Page 15 of Sweet Dreams

“Call if you need anything.”

I watch all the crew pack and leave, and I’m stuck in the middle of a mess, wondering what to do now. I should call Dad, but even thinking about talking will make me cry.

It’s been hours since the great flood, so I decided not to wait and called the insurance company. They advised me not to touch anything until they could send an adjuster to check the damage. I had to beg and plead with them to do it tomorrow; this was an emergency.

The shop will need all new shelving units for the first half, the flooring will need to be redone, andI’m not looking forward to sorting the books. It’s amazing what a few inches of water will do. I walk through the lake and lock the front door.

Before I head home, I stop at my favourite restaurant, The Lucky Dragon.

“Ah, Miss Teagan. How are you?” Mr. Li greets me as soon as I walk in.

I walk to the counter, grabbing a menu even though we both know what I’m getting. “Mr. Li, not good. Not good at all.”

He grabs my hand as his callused fingers rub along my knuckles. “Tell me the news, and I get your order in.” He turns around, yelling an order of chicken chow mein noodles and wonton soup to his wife. Min pops her head around the corner and grins.

“I knew that was you, Teagan. I get your order done pronto.”

Mr. Li chuckles. That’s how you know you might be eating out a little too much. Mr. Li pats my hand and gives me a gentle smile.

“We’ll make day better.”

“I hope so. I had to close shop for a while,” I muttered miserably.

Mr. Li’s eyes widen with shock. “What happened?”

I glance at the ceiling, trying not to cry. “It flooded.” His hand squeezes around mine. “Can you believethat? A bookstore flooding. I would’ve expected a fire or something, but nope. A stupid hydrant went rapid, and now.” I can’t even finish the sentence. I’m so upset. All my hard work is gone.

Mr. Li tsk’s. “Don’t think like that. Persist and keep at it; don’t let a little pebble ruin the lake. Think of this as a restart.”

“A restart for what? It was hard enough to get a building permit the first time around. I don’t think it’ll happen so easily this time.” I drew my hand away and buried both into my hair. “Nancy is horrible to deal with.”

Min comes from the kitchen with a brown paper bag, shaking her head. “Nancy is mean—horrible lady to deal with. I wish you nothing but the best, Teagan.”

Short and to the point, that one is. “Thank you, Min. I’ll need more than wishes, I’m afraid.”

I pay and grab my food. So many thoughts are running through my head about what I have to do now that the shop is on vacation mode. The Mom and Tot program will have to be the first phone call tomorrow, and now they’ll be scrambling to find a place to rent. This whole thing has thrown everyone off schedule.

I take things slow this morning; it’s not like I have a shop to open. The insurance company said they won’t be by until the afternoon. And if I don’t distract my mind, I’ll think about how nothing is getting done and how the entire place probably smells like mildew. Does mildew set in within hours? I should look that up. I also need to cancel book orders and call the mom group. Who am I kidding? Elma has probably already spread the news like wildfire. This town will know by lunch, and the one who will be the most excited will be Nancy.

As I step outside, the wind blows leaves from the neighbour's large maple across the walkway, another sign that Fall will soon come to an end. The season that I despise the most will be here. I tighten my sweater closer when another gust of wind whips around me; maybe I should’ve driven.

The further I walk down the street, the busier it becomes. The most popular little joint would be The Coffee Cove. The first thing you see when you walk in is the mint subway tiles behind the baristas. Besides the baked goods, it’s the best thing about this place. That’s what keeps me coming back, more so the cinnamon buns. They taste like heaven.

I’m mentally going through the list of things to ask the insurance broker when a hand grasps my shoulder. I whip around, and Elma smiles.

“Sorry, honey. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Her fingers dig deeper.

I reach out, removing her hand. “Trust me. You didn’t. I was thinking, that’s all.”

“About your shop?” she whispers, with pity in her eyes.

And there it is, the gossip of the fucking century coming out of the rumour mill's mouth. The only thing I’m grateful for is that she whispered it but guaranteed she had already told ten people before she walked in here.

I bit back a grin and nod. “Yeah, it’s a shame. Bright side. I’ll get that vacation after all.” I shrug because if I told her what I wanted to say, she would have a field day with it.

“It’ll be all right. You’ll be open in no time. I have no doubt about it.” She pulls me in for a half hug.

“Thanks. I should get going. I have a busy day ahead of me.”