he had brought up the subject. "Why did the Johnsons move anyhow? They never told me a thing."
She saw Sebastian pause and shift uncomfortably. "They wanted to move closer to their daughter in Virginia."
Jane furrowed her brow. The Johnsons had made it very clear to Jane that they had not been on speaking terms with their estranged daughter for years. Maybe they had a change of heart, she thought.
Sebastian set the box down on an overstuffed chair. "How much do I owe you?" he asked.
Jane pulled a receipt out of her pocket. The total was $480. When Sebastian glanced at the receipt, he didn't so much as flinch at the bill. Judging on the house, his car and the way he dressed, she didn't think he worried about money.
"I'll be right back," he said, leaving the room.
Jane walked to a bookshelf that was full of books. Her eyes scanned over the titles. All of the books were extremely old and well preserved. When she turned, Sebastian was leaning against the doorway staring at her. She could feel her face flush. She normally never got this embarrassed around people, but there was something about him that intimidated her.
He held an envelope out, and she crossed the room to take it from him. As she grasped the envelope, their fingertips touched, and she once again felt the spark of electricity. Her lips parted as she stared up at him. Strange desires flooded her mind. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted his hands to lift the hem of her dress and for his fingertips to graze over her body.
"I assume cash is okay?" he asked, his voice bringing her back to reality.
She cleared her throat. "Yes." She took the envelope and tore her gaze from his. "I should be going," she said quickly.
"All right." He walked her to the front door. "Thank you for bringing the books."
"You're welcome," she said as she stepped out onto the front porch. "Thank you for your business. And welcome to the neighborhood. It really is lovely."
He stared at her. "Yeah, I'm starting to get a sense of how lovely it is."
Jane felt her cheeks warm instantly. "Well, goodnight," she said, leaving the porch.
"Goodnight, Jane," he called after her.
She walked across the lawn, holding a hand over her hammering heart. Once inside the house, she let out a sigh of relief. Sebastian made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time, and it scared and excited her at the same time.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE NEXT DAY at the bookstore went quickly. As Jane walked home at the end of the day, she took her time, enjoying the warm spring weather. She stopped at the mailbox. It was empty.
"Good afternoon," said a voice.
She looked up to see Sebastian in his yard. "Good afternoon," she said.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
He motioned to the back of his house. "I was just going to enjoy some wine on my back patio. Would you care to join me?"
Jane hesitated. She wanted to say yes, but a piece of her wanted to say no. In her mind, she was still devoted to Jack, and it felt like betrayal to agree.
"If you have other plans, I understand," he said.
She could detect the disappointment in his voice. "No. No plans." She walked over to him. "Wine sounds great."
He smiled and led her to the back of his house. The backyard was landscaped beautifully with a large in-ground pool being the centerpiece. "Have a seat," he said, motioning to one of the patio chairs. "I'll be back with the wine." He disappeared into the house.
Jane sat in one of the chairs and stared at the blue pool water glistening from the sunlight. Within a few minutes, he was back. He popped the cork on the bottle and poured wine into two glasses.
"Thank you," Jane said as she took one glass and brought it up to her nose and inhaled. The smell of the wine was intoxicating. She took a sip. The taste was even better. From the look of the old label on the bottle, she knew it was a very old wine. "Are you enjoying the books?" she asked, attempting to make small talk.
He sat down into the chair across from her. "Yes, I am, and they look wonderful in my library."
Jane was pleased that he enjoyed the books so much. Not many men came into her shop, let alone the severely good-looking ones. "How are you liking Bedford Valley so far?"
"It's a very nice town. It seems like a close-knit community."
"It is. I think you'll like it here."
"Thanks. I’m sure I will."
Sebastian stared at the diamond ring on her left hand. Her eyes caught his stare, and then his eyes met hers. "I haven't had a chance to meet your husband," Sebastian said. "How long have you been married?"
Jane hesitated. "Actually…I'm a widow," she said, the words sticking in her throat.
He absorbed the information for a few moments before saying, "I'm sorry to hear that."
She took a long drink of the wine. "It's be
en a little over a year now, so…" her voice trailed off.
He nodded.
Jane's eye searched his hand for a ring, but there wasn't one. Before she could ask, he said, "I'm not married."
She looked up at him. It seemed as if he had the uncanny ability to read her mind. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "More wine?" he asked.
Jane drank the last few drops and stood. Her mind was getting foggy, and it was time for her medication. She feared that she would pass out in front of her new neighbor if she didn't get home as soon as possible. "I should be going actually," she said. She held the empty glass out for him to take.
When he reached for the glass, their hands touched, and that same electric feeling sent a shockwave through her. A charred image of a long forgotten memory flashed in her mind. Before she could grasp onto the image, a tingling sensation started at the base of her neck; and she knew she was going to pass out. "I'm going to faint," she warned him hastily.
He looked at her with alarm. "What do I do?"
Before she could say anything, she fell into his arms, and the world around her went black.
* * *
When she awoke, she was in Sebastian's lap and looking up at the beautiful orange and red clouds from the sunset. His face came into focus. He looked worried. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah". It had been months since she had fainted, and she really thought the new medication was going to stop it altogether. She sat up slowly. "I shouldn't have come over here," she muttered, scolding herself. She grasped a chair to balance herself and stood. "I should go."
Sebastian grasped her elbow to keep her steady. Jane felt the electricity feeling again and quickly moved away from him. "I'm sorry. I have to go."
"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need me to call you an ambulance?"
She stared up at him. "No."
"Will you tell me what happened?" he pleaded.
Jane took a deep breath. "I suffered some severe head trauma a couple of years ago." She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look of pity that she had seen on so many faces. "I have these episodes now and then where if I'm overwhelmed, my brain just kind of shuts down my body."