Page 41 of Dying to Read

“A couple of times when I was in town.” The woman busied herself scanning through the inventory on her computer. “I didn’t realize that book had been sold. Dad’s good still at developing new bibliophiles. We should make up stickers or T-shirts to give out to those like you who are new to the hobby of collecting books. Are you looking to get the rest of the series? We don’t have anything now, but we always have new stock coming in.”

“Yes. I was hoping to find the next book.The Fellowship of the Ring. I loved those books growing up.” Rarity pulled out a card and pushed it toward her on the desk. “If you have a recommendation, I would like to buy something for the shop. Maybe a few books. Like a mystery or a fantasy. That way, I can use them to decorate the area where the current books in that genre would be located. Oh, I know, an old Nancy Drew would be perfect.”

This time, thewoman coughed.

Rarity looked up from checking on Killer, who seemed to be sleeping, ignoring the humans talking around him. “I’m sorry,are you okay?”

“It’s been a stressful time here with Dad and all,” she said. She sipped her coffee. “Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Daisy. I’ll keep an eye out for something special for the bookstore. Do you have aprice range?”

“Nothing over a grand. I’m not doing that well.” Rarity smiled as she glanced at her watch. “Anyway, I need to finish my errands in town. I rarely get into Flagstaff, so they all stack up. It was nice to meet you, Daisy. I mean, again. Will you be at the next pet night at thenursing home?”

“I’m not sure yet. Dad, you know…”

Rarity nodded. “My boyfriend’s going through the same thing with his dad. He’s younger than Arthur, but I’m afraid it’s notlooking good.”

The woman blanched even whiter. Who was Daisy? And why did everything Rarity said seem to cause her stress?

When Killer and Rarity were back in her Mini Cooper, she paused a minute, thinking about what had happened. Daisy had recognized her, or at least her bookstore, so why pretend she didn’t? Or was there another reason Daisy hadn’t wanted to make a connectionwith Rarity? Everything Rarity did added more questions to her long and getting longer list.

She texted Archer and asked if he’d known Daisy. As Rarity sat in the car, staring at the bookstore entrance, she got a text from Shirley.Hey, you have a package here. It’s marked personal.

Rarity glanced at the clock. She could make it back to Sedona before Shirley closed up shop if she put the nursing home visit off until another day.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she texted Shirley that she was on her way but coming from Flagstaff. What was the saying, a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. And she had a feeling that maybe the package was another one of Archer’s books. What else would she be getting marked personal?

She turned on the engine, turned up the tunes, and headed out of town. The first item on her list, before she got too far from civilization, was stopping and getting lunch. And a large soda. And a bottle of water for Killer. Rarity carried a collapsible bowl in the car for him. She would eat in the park down the street from the drive-in, and then take Killer for a short walk before heading home. Maybe she needed some walking time to put what she’d learned today into perspective. Or at least clearher thoughts.

When she got back to Sedona and the bookstore, Shirley was alone in the shop. She visibly relaxed as Rarity stepped in the doorway. “Oh, good, you’re here. Kathy’s coming to get me. We’ve got a meeting with the nursing home administrator and social worker. I hope they aren’t going to tell me they’re kicking George out. The nearest one to Sedona is Flagstaff. I don’t want to be on that roadall the time.”

Rarity wondered if Drew was going to be at the meeting as well. Maybe he had cleared George of the killing. Rarity didn’t want to think about who was next on Drew’s list. And she didn’t want to bring itup to Shirley.

She was saved from both by the bell over the front door ringing and Kathy walking into the shop. “Oh, hi Kathy. Here to claimyour mother?”

“I got back from the nursing home and talked with the business manager. That woman is sloppy for a bookkeeper. Dad’s account is all over the place.” Kathy shook her head and looked around thebookstore for Shirley. She didn’t seem happy. “Anyway, that’s not your concern. As far as my mother, if I’d had my way, she would stay home for a few weeks at least. You know this has to be hard on her. Having Dad accused of murder.”

“And you know I’m standing right here. Able to think and make my own decisions for my life.” Shirley rolled her eyes as she came out of the back room, holding her oversized bag. She turned toward Rarity. “I’ll see you tomorrow at six for the meeting. This one is heading to the airport tomorrow morning.”

“Leaving so soon?” Rarity asked and got a glare from Shirley. Kathy pretended not to notice her mom’s reaction.

“I’ve got to get back home. The laundry or dishes probably haven’t been done since I left the house. My husband gets overwhelmed with the kids.” She picked up a book on the royal family. “I’ve been meaning to read this. Can you ring it up fast for me? I don’t want to be the reason wewalk in late.”

Rarity rang up the book and gave Kathy her mom’s employee discount. When she told Kathy the total, she frowned. “Wasthat on sale?”

“I gave you your mother’s discount. No worries.” Rarity smiled as she took the credit card and completed the transaction.

“The package is in the break room on the table. I’m sorry to leave before finishing the closing tasks, but I’ll come in early tomorrow if there’s something that needs to be done.” Shirley ran a finger down the closing list. “Although I’ve already completed several of these withinthe last hour.”

“Come on, Mom, I’m parked out front.” Now Kathy waited at the door.

Shirley sighed and nodded to Rarity. “See you tomorrow. Call me if you don’t find something or need a better explanation. I’ll behome tonight.”

When the door closed, Rarity let out a long sigh of relief. “Those two are filled with familiar angst. Everyone’s having family problems. Archer and Dana. Shirley and Kathy. And Arthur and his daughter. Good thing it’s the two of us, right, Killer?”

But the little dog didn’t answer. He was already asleep in his bed by the fireplace. Taking a road trip with Rarity had been too much for the Yorkie. Rarity went into the back room and grabbedthe envelope.

The contents and weight felt like a book. Rarity felt a bit of excitement. She carefully opened the packet, and an ornate journal fell out of the padded envelope. She opened the pages carefully. The pages were blank. It was just anice journal.

She glanced into the envelope again, and a sheet of paper fell out. She picked it up off the counter.Be sure to write down all your newadventures. K.

---