Page 24 of Dying to Read

Rarity nodded to the breakfast bar on the island where she’d set the book. She put it up on the box she’d packed it into to carry home. Once Archer had looked at it, she’d call Drew and have him come pick it up. “That. The book showed up at my bookstore today.”

“You think it might be my grandmother’s?” Archer hurried over to examine the book. “I know she had a copy of this. She read this to me several times. She told me the backstory too. About how it was a story about Christianity. But she waited until I was older so we’d read it several times before she threw that theme on me. I liked the idea that you could go to another world, just by opening a door. Or walking through a closet. Dana kept hanging out in closets to make sure a door wouldn’t open without her being there.”

“How much older are you than Dana?” Rarity set the bowl on the table and walked over to watch himwith the book.

“Two years. She was always my shadow. At least until I went to college. She stayed close and went to Northern Arizona. She’s in nursing. Did I tell you that already?” He looked up from the book and met her gaze. “I don’t think I’ve shared a lot of my family history with you.”

“Funny, Jonathon and I were talking about that tonight. I haven’t told you much about my family either.” She tried to read his gaze. “Maybe we both shouldbe more open.”

He held her gaze for a long second, then pointed to the book. “Okay, for meto touch it?”

She handed him a pencil. “I learned this from Jonathon. Use the eraser part. Just in case there’sfingerprints.”

He turned the book over and opened the back.

“Inscriptions are usually in the front,” Rarity said, confused.

“Yeah, but if someone was sneaky and didn’t want his grandmother or little sister to know he claimed a book for his own,he’d write his name on the last page of the book.” Archer pointed to the bottom of the page where someone in shaky block letters had written,ARCHER ANDREW ENDER. The blue ink was faded, but the words were clear.

“So this is your grandmother’s book. Why is someone dropping off books stolen from your family in my bookstore?” Rarity leaned against the wall, staring at the book.

“I don’t know the answer to that. But that’s my writing.”

“Andrew is your middle name?” Rarity texted Drew the information. The answer came back quickly. Rarity looked at the text. “Jonathon will be by to pick up the book in a few minutes. He’s next door, talkingto Terrance.”

“I guess we should eat, then.” Archer extended his arm. “After you.”

They sat at the table, not talking, as they ate the soup and corn bread.

“This is good,” Archer finally said as he buttered another slice of corn bread. “The soup has a touch of spice.”

“A couple of slices of jalapeno. The recipe said to put a whole one in, but I’m not a fan of spicy soup. So I was stingy.” Rarity took another sip of her soup. “I think I could do a halfof a pepper.”

“I like it like this,” Archer said as he watched her.

Feeling the heat from his stare, Rarity decided to change the subject. “Are you and your bus available Friday morning to help move heavy book boxes to my festival tent?”

“What time?” Archer pulled up his phone. “I can do it early as long as we’redone by nine.”

“I’ll meet you at the shop at eight, then.” She watched as he keyed the appointment into his phone. “I can pay you for thetime and gas.”

“No worries. I’ll be glad to help.” Archer went back to eating his soup after setting the phone aside.

A knock on the door kept her from having to figure out something else to talk about. Conversation had always been easy between the two of them. Now itwas so awkward.

Rarity went to the door and let Jonathon in. “It’s her book.”

“That’s what Drew said. He’d called to see if I was coming home for dinner when you texted him.” He waved at Archer. “Good tosee you, kid.”

“You too.” Archer walked over and, using a towel, put the book back into the box. “Dana is going to be thrilled that it’s been found. It was one of her favorite stories.”

Which was why he’d claimed the book as a kid. Rarity added the subtext that Archer didn’t say. Rarity wished she’d had a sibling to fight with growing up.

Jonathon didn’t stay long. As soon as he left, Archer stepped over and cleaned off the table. “Do you want me to wash these?”

“I can do that later,” Rarity said. It was now or never. “Archer, I think weneed to talk.”

He rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, his back to her. “I know. I’ve been planning on stopping by, but I wanted to get this thing settled, but then…”

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