Page 21 of Secrets in the Stacks

She could post the information on the store’s Facebook page. Make it like a sale announcement. Prominent Sedona resident’s private collection on sale here soon. Or something like that. She’d need to wordsmith it a little. Of course, that would make the bookstore the new target. But maybe he’d just come in and try to buy it.

Rarity took a bite of her sandwich and looked at Killer, who was watching her not eat the food in front of her. “We’ll just have to find the book first, right, boy?”

Chapter 9

Archer stood at the stove, stirring his secret recipe spaghetti sauce as they talked. He’d shown up at the bookstore when she closed with a bag of groceries and a bottle of wine. They’d walked to the house, and he suggested she swim while he made dinner. Rarity wasn’t sure what she’d done to get a keeper boyfriend this time—well, besides surviving cancer—but she wasn’t going to question it. She’d finished her laps, changed into sweats, and had her hair up in a bun on her head, drying. “I should wear a swim cap, but it feels too tight.” She moved into the open-concept great room and watched Archer pour two glasses of wine. She took hers and held it up. “To a man who cooks. How did I get this lucky?”

“You haven’t tasted the spaghetti sauce yet. You could hate it.” He clinked glasses with her. “At least you’ll have salad and garlic bread to fall back on in case it’s not edible.”

“You’ve cooked here a lot. None of your meals were even close to bad, let alone inedible.” She sat in one of the chairs at the table. “How was your day?”

“We finished the next quarter’s schedule. I’m thinking I need to hire a new guide. We’re getting busy. Maybe just someone part-time who just wants to work the busy season.” He brought his glass over and sat next to her. “How’s the investigation going?”

“Shouldn’t you ask Drew that?” She grabbed a cracker and a slice of prosciutto ham off the appetizer plate Archer had set up. “Either my swim was too long or you’re really good at this cooking thing. A charcuterie plate? You’re talented.”

“It’s called a charcuterie board, and besides, this isn’t one. There are no olives, no nuts, and only a few types of cheese. I’d just call this an appetizer.” He spread some mustard on a cracker, then layered it with ham and cheese. “I like to cook. It helps me think when I have problems.”

“I take it you have problems?” She curled her leg up underneath her and sipped her wine. She’d give him some room to talk. Usually, their conversations were about work or her. She wanted to know more about Archer.

“You were right; my office manager is getting a little too friendly now that you’re in the picture. I don’t know. Maybe she was always this way, and I didn’t see it.” He took a bite of his mini sandwich, to which he’d added a top cracker and mustard layer. “I’ve been as clear as I can that I’m not interested, but she still doesn’t get it.”

“I hate to bring up the obvious, but maybe you need to replace her?” Rarity didn’t meet Archer’s gaze.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Calliope is an amazing office manager. She could get another job in a hot second. I just hope it doesn’t come to that. I’ve been clear I’m not interested and that I’m seeing you, so maybe she’ll figure it out. Sooner rather than later. Every time she does something nice for me, I’m looking at the motives behind it. Maybe it’s just me. Now that I’ve seen proof of her feelings for me, I can’t not see it.”

“I’m probably not the best one to give you advice in this area since I have a vested interest. I am enjoying our time together. I’m not jealous.” She sipped her wine, letting the statement settle. “Okay, I think that’s true. I’m not jealous. I just wish she liked me more. And that the reason she doesn’t wasn’t because we are dating and she wishes she was dating you. I don’t think it’s jealousy, but I am concerned about you being alone with her all the time. I’d hate for her to misunderstand something you said.”

“Calliope’s a little impulsive and has a bit of a wild side, but most people who like the outdoors do.” He refilled her glass. “But you’re right, I should be talking to someone else about this. I’ll call Drew tomorrow if he’s not too busy keeping Sedona safe from random firework displays.”

“Not funny. This murder is a big issue. Someone broke into Darby’s house last night.” Rarity sipped her wine. It had been a little funny. The last few months, the mayor had tasked the police department with cracking down on illegal firework displays. The police chief had put Drew in charge of it. “Besides, I still have that ‘free the fireworks’ pin I was going to leave on his desk. I haven’t had time since Darby’s grandmother was killed.”

“You’ll have time. Once this murder is solved, they’ll put Drew back on the case of tracking down fifteen-year-olds and their illegal displays.” He stood and went to stir the sauce. “I can put the noodles in at any time, and we’ll have dinner in about ten minutes if you’re hungry.”

“We can wait until about seven if that’s not too late.”

He set the spoon down. “Seven will work. I had a late lunch. Wait, you were at Darby’s last night. Someone broke in when you were there? Way to bury the lead. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It was weird though. They went through the books in Catherine’s study. What do you know about Catherine? What could she be hiding?”

“Catherine was solid. She volunteered at the grade school for years, helping out with the library. Then they asked her to set up the middle school library, and next the high school, until finally the town librarian called in a favor. It about killed him to do it, but he was getting pressure from the mayor. Catherine was a magician at getting a library up to par in only a few weeks. She traveled around the area and consulted on their libraries, always finding a positive angle to work from. She was an amazing woman.” He crossed the kitchen and sat down across from her. “A lot like you.”

Rarity smiled. “You’re such a charmer.”

“It’s easy when you just have to speak the truth.” He leaned closer and kissed her. When he leaned back, his eyes twinkled as he studied her. “So tell me the story, especially the part where you told Drew. He must have flipped.”

Rarity went through the report she’d given to Drew when he’d arrived. Then she mentioned her plan.

“Hold off, so you want to have a garage sale for Catherine’s books?”

Rarity shrugged. “More like an estate sale, but you get the point. And while I’m getting the sale ready, I can look through the books and see if any of them are really valuable.”

He studied her as she thought through the idea. “Wouldn’t Darby know if there were valuable books in the collection? You’d think Catherine would have mentioned it.”

“It’s a long shot, I know. Or we might just find clues to the next buried treasure.” She rubbed her face. She was tired and needed food. “Let’s just eat, and then I’m going to crash. I need some energy.”

“Sounds like a plan. You need to run the other idea by Drew. He needs to be aware of this, because it sounds like you’re putting the store and yourself at risk in this adventure.” Archer stood and went to turn up the heat on the water he’d left to simmer.

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