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    “Could I take a look at that?” The woman pointed to the title he held in his hand.
    “Sure.” He passed her the book, Hope in Hard Times.
    Tears glistened in her eyes as she focused on the beautiful seascape on the cover. “I’m going through a hard time right now, and I’m fresh out of hope, that’s for sure.”
    Anguished questions filled the woman’s eyes. “Is this a good author?”
    He swallowed hard. “Mrs. Chandler and her granddaughter, Adrienne, select all the books for the store. I’m sure they only bring in authors they trust.”
    Biting her lower lip, the woman turned over the book and read the back.
    Had he given her the right direction? He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and silently breathed out a prayer. Lord, this woman needs more help than I can give her. Would You give me a hand?
    She looked up, blinking back tears in her tired brown eyes. “I lost my job yesterday.”
    Her words hit him like a punch in the stomach. “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t hard for him to recall how miserable it felt to be without a job, uncertain how you’d pay the rent or buy groceries.
    “My husband has been out of work for over a year, since the cannery closed. I’m not sure what we’re going to do now. He’s diabetic, and we lost our insurance.” She shook her head, weary lines of defeat creasing her forehead.
    “Why don’t you sit down and take a look at this book?” He guided her to an overstuffed chair in the corner. “I’ll check around and see what else I can find for you.”
    He shot off another quick prayer as he scanned the shelves. He snagged two other titles that looked encouraging.
    She looked up as he approached. “Is it okay if I just sit here for a few minutes and read several pages? I need to be sure about the book before I spend any money.”
    “Sure. Take your time. Here are a couple more you might like.” He set them on the small table beside her, then glanced down the aisle at the box of books waiting to be shelved. Giving her some books to browse didn’t seem like it was enough.
    Memories of his talks with Cam over the last few months rose in his mind. Those conversations had given him the courage and hope he needed while he was jobless and wondering how he would make it until a new job came through. Maybe he could help this woman the same way Cam had helped him.
    He pushed away his discomfort and squatted down next to her chair. “I’m sorry you’re going through a rough time. I know what it’s like to be out of work. I lost my job a few months ago.”
    Her eyebrows rose. “You did?”
    He nodded. “This is actually my first day working at this new job.”
    A slight smile tipped up one side of her mouth. “Your first day. Wow. It must feel good knowing you’ll have a paycheck coming in soon.”
    “Yes, I’m thankful.” He glanced around the store. “It’s a whole new line of work for me, but I think I’m going to like it.” He turned back to her. “And what about you? What kind of job are you looking for?”
    “I’m a dog groomer,” she said with a bashful smile. “I’ve been doing that for about ten years, but the shop where I’ve been working just closed. The owner decided to retire.”
    He nodded and settled on the floor beside her chair ready to listen as she told him the rest of her story.
    Adrie hung up the phone and made a final note about the inventory system Chuck at Village Books had recommended. Faint sounds of conversation at the other end of the store registered in her mind. She looked up and cocked her head to listen, but the words were unclear. Suddenly, her pulse jumped. Ross must be talking to a customer. She tossed aside her pen and hustled around the counter and down the aisle. Her steps stalled when she reached the end.
    Ross knelt next to a plump woman in her fifties. She was seated in the blue overstuffed chair by the front window. Both their heads were bowed, and his hand rested lightly on her shoulder. Tears