Page 16 of Dying to Read

The look she got from that statement told the whole story. Killer didn’t think he was chunky. More to the point, he thought the vet was wrong. He turned his back on her and lay down by the brick planter wall that surrounded the patio.

A few minutes later, the waitress was back with a bowl of water and a basket of bread. Rarity smiled as Killer ran to the bowl and drank water like he’d been on a three-mile hike instead of a short stroll into town. “I swear, he drank water at home before we left.”

“The heat makes them thirsty all the time. Amy talked me into adopting a small dog a few months ago. She’s been good with him. She talked about Killer so much, I finally gave in.” The woman smiled.

“Oh, you’re Joni, Amy’s mom. Sorry, I didn’t recognize you.” Now Rarity felt like a jerk. “We love having Amy hang around the bookstore. I didn’t know she had a dog. She’s been so busy with her after-school stuff, I don’t think I’ve talked toher in weeks.”

“I know. She turned into a little social butterfly over the summer. She loves dance class and she still reads a lot. I think she goes to the bookstore on Monday afternoons. It’s her only free afternoon.” Joni nodded at a couple who had been seated by the hostess. “Sorry, I’ve got another table. What can I get you to drink? Or are you ready to order?”

“I’m ready.” Rarity gave her the order and Joni left to greet the next customer. Killer stared at the basket of fresh rolls. “You can smell them, can’t you?”

He barked, and the other couple looked over at her.

“Okay, fine, but be quiet.” She broke off a piece of bread and held it out.“Sit pretty.”

Killer did what he was told and then took the bread under the table to eat. After a few more bites, Rarity brushed her hands in anall-gonegesture. “Sorry, buddy, that’s it.”

The dog glared at her, but he went to get another drink of water, then went and lay down under the table. Rarity pulled out her book and read while she waited for lunch. TheAlice in Wonderlandbook kept popping into her mind so after a chapter, she pulledout her phone.

She needed to find the rare bookstore in Flagstaff so she could visit and talk to the owner. Jonathon had mentioned one, but no onehad called her about theAlicebook. Maybe there was a message atthe bookstore.

When Joni brought her meal, she smiled at Rarity. “You look like you figured something out.”

“Kind of. At least I have something to do this afternoon.” Rarity glanced at her phone. “Have you ever heard of the Lost Manuscript?”

“It’s a bookstore in Flagstaff. It’s near where we get groceries every Sunday. Amy had been begging me to stop in, so a few weeks ago I gave in. They have a lot of used books for kids. But they’re known for dealing in rare and expensive books. I had to tell her we weren’t buying a copy ofCharlotte’s Webthey had on display. I think that one purchase would have wiped out her college fund.” She rubbed her neck. “Oh, yeah, the guy who owns the store mentioned that he used to live in Sedona. I think he had a bookstore here on Main Street too. Arthur Wellings. That’s his name. Make sure you talk to him. He’s a character. Full of stories about the area.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the information. Tell Amy I said hi.” Rarity didn’t want to keep Joni from her work. And her stomach was growling now from the smell of the pork and spices on the sandwich in front of her. Besides, Joni had verified that Arthur, the guy Jonathon had mentioned, owned the store.

Joni touched the table, a gesture Rarity had seen Malia do as well. They were trained to do three table touches, which meant visiting the table, but some people took the instruction literally. Or, as Malia had told Rarity, the touch reminded her where she was in the service process.

Rarity focused on her meal, thankful that others were conscientious about their work process as well. Somehow that comforted her. Her habit was making sure the doors were locked before she went home. Of course, she’d had some issues with the back alley behind her store. Maybe that was what had drilled in the importance of checking and double-checking.

After finishing lunch and leaving Joni a good tip, she and Killer headed home to grab her Mini Cooper from the garage. The gas tank was still full and as she backed out, she looked at Killer sitting in the passenger seat. “Ready fora road trip?”

Killer shook in excitement. She didn’t often take him, especially to Flagstaff because she didn’t like leaving him in the car. Especially on a hot day. But the store’s website had claimed it was pet friendly. Rarity had a pet carrier that went over her shoulder and had room for her wallet along with Killer. He could poke his head out of the top or watch through the mesh on the side.

Rarity’s work tote was heavier.

She used the pet tote when they visited festivals and outdoor events. And it had a collapsible water dish that could attach to a clip. For what she’d paid for the bag, she probably could have bought something designer. Spoiled Pets “R” Us.

Rarity turned on the music, and Killer watched the desert pass by out the window.

When they arrived, the parking lot for the strip mall was quiet. Not empty, but the Thai restaurant at the end had probably already served its lunch crowd. And the workout center on the other side of the bookstore must be a morning and after-work hot spot. Rarity got a parking spot right in front of the Lost Manuscript. She bundled Killer into the bag, locked the car, thenheaded inside.

The bookstore was quiet and smelled like old paper. One of Rarity’s favorite smells. She wished someone would make a perfume or a candle with that scent. A bell over the door clanged to announceher entrance.

“Welcome to the Lost Manuscript. I’m in the back stocking if you need help finding anything,” a voice called out. An older man, from the sound of his trembling voice.

“Thanks,” Rarity replied. She would spend some time familiarizing herself with the store and finding something to buy. She couldn’t visit a bookstore and not bring home something. She had a row of bookshelves in her den that were begging for more books. She’d been too busy with everything to make a plan on what she wanted to collect.

She paused at a local history section and pulled out several trail books and Arizona history texts.Archer would love these. She almost put them back, but no matter what happened between them, Archer would always be a friend. And she could give him the booksfor his upcoming birthday instead of the trip she’d been thinking about surprising him with to hike in the Colorado mountains this summer.

She set the books on the checkout desk and kept looking. It might be an expensive day for her.

She found the children’s section and the display with rare and old books that Joni had mentioned. The shop had a copy of several Nancy Drew books from the 1930s, including three of the first four books. The price wasn’t listed, but theCharlotte’s Webthat Joni had told her about had a price. And yes, it was four figures. Rarity thought she might have seen that cover in her childhood library growing up.

“Are you interested in collecting?” a voice asked from her side. “The Secret of the Old Clockis in amazing shape for its age. I got the three from an estate sale a few years ago. I could give you a deal on the set.”

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