Melinda Jenkins walked up to the bookstore. The storefront certainly wasn’t inviting. Childleys’ Books was written in plain print over a door with no embellishments or promises of a welcome. Despite that, she had a task that needed to be done.

After questioning the wisdom of entering a dark store at such a late hour, Melinda pulled the door open and stepped inside. She was now in an entry, which was lit only by a single dim bulb hanging from the low ceiling. She moved past the small entry and forged through hanging beads.

The seemingly innocuous beads now rattled and reverberated loudly as they cascaded against each other. If the store owner didn’t already know of her presence, it would now be impossible not to realize a guest had entered the establishment.

What the entry lacked in light, the main room made up for with a soft warm glow that illuminated every corner. And then she saw the books! They were everywhere. Old, polished volumes were arranged artistically on the shelves nearest to where she stood.

As Melinda walked deeper into the store, many of the shelves seemed to be placed with no pattern at all. She also saw small open areas with comfortably worn chairs, side tables, and coffee tables piled with even more books.

The charming scene evoked a sense of belonging in her. Melinda’s love for reading began when she’d received her first book at eight. Since then, she was most comfortable with books, and this modest shop was overflowing with them.

Music played from a corner of the room. As she approached, Melinda found a record player that was projecting Louis Armstrong’s deep and resonant classics.

Relaxing in an armchair just a few feet from the phonograph was an elegant lady and her perfectly behaved Yorkshire Terrier. The woman had long hair wrapped in a messy bun, framing delicate features and startling blue eyes. She smiled at Melinda, then went back to her story. Just catching the cover title, Emma, by Jane Austen, Melinda smiled. This was not the first time a book felt like an old friend.

She heard shuffling noises from the back of the store. She walked toward the sound and came to a large wooden table, also covered with books, which stood between the shop and the back rooms. The table was rectangular and painted a dark hunter green. The paint was chipped in places, and a few gashes were visible on the surface. A cash register sat in one corner. The table had obviously been used as a workspace and checkout counter for many years.

A white-haired gentleman with kind eyes was sitting at the table, organizing piles of books. He glanced up at her. She thought she saw a look of recognition cross his face for just a moment, but then it quickly transformed into a gracious smile. “Welcome to Childleys’ Books,” he said as a woman emerged from a back room.

The woman rounded the table and approached Melinda. “Hello, welcome! I’m Grace and that’s Sam. Can we help you find something?”

These two were obviously a couple. They looked like they belonged together.

Melinda could see that the back room held a small kitchen and wondered if the couple lived in the store.

The woman must have been baking. She had smudges of flour on her apron and cheeks. The aroma emanating from the little kitchen brought back memories of Melinda’s childhood. Her aunt had often made scones, and the entire house had smelled just like this.

While she would have loved to continue exploring this intoxicatingly cozy shop, it was time to get down to business.

Melinda Jenkins, attorney and representative of the Morgan family, now stood straight and businesslike in front of these two bookstore owners.

That morning, she had carefully chosen her outfit. She was sure that her grey herringbone suit conveyed seriousness and maturity, while her pale pink silk blouse would remind her she was creative and resourceful. Her heels clicked on the floor, boosting her height a couple of extra inches. She hoped her professional exterior would convey a confidence that she didn’t yet have.

How would Sam and Grace react to the Morgan family’s proposal to buy their establishment? As their legal representative, Melinda was authorized to offer a rather large sum.

The Morgans were determined to buy the shop. They were very clear. Melinda was to return with the deal closed. However, looking at this darling couple surrounded by their beautiful books, she sensed it could be difficult to convince them to separate from their store. Her task was straightforward, but it looked as though the Childleys might be where they belonged.

“My name is Melinda Jenkins. I work for Sullivan and Sullivan Law Firm. I’m representing Mike and Millicent Morgan. Can I have a few minutes of your time?”

Grace smiled at Melinda. She looked both kind and motherly. Even though Melinda attributed it to her overactive imagination, she had a strong impression that Grace had been expecting her.

“We would love to hear your proposal. Perhaps over tea?” Grace suggested.

Grace and Sam led Melinda to the small kitchen. A pine farmhouse table was set with freshly baked scones, plates, and teacups. Sam and Melinda sat as Grace prepared the tea.

“Tell me about yourself,” Grace said as she set the teapot on the table. Of course, she couldn’t do that! She was there to do a job.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she bit into the buttery scone. What she didn’t know was how tantalizingly mouth-watering Grace’s scones tasted fresh out of the oven or how much they would remind her of her childhood in Aunt Sally’s house.

She was surprised by how easy it was to talk to Grace and Sam, but it was time to turn to the reason she had asked for this meeting. “My clients, Mike and Millicent Morgan, would like to buy Childleys’ Books. They are offering an above-market price and prefer to expedite the sale and take possession immediately. I think you will find their offer to be more than fair.” Melinda handed the couple a copy of the proposal. Sam sat quietly while Melinda and Grace discussed the offer.

When Melinda had finished laying out the details, Sam looked at Grace and said, “I’m surprised this happened so soon. I had thought it would take longer.”

Before Melinda could ask what he meant, Grace cleared her throat, thanked Melinda for her visit, and told her she would be welcome any time. “As to the offer, although it’s very generous, Childleys’ Books will have to stay in the family for the time being.” While Grace’s tone was friendly, she spoke with confidence and conviction. Melinda sensed this would not be a simple task.

Melinda’s heart sank. Fresh out of law school, she’d never expected to be the lead attorney in a negotiation this early in her career, but a prominent family had requested her as their representative. Clearly, she was failing to deliver the quick result the Morgans had expected when they asked her to handle the offer.

How would Mike and Millicent Morgan react when they found out that the Childleys had no interest in selling the bookstore to them?

Melinda wouldn’t give up, but it was late. She thanked the couple and left the homey kitchen.

She was eager to wander through these shelves, but the store had closed. She saw that the lady and her dog were gone as she walked through the main room toward the exit.

She thanked the couple again for their time and hospitality, buttoned up her wool coat and double-wrapped her scarf against the freezing night air, and then she walked to her one-bedroom apartment over the town diner.