Rarity smiled and watched him hurry off, his phone to his ear. Whoever had dropped the ball on calling Cara was probably getting an earful right now. Killer stood by her side, watching him leave, a small whine coming from him. She scooped him up before he decided to take off after Drew and gave him a kiss on the head. “Your buddy is busy finding the bad guy right now. He’ll come back and play later.”
From the look he gave her, she wasn’t sure he believed her. She locked the door, then went to the bedroom to change into her swimsuit. Now, she had more to think about with Janey’s death. Maybe this sister would be a good lead, and she’d have a reason to kill Janey. Or have her killed. Sometimes people didn’t like others to be happy. And Janey was really happy on Saturday when Rarity last saw her.
* * * *
Thursday afternoon, Caleb showed up for his work shift. He looked like he’d gotten at least some sleep. The deep circles were gone from under his eyes, and the red had turned to pink. He smiled sadly as he came into the store. “I made it. I wasn’t sure I could do it yesterday, but I made myself get up and shower today. Janey wouldn’t want anyone wasting away because she’s gone.”
“Probably true. Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. I know losing Janey was a shock, but life does go on, and we honor those who don’t by living a good life while we’re here.” Rarity didn’t want to sound like a commercial, but since she’d survived cancer, she knew the value of life. And not to leave with any regrets. “So let’s get busy. I’m closing the shop midday tomorrow for Janey’s funeral. I probably won’t reopen until Saturday morning, so we need to be on point for Saturday’s book club today. And I hired someone to do the Mommy and Me club. Do you want me to transfer Janey’s elementary school club to someone else? Or do you want the extra hours? It’s up to you.”
“So I’d work every Saturday? I could do that. I need the money until I graduate. Then I’ll be hopefully working full-time at some college.” He twisted his lips into a sneer. “If someone hires me.”
“I’m sure you’ll get placed. And until you do, you’re welcome to run all three Saturday book clubs. But if you need a break, just let me know, and I’ll either step in or Shirley will.” She thought about the book club breakdown. “Honestly, Shirley’s probably going to be better at the younger club, not the teenager one. Anyway, we’ll handle any time off you need.”
“Sounds good.” He nodded to the back. “Did our books come in for Saturday?”
“They’re in the boxes by the back door. I’ve checked them into our system, so let’s figure out a way to display them here by the register.” Rarity followed him into the back room, and they both brought out a box. Then they got busy setting up the room and the store for Saturday’s event. Working felt good. She might have been pontificating about the value of purpose to Caleb earlier, but she believed in it. Working didn’t make the sadness disappear, but it did allow room for the happy memories to float up when you weren’t paying attention. Those memories eased the pain of losing someone at least a little. And that and time was all you could count on while your heart healed.
When it was time to close up the shop, she sent Caleb home first, then she worked on closing the till. They were as ready as they could be for an inaugural book club. Now, all they needed was for kids to show up. This was the middle school group, and the group that Rarity had gotten the most RSVPs from both kids and parents. The book had pre-sold well, and she had hope that the club would start out strong. Next week, they’d open the elementary school club. And then the high school one. Then they’d have an event empty Saturday and start all over again the next week.
If the clubs took off, she’d need to replace Janey. Or ask Shirley to take the elementary group. Shirley had done well with the Mommy and Me group, but Rarity wasn’t sure if she wanted more hours. The woman did a lot with the community and still saw George every night after dinner for a few hours. He had good days and bad days as far as remembering her and their life together, but his health was good, and he’d be around a long time. Rarity didn’t want Shirley to wear herself out or not spend the time she wanted to with her husband. But on the other hand, it really wasn’t Rarity’s decision to make. She put a pin in it, as her mom used to say.
The door opened, and Archer came in. Again, Killer hurried over to greet him. Her dog loved a lot of people. If he didn’t do the same when Rarity entered a room, she’d worry that he loved other people more than her. But he just had a lot of love to share.
“Hey, are you here to walk me home? I’m beginning to feel like I’m a kid who stayed too long at the library.” She smiled as he picked Killer up and walked toward her.
“I know you can find your way home. Drew just wanted a friendly face to talk to yesterday, I think. He’d called me to see if I could have dinner, but I had that group. So I offered you up as a replacement.” He leaned on the counter and gave Rarity a kiss.
“Now I really feel wanted.” She closed the register and got her tote. “I heard that Sam had dinner with her brother.”
“Have you talked to her today?” Archer put his arm around her as they walked out of the store.
“No. And it’s not unusual, but we typically talk on the phone when we don’t see each other. I’m beginning to think she’s isolating herself.” Rarity locked the shop door and looked over at Sam’s already dark crystal shop. “I know he’s family, but she can’t shut the rest of us out of her life.”
“Maybe she’s afraid we’ll think he’s guilty.”
Rarity looked at Archer in the gathering twilight. “I’m not sure he’s not. Maybe it was an accident, but the hiker who found her didn’t kill her. Drew told me that much last night. And it wasn’t a suicide. I don’t want to be on the other side from Sam, but she has to be questioning Marcus’s innocence.”
“I don’t think she does or is. I think Sam’s just supporting her brother. Good or bad, she’s going to be there for him. He’s family.” Archer pulled her closer. “I know you don’t like to go out on Thursday night, but I’m thinking we order in. You can swim while I finish up some work. Then we get dinner and watch something that meets both of our entertainment needs.”
“So no zombies.” Rarity squeezed his hand.
“Yep. And no made-for-television romances.” He countered with his own Do Not Watch list item.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 8
Rarity kept watching the clock, afraid she’d get busy with something and miss her closing time. She’d left Killer at home and driven her Mini Cooper to work. She’d had a sign up for the last few days, warning customers that she’d be open for just a few hours today and would return to normal hours Saturday. Which was probably why her shop was dead this morning. She probably should have just closed the shop for the day. She went back to reviewing the list of romance books Janey had made for her to order. She’d forgotten to order them this week, with everything going on. She was getting them into the system now, before she forgot again.