Ariel was exhausted after finishing November’s inventory roundup, but he only had one other hireling so far for the Christmas season. Perhaps, he figured, he ought to look into hiring one or two more. But for now, at least it was done, and he could sit down and watch the shop floor. He’d acquired a few regulars - the woman who seemed to be reading his Italian copy of Dante’s Inferno bit by bit with each visit, the twin boys who huddled in the comic section and went through the manga. It was all rather nice and homey.
Seth was writing an article about practical crop rotation and the slow use of minerals in the soil due to a lack thereof. She wanted to find older articles about crop health, but was having some trouble. So when she found a vintage bookstore, she wondered if they might have some old almanacs.
Pushing her way in, Seth smiled at the homey feeling of the store, putting her hands into her pockets.
Ariel heard the door open, and smiled a greeting. “Hello, miss. Welcome to my shop; is there something I can help you with?” She was extraordinarily pretty, he realized, and looked faintly familiar.
Tucking dark hair behind her ears, Seth grinned more broadly and made her way to the counter. “Actually, I have a really weird request. Do you have any farming almanacs from around the turn of the century?”
“Believe it or not, I’ve heard odder.” Ariel got up from his perch, heading for one of the far aisles. “We have an entire shelf of Poor Richard’s Almanachs.” It had been one of his predecessor’s interests, and when he’d bought the store and collections, he’d just kept it up.
Seth’s dark eyes lit up. “Really? Can I have all of them? I mean... if you don’t mind, I don’t want you to part with something as special as these if you’re attached to them.” She didn’t think he’d want to sell them; she wouldn’t.
“All of them?” Ariel blinked, amused. “When I say shelf, miss, I mean nigh on two hundred of them. Are you sure?”
“Yes, please. I’m doing a paper on turn of the century soil nutrient levels and how they compare to ours. Well, paper makes it sound like I’m back in school - I’m doing it for blogs, and maybe to petition some sympathetic congresspeople.” Seth blushed, seeing the faint smile at the corners of the man’s eyes.
“If you’re serious, I’m sure we can come to an agreement on price. That sounds like quite the undertaking.” Ariel turned her down the back aisle and came to a stop in front of the shelf. “Voila.”
“I’m dead serious.” When they came to the shelf, she walked forward near reverently, her fingers lightly stroking the spines of the aged paper volumes. “They’re beautiful,” she murmured. “So much history.”
“They were a pet project of the man who owned this store before me.” Ariel explained. “But I’d be thrilled to let them go to a good home.”
Seth’s eyes were still shining, and she turned to Ariel. “Whatever you want for them, I’ll pay. Even if I wasn’t doing this paper, I would, they’re so lovely.”
Ariel thought for a minute. “Apiece, I’ve been selling them for $10 per. I’d have to count them all, but I’ll give you a deal. Say, $1500 for all two hundred?”
“That’s far too low. Two thousand.” Seth smiled as she turned to face him, holding out a finger in a scolding gesture. “And not a penny less, young man.”
Ariel had to laugh. “All right, miss. If you insist. That’s perfectly fair. And I can rest easy knowing they’re going to a home where they’ll be treasured. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful book tossed in a bag like nothing.”
“People do that?” Seth’s brown eyes went wide in horror. “You should charge extra for those monsters.”
“I should. It’s appalling to watch.” Ariel frowned. But he did smile at her. “If you’re buying out half my store, I would at least like to know your name. I am Ariel. I own this store.”
“Seth Balmore,” she beamed, extending a hand for him to shake. “I’m just a person who tries to help out certain interest groups the best I can. I don’t really work in any environmental causes, though.” They used her as a spokesperson, splashing her photos on the front page of their websites.
“Really. With all this passion and enthusiasm?” Ariel raised an eyebrow. “May I ask what you do for a living?”
Her dark skin didn’t betray that she was blushing, but she could feel heat coming from her cheeks. “I. Uh, well. I’m a model for a lingerie company, among other clients. It’s a living, but this is my passion.”
“Oh! I see. I’m sorry, I had no idea.” Ariel hoped she wasn’t offended. “Just, clearly, you love this. It does my heart good to see.”
“I’m so thrilled you have no idea,” Seth laughed. “I hate being recognized, it’s why I try not to dress up in public. Well, that and it’s so nice to wear comfy things. I swear, every time I have to put on heels for work, I whimper.”
Ariel did laugh, in spite of himself. “While I do enjoy the company of women, I tend to not pay attention to things like fashion. I’m afraid this store eats up most of my time.” He took some of the almanacs and started walking back to the front of the place. “Would you care to pick the rest of them up, Miss Balmore?”
“Of course not, but please, call me Seth.” She picked up the other almanacs and smiled at him. “You’re a remarkable person if you don’t pay attention to a woman’s looks. We need more men like you.”
“I appreciate a woman’s beauty.” Was that blushing? “I just don’t think it should be the only remarkable thing about her.” He carried the almanacs up front, feeling awkward and hoping it didn’t show.
“Still remarkable.” She tucked some hair behind her ears before capably carrying the remainder of the books, arms stronger than they looked for someone so slight.
Ariel smiled. “I appreciate the kind words,” he said, figuring it was the best option. As they got up to the cash register, he set the almanacs down, moving the picture of Alicia he had near the register. “Unfortunately, the time-consuming part now begins - I have to note down each barcode. They’re all the same to a degree, but I need the last four digits on each one.”
“Of course. Do you want me to help?” Seth smiled, noticing the picture. “She looks like she’s sunshine.”
“That would actually be very kind of you, Miss Ba - Seth.” Ariel saw her notice the picture, and smiled. “That’s my daughter. Her name is Alicia, and she’s three.”
“What a cutie,” Seth grinned. She found a seat and started reading off the last four digits of barcodes for him, legs crossed at the ankle.
“She lives with her mother, but I’m trying to get partial custody.” Ariel kicked himself inwardly; why say that to a stranger? He focused on the barcodes instead, hoping she didn’t think he was weird.
“I hope you do,” Seth murmured. “Every kid should have a dad who wants them.” She was touched that he would share something like that with her, and there went that blush again what the hell?
“I’m sorry, that was a bit personal of me. I just like talking about her.” Ariel smiled, blushing himself. He got back to reading the barcodes, hoping it would be forgotten.
It took less time than he’d anticipated for them to get the almanacs all set into the system. “All right, that is the last one. We do not accept personal checks but otherwise, all the standard forms of payment are fine.” He smiled at her. “I genuinely hope you get lots of use out of them.”
Seth handed over her credit card, but then moved to scribble something onto the back of a business card. Not the one she used for modelling, but the one she used for her environmental work, the one with her degree on it. “Here. I - wanted you to have my number.” Well, that was slick. “God, I hope you’re single.” Yeah, that wasn’t better.
Ariel blinked, instantly flushing beet red. “Oh. I. Yes, I’m ... I’m single. Alicia’s mother lives in New York. And we’re not married.” Hopefully that didn’t make him look bad. “Thank you. I’ll call.” She was very pretty, and very intelligent.
The petite woman grinned, a bright, not-modely grin that was simply happy. “Really? Oh, good, I figured we could get lunch or something. Friends - I just didn’t want a wife to get jealous or something. Lingerie models bring the worst out in wives, even when I’m not interested in the guy. Not that I’m not interested in you. ... what the hell, I’m usually not this stupid. Ignore me.”
It was incredibly endearing, actually, and he laughed, looking down. “Lunch would be nice, but ... no, no. I was ill for a while, and I ... well. It’ll be good for me to get out a bit.” Especially with a pretty woman.
“Well, good, I have a decent place in mind. The food’s great, but not snobby, and you don’t have to dress up.” Seth wrinkled her nose. “Dressing up is literally my job, so I'm not much of a fan in my off time.”
“I can understand that.” Ariel was damned curious as to why a woman like this would need to do modeling. Was she so poor otherwise? It was a bit rude to ask, but hopefully he would find out. She ought to be doing what she loved, not tolerated.
He cleared his throat, smiling as he handed her her bags. “Will you need help carrying these to a car or something? All of them together are probably heavy.”
“Oh, I should be all right.” She hefted a couple of them on her shoulders, but then blinked. He probably wanted to walk her to her car. “Oh. On second thought. Actually would you mind awfully?”
“Not at all.” Ariel inclined his head, smiling as he picked up a bag. “Out of curiosity, can I ask how you found this shop? Did you google, or come by, or some such? I wondered what brought you in.”
“I googled, yeah.” Seth smiled and walked out to the parking lot, headed toward her Leaf. She could afford more flash, but she liked the fuel economy.
“I knew that website would come in handy.” Ariel chuckled. “I didn’t want to do it at first, but I’m glad I did.” Doubly so now.
“I’m glad you did too, these will be so helpful. I’ll be sure to reference your shop in the article.” Seth opened the trunk of her car to put in some of the bags. He was taller than her, and she found she liked looking up.
“Oh, you don’t have to, though I certainly won’t be disappointed if you do.” Ariel smiled, setting down the few he was carrying in the trunk, making sure they wouldn’t fall over. “There, that looks sturdy enough.”
“Well, thank you again, Ariel.” She stuck out a hand for him to shake, feeling less nervous now that she knew he was single and didn’t think she was an idiot. “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”
“Likely sometime in the next few days.” He shook it, still a little awkward and shy. “I have some pressing business tomorrow, but likely after that. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, I’m really glad I came.” Seth smiled at him, giving a little wave before moving to get into her car. It was so nice to be honest in her smalltalk for a change. She really was glad.