Page 37 of Secrets in the Stacks

Rarity said, “Only in Sedona.”

* * * *

Pulling up at the Doyle house, Archer stopped the Jeep in front of the house. “I’ll let you out here, and I’ll go find a place to park. Catherine’s funeral must be the social event of the year.”

“Now, that’s just sad.” Rarity leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks for driving me here. You are kind of a white knight type.”

“White hat guy, actually. At least according to Sam.” He waved her toward the door. “Go and get inside. That sun’s brutal this time of the afternoon.”

Rarity felt the wall of heat when she slipped out of the Jeep and down to the sidewalk. Archer was right; it was hot. She hurried past the cars parked in the driveway and headed to the front door. She debated knocking but decided against it. Darby knew she was coming. And with this many people here, she might not even hear Rarity’s knock.

The foyer was filled with people spilling out from the living room and the dining room. Someone had set up the food buffet-style on the dining room table and set out chairs around the room. In the living room, extra chairs had been brought in for the crowd there as well. The study doors were closed, and Rarity wondered if Darby had planned that, to keep people out. She glanced around, but she didn’t see Darby or her family. She moved through the dining room to the kitchen, where she found Darby filling up a tray with glasses and a pitcher of lemonade.

She looked up at Rarity and smiled. “Thank goodness it’s you. If one more person tells me we’re out of something, I’m going to scream. Seriously, it’s like no one has eaten in days.”

“What can I do to help?” Rarity glanced around the kitchen that had turned into chaos since the last time she’d been to the house.

“Check out the fridge and see what’s in there that we can warm up for these piranhas. I don’t think they’ll leave until the cupboard is bare.” Darby smiled, but Rarity could see how tired she was.

“Why don’t you relax for a minute. Maybe your mom or dad could come help and give you the chance to just veg.” Rarity stepped to the fridge and started pulling casseroles out and setting them on the counter. Just glancing at them, she couldn’t really tell what was what.

“They’re gone.” Darby’s words were almost whispered, like she couldn’t believe what she was saying.

Rarity turned so fast she almost dropped what appeared to be a chicken mushroom pasta dish. “What do you mean, they’re gone? Did they get a hotel room?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Mom just gave me a kiss when we got here, and they basically pushed me out of the car. They were fine, talking about going out to dinner tonight after all the people leave. Then I told them about the break-in, and suddenly they had to go. An urgent situation somewhere that wasn’t Alaska. They didn’t even leave me their number.” Darby fell into a chair and leaned into her hands. “Seriously, do they hate me that much?”

“Darby, I’m sure your folks don’t hate you. I can’t explain why they would do something so hurtful, but you’re strong. You’ll be fine. And you can’t spend the wake hiding in the kitchen. You go out and mingle. I’ll handle getting food out. I’ll put a few of these casseroles in the oven and set my watch for fifteen minutes.”

Darby leaned forward. “But you don’t know what a jerk I was to my grandmother. I argued with her just last week. She threatened to cut off my funding for college. She wouldn’t have done it, but I knew she was serious about my grades when she threatened me. Either I was going to clean up and get the easy As she knew I could get, or I was going to be working at the Garnet with Malia on my days off from the bookstore.”

“I’d heard you had fought with your grandmother. Did everything turn out okay?” Rarity took the plastic off two of the casserole dishes that looked like they held lasagna and tucked them into the oven at three-fifty. Then she set her watch alarm for fifteen minutes.

“She never stayed mad long.” Darby stood and pulled Rarity into a quick hug. “Thank you for being here. I don’t know what I would have done without the book club. You’re right, of course, I should go out and mingle. I’ll take this tray out, then start wandering. If I don’t hang out in the dining room, maybe they won’t ask me to make more coffee.”

“I’ll handle the refreshments.” She pointed to the coffeemaker. “Do you need me to start another pot?”

“Please. And just put out what we have. I’m too tired to eat anyway.” Darby squared her shoulders and walked out of the kitchen.

Sam came in right after her. “Darby looked like she was going to war, not a social gathering.”

“I don’t think she’s very happy with her folks.” Rarity focused on the coffee.

Sam started putting store-bought cookies from the bag onto a plate. She looked up, horror reflected on her features. “Don’t tell me. They left already?”

“That they did. And in a hurry. I think it had something to do with the break-in. As soon as Darby told them about it, they had a change of plans. Do you think they know something?” Rarity finished setting up the coffeepot. “Hold that thought. I’m going to go out and see if there are any empty trays or if something else needs filled up.”

“I’ll be here setting out cookies.” Sam didn’t look up. “At least she has us.”

Rarity thought about that statement. It was the same thought Darby had left her with. The book club was more than just a bunch of women reading books. Or even poking their noses into an investigation, or now, two. They were there for each other. She made a circle around the table, picking up empty trays and stacking glasses. After everyone left, it would take hours to get the house back in order. She looked up and aimed her next words to the heavens. “I hope you appreciate this, Catherine.”

“Oh, she would have.” Shirley came up to her and took a tray and the dirty glasses off Rarity’s pile. “Catherine would have loved this. She was a complete extrovert, but her son, Jeff, he and Darby are introverts to the core. I always wondered if they got that gene from her late husband.”

“You don’t have to help. You can go mingle. Sam and I have this.” Rarity let out an involuntary sigh as the crowd parted, revealing another small table crammed with dirty plates and glasses.

“You’re kidding, right? I want to help.” Shirley nudged her with a shoulder. “Besides, many hands make light work.”

“I give up. I’m not going to fight you.” Rarity would have held up her hands in surrender except she was still holding a tray. As they moved into the kitchen with full trays, an idea came to her. “Hey, you seem to have known Catherine a long time. Tell me about when she first moved here. Her husband died?”

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