Page 7 of Dying to Read

“Let’s check him out tonight at the pets event. And maybe on Tuesday we can ask the sleuthing group to see what they can find out.” Rarity hoped that they could at least keep George safe in thenursing home. If someone was out to get him kicked out, maybe there was another reason.

* * *

Archer arrived at the bookstore around four and offered to take Killer home before they went to dinner. Jonathon, Shirley, and Katie had all left earlier, and Rarity was alone in the bookstore when he came in.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she said to him as he held Killer, who was licking his face like he had beengone forever.

“Rarity, I don’t want to hurt you. I have some things going on, and I’m not sure I can be the man you need right now...” Archer started, but Rarity held up her hand.

“I know you’re going through some things, but I want tonight to be easy. No commitments. No talking about the future. But I do need to ask you about your grandmother, Marilyn.” She leaned down toopen the safe.

“Why are you asking about her? Please don’t tell me that someone talked to you about her murder.” Archer stepped closer, still holding Killer.

“No, well, maybe. Jonathon mentioned that I should ask you about this book.” She pulled it out of the plastic and placed it on the counter before Archer. “Someone left it in the bathroom this week. I’m trying to find its owner.”

He blinked and reached out but then pulled his hand back. Instead, he ran his hand through his hair and whistled. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet. “That book belonged to Grandma Ender. She had it on a display shelf in the living room. Or at least after she moved in with us. She said the book was the rarest thing she’d ever found. She never let me touch it, but she had another copy that she read to me. Why would it be in your bathroom? You found it hereat the store?”

She nodded, only able to answer one of his questions. “Did your grandmother’s copy have aninscription?”

“Yes. She told me it was funny because the book had been given to another Alice. She said she wished someone would write abook about a character named Marilyn. I always told her that I’d write a Marilyn book, for her.” He rubbed his hair again with his hand. “I’d forgotten about that.”

Rarity stared at the book sitting between her and Archer. “How did your grandmother’s book get left in the women’s restroom inmy bookstore?”

* * *

They arrived at the nursing home right on time. Dinner at the Garnet had been strained, but it felt good to be together at least for one more time. Malia had been their waitress and she’d kept watching them, as if she was wondering what was going on. Rarity had seen that Malia was about to comment and she shook her head, hoping her friend would leave it alone.

Walking through the parking lot, she was surprised at the number of expensive cars. Like BMWs and Mercedes. There was even a sweet red Corvette. She paused by one of the newer BMWs. It was the same model and color that her ex Kevin had bought the year they’d broken up. He’d gotten a bonus and spent it all on buying the car. Rarity had made the argument that maybe they needed an emergency fund, or to put the money away for a future house purchase. It was the first time he’d called her out for not being fun. But not the last.

Archer turned back, as if realizing she’d stopped. “Something wrong?”

“No, I’ve been admiring all these vehicles. You don’t think they belong to staff, do you?” She hurried to catch up.

“Hardly. My sister, Dana, worked at a nursing home as a CNA for a few years in college. She barely made rent money.” He shook his head as he studied the cars. “I know I spent some money on the Jeep, but it’s a workhorse. These are a way to show off your money.”

Rarity nodded. She and Archer were on the same page in so many ways. So why were theyhaving issues?

When they went inside, Archer took her jacket and hung it on the rack in the nursing home waiting room along with his. They’d walked from the Garnet to Sedona Memory Care, but the walk, like dinner, had been quiet. Rarity didn’t want to push or ask the wrongquestion. All she wanted right now was for them to have a fun night together.

And with all the pups wanting to be rehomed, she thought theymight do that.

“Oh, good, we were hoping you two would show up. The rest of the volunteers are already on the floor with their dogs.” Gretchen, the director of Sedona’s Pet Safe Zone, handed them each a puppy. “This is Candy and Donut. The Sedona Elementary fifth-grade class voted on this litter’s names when they were dropped at our shelter. I’m sure their new owners will be changing those. I’d always want to eat when I playedwith my dog.”

A woman walked by and rubbed the top of Candy’s head. “I’m out of here. I’ve got a dinner reservationin Flagstaff.”

“Bye, McKenzie!” Gretchen called as the woman walked out of the building. Gretchen leaned over to Rarity. “That’s the business office manager. She got a new car and she’s been dying to get it outon the road.”

Rarity let Candy snuggle up to her as she watched McKenzie climb into a new sports car parked in the front row. She met Archer’s gaze, and he shrugged. Administration staff must make more than the average CNAs did. “I’m sorry, are we late?”

“No, the others were all early. Drew brought his dad, which helped since we had a last-minute cancellation from one of our volunteers.” Gretchen turned as a tall man in a black suit called her name. “And I’m being summonedby Dr. Death.”

“Dr. Death?” Rarity turned to stare at the man. He looked like he was scowling at the open cages scattered around the floor.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have called him that. He’s such a downer.” Gretchen ushered Rarity and Archer toward the sliding doors that separated the lobby from the actual rooms. “Check in with the nurse at the station there. She’ll tell you what rooms to visit.”

Rarity walked to the doors, which opened as they stepped closer. She turned back to see Gretchen approach the man.

“When is this thing supposed to be over? You know our residents have strict schedules, especially around their sleep times,” he barked.

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