The Book of Candlelight
Page 28
“I have just the thing for you.” Nora grabbed the woman a copy of Liane Moriarty’s What Alice Forgot.
The woman was instantly taken with Nora’s choice. “I read Big Little Lies and loved it. I’m sure I’ll love this one too. Thanks.”
After paying for the book, she hustled her family out of the shop.
Andrews had selected Artemis: A Novel by Andy Weir. “I liked the movie version of The Martian, so I thought I’d give this a try.”
With this final sale, Nora was ready to leave. She locked the back door and followed Andrews to his car. Once they were underway, she reluctantly asked, “What did you mean when you said that the moped had been altered?”
Andrews shifted in his seat. “It’s hard to explain. You’ll see for yourself in a few minutes.”
It was clear that Andrews didn’t want to say anything else. When he pulled into an auto body shop two towns over, Nora was surprised to see Jed’s Blazer parked in front of one of the garage bays.
Andrews led Nora into the garage. Something shaped like a moped was hidden under a black tarp.
Suddenly, Jed was beside her.
“Hey,” he said, taking hold of her hand. “I thought you could use some emotional support.”
Nora gave him a perplexed look. “If it’s wrecked, it’s wrecked. I’ll be okay.”
A man came out of a door marked OFFICE. He wiped his hands on a rag and smiled at Nora. “I’m Derrick. This is my place. You ready to see your ride?”
“I’m ready,” Nora said, and tensed herself for the reveal.
Derrick whisked off the tarp and Nora stared at the moped. She stared and stared. It couldn’t be hers. Her moped was yellow with pink flowers. This was something else entirely. Something wonderful. Spellbinding.
This moped was covered with books. Colorful, cheerful books. Books with tangerine, teal, lavender, saffron, lime, and cherry-red spines. There were even titles on some of the spines. Nora saw The Mists of Avalon, I Am Malala, The Hunger Games, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Americanah, and The Handmaid’s Tale to name a few.
This moped couldn’t possibly be hers.
This moped was a bookshelf on wheels. It was a moving billboard of books. An invitation to run to the nearest library or bookshop and walk out carrying a pile of treasure.
Nora’s thoughts were interrupted when she saw the graffiti-style writing just under the moped’s seat. The words said, NEXT STOP: MIRACLE BOOKS.
“Sorry about making you believe that your moped was stolen,” Jed said in a near whisper. He could see that Nora was still taking everything in. “It was the only way to give Derrick the time he needed. He works here and moonlights as an EMT. But he got it done.” He winked at Derrick.
Jed waved his hand over the moped. “And Nora? These books? They’re all about badass women. Because you’re a badass woman.”
Nora looked at Jed. “You did this? For me? It must have cost—”
“A bunch of people pitched in,” he interrupted. “You’re always doing things for other people, Nora, and those other people wanted to find a way to thank you. This is what we came up with.”
Nora’s gaze returned to the moped. Her heart was swelling with emotion. She could feel it rising inside her chest like a wave. If she didn’t hold it in, she was going to burst into tears. But she didn’t want to cry. After all, Jed had called her a badass. No one had ever called her that. She knew he’d meant it as a compliment. She knew he’d lumped her in with the amazing authors on the moped. She liked it. She liked it very much.
She turned to Jed and directed all of her feelings into an intense stare.
“Jedediah Craig, I have never said this to a man before, and I will probably never say it again, so listen up.” She took a theatrical pause. “You are better than a book boyfriend.”
Jed placed his hand over his heart. “Wow.”
With a laugh, Nora threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. She didn’t care that Andrews and Derrick were watching. She’d forgotten all about them.
When she and Jed eventually separated, Derrick stepped forward to present Nora with her helmet. It had also been customized and now featured an open book on a dark blue background. Some of the letters were blowing off the page as if coaxed into the air by a strong wind. As they left the white page, they were no longer black. They became a rainbow of dancing letters.
Nora couldn’t wait to ride her moped. She couldn’t wait for someone to roll down their car window and ask about the book titles on the moped’s body. She couldn’t wait for them to ask about Miracle Books.
When that happened, she would raise her helmet visor and say, “There’s a book in my shop waiting just for you. Come find it when you’re ready.”
If they drove off and she never saw them again, she’d understand. But if they walked through her front door to be welcomed by sleigh bells, the scent of coffee, and a smile, she would find them a story.
She would find them a miracle.
Reader’s Guide for The Book of Candlelight
1. From the start, the weather plays a role in this novel. Have you ever experienced a flood or another major weather disaster that allowed you to identify with the townsfolk of Miracle Springs?
2. Nora buys a pottery bowl from a man the locals call “Cherokee Danny.” Do you own a piece of pottery or another handmade item that holds special value?
3. What was your initial impression of Sheldon Vega? Do you think he’s a good fit for Miracle Books? What does he bring to the bookstore?
4. What’s the significance of the red bird?
5. If you were to order something from the Miracle Books food and beverage menu, what would it be?
6. Why was Lou a suspicious character for a good part of the book? Did you think she was guilty of something before Nora confronted her? Why or why not?
7. In what ways was Rose Lattimer, a woman who’d been in her prime during the Civil War, still very much a presence in the novel?
8. Banned books are featured in a Miracle Books window display. Have you ever seen a list of banned books or purposely read a book because it had once been banned? Have you ever felt a book deserved to be banned?
9. Who did you think the man in the white T-shirt was before his identity was revealed? Do you think June and Tyson will be able to reconnect?
10. Three romantic relationships are unfolding in this book. They include Jed and Nora, Hester and Jasper, and Estella and Jack. Which relationship are you rooting for? Which one do you think will be successful? Which, if any, is unlikely to last?
11. Danny Amo-adawehi’s pregnant wife, Marie, was dealt a crippling blow. What will she need to heal and move forward? What positives do you foresee for her?
12. Of all the book titles mentioned in this book, which title(s) are you most likely to read in the near future? Were any of those mentioned already a favorite?
13. Nora and Sheldon create a memorial window display at the end of the novel. How do the elements of that display tie into the plot?
14. What feeling did the end of the novel leave you with? Will you continue with the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series?
15. There are quotes preceding each chapter of The Book of Candlelight. Which was your favorite?