Page 3 of Secrets in the Stacks

Killer turned and ran to the couch once Archer had left and took his spot, a toy stuffed screwdriver hanging out of his mouth.

“We’re not watching another movie. It’s almost time for bed.” Rarity went to the kitchen to clean up the rest of the dishes. Archer was a neat cook. Anything he’d used was already rinsed and in the dishwasher. But there were a few things to finish up. Besides, it was a house rule: if he cooked, she cleaned.

She turned the radio on and finished washing up to a country song she loved. She had been surprised to find an old country station in Sedona, but maybe there were more cowboys out here than she’d imagined.

The announcer came on as she had just started the dishwasher. “If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, head down to Sedona’s town square and check out our local vendors. I hear there’s going to be some magic floating around town.”

Rarity turned off the radio and collected Killer before she turned off the rest of the lights. “I don’t know about magic, but I hope there’s some book buyers. We could use a good month, huh, buddy.”

Chapter 2

Friday’s festival arrived with a warmer than normal day for early November in Sedona, and the crowds were enjoying the gentle weather. In the bookstore tent, Rarity and Darby had been busy all day. Rarity had brought a variety of self-help, healing, and Sedona charm books, along with a few best-sellers and airport novels. And they were selling well, but now, with night approaching, the attendees were heading to the local restaurants and pubs to finish off the night. Rarity finished restocking the books on the shelves and tucked the empty boxes under the table. “If we have as good of a day tomorrow, I might send you to the store to get more stock before we run out.”

“We have been busy.” Darby glanced around the almost empty book tent. “Do you mind if I go grab some water from the reading tent? Do you want one?”

Rarity looked around at the grounds surrounding the tent. She glanced at her watch. “You go ahead. I’ll meet you there. I’m shutting up the tent for the night. I don’t think we’ll be seeing many more customers.”

“Are you sure? I can help.”

“There’s not much to do. I’ll tuck my laptop and change box into my tote, put up our sign, and close the tent doors. I’ll meet you in the hydration tent. I want to get a tarot card reading before Carson packs up for the night.” Rarity went around and finished her closing tasks, including waking up Killer for the walk home. He’d been asleep most of the day under the sale table. The heat was a little much for him. Rarity considered keeping him home tomorrow, but she wasn’t sure what would be worse. Staying home? Or being warm? At least here, he got to see everyone and be close to her.

Drew came by as she was pulling the tent doors down. “Hey, let me help with that.”

They got the canvas doors in place, and she tied the ribbons that served as closures for the tent. “I certainly hope no one tries to mess with my books.”

Drew patted the tent. “As long as you didn’t leave any money in there, you’ll be fine. We have people stationed in a van nearby, and they do walk-throughs every so often. In the ten years they’ve had festivals here in the square, we haven’t had a problem yet.”

Rarity pointed to the ties on the tent. “Why would you, with such amazing security?”

Drew didn’t answer. Instead, he picked up Killer and gave him a head pat. “I think Rarity’s teasing me. What do you think?”

Killer barked, and Drew laughed. “See, even your dog thinks you’re overreacting.”

Her dog. She loved those words. When she’d taken in Killer for Drew, it had been a temporary placement until his owner, Martha, would come back. But Martha never returned to get him. Even before they knew Martha had been murdered, Rarity had fallen in love with the little guy. Now the two of them were a family. Well, them and Archer, at times. “So are you just doing a walk-through, or did you have a reason to stop by?”

“I was just stopping in to see my favorite bookseller.” He glanced around. “Did Sam have a booth? I didn’t see one.”

Rarity smiled and pointed across the square. “She’s all the way over there, but I think she’s already gone. She had a date tonight in Flagstaff.”

Drew looked up sharply from his cuddle with Killer. “A date? I didn’t know she was seeing someone.”

“She’s not. She wants to, but someone has been dragging his feet. So when this other guy called last week and asked her out, she said yes, and they went to a concert tonight.” She studied her friend. “Look, Drew, if you’re interested, you need to let her know. She thinks you’re afraid of commitment.”

“My mother probably told her that. Do you know they still talk every week on the phone? She taught the folks how to FaceTime, so now they want to video chat every time they call.” He set Killer down on the grass and took his leash from Rarity.

“She likes your folks. They’re friends now.” She dropped her tote on the ground in front of her. The thing weighed a ton. “Just call her. But not tonight. And maybe don’t tell her I let you know where she went this evening? I was supposed to keep it a secret.”

“You couldn’t keep a secret if your life depended on it. You can’t even hold water.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re right. I need to man up and just ask her out already. How are you and Archer doing?”

“We’re fine. And I’m not going to be your excuse. Even if I wasn’t dating Archer, you and I are just friends. We’ve talked about this before.” She pointed to the next tent. “I’m going in to get my fortune told. Do you want to come?”

“I’m fine. I make my own destiny. Always have, always will. Which is probably why your friend scares me so much. She’s outspoken and independent.” Drew fake shuddered, letting the wiggles take over his entire body.

Rarity laughed. “You’re a nut. You say those things like they’re bad characteristics.”

He didn’t get to respond because, just then, Darby ran out of the tent sobbing. Rarity tried to step in front of her to ask her what was wrong, but the girl shook her head and ran the other way. They watched her go until she reached the first road off the main street. Her grandmother’s house was that way.

Rarity sighed. “Now what’s going on?”

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