L.A.'s POV

"Here we are, Second Chance Bookstore." Susanna says as she unlocks the door of the store and we step inside, taking a deep breath.

We are getting to run the store today, because Max and Madison are going to have their first meal with his parents and brother. Madison explained to me while the guys were upstairs yesterday the whole situation that had unfolded with that family. She kept saying how amazing it was that God had brought the family back together again. And that God was so good.

My thoughts are broken before they can go any deeper by Susanna clearing her throat. "You ready for this, chickadee?" She grins, giving me a random nickname.

"Sure thing, chicken wing!" I blurt, then immediately flash back to yesterday with James. I shake my head to clear it, and Susanna gives me that knowing look that she and Alan seem to have so down pat.

Within minutes, our first customer of the day, has arrived, then more and more. Before we knew it, it was lunch time and Susanna was flipping a "back after 12" sign on the front locked door. "We can run over to the diner for lunch." Susanna says, showing me the "behind the scenes" way to the diner, through a little back hallway. When we reach a table and take our orders. Susanna opens her mouth to say something, but the sound of Chad's voice from the Taylor Swift Mash-up is singing "I knew you were trouble when you walked in" comes from the direction of Susanna's phone holder.

She laughs, meanwhile glaring at her phone. She glances at me, "Apparently Chad got my phone...again."

Before she can answer the call, Chad's ringtone switch continues, "Forgetting her is like trying to know somebody you never met."

Susanna murmurs, "Goofy bub." She then answers the phone. "Hey Chadsters. What's happening?" She nods her head, and then makes a motion for me to hold on while she goes outside to take the call.

In a way, I'm sort of relieved for the moments of peace. Giving me a little time to think about everything. Including Susanna and one of the customers at the bookstore earlier.

We had been putting out some new stock when someone had come in and got a few books. I think he was wanting to pick a fight or wanted someone to challenge him and prove him wrong. He had said something to Susanna about how did she know God was real. And if that was the case what about the dinosaurs and all that.

It was then that I saw a side of Susanna come to life that I hadn't seen before. It was like right before my eyes she changed into a strong warrior ready to battle for her King. She brought up points that had the guy standing there blinking rapidly. She was so focused she still kept talking as she grabbed a few books, put her own money in the register and handed them to the guy. I still remember the words that she said, "God made lots of mysteries, but some aren't so much. Here's a Bible and a few really good books that will answer your questions. God loves you and doesn't want you to hate him. He is waiting for you."

I was actually pretty surprised that the guy left and he said that he would come back sometime after he had read the books.

About that time, Susanna returned bringing me back out of my remembering. "You okay girlie? You seem a bit out of it?" She asked.

"I'm fine. Just thinking."