Heartstrings on Fire novel Chapter 1236

Jared Whitfield wasn't as busy as he used to be these days.

Sometimes, after a quiet dinner at home, he and Agnes would wander down to the local bookstore for a leisurely browse.

The bookstore had this laid-back, cozy charm to it. Being there made you almost forget about the passage of time.

Jared looked around and said, "We've got almost everything ready. Have you decided on a name for the bookstore yet?"

The store still didn't have a name.

Agnes, leaning against Jared's shoulder by the window, replied, "People are so stressed these days, living in such a rush. I want this place to be somewhere folks can find a little peace, remember who they are, recharge, and face the world again. How about we call it Quiet Heart Books?"

Jared chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "I like it. Does this mean we should start calling you Boss Pritchard?"

"Boss sounds so... ordinary."

"Then how about Master Pritchard?"

"On second thought, Boss Pritchard is fine."

The day Agnes opened the bookstore, there were no grand decorations or celebrations. Not even a single flower arrangement at the entrance. It simply opened its doors, as if it had been part of the neighborhood forever.

Despite the past misunderstandings and harshness, the old man’s demeanor towards Agnes had softened considerably. Agnes never held any grudge against him. She understood his perspective.

Ryder Whitfield was still in the hospital, relying on machines to keep him alive—a heartbreak for the old man and a deep regret for Agnes.

Last night, over a glass of bourbon, the old man spoke to Agnes. "Agnes, you're a good kid. Don't hold it against me for pushing you away before. I was scared. Alyssa's life was wrecked because she loved someone who didn’t love her back. I didn’t want Ryder to suffer the same fate. Both Ryder and Jared are my grandsons. I never favored one over the other. They’ve both had it rough, and I didn’t want them to end up resenting each other over you. I thought if anyone had to be the bad guy, it should be me. Let them hate me, an old man who's not got much time left. They’ve got their whole lives ahead to support each other. But now, I see how wrong I was."

The old man seemed a bit tipsy.

Agnes reassured him, "I understand why you did what you did. I've never held it against you."