Page 28 of Secrets in the Stacks

When she got to the store, she was busy until about noon, when Darby arrived for her shift. “Hey, how have you been? I know I just saw you on Sunday, but it seems like it’s been forever.”

“I’m fine. School was a good distraction yesterday. I’ve got a paper in my English class due soon, so I spent last night in Grandma’s study working on it. It’s strange not having her around. I’m thinking after you all stop babysitting me, I’m going to get a dog. A little bigger than Killer, though. I want someone who can curl up with me on the couch and I don’t feel like I’m going to squish them.” Darby reached down and gave Killer a tummy rub. “Maybe I’ll go to the humane society in Flagstaff tomorrow after I get out of class.”

“I have to say, I’ve been happy with having a companion. I know people might think I’m one of those crazy ladies who talk to their dogs, but I don’t care. He’s a good listener.” Rarity smiled over at Killer, who’d rolled over and went back to sleep after Darby left him. “I hope you’re okay with the book club being so involved in your life right now. It seems like we’re always around lately. Are you okay with that?”

“You’re kidding, right? You guys have been what’s keeping me going lately. I know you’re friends with that police detective, but I just don’t trust law enforcement. If we’re going to get my grandmother justice, I believe it’s up to us. Besides, Holly’s decided we need help from the other side, so she’s bringing Carson to read the tarot cards. I don’t think she truly believes but Carson volunteered since she felt bad about the festival read.” She tucked her purse under the counter. “But you’re not paying me to chat. Are there books in the back to check in?”

“I left them all for you.” Rarity swept her arm in the direction of the back room. “As long as you’re still okay with us talking about this, I’ll need to get the whiteboard out of storage so we can do some brainstorming.”

“I can do that.” Darby paused. “Did anything pop out at you with the book inventory?”

“Besides the fact that your grandmother was a very wide reader? No, nothing that’s worth anything more than just book value. I’m afraid the offer’s not going to be very large.” Rarity went to pull out the inventory sheets from her tote, but then she realized she’d left them at home. “I’ll have an offer sheet ready next week.”

“Don’t hurry. I’m thinking I’m going to keep the house. And if I do, I might as well keep her library. It’s nice working in there, and I actually had some of the research material I needed for my report. I like not just checking out books. I own these.” She nodded to the door to the back room. “I’ll get the books inventoried now. And just let me know when you want to grab some lunch. I’ll watch the front for you.”

The doorbell rang over the door, and Archer came into the shop. “Actually, I’m here for the same reason. Can I talk you into lunch at the Garnet?”

“Looks like I have coverage.” She grabbed her tote and tucked her phone into it. “Can you watch Killer for me?”

“Of course. It will give me practice spoiling my future dog.” Darby made swooshing motions with her hands. “Go on, I’ve got this.”

Archer held the door open. “I guess you were told.”

“I guess so.” Rarity glanced over, but Killer was still sleeping. She wondered if parents felt this way leaving their kids with a babysitter. “So why the spur-of-the-moment lunch date? Everything okay at work?”

“Fine. Calliope’s a little touchy today. But really, I just wanted to see you. I know tonight’s the book club, so it’s lunch or wait until tomorrow.” He put his hand out and took her hand in his. “I guess I missed you.”

“You saw me last night,” Rarity reminded him, but really, she didn’t mind. It was so different than her relationship with Kevin. He wanted her with him, but he didn’t care, one way or the other. Archer liked spending time together. Kevin was usually working when he got home or watching one of the many sports teams he followed. “I guess it’s okay. I know I’m a magnetic personality.”

“You’re a pill. That’s what you are.” He bumped her shoulder. “Any visit from your friend Nick today?”

“Nick?”

Archer paused as they started to cross Main Street, waiting for a truck to go through the intersection. “Yeah, your customer from yesterday.”

“No. He didn’t come in. But something he said made me think he was from out of town. Like he’d be back next week or so.” Rarity thought about what he’d said and tried to remember the exact words.

“Don’t worry about it. But if he comes in and scares you again, call Drew. He’ll be over there in a heartbeat.” He held the door to the restaurant open. “Then call me. I’ll come over and give him a lesson in being polite.”

“Not in my bookstore, you won’t.” She squeezed his hand as they walked up to the hostess stand. “Are we here before the rush?”

“Just in time. I have two booths left.” Gabby, the hostess, smiled as she picked up the menus. “I’m glad to see you in the restaurant today. Usually, you both order delivery. It’s nice you were able to get out and have a proper meal together. People work too hard. They need to take time for the finer things. Like real conversation.”

They sat in the booth, and Gabby set down the menus. “Mary will be your waitress. Enjoy.”

After she left, Rarity started giggling.

Archer leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I guess she told us.”

“I didn’t realize my eating habits were being monitored.” Rarity opened her menu.

Archer studied his menu. “Get used to it. It’s a small town, and people don’t have anything else to do.”

After they’d eaten, Gabby dropped a bag onto their table. “Darby called in an order and asked if you’d bring it back to her. How is she doing?”

“Good, I think. She’s got a lot on her plate.” Rarity didn’t want to say that she felt that Darby held her emotions close to the vest. Rarity didn’t know if that was a survivor trait or if she and Darby just reacted to hard times with the same motto. Don’t let them see you sweat.

“Well, you tell her if she needs anything, she can call me. We can do a fundraiser here at the Garnet if she needs money. I don’t know if Catherine had much of a nest egg set aside, but the most important thing is for Darby to finish college. You can’t get anywhere without a degree nowadays.” Gabby’s attention turned to the sound of the door opening and new patrons coming inside. “Have a good day, you two.”

---