She returned a moment later with the boots for Bella to try on. They fit like a glove and Bella sighed with happiness as she looked at her reflection in the mirror and saw how cute they were.

“What do you think?” Izzy asked.

“I love them. I’ll take them.”

Izzy took the boots, rang them up and put them in a big bag and handed it to Bella.

“Are you on vacation?” Izzy asked as she handed Bella her charge slip.

“I am. For a few months. My sister is coming to visit next week, and I’ll definitely be back then. I wasn’t planning on buying anything today. But when we come back, I want to spend more time looking around. Your store is wonderful.”

Izzy beamed. “Thank you. I look forward to seeing you again, and your sister, too.”

Bella left the shop and walked around for another hour. Most of that time was in Mitchell’s Book Corner, where she found two more books for her beach reading. By the time she left the store, she was hungry. She took Johnny’s suggestion and headed over to Oath Pizza and stood in line for a custom-made gluten free pizza with one of the best gluten free crusts she’d ever had.

After she finished eating, she found a bench and opened her book again. The sun was now shining brightly, and the air had warmed up quite a bit. Perfect weather for outside reading. Bella read for about an hour and then decided it was time to head back to the hotel. She texted the concierge desk to let them know she was ready for a return shuttle, and fifteen minutes later, Johnny and his white Range Rover pulled up to The Corner Table.

“Did you have a good shopping day?” Johnny asked as he put her big bag with the boots in the back of the car.

“Yes. Great suggestions, by the way. You were right about Oath Pizza. I’ll check out the chocolate shop when my sister comes to visit.”

He looked pleased to hear it. “Great, glad you liked it.”

They chatted easily and in no time at all, Bella was back at The Whitley and in her room. She was just about to open the book again and read for a while before dinner when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, saw that it was her agent and debated whether or not to answer. Finally, curiosity won.

“Hi, Jean.”

“Bella, how are you? Are you loving it there? Is it relaxing?”

“It was. Until you called,” Bella teased her.

Jean laughed. “Very funny. Listen you know I’d only call if it was important. It’s about the book I sent you.”

“I just started reading it today. You’re right. It’s very good.”

“I knew you’d love it!” Jean sounded triumphant. Which was not uncommon.