Page 52 of Dying to Read

He told her where to find the spare key for the apartment and gave her the address of the apartment and the hospital. Before he hung up, he took a deep breath. “Thanks, Rarity. I’m sorry to interrupt your day.”

“We’re almost through the exhibits. Killer’s getting tired anyway. Can I bring you and Dana some food?”

“She’s already ordered something to be delivered,” he said. “Thank you again. I love you.”

When she got to the first-level apartment, she quickly found the key and went inside. She quickly found Archer’s laptop, but as she was walking out the door, a framed photograph on the bookcase caught her eye. She took a picture of the foursome, smiling at the camera. She thought she recognized the woman. She was much younger in this photo and the man standing by her looked like William Jully. Of course it wasn’t, but what if this was Daisy and Nick? Were the other two in the photograph Archer’s mom and dad?

Had she found the link?

When she got to the hospital, she texted Archer, who promised to meet her outside the main doors. She tucked Killer into his tote and locked the car, then headed tothe entrance.

He came out a few minutes later. He gave her a quick hug and took the laptop. “Thank you so much. I know I keep saying that, but I didn’t want to leave Dana to drive over and get it.She’s a mess.”

Killer barked, and Rarity felt the tote moving as he wiggled to try to get Archer to talk to him. “Someone wants to say hi.”

He reached down and gave the dog a rub on the top of his head and got several licks in return. “Hey buddy, are you taking care of your mom since I can’t be there?”

That earned Archer a quick bark, andthey laughed.

“He’s probably telling you I’ve been a complete mess and how much work it is for him.” Rarity took out her phone. “Look, I know you have to get back to your dad, but can you look at this picture? It was on your dad’s bookcase. Do you knowwho that is?”

He took her phone. “Sure. That’s Mom and Dad, before the divorce. And that’s Daisy and Nick Wellings. They’re Arthur’s kids, the guy with the rare bookshop. They were all friends back then. Daisy and Nick were like family. They were always around. They all went to high school together.”

“Daisy told me that Nick was William Jully’s birth dad. I guess he took his stepfather’s name when his mom got married.” She took her phone back. “Is there any way that Nick might have stolen your grandmother’s books?”

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He looked down at the text. “Dana says Dad’s not doing well. I need to go.” He kissed her and then took off back intothe hospital.

Rarity sent a prayer with him and turned back to the parking lot. Killer whined as they settled into the car. “I know you didn’t want to leave Archer, but he’s a little busy with his dad. He’ll be back over fordinner soon.”

As she drove back to Sedona, she hoped her words were true.

Chapter 21

Sunday morning, Rarity was eating breakfast when a knock sounded at her door. She went to open it and found Shirley standing there, a baking pan in her hand.

“Good morning, I brought cinnamon rolls.” She moved past Rarity and set the pan on the table. She eyed Rarity’s bowl of cereal. “And it looks like I got here in time to save you from that.”

“Hey, I like shredded wheat.” Rarity followed the smell of warm sugar and cinnamon into her kitchen.

“You might like them, but you’ll love these. They’re right out of the oven.” Shirley walked over and took out two small plates. “Besides, I need to butter you up so I canask a favor.”

“Fine.” Rarity took her half-eaten breakfast into the kitchen and dumped it down the garbage disposal. The wheat had gone soft anyway. “Do youwant coffee?”

“Is a turtle slow?” Shirley smiled at her. “Of course I want coffee. So about that favor?”

“Where do you want to go with Terrance and have us tag along?” Rarity put the cups on the table and picked up a fork to bite into the sinful treat that wascalling to her.

“Wait, what? No, it’s not about Terrance. I want you to help me move George back to the other ward. The aides are shorthanded and if we don’t do it, he’ll have to stay in that awful room for another week or so until they get around to it. It’s only a few boxes and remaking his bed. Sally says I need someone to carry the boxes. Which I think is ageist, but what are you going to do? I told her I moved heavier boxes than that at work, but she doesn’t believe me.” She sipped hercoffee. “How do you like the rolls? I put cream cheese frosting on topthis morning.”

Rarity looked up from inhaling the cinnamon roll and groaned. “Since it’s almost gone, I think it’s okay. But you didn’t have to bake to bribe me. I would have come and helped anyway.”

“I know, but I felt bad asking you on your day off. Well, one of your days off. I guess you have a full weekend now.” Shirley sipped her coffee. “So you’llcome with me?”

“Of course.” Rarity cut a second roll in half and put it on the plate. “Any more of this and I’ll be in a sugar coma. Besides, it’s only because I have you and Katie at the store that I get a full weekend. I should bethanking you.”

“Well, finish that and I’ll put a couple in a container for tomorrow’s breakfast. I’ll take the rest with us to give to the Sunday nurses. They love these. They always wait to eat until I come in to visit in case I bring something for them. Of course, I always do. They won’t let me give any baked treats to George now. They’re watching hisblood sugar.”

As they got ready to go, Rarity let Killer out intothe backyard.

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