Chapter 3 PERFECT SOON

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Willow Reads, casting a warm glow over the rows of books. Emma stood behind the counter, absently straightening a stack of bestsellers, her mind still preoccupied with the strange events of the past few days. The uneasy atmosphere in town had begun to affect business; the usual steady stream of customers had slowed to a trickle.

The cheerful chime of the bell above the door startled Emma from her thoughts. She looked up, a welcoming smile automatically spreading across her face, only to freeze as her gaze landed on the man who had just entered.

He was tall, easily over six feet, with broad shoulders that filled out his dark leather jacket. His hair was a rich, deep brown, slightly tousled as if he'd just run his hand through it. But it was his eyes that caught and held Emma's attention – a striking shade of green that seemed to shift and change like sunlight through leaves.

For a moment, Emma forgot to breathe.

The stranger's eyes met hers, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Good morning," he said, his voice a low, pleasant rumble that sent an unexpected shiver down Emma's spine.

"Good morning," Emma managed to reply, inwardly cringing at how breathy her voice sounded. "Welcome to Willow Reads. Can I help you find anything?"

The man's smile widened slightly. "I'm just browsing for now, thank you. I'm new in town and thought I'd explore a bit."

Emma nodded, trying to regain her composure. "Well, feel free to look around. Let me know if you need any recommendations."

As the stranger moved deeper into the shop, Emma found her eyes following him. There was something about the way he moved, a fluid grace that seemed at odds with his rugged appearance. She watched as he ran his fingers along the spines of books, pausing occasionally to pull one out and leaf through it.

After a few minutes, Emma realized she was staring and quickly busied herself with re-organizing the display of local authors. She was so focused on appearing nonchalant that she didn't notice the man approach until he was standing right in front of her.

"Excuse me," he said, and Emma looked up, startled. This close, she could see flecks of gold in his green eyes. "I was wondering if you could point me towards your section on local history?"

"Of course," Emma replied, gesturing towards the back of the store. "' past the mystery section. Are you interested in Willow Creek's history?"

The man nodded, falling into step beside her as she led the way. "I find small towns fascinating. They often have the most interesting stories, don't you think?"

"They certainly do," Emma agreed. "Willow Creek has its fair share of tales. Are you planning to stay in town long...?" She trailed off, realizing she didn't know his name.

"Liam," he supplied. "Liam Blackwood. And yes, I think I'll be around for a while. I've rented a cabin just outside of town."

Emma's eyebrows rose slightly. "The old Forrester place? I didn't know it was for rent."

Liam's expression flickered for a moment, something unreadable passing through his eyes. "It was a bit of a last-minute arrangement. I needed a quiet place to work on my book."

"You're a writer?" Emma asked, her interest piqued.

Liam nodded, a slightly sheepish smile crossing his face. "Trying to be, at least. It's my first novel."

They had reached the local history section, and Emma gestured to the shelves. "Well, you've come to the right place for inspiration. Willow Creek has a rich history. This book here," she pulled out a thick, leather-bound volume, "is a comprehensive account of the town's founding and early years."

As she handed the book to Liam, their fingers brushed, and Emma felt a jolt of... something. Static electricity, she told herself firmly, ignoring the way her heart had started racing.

Liam seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes searching her face. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to give me a more personal tour of the town's history?" he asked. "I find firsthand accounts are often more valuable than dry historical texts."

Emma blinked, surprised by the request. "I... yes, I suppose I could," she found herself saying. "I've lived here all my life, and my family has been In Willow Creek for generations."

Liam's face lit up with a smile that made Emma's breath catch. "That would be wonderful. Perhaps over coffee? If you can spare the time, of course."

Emma glanced at the empty shop, then back at Liam. She knew she should be more cautious, especially with the recent strange occurrences in town. But there was something about Liam that made her want to trust him, despite the air of mystery that surrounded him.

"I think I can manage that," she said, returning his smile. "There's a great little café just down the street."

As they walked towards the front of the store, Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was on the cusp of something new and potentially wonderful.

Liam waited patiently as Emma locked up the shop, leaving a note on the door that she'd be back in an hour. As they stepped out onto the sidewalk, a cool breeze rustled the fallen leaves at their feet.

"So, Emma," Liam said, her name sounding somehow special when he said it, "tell me about Willow Creek."

As they walked towards the café, Emma found herself opening up, sharing stories about the town's quirky residents and long-held traditions. Liam listened intently, asking thoughtful questions that made Emma see her hometown in a new light.

She was in the middle of recounting the legend of the Willow Creek ghost when they reached the café. Liam held the door open for her, and as Emma passed him, she caught a whiff of his scent – a mix of pine and something wild and untamed that reminded her of the forest after a rainstorm.

Settling into a cozy corner booth, Emma realized with a start that for the first time in days, she hadn't once thought about the strange animal attacks or the unsettling howls in the night. Liam's presence seemed to push all of that to the back of her mind, replacing her unease with a warm, excited flutter in her stomach.

As Liam smiled at her over the rim of his coffee cup, his green eyes twinkling with interest, Emma couldn't help but feel that her life in Willow Creek was about to get a lot more interesting.