The wind rustled through the trees, carrying her words away into the vast expanse of the valley below. She felt a strange sense of peace as if Aaron was listening, understanding.
“You were, and always will be, my heartbeat,” she whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. “My first love. Thank you for everything, Aaron. For loving me, for our beautiful daughter, for giving me a life I could cherish. I will keep you in my heart, no matter what. Always.”
Lila stood up, feeling a little lighter as if a weight had been lifted from her soul. She took one last look at the stunning view, then shouldered her backpack and headed down the trail, ready to face whatever awaited her in the valley.
22
Capri pushed open the heavy wooden door of Bluebird Bookstore, flanked by pots of colorful flowers. The little bell above tinkled softly, announcing her arrival. She stepped inside, taking a moment to breathe in the familiar scent of aged paper and brewing coffee, a comforting blend that always made her think of lazy Saturday afternoons.
The bookstore was a cozy haven, with warm wood tones dominating the interior. Shelves lined every wall, packed tightly with books of all sizes and genres, both new and used. Plants hung from the ceiling in woven baskets, their green tendrils cascading down and adding to the cozy, lived-in feel of the place.
In one corner, a large bay window with small, square panes let in the afternoon sunlight. A plump gray cat, its fur mottled with white patches, lounged lazily on the window seat, watching the world outside with half-closed eyes. Capri smiled at the cat, knowing Miss Agatha Christie was a fixture of the store as much as the books themselves.
The floorboards beneath her feet creaked as Capri wandered deeper into the store, her eyes scanning the shelves for the spines of Louis L’Amour novels.
She spotted Jason Griffith behind the counter, his head bent over a ledger. Jason was tall and lean, with a mop of curly hair that he constantly brushed back from his forehead. He looked up as she approached, his expression shifting from focused concentration to a friendly smile.
“Hey, Capri,” he greeted her, closing the ledger and standing up. “What brings you in today?”
“I'm looking for some Western novels for Dick,” Capri replied, returning his smile. “My stepdad’s a big fan, and his birthday is coming up.”
Jason nodded, stepping out from behind the counter. “Sure thing, we’ve got a good selection. Follow me.”
As they walked, the floorboards continued their symphony of creaks and groans, a charming reminder of the building’s age and history. They reached a section filled with Western novels, their covers depicting rugged cowboys and wide-open landscapes.
“How is Dick these days?” Jason asked.
Capri lowered her head slightly. “He’s having a tough time. The cancer is progressing. Unfortunately, days when he’s in bad pain are increasing.”
Jason’s expression turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry to hear that. If there’s anything me or my mom can do, please reach out.”
“Oma brought a pot of chicken soup and some homemade bread by yesterday. No one beats your mom’s cooking,” she told him.
She couldn’t help but reflect on how Charlie Grace had once been entwined with Jason's life. Despite being so unmatched, Charlie Grace had dated Jason for years. That is until Nick Thatcher arrived on the scene, stealing her heart.
Though it had been some time since the breakup, she hoped Jason’s heart had mended and that he had found some semblance of peace.
“Here we are,” Jason said, gesturing to the shelf. “Let me know if you need any help finding specific titles.”
“Thanks,” Capri said, already reaching for a book with a weathered cover.
She plucked four books from the shelf and followed Jason to the check-out counter. “Have you done any birdwatching lately?”
Jason’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes! Just yesterday, I went to the cemetery with Momma and spotted a gray-crowned rosy-finch. Sightings of the delicate pink-and-brown songbird are rare. I was thrilled and captured several shots.” As evidence, he pulled out his phone and showed her picture after picture. “See this one? It had a particularly beautiful song.” He closed his phone. “Despite their tiny size, these birds are fearless,” he told her.
Capri nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm. How in the world had her good friend dated this guy for so long and not gone batty listening to all his bird trivia? That, and the fact he still lived with his mother. There had been no contest when Nick showed up.
She smiled, too kind to let him know her private thoughts.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, followed by the cheerful jingle of the bell. Capri turned and spotted a striking young woman stepping inside. Her short, stylish haircut—a stunning mix of reddish-brown with blonde highlights—caught the light. Her makeup was immaculate, emphasizing her large, expressive eyes and a confident smile. She wore tight jeans and a form-fitting top that showed off her assets.
As the attractive woman approached the counter, Capri noticed the sway in her step and the confidence in her posture.
“Hey, there,” the girl began, her drawl unmistakable. “Could y’all tell me how to get to the veterinary clinic?”
Capri’s curiosity piqued. “Oh, do you have a sick animal?” she asked, her voice laced with genuine sympathy.
The young woman shook her head, her smile unwavering. “No, I’m here to see Whit Calloway.”
