The Untold Fairytale, Enchanted Realms, Part 2

Chapter 2: Watching Eloise

Jack’s POV

The moment Eloise crossed the threshold to the bookstore, I knew we’d be there until the store closed. I watched her blue eyes sparkle in awe as they scanned the scattered books that formed a semblance of perceived organization. The bookcases were labeled with various genres, but it appeared that the books had migrated through the years, finding new homes.

From the chaos of the shelves to the piles of books on reading tables and the cracked leather couch with the persnickety tabby cat, I felt like we stepped into an unwritten fairytale. The setting turned my blonde-haired book detective in search of the books that had her name written within their covers, for those were the stories she would devour in the early hours of the morning when sleep alluded her.

Following Eloise from a distance, I cracked open a book or two so the shopkeeper didn’t think that I was loitering; I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she inspected each book carefully. Sticking her tongue out, she wet her lips and slowly opened a leather-bound book. The name was fading from the binding, but she intently read a few lines from page one. Cracking a little laugh, she put the book in her “perhaps pile”; that’s the pile that will come home with us, but she pretends she might not take them all home.

Picking up the next book, the red leather is faded and cracked. Eloise ran her fingers along the crack and frowned. I can tell that the condition of this little story hurts her heart. She places the book in her pile and glances at me. Realizing that I’m eyeing her leaning tower of books, she instantly blushes and blows me a kiss.

My heart melts at the sweet gesture. I watch as she moves further into the room and notice her excitement grow as she picks up another leather book with a dragon imprint on the front. Lingering, she stares at the blank pages, biting her lower lip. I’d give anything to steal her thoughts, wondering what was so spectacular about that blank leather book.

Stepping toward her, I remained silent, knowing not to interrupt her evaluation. She turned another page and slowly ran her fingers across the page. From my angle, I didn’t have a clue what she wrote or the events she unfurled by her innocent actions, which was probably for the best.

As she closed the book, I asked, “What’s so special about that book.”

Tilting her head, she looked at me as if asking, “Are you a fool?” I was! I was a fool in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, and I wanted to drag her out of there and dance with her underneath the stars. I wanted to kiss her sweet lips and get lost in her, not between the pages of someone else’s story!

Until then, I decided it was best to sit with the grumpy tabby and wait for her to finish her treasure hunt. Tabby wasn’t so grumpy after all, and he entertained me until Eloise returned with several books and asked, “How could you just sit there like a bump on a log and not search every room within this shop?”

Standing up, I placed my hands on her shoulders and said, “I’d love nothing more than to buy a hundred books, but we must pack everything in our luggage. So, I decided to give up my space in the luggage for your books.”

Her eyes grew large, and she said, “Thank you! You’re amazing!”

Leaning my forehead against hers, I whispered, “Now, let’s go pay for your books.”

Grabbing the books from her, we walked to the front desk and placed them on the counter. The shopkeeper peeked from the back room and yelled, “I’ll be right there.”

Several moments later, he walked out and said, “Looks like you’ve found your treasure.”

”Oh! Yes! This shop is fantastic!” Eloise said, practically jumping up and down.

That is until the shopkeeper said, “That will be $245 pounds.”

”What? How? The books were all priced around 10 pounds each.”

The shopkeeper held the journal and said, “This ancient book is 200 pounds. From the look on your face, I’m guessing that you can’t afford it.”

She pursed her lips, looking from her newfound enemy to me, hoping I would solve this devastating crisis for her. Closing my eyes, I tried to come up with a solution that would not derail the remainder of our trip, but I couldn’t find one. It was too expensive for an empty notebook, regardless of its age.

“Eloise, why don’t we come back tomorrow? We can discuss this tonight. If you really want this book, maybe we can forego something in Paris next week.”

Wiping away a tear, she nodded. Without a fight, her voice cracked as she asked, “Can you hold these for us?”

The shopkeeper scowled at her, “If you can’t afford them tonight, how do you expect to afford them tomorrow, you foolish girl.”

Eloise opened her mouth to protest, thought better of it, and ran out of the store without another word. Winking at him, I raced out after her to comfort her the best I could, but she was nowhere to be found.

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Keep an eye out for Chapter 3, Treacherous Tears