Authentically izzy, p.29
Authentically, Izzy, page 29
It was like I’d stepped directly into a lifelong dream that I didn’t even know I longed to find. Listening to what people were looking for, helping them find the right book, sharing my love for the stories and even finding a few new reads for myself. So when Brodie brought a young woman to me, with an adorable glint in his eyes, he said, “She wanted to see the Book Matchmaker.” As Brodie told me later, one person mentioned my “matching” them with a few books and from that point on the moniker stuck.
I found my perfect job description! If only it paid! LOL.
But seriously, if I could work with books and decorate a bookstore without having to worry about all the money business and meetings and presentations that Brodie talks about, I would be doing what I feel I was made to do. Like I have the past three days.
Can one of you guys find that perfect job for me?
Anyway, after a lovely day working with Ellen and Fiona at the bookshop, Brodie took me to tour Carlstern Castle, where the current king and queen of Skymar live. Oh my, it was amazing. It’s only open for tours during this festival and people secure their tickets a year in advance, so Brodie’s mom gave her ticket to me so I could go. A real king and queen. Can you imagine actually meeting one of them in person inside their own home? I’m sure it would be something to remember, even if it was accidental or something like that. Penelope, you would have LOVED it!!
Photos aren’t allowed inside, so I attached the website so you can see a few of the rooms, but I just can’t imagine living in a place like that every day. (And I would add, the photo of the library doesn’t do it justice. Or the one of the dining room. WOW!)
Brodie and I enjoyed a quiet dinner together before ending the day by having a website/social media brainstorming session with Brodie’s cousin, Brynna. I can’t tell you how much fun I’m having! And Brodie, well, he’s just perfect.
Brodie has some meetings tomorrow in Port Quinnick, one of the oldest historic places on Ansling. While he’s in meetings, I get to tour the place, and I’m so excited because I can tell from the way he talks about it that he loves the city. Lots of history and even some interesting legends. Plus I have a list of businesses I’d like to visit for possible bookshop merch. Squee!!!
I’ll share more tomorrow with photos!
I think all of the excitement is starting to catch up with me, so I’m going to call it a night. I love you all and please let me know how everyone is doing. As you can tell, I’m having the best time of my life.
With a fairy-tale sigh,
Izzy
PS: People of Skymar believe there are tiny book fairies who tend to mistreated books while everyone’s asleep at night. Brodie and I started brainstorming a children’s book about it when I became fascinated and asked questions. It even rhymes! Once I finish, I’ll share it with you.
PPS: Local author Evangeline Lawrence signed a copy of her book Among the Tides today! It’s definitely been a day of amazing meetings!
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Izzy,
You’re not going to get by with that so easily. I believe Brodie mentioned something about a very interesting and “accidental” meeting you had at Carlstern. Interesting that you would leave out something so . . . royally memorable? That just isn’t fair to your loving family.
Luke
PS: The Book Matchmaker? Really? It fits so well, yet I’m still rolling my eyes.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Luke,
What exactly did Brodie tell you?
Curiously,
Izzy
PS: Just so you know, nothing necessarily bad happened.
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Brodie and I email on a regular basis, Iz. We talk books and brainstorm some renovation ideas he has for his house. He mentioned your tour and asked if you’d shared about meeting the queen. Something simple like that, but I’ve known him long enough to almost hear the story behind that question, so you better spill the beans or I’ll ask Brodie.
Luke
PS: I know things about you and I’m not afraid to use them. Be nice to me.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Cousins,
Fine! Since Luke seems to know everything about everything, I will tell you the embarrassing moment I had today at Carlstern Castle, which hopefully will never happen again. The castle really is amazing. And I was overwhelmed by the tapestries and the craftsmanship and the art on the ceilings. So it was quite natural that when Brodie slipped away to return a phone call for the bookshop, I kept touring. When I saw what appeared to be an early edition of Middlemarch through a cracked door in a passing room—okay, it wasn’t quite a passing room. It was across the hallway from the room I was in—but I saw bookshelves, so naturally I gravitated toward the room. In my defense the door was partially open.
It led into a breathtaking library. Two stories of books. So of course I scanned (okay, visually inventoried) some of the shelves, and that’s when I saw a woman sitting in one of the nearby chairs, staring at me. She was lovely. Soft-blonde hair, pale eyes, and posture to impress the Dowager Countess of Grantham. So I did something brilliant like say, “Isn’t this an amazing library?” to which she replied with, “Indeed.” And then we exchanged some simple banter before I made a comment about how I would rearrange the shelves to make the more popular books more accessible. I cringe to think about it now. She smiled in a very generous way. Okay, so truly she looked like she wanted to laugh. Then I mentioned that for a royal castle, their History section looked pitifully small. (Envision me with my head in my hands right now as I relive this scene.) At which time, Brodie arrived in the doorway and looked from me to the woman standing nearby, and then he did the strangest thing. Or I thought it was strange at the moment. He bowed his head, made some greeting in Caedric, and then I very clearly heard the words “Your Majesty.” Then everything clicked into place and my face grew hot enough to toast marshmallows. I’m serious. And then you all know what happened. My eyes started watering because I was so embarrassed, and Brodie thought I was going to cry. I didn’t cry. I gave some sort of curtsy, which may have looked more like the failed flight of Penelope’s rescued parakeet, Pebbles. And . . . nearly knocked over one of those stand-up globes that I found out later, thankfully, was a gift from some duke of something to the queen’s grandfather sixty years ago. I’m going to boycott globes in bookshops in the future.
Anyway, we left before I could somehow destroy the royal line, though Brodie was quick to inform me, between chuckles, that the king and queen are incredibly generous and kindhearted people . . . and would likely retell this story to their posterity for generations to come. I’m going to keep using the “I’m an American” excuse for as long as I can (sorry US of A).
There you have it. Now I’m going to douse my retro-embarrassment with a hot chocolate and some pepperkake from Antoinette’s. Unfortunately I’ve had the hardest time finding mint chocolate chip ice cream, but Sutherland’s has three different editions of Wuthering Heights so I feel well prepared for the aftermath of my humiliation.
It’s almost two in the morning here in Skern. I really need to go to sleep.
Mortified,
Izzy
PS: Brodie is better than mint chocolate chip and Brontë, just so you know. He hugs. I never even made it to the second page of Brontë.
PPS: The queen kind of looked like Julie Andrews, just so you know. And I told her so, before I knew she was the queen. I don’t know if that won me brownie points or not, but it ought to have. Who doesn’t love Julie Andrews? Between Ellen, the queen, and three other ladies I met today, there’s a surprising influx of Julie Andrews look-alikes, but really . . . who can blame them? As Anne of Green Gables says, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
You MET. A. QUEEN!!!! I can’t even imagine. What were you wearing? Please tell me you didn’t have on one of those bookish T-shirts of yours. You know the ones I mean. “Go away! I’m reading” or “Bookmarks are for quitters” or, the worst one, “I stopped reading to be here! Not a fair trade.” Even if you met her in a library, those do not set the best first impression for a queen. Not that I’ve ever met one, but I’ve seen The King and I and even performed in Hamlet. There is a certain protocol, Izzy. Maybe you’ll get another chance to make a first impression. I’m sure if you meet her again, she probably won’t remember you. Royals see so many people, they can’t remember everybody.
The photos are fabulous!! The official website says that the library has over forty thousand books! I feel certain their History section is more than adequate. And did you know that Julie Andrews starred in the Broadway version of My Fair Lady? It’s important. She really sang her songs, unlike Audrey Hepburn. I just thought you ought to know in case someone asks you about it.
Can’t wait to see more photos!
Love,
Penelope
PS: I don’t see why you wouldn’t think you’re a part of our family, Izzy! Clearly I fuss at you like I do Josephine or Luke. In fact, most days I like you much better than either of them.
PPS: I adore the title The Book Matchmaker. You could set it to music like the matchmaker song from Fiddler on the Roof.
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Izzy,
I’m glad to know that I can stop stockpiling ice cream to deter you from delving into an unhealthy dose of Brontë. I’ll send my future donations to old Blighty.
Luke
PS: Penelope, you’re underestimating the queen’s sense of humor. She may own one of those T-shirts.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Penelope Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Penelope,
It’s good to know that if you meet the queen during your internship, your love for the stage has sufficiently prepared you. And no, I was not wearing one of my bookish T-shirts. I actually wore the red summer dress you bought me for the trip. I’ll be okay if the queen doesn’t remember me. I’d rather leave a better impression than “rebel, bossy, bookish American tourist.” Well, I wouldn’t mind the “bookish” part so much.
And of course Julie Andrews is practically perfect in every way.
Izzy
PS: Luke, maybe you should write a rhyming children’s book with Brodie. I can only imagine how Seussian that could be.
From: Penelope Edgewood
To: Luke Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Izzy!!
You wore the dress I bought you to meet the queen!! That means I was practically there with you!! Wait until the girls at school hear about this!
Penelope
From: Luke Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 28
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Penny-girl,
I have no words.
Luke
From: Josephine Martin
To: Penelope Edgewood, Izzy Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: June 29
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Izzy,
I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your emails. I’ve been reorganizing Patrick’s sock drawer, the kitchen pantry, and Grandmother’s sewing room underneath the stairs. It really is amazing what you can find in a place no one’s touched in nine years. I think I located someone’s missing hot-pink scrunchies and Penelope’s violin. Why the violin would be in that untouched place, I have no idea. Needless to say, I now have enough space to store Patrick’s golf paraphernalia.
I’m so glad you are having such a nice time on your little vacation, and I’d like to reiterate one point about your self-reflection. You have always been a part of our family, Izzy. I’ve never thought of you as anything else. If I seemed to gravitate toward asking for your help or relying on you for important things, it’s only because I always found you fully capable and willing. Maybe I tried to give my advice too much and guide you in certain directions, but I would never want to lead you somewhere you were not meant to go. I think I can say this for Luke and Penelope, too, that we’ve always believed in you. In fact, there are more days than not that I envied your creativity, passion, zeal, and love for what you do. There aren’t many people who ever truly find their place or niche in the world. Most of us just do what needs to be done. But you’re one of the unique few who have and we want to celebrate that with you.
Maybe that’s why Mom encouraged you to take the library job, because she caught a glimpse of that passion inside you and wanted to see what you’d do.
I need to stop writing because I’ve started crying again. Just know I love you and whatever decision you make about books or romance or annoying bookish shirts, I will love you still.
Josephine
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood, Josephine Martin
Date: June 29
Subject: Re: The Book Matchmaker
Josephine,
Your note brought me to tears and I’m not even pregnant.
I’m so grateful that I’m learning that love comes in all different shapes, sizes, and personalities. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to see that love gives me freedom, not chains me down. Even if you guys don’t agree with me, you’re going to love me, and I think that’s the part I needed to really understand most of all.
And I hope you have the best time ever organizing the rest of the house, Josephine. I’ve never felt that type of passion for the organization of anything . . . Well, except maybe books.
Izzy
Text from Izzy to Luke: So that’s where you put Penelope’s violin!!! I always wondered.
Luke: Someone had to be man enough to protect the living.
* * *
“Thursday was our biggest sales day in ten years, Isabelle.” Brodie’s grin unhinged as he steered the car along the motorway, his hair fluttering in the sea-salted air blowing through the windows. “One day. And Mum said that today is already superseding yesterday. You’re like a miracle worker.”
Izzy smoothed her palms down her slacks, warmth branching through her chest. From her talk with Luke, to Josephine’s email, to her absolute delight in spending time with Brodie and his bookshop, she couldn't seem to tame the dizzying excitement coursing through her. If life was going to wait until she was thirty to start happening, then it sure hit with an explosion of confetti.
“I can’t thank you enough for trusting me with your family’s legacy.” She sighed and leaned back into the car seat. “I’m honored and overwhelmed.”
“You’re the one thanking me.” He gave her fingers a quick squeeze before returning his hand to the steering wheel. “After all these months of growing to love you and learning about who you are, it was as much a pleasure to see you explore all of that magnificent imagination of yours as it was to watch the people swarm into the shop.”
Had he said love? She pinched her hands together, determined to hold back a junior-high squeal. Of course he loved her. He’d shown her in his actions and words and gentleness—heat soared into her face—not to mention his kisses. She embraced the awareness and her heart’s ready response. “I’m so glad,” she whispered.
“And now you’re the Book Matchmaker?” He laughed. “How perfect is that!”
She stared at his profile, the sharp angle of a chin framed with his closely shaved golden beard. His nose with a tiny bend in it, evidently from a “row with Anders” over Robinson Crusoe. The way his blond hair swept back from his forehead as if brushed back by the wind. And her smile softened. He loved her. “People like to give labels to things.”
“In this respect the moniker fits like a glove.” He shot her his charming smile. The sea behind him, the wind tousling his hair, those eyes staring at her as if she was Margaret Hale and he, John Thornton. Oh, she desperately needed to rewatch the last ten minutes of North and South when she got home. Her brow shot skyward. Or . . . better yet, an acting out of the kissing scene.
“It’s crazy how that Book Matchmaker name has stuck.”
“You’ve not only read so many books you can relate to innumerable readers, but you even set the stage for people to fall in love with books. The bookshop is transformed, and you haven’t even done all you wanted. Don’t you see how remarkable you and your gifts are, dear Isabelle?”
She hadn’t. Not for so long. But now . . . now she was beginning to realize she deserved a chance to be loved by a good person. To find equal footing for the romantic road of life. To be loved, not just to love. And . . . well . . . she had worth all on her own. It truly was amazing how a shift in perspective, an understanding of her own identity in this world and the next, changed everything. She was loved. End of story.
