When they met back up in the middle at the counter, she picked up her tote and handed Archer Killer’s leash. “I’m surprised Killer didn’t say anything.”
“He knew Caleb. Why would he?” Archer leaned down and picked the dog up. “Having a guard dog only works if your intruder isn’t someone he already knows.”
“True.” She rubbed Killer’s head. “Sorry if I’m inviting the wrong sort into your life.”
“I’m sure he’ll deal with it.” Archer set him down and nodded to the door. “Let’s go make fish and chips. Unless you’d rather eat at the Garnet? We can do dinner out if you’d rather. I can drop you off there, then I’ll take Killer home and come back. By the time I’m back, we should have food.”
She felt worn out. “Do you mind if we eat at the Garnet?”
“I just offered, so no, I don’t mind.” He pulled her into a hug. “Do you have a book to read while you wait, or do you want to grab one?”
She tapped her bag. “I never leave home without one. Even to come to the bookstore. I need to do a ‘staff recommends’ for this month’s newsletter, and I’m running out of staff to delegate the assignment to, so I guess it’s me.”
He laughed and turned off the lights as they stepped out. “The joys of owning your own business. Did I tell you I think I found someone to work part-time at the shop? He’s a hiker and needs a ‘real’ job to support his habit. He’s going to school in Flagstaff but lives here with his folks. And he’s majoring in accounting.”
“Sounds like a perfect match.” She locked the door and stepped up to meet Archer. “What do you want at the Garnet?”
“I’m dropping you at the front door. So we have time to talk about that.” Archer put his arm around her. As they walked to the restaurant, he chatted. “I’m thinking about a Sedona burger with cheddar cheese and fries. We can do fish and chips tomorrow night.”
“Sounds good.” She felt her energy increasing now that they were out of the bookstore. Maybe it had just been all the negative vibes from Caleb that had sapped her. Now that she was out in the cool air, she felt better.
“What about you?” Archer asked. “What are you having for dinner?”
“A glass of wine, and after that, I’m not sure. I’ll have to look at the menu.” She watched as Killer greeted everyone who passed them on the street.
“You’ve seen that menu more than a hundred times. You’ll look at it, then you’ll do the halibut with rice and a side salad or the chicken with mushrooms.” He nodded to the crosswalk, and they crossed with the light.
“Like I said, I need to see the menu.” She laughed at the look on his face. “Seriously, I don’t know what I’m getting until I weigh my options. And I might see something that someone else ordered that looks better than what I was thinking about.”
“You’re a goof.” He opened the door for her and kissed her lightly. “I’ll be back. Order me a beer, will you?”
“Of course.” She moved to the hostess stand and waited for the woman to greet her.
She looked up and then around Rarity. “Just one tonight?”
“No, Archer is on his way, so two. Can you seat me now?” The place didn’t look that busy.
“Sure, I’ll put you in Malia’s section.” The girl grinned and picked up two menus.
Apparently, the hostess knew her. She sat down and looked at her name tag. “Thanks, Jessica.”
“No problem. I’ll be at the book club next week before my Saturday shift. I loved this book. Whoever chose it was spot on. It really spoke to me about the problems high school kids deal with.” Jessica saw the door open and turned back to the hostess stand. “Have a great dinner.”
Rarity opened her menu and thought about Caleb. He’d chosen the next six months’ of books for the teen book club. Hopefully Shirley could use the group to choose more. Rarity didn’t read young adult, but she decided no matter what book any of the clubs were going to read, she would read them too. That way, if she ever needed to step in to help out, she’d be prepared. She took out her planner and put a note on tomorrow’s to-do list. It was too late to read the elementary school choice before tomorrow’s meeting, but she’d read it anyway in case there were follow-up questions. She opened her phone, pulled up her website, and wrote out all the books that the clubs were reading for this month and next.
Malia was standing there, watching her make her list. “That’s a lot of books.”
“I need to be prepared for these clubs, just in case Shirley can’t do the meeting.” She shut the planner. “I’m supposed to order. Archer took Killer home, and he’ll be right back.”
“The kitchen’s running a little slow anyway, so I think you’ll be fine. What can I get for you?” Malia wrote down their order, then took the menus. “And just one more thing. No matter what Holly says, this thing Sunday is not a date. We’re just getting together to study for an exam.”
“Okay, you said that, so why are you worried about me knowing it?” Rarity watched as the pink flowed into Malia’s cheeks. “Wait, so you’re worried that he thinks it’s a date? Do you like him?”
She glanced around the room and leaned closer. “I do like him. And this is the first time he’s asked me to study with him, so I don’t want to read too much into it.”
“So don’t. Go and be prepared to study. If he asks you to do dinner afterward, just let us know you’re not coming over. I don’t want to worry.” Rarity pulled out the book she’d been reading that week. It wasn’t on any of the book club lists, but it was so good.
“I’ll get this in to the kitchen. I’ll hold off on Archer’s beer, but do you want your wine now?” Malia nodded toward another table that had just been seated, letting them know she’d be right with them.
“That would be amazing.” She leaned back and opened her book. When Malia came back with the wine, she also had a basket of fresh rolls and butter.
“To hold you over.” She moved to the next table and greeted them.
She had been going to wait to eat until Archer got there to eat, but the rolls smelled amazing. She took one and broke it open, watching the steam escape with another fresh scent of warm bread. She slathered on some butter and took a bite. It was heaven.
When Archer arrived, the breadbasket was empty. He picked it up and turned it over. “Was it something good?”
“Oh, the bread was amazing. Ask Malia to bring you some.” Rarity felt her cheeks heat. She hadn’t meant to eat all of the rolls. She’d just been engrossed in the book. “How mad was Killer?”