“Fellas, we have seventy-two hours to remodel a bookstore that opened in the 1960s. It’s going to be a huge challenge, but I’ve planned for that. And heck, if they can do it on TV, we can do it in Cedar Falls.”
“Heck yeah,” one of the guys yelled.
“First, we need to pull everything out of the store. Then we’ll sand the floors and restain. We’ll let that dry overnight. See the guy in the orange cap over there? That’s Preston. He’s my second-in-command—any questions, just ask one of us.”
That was Dot’s cue to weigh in. “And as we move everything out back, we have a big dumpster it can go in,” she said. “I’ll be there with Harper to note anything we need to keep, and we’ll put those items into the empty storefront next door. The landlord said we could use it.”
“All right. Let’s go!” Danny said. His team sprang into action. They were up for the challenge.
While the guys started moving everything out, Mary, Harper, and Grace Taylor chose books to sell that weekend outside of the shop.
“It’s the annual Cedar Falls sidewalk sale this weekend, so it’s perfect timing,” Grace said. They selected a variety of books to display outside: new releases, Wisconsin history, cookbooks, young adult series, and children’s books, plus Reader Falls Bookshop totes and T-shirts.
Harper, with Pippi in her tote bag to tag along, made a sign that the weekend’s children’s hour would be at the pavilion in Liberty Park. She drew her best picture of a dog and wrote “Pippi will be there!” Harper knew her small dog was a big draw.
Those tasks completed, the girls started pulling books off the shelves and putting them in boxes. Grace Taylor labeled the cartons so that they’d know what went where when the new shelving was up. It was Dot-level organized.
Meanwhile, Joe Taylor and his sons pulled out the rugs and furniture. Dot considered the piles and decided what was staying and what was going. Grace took the rugs to the cleaners where they were prepared for the rush job. Dot decided which sofas and chairs were staying and going.
“It’s hard to let these plush couches go, but they’re really past their prime,” Dot said.
“When in doubt, throw it out.” Grace patted the back of one of the sofas.
With that advice, and realizing they needed to move more quickly, Dot got more decisive.
“Out,” she said, pointing to an old leather sofa that was missing a foot and several of its buttons. She had to be ruthless. There was no time for sentimentality.
“I’ll take that one for my office at the bar,” Tommy said, pointing to one of the deep leather chairs with a matching ottoman. “It’s perfect for all the deep thinking I do back there.”
“Sold!” Dot said, pretending to wield a gavel.
A while later, Fletcher and Rose came by after For the Win’s offices closed.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said there was going to be a transformation!” Fletcher surveyed the debris coming out of the shop.
“Ted and Jeanie would have heart attacks if they saw this,” Rose said.
“Let’s just hope we finish before they get back on Sunday at six!” Dot said. Then she asked Rose to help Harper with the outside display for the weekend and assigned Fletcher to help the guys who were taking down the plaster off the side walls. Danny had a feeling they’d find beautiful blond bricks that matched the historical facades of the buildings on Main Street. Sure enough, they were in perfect condition.
“You called it,” Dot said, and Danny gave her a high five.
At eight o’clock, several pizzas arrived from Slice of Life. According to Danny, it was the best Italian pie in town. Mary and Rose teamed up to set up a buffet line with paper plates and rolls of Bounty for napkins. Mimi arrived with cupcakes she’d made that afternoon. They were decorated with the Reader Falls Bookshop logo.
“Sweet,” Dot said, handing a cupcake to Danny. When he took a bite, she bopped his hand, and green frosting covered his nose. His eyes widened in surprise.
“Okay, so we’re doing this, huh? Better watch out, Miss Clark.”
“I’ll take my chances.” She was in an open flirt with him now. “I’m sorry, I just got you so good on that.”
The team worked until about ten that night then called it a day for everyone except the guys there to sand, level, and stain the floors. The plan was to let the floors dry overnight and then everyone could gather again at noon the next day and keep going.
Danny dropped off The Crew at their house. “Get some sleep. We’re going to need it,” he said.
“It’s been so fun. I can’t wait to see how it turns out,” Dot said, feeling happy and glad to have the election off her mind for a day. She reached up and kissed his cheek and he ran his hand down her neck to her collarbone. She shivered from the sensation.
As she tucked herself into bed just before midnight, Dot meditated on Danny’s command of the project and how he’d caught her eye in the middle of the controlled chaos and smiled just for her. She rewound the scene over and over in her mind.
And as she was falling asleep, she realized she was also falling for Danny.