Love among the pages

When Jessica offered to help her dad at his antiques store, she wasn’t looking for romance— until a customer and an old book changed that

- Donna J. Collin

Where did you find this?” Jessica hadn’t even realized she was whispering until the handsome man at the counter leaned closer and asked her to repeat herself.

Jessica Lewis was helping her father out at his antiques shop, Timeless Treasures, while he attended an auction. It was a nice break from her accounting job. She drew a calming breath and answered in her most professional voice as she slipped on white cotton gloves. “This looks to be a rare book. Where did you find it?”

“I was clearing out my grandmother’s house. She just moved into a senior-living facility, and I’m moving into her house.”

Jessica ran a gloved finger along the leather binding in awe, slowly turning the yellowed pages. Reading the faded inscription, she felt like an intruder peering into a past love. Her breath caught again as she looked into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen.

“I’m Ryan Marshall.” “I’m Jessica. You have quite a treasure

here, Mr. Marshall. Gold inlay on the cover and sewn pages, not glued. The author is not well-known, but the poetry seems well written.”

She noticed his eyes widen as he asked, “What’s it worth?”