Chapter 45: Losing Faith

The lunch crowd trickled out of Downtown Melbourne when Faith pulled up in front of Selby's store. The day was bright with a slight chill rustling the trees that lined the sidewalk. Faith found herself giggling as she locked her car and stepped up on the walkway to Selby's Downtown Books. This was even more fun than her games with Edwin.

The bell over the door called out her entrance as she passed through the doorway. Selby stood close to the counter, shuffling through a stack of paperbacks. He turned at the sound of the door, and she loved the look of confusion on his face when he saw her. It was obvious he wasn't sure how to react, and that he expected someone else to come through the door, like a customer.

"Is everything okay?" He set the books on the counter and turned toward her, taking a step as he did in her direction. "What's wrong?"

She smiled at him. "Everything is fine. How is business today?"

"It's a mad rush of customers as you can tell." He gestured at the empty bookstore