Rarity paused a moment before she went back to the party. She saw Archer waiting for her. “I was just being accurate,” she mumbled to no one as she opened the door to go outside.
* * *
The next morning, Darby went with her and Killer to the shop. She didn’t talk much as they walked. Darby had been asleep when Rarity came inside after the crew left, but Darby looked better this morning. A little sleepy eyed, but she claimed she’d slept through the night. Killer had joined Rarity about one after sneaking out of Darby’s room.
“I just hope this goes away soon. It’s one reason I didn’t want to tell Drew. He can overreact at times.”
“He’s worried about you. We’re all worried. I just got you back at the shop. I don’t want you to not be available for your shifts. Especially since Shirley’s talking about going on a cruise with Terrance.”
The distraction worked. Darby’s eyes lit up as she talked. “Seriously? Those two would be so good together. I know, Shirley’s husband was a good man, but she’s been alone for so long and Terrance is just so alpha. He’s going to totally take care of her.”
“I’m not saying they’re a couple; it’s complicated, but I’d love to see her do more things now. She’s been tied to just visiting the nursing home for so long.” If Rarity was confused on the subject, Shirley’s thoughts and emotions on the subject must be making her dizzy. “Anyway, don’t bring it up, unless she says something first. She might have changed her mind last night about going.”
They were almost at the store when Rarity’s phone buzzed. “Speak of the devil. Hi Shirley. What’s going on?”
“I can’t come in today. George has been rushed to the hospital. They won’t tell me what’s going on, just that I need to be there. I’m heading to Flagstaff now.” Shirley talked fast.
“Do you need someone to drive you? I can go back and get the car. Or just head over to your house and we can take yours.”
“I’m already on the road. I was driving to work when the nursing home called. Just keep George in your thoughts. I’ve got to go, Kathy’s calling me back.”
And then Rarity heard the click of the call disconnecting. She put her phone away and took out her keys. They’d arrived at the shop. “So, Shirley’s not working today. It’s just you and me. And we have to get ready for tomorrow’s book signing and screening. The dumpster has been moved down the block, and I’ve already talked to the other shops so we can set up the chairs and podium first thing tomorrow in the alley behind the store. We have permission to block the alley today so we can spray it down. Can you do that while I handle the store?”
“What’s happening with Shirley? Is it George?” Darby asked as Rarity tucked her purse under the tote and let Killer off his leash. “You didn’t tell me.”
Rarity looked up from the notebook where she’d been writing a to-do list. “We don’t know. The home sent George to the hospital, but they wouldn’t tell Shirley why. That’s all I know, so we’ll just have to think good thoughts for our friends.”
Darby nodded as she went to set her backpack in the break room. When she came back, Rarity could see she’d been crying.
“Are you okay?”
Darby wiped her face with her hands and took a tissue from the box that Rarity held out for her. “It’s just bringing up when Grandma died. They just told me that I had to go to the house. No whys, so you think the worst. And it was for her. I guess with the break-in last night, and now this, it’s messing with my head a little.”
“I’d be surprised if it didn’t,” Rarity said. “Look, we don’t know anything. He could have fallen. Shirley will call when she has news, and we’ll deal with whatever happens. Until then, life goes on.”
“So, I’m spraying down the alley?” A smile creeped onto Darby’s face. “With a stalker threatening me?”
Rarity blinked. “Oh, no. You’re right. You can’t be out there on your own.”
“Chill. I was just kidding. Besides,”—Darby pulled something out of her cargo pants—“I have pepper spray. Just in case.”
“Put that stuff away before I can’t pretend I didn’t see it,” Drew said as he and Archer came into the bookstore. “I hear you’re down a minion. We’re here to help, but can you call in Katie?”
“Who called you?” Rarity asked as Archer handed her a cup from Desert Coffee & Cream. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure. Here, runt, a caramel mocha with whipped cream and enough sugar to run a suburban mall electric grid.” Archer handed Darby a cup, ignoring her question. “And until Katie gets here, I’m your new minion. Where do you want me?”
“We’re your new minions. I don’t have to go in until five tonight. They wanted more people on nights this week, so I volunteered to work tonight. I told them I had to be at your movie thing tomorrow, so they let me get away with just one double shift.” Drew corrected Archer as he sipped his coffee, watching Darby move around the shop.
Rarity thought Drew was here for more than just to help. She could see the concern in the look he gave Darby. She played along. “Shirley must have called you?”
“On her way out of town. I actually saw her leaving and I called her to tell her to slow down. Martin has a speed trap right out of the city limits set up this morning, and I didn’t want her to have to talk her way out of the ticket.” Drew smiled as he talked. “The woman has a lead foot.”
“Okay, since I have you two, you can go spray down the alley. We need to clean it up before we set up chairs and the stage out there. The movie will be shown on the side of the building between my shop and Sam’s. We’ll have the projector over on the hill behind the alley. We’ll have extra seating there, but people will have to bring their own lawn chairs.” Rarity was thinking as she talked out the setup. “Too bad it’s not grass out there. They could bring blankets.”
“Grass wouldn’t live there. Too dry. You could do Astroturf, but bugs might still get into it.” Darby leaned against the table, sipping her coffee. When she saw the others watching her, she shrugged. “I called a landscaping company for the house. I wanted to do a grass backyard by the pool, but they laughed at me.”
“Are you keeping the house?” Archer asked. “It’s pretty big for one person.”
