Page 35 of Dying to Read

Rarity smiled and pulled Killer back from his wandering. He was ready to continue their stroll. “Yes. It started as a breast cancer survivors’ book club, but now, we have a lot of different people. We read mostly mysteries and some best-sellers. The conversation is always fun.”

Marsha narrowed her eyes. “I hear you guys get involved in the local murder mysteries too. Are you investigating Jully’s death?”

Rarity didn’t see the point in lying, so she nodded. “We’ve been looking into it. Of course, we’re not law enforcement, so there are limitations, but sometimes we figure out the motive andthe culprit.”

“William Jully was a fast talker and, in my opinion, lied on his resume. He hadn’t worked in the long-term care industry long. When I first used the term ‘census,’ he had no idea I was talking about the residents and when we count our patients. We have to report that to the state agency that monitors long-term care. This is one of the reports we’re way behind on so I’m picking up the slack. If he hadn’t died, he would have been fired soon. I’m sure of it.” A couple stopped at the table and was looking at the flyers. “Sorry, I’ve got to go. Stop by the facility and I’ll buy you some coffee.”

Rarity thought that she might bring coffee. According to Shirley, the coffee the home served was decaf. Mostly to keep the residents from getting the real thing accidentally. She finished her walk and then headed back to the tent. The number of people milling about had increased around her, which meant that the bookstore was probablybusy as well.

The line was snaking around the tent when she got back. This time, the middle-grade and young adult table was quickly being cleared. Both Katie and Shirley were checkingcustomers out.

“I can help the next person with cash,” Shirley called out, waving two boys and a frazzled mom over to her sideof the table.

Rarity tied Killer to the table where he could reach his water and his bed and stood in between Katie and Shirley. “I’ll bag the books.”

The system worked well until Shirley ran out of people paying cash. Rarity pulled up her phone to the app they used for taking payments and traded places with her.

By the time they were done with the rush, the tent had cleared out. Rarity glanced at her watch. “It’s almost noon. Everyone wentto grab food.”

“Well, I’m hanging around, then. I don’t want to waste my time standing in line in the heat.” Katie grabbed a bottle of water. “I can’t believe how many books we’re selling.”

“Me either. But we didn’t do this festival last year. It’s going on the must-do list as soon as I get back to the office. And I’ve already decided that next year we’re bringing in children and middle-grade authors to sign. Either at the festival or at the bookstore maybe on the days around it.” Rarity unclipped Killer’s leash and put on his longer lead. He didn’t even raise his head from where he’d been sleeping. He was tired.

“Well, don’t worry about lunch, we’ve got you covered.” Jonathon, Edith, and what had to be Drew’s sister came into the tent with bags from a local Mexican restaurant. They set the food on the table behind the one they’d used for thecash register.

Joanna Torres came and hugged Rarity. “My mom and dad talk about you all the time. Manuel’s cousin runs Tequila and Lime out on the highway, so we thought we’d bring over a selection of their menu. I hope youlike Tex-Mex.”

“Are you kidding? I love it.” Rarity took a deep breath and groaned. A bark came from under the table. “And the smell woke up Killer too. Don’t worry, buddy, I’ll find somethingto feed you.”

“Savannah finished her egg race this morning and got three eggs.” Edith took the baby out of the stroller that they’d parked bythe side of the tent out of the way. “I bet tomorrow she’ll double that since she knows what’s going on.”

“I’m glad she didn’t push that one boy away from the green one she went after last before the bell rang. She’s ruthless.” Jonathon rubbed under Savannah’s chin. “I think she’ll carry on the family tradition of going into lawenforcement.”

“He’s already bought her a sheriff star and cowboy hat,” Joanna complained with a smile. “I want her to go into the arts. Maybe become a famous author or painter. Maybe you can keep Dad busy here in Sedona while I take her to finger painting classes?”

Edith bounced the baby. “Savannah will do what she wants to do, no matter what you two think. It’s amazing how fast babies show their personality, right, Shirley?”

“What they like now is not usually their final choice. I swear, Kathy changed her major ten times before she even started college.” Shirley held out her hands for the baby. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course,” Joanna said before Edithcould respond.

Edith and Rarity went over to the table and started unpacking the food. “I wanted to tell you how happy we are that you’re finding Marilyn’s books to get back to the kids. It was such a loss when they were stolen. Not only financially. Caleb went a little crazy with grief. His mom used to read him those stories at bedtime.”

“I’m sure Archer’s dad is happy to have at least two books back.” Rarity’s stomach growled as the smell of the food hit her. She set out the plates and opened all the containers. “Ready to eat?”

The look on Edith’s face stopped Rarity from moving. “What did I say?”

“I doubt that anyone has told him. Archer’s dad isn’t well. I’m surprised Archer hasn’t mentioned this to you. The kids are trying to care for Caleb at home—Archer and Dana, I mean. June, that’s Archer’s mom, washed her hands of the man years ago. He’s not doing well, I hear.” Edith turned back to the group. “Food is ready. Shirley and Katie, you two get up here with Rarity. You need to eat before you get hit with another wave of customers. Although I hear Jonathon’s been helping out at the bookstore.”

“I’m a pro as long as they give me cash.” Jonathon grabbed a chair and sat down at the register. “You kids eat, and I’ll get whatever is left. But save me some chips and guac.”

“I’ll get you a bowl to tide you over. I know you’re starving to death,” Edith teased as she patted her husband on the stomach.

Rarity quickly got food and then stood by Edith. She wanted to continue this conversation. “Who else knows aboutArcher’s dad?”

Edith handed Jonathon his chips and then turned back to Rarity. “I suspect the whole town knows by now. Joni Martin over at Carole’s Diner has a contribution jar up at the diner. I hear she’s doing one of those GoFundMe pages where anyone can contribute. They’re trying to make sure that the medical bills and funeral costsare covered.”

Rarity sat and ate her lunch, but she kept going back to why the books were left at her store. She’d seen and even put money into the contribution jar, but she hadn’t read the flyer taped on the jar. It was something she did as part of the community. She finished eating and, before Edith left, went over to talk to her again. “Can you ask Drew if you can look at the security tapes from my shop? I’d like to know if you recognize anyone. We don’t know who is dropping these books off. They must know about my connection to Archer, though.”

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