Secrets in the Stacks, page 11
“Have a good night,” Rarity called after him as he disappeared into his house. She finished wiping down the deck furniture, then swept the flooring. With that done, the deck was back in shape. She went back inside. She was restless. Something about Darby and her grandmother had her on edge. Sam was there with Darby, though, so she didn’t need to worry. She decided to eat an early dinner, then start a book she’d brought home. It was a new-to-her author, and she liked having new books to recommend. And maybe reading would get her out of this mood.
The next morning, Rarity puttered around the house. She didn’t have to open the bookstore until one, so she did a few loads of laundry while she finished off the book she’d started last night. When that was done, she didn’t want to start a new book. The house was clean. It was too early to go into the bookstore. She needed a hobby. As soon as Darby got settled, Rarity was going to join a club or maybe take up a craft.
She sat at the table and pulled out the inventory list from the Doyle estate. She scanned through the books, making marks on the ones she’d need to look up before setting an opening price bid. On the third page, she found more books by Cheryl Jackson. Signed books in nearly new condition. Another connection to Sedona. She really needed to find out how to reach this woman. She must have been popular with the Sedona book crowd for Catherine to have several of her books signed. She wrote a note on her pad, then went back to the inventory sheets.
Killer barked from his spot on the floor next to her. She looked up from the next to last sheet and groaned. It was already twelve thirty. She needed to hustle if they were going to open on time. She left the inventory list on the table and hurried to change for work. By the time she got there, Sam was sitting outside her shop with an ice cream cone. “That looks good.”
“I stopped by to see if you wanted me to get you one, but I saw you changed Monday open hours.” Sam followed her to the door and held Killer’s leash while she unlocked it.
“How did the time with Darby go? Any issues?” Rarity walked into the store and turned on the lights. Sam followed her in, but when she went to close the door, a male hand blocked it.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.” Sam opened the door, and the same man from a few days ago entered the store.
“No, totally my fault. I was hurrying to get in before you shut it. Old superstition like don’t light three cigarettes on a match. Come to find out, that wasn’t a wives’ tale. The problem was the enemy could focus on the matchlight if you kept it going for more than one light.” He nodded to Rarity. “I’ve been thinking about a few of those nonfiction books I saw the last time I was here. I’m going to buy them.”
“Books have a way of convincing us, even when we don’t want to be convinced.” She smiled. Okay, she could deal with a man who was so focused on his books that he came back to buy something he’d seen days earlier. “Just let me know when you’re ready to check out.”
Sam waited for him to be across the store. “You know him?”
“He was in here a few days ago. I got a bad vibe from him, but maybe it was just intensity. He seems fine today. Chatty even.” She tucked her tote under the counter and took the leash off Killer. “Are you eating out tonight?”
“No, we’re heading back to the house. She’s going to pick me up when she’s done with class. I would have gone with her, but I told Mrs. Maynard I’d have her necklace done by the weekend. She wants it to wear to a party on Saturday.” Sam grabbed one of the stools and sat down, rubbing melted ice cream off her chin. “So I had to work. I should be able to be at the book club tomorrow night, as long as things go well tomorrow. If not, I’ll have to pull all-nighters for a few days. But it’s worth it if Darby stays safe.”
Rarity let Sam talk as she finished the daily opening chores. Then she put her clipboard under the cabinet and sat down. “She’s going to be fine. At least as long as we keep the reporters away from her. Drew got ambushed outside the police station yesterday. He told me the reporter lady might be heading our way, but I haven’t seen her yet.”
“I don’t know why…” Sam’s sentence was cut off when the reporter, Charity Lions, walked into the bookstore, red power suit and all. She looked around like she was pretending to shop and then headed right to the counter.
“Good afternoon. You must be Rarity Cole, owner of The Next Chapter. I love your little bookshop. But then again, who doesn’t love such a quaint spot right here on Main Street. I hear you haven’t owned the shop long.”
“It’s been about a year now.” Rarity smiled, but it felt as fake as she felt. “What can I do for you? Are you looking for fiction? Nonfiction? Self-help?”
She saw Sam start to laugh, but then she turned away. “Bye, Rarity. I’ve got to open my shop.”
Rarity watched as Sam deserted her. She was on her own.
“Actually, I wanted to see if Ms. Darby Doyle was working today. I’m doing a story about her grandmother and the unfortunate recent events.” She smiled like the request was just a friend, checking in.
“Sorry, she’s not working. She’s taking a few days due to the death in her family. I’m afraid I don’t know when she’ll be back.” Rarity turned away from the reporter. “Now, if there’s not anything else, I’ve got books to check in and get out on the shelves.”
“Could I ask you a few questions? About the store and your motivation in opening it? I’ve been told you have an amazing story yourself.” The reporter tried a different tactic.
Rarity barely kept the sigh from escaping. The woman was persistent. “Sorry, I’m awfully busy right now, small businesses usually are. Call me later, and we can set up a time.”
“Excuse me, could you see if you have the other books in this series?” The man who’d come in earlier leaned on the counter. He handed a thriller to Rarity and then turned to focus on Charity. “Why, hello darling. I bet you love men who read, don’t you? Well, you’ve hit the jackpot here. No wedding ring on those pretty hands. Are you single?”
Rarity took the book and turned away toward her computer, trying to hide her smile. “This will take a few minutes to look up. I have to boot up the inventory. It’s been a busy afternoon. I haven’t gotten much of my opening tasks done yet.”
“No hurry, I’ll just get acquainted with this lovely lady.” He leaned closer. “Your perfume is so enticing. What is it called?”
Charity stepped away from the counter—and from the man—and put a card near Rarity. “Call me if you have time for an interview this week. I really have to go.”
“Seriously? I thought we were getting to know each other. My name’s Nick, by the way,” the man called after her. After the door closed, he turned back to Rarity. Straightening, he tapped the counter and started walking to the door. “No need to look that up. I just wanted to help you out. I didn’t find what I was looking for, so maybe I’ll check in the next time I’m in the area.”
“I could order a book, if you wanted,” Rarity called after him, but he just waved without turning around and left the shop.
Rarity took the book he’d handed her and walked it back to the shelf where it belonged. She returned to the counter, where she found Killer watching her. “It’s been a weird afternoon here, hasn’t it?”
The little dog went over and took a drink out of his bowl. Then he returned to his bed by the fireplace. Now, Rarity was really on her own.
Later that night, when Archer came over to watch a movie, she told him about both her visit from the reporter and her new “friend” Nick. He didn’t respond for a minute; then he looked at her. “Do you think he really was just browsing? He couldn’t have stolen something from the shop, right?”
“I don’t have anything of value in that section. It’s books about the area, where I keep the hiking books so people you send over have to look around a bit before they just buy their next hiking guide.” She sipped her wine, thinking about the books on those shelves. “Nothing anyone would want to steal.”
“Then I’m not sure why he’s hanging out. This is the same guy you thought was threatening the last time he was in the shop, right?”
“Yeah, but watching him with Charity? I think he knows the power of his words. And he scared her away on purpose. He wanted to ‘save’ me from how pushy she was.” Rarity thought about the encounter. “Maybe he was doing a Save the Cat move. You know, making me think he’s a good guy?”
Archer reached for the popcorn. “Well, next time, tell him it’s my job to play white knight when it comes to you. He needs to just buy a book and go away.”
“I’ll be sure to tell him. And if he has a problem with it, I’ll send him to your place. Maybe he’ll fall for Calliope, and he’ll be hanging out at your shop rather than mine.” She took a handful of popcorn and gave a small piece to Killer. “It just didn’t feel like he was flirting or interested in me. The books, yes. But not me as a person.”
“You never know what lies behind a man’s good intentions.” Archer put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I just want you to be safe and happy.”
At the moment, she felt like he was meeting both of those goals for her. She laid her head on his shoulder and watched the movie.
Chapter 12
Tuesday morning, Rarity packed extra food in her bag for Killer. With the book club meeting at the shop, the day was always long. As they walked into town, she saw Terrance drinking coffee on his deck and waved. She liked her little neighborhood.
When she got to the store, she was busy until about noon, when Darby arrived for her shift. “Hey, how have you been? I know I just saw you on Sunday, but it seems like it’s been forever.”
“I’m fine. School was a good distraction yesterday. I’ve got a paper in my English class due soon, so I spent last night in Grandma’s study working on it. It’s strange not having her around. I’m thinking after you all stop babysitting me, I’m going to get a dog. A little bigger than Killer, though. I want someone who can curl up with me on the couch and I don’t feel like I’m going to squish them.” Darby reached down and gave Killer a tummy rub. “Maybe I’ll go to the humane society in Flagstaff tomorrow after I get out of class.”
“I have to say, I’ve been happy with having a companion. I know people might think I’m one of those crazy ladies who talk to their dogs, but I don’t care. He’s a good listener.” Rarity smiled over at Killer, who’d rolled over and went back to sleep after Darby left him. “I hope you’re okay with the book club being so involved in your life right now. It seems like we’re always around lately. Are you okay with that?”
“You’re kidding, right? You guys have been what’s keeping me going lately. I know you’re friends with that police detective, but I just don’t trust law enforcement. If we’re going to get my grandmother justice, I believe it’s up to us. Besides, Holly’s decided we need help from the other side, so she’s bringing Carson to read the tarot cards. I don’t think she truly believes but Carson volunteered since she felt bad about the festival read.” She tucked her purse under the counter. “But you’re not paying me to chat. Are there books in the back to check in?”
“I left them all for you.” Rarity swept her arm in the direction of the back room. “As long as you’re still okay with us talking about this, I’ll need to get the whiteboard out of storage so we can do some brainstorming.”
“I can do that.” Darby paused. “Did anything pop out at you with the book inventory?”
“Besides the fact that your grandmother was a very wide reader? No, nothing that’s worth anything more than just book value. I’m afraid the offer’s not going to be very large.” Rarity went to pull out the inventory sheets from her tote, but then she realized she’d left them at home. “I’ll have an offer sheet ready next week.”
“Don’t hurry. I’m thinking I’m going to keep the house. And if I do, I might as well keep her library. It’s nice working in there, and I actually had some of the research material I needed for my report. I like not just checking out books. I own these.” She nodded to the door to the back room. “I’ll get the books inventoried now. And just let me know when you want to grab some lunch. I’ll watch the front for you.”
The doorbell rang over the door, and Archer came into the shop. “Actually, I’m here for the same reason. Can I talk you into lunch at the Garnet?”
“Looks like I have coverage.” She grabbed her tote and tucked her phone into it. “Can you watch Killer for me?”
“Of course. It will give me practice spoiling my future dog.” Darby made swooshing motions with her hands. “Go on, I’ve got this.”
Archer held the door open. “I guess you were told.”
“I guess so.” Rarity glanced over, but Killer was still sleeping. She wondered if parents felt this way leaving their kids with a babysitter. “So why the spur-of-the-moment lunch date? Everything okay at work?”
“Fine. Calliope’s a little touchy today. But really, I just wanted to see you. I know tonight’s the book club, so it’s lunch or wait until tomorrow.” He put his hand out and took her hand in his. “I guess I missed you.”
“You saw me last night,” Rarity reminded him, but really, she didn’t mind. It was so different than her relationship with Kevin. He wanted her with him, but he didn’t care, one way or the other. Archer liked spending time together. Kevin was usually working when he got home or watching one of the many sports teams he followed. “I guess it’s okay. I know I’m a magnetic personality.”
“You’re a pill. That’s what you are.” He bumped her shoulder. “Any visit from your friend Nick today?”
“Nick?”
Archer paused as they started to cross Main Street, waiting for a truck to go through the intersection. “Yeah, your customer from yesterday.”
“No. He didn’t come in. But something he said made me think he was from out of town. Like he’d be back next week or so.” Rarity thought about what he’d said and tried to remember the exact words.
“Don’t worry about it. But if he comes in and scares you again, call Drew. He’ll be over there in a heartbeat.” He held the door to the restaurant open. “Then call me. I’ll come over and give him a lesson in being polite.”
“Not in my bookstore, you won’t.” She squeezed his hand as they walked up to the hostess stand. “Are we here before the rush?”
“Just in time. I have two booths left.” Gabby, the hostess, smiled as she picked up the menus. “I’m glad to see you in the restaurant today. Usually, you both order delivery. It’s nice you were able to get out and have a proper meal together. People work too hard. They need to take time for the finer things. Like real conversation.”
They sat in the booth, and Gabby set down the menus. “Mary will be your waitress. Enjoy.”
After she left, Rarity started giggling.
Archer leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I guess she told us.”
“I didn’t realize my eating habits were being monitored.” Rarity opened her menu.
Archer studied his menu. “Get used to it. It’s a small town, and people don’t have anything else to do.”
After they’d eaten, Gabby dropped a bag onto their table. “Darby called in an order and asked if you’d bring it back to her. How is she doing?”
“Good, I think. She’s got a lot on her plate.” Rarity didn’t want to say that she felt that Darby held her emotions close to the vest. Rarity didn’t know if that was a survivor trait or if she and Darby just reacted to hard times with the same motto. Don’t let them see you sweat.
“Well, you tell her if she needs anything, she can call me. We can do a fundraiser here at the Garnet if she needs money. I don’t know if Catherine had much of a nest egg set aside, but the most important thing is for Darby to finish college. You can’t get anywhere without a degree nowadays.” Gabby’s attention turned to the sound of the door opening and new patrons coming inside. “Have a good day, you two.”
Archer paid the bill. He reached for the delivery bag, but Rarity picked it up instead. “You need to go back to work, which is the other way. You don’t have to walk me back. Thanks for lunch. I needed this.”
“Well, I knew you wouldn’t eat before the book club was over, and I didn’t want you to have a sugar hangover with all those cookies.” He leaned down and kissed her when they got back on the street. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” Rarity waved at him and turned, headed back to the store. When she dropped off the bag on the counter for Darby, the girl looked up at her warily. Rarity glanced at the bag. “What? Gabby said you ordered this.”
“I did. I was just wondering why you were humming.” Darby opened the bag to look inside.
Rarity smiled as she went to get Killer to take him outside. “Am I?”
* * * *
As usual, Shirley was the first to arrive for book club. And she brought a pie and cookies. When she saw Rarity’s look, she shrugged. “What can I say? I had free time this week. And when I’ve got things on my mind, I bake. The new fillings for the case notebooks are out in the car too. Darby, be a dear and run and get them.”
“You made investigation notebooks again?” Rarity moved the whiteboard that Darby had gotten out of the storage closet over to the fireplace.
Killer wandered over to where Shirley was setting up a treat table. He barked to get her attention.
“Of course, we have a new project. And I made a new one for Mr. Anderson.” Shirley leaned down and pulled something out of her jacket pocket. She handed Killer what looked like a cookie in the shape of a bone. “Of course I brought you something too.”
“Shirley, I hope you didn’t just make that out of the same cookie dough. He shouldn’t have that much sugar.” Rarity watched as Killer took the treat back to his bed.
