“I just texted her.” He held up his phone and then tucked it back into his jacket pocket. “So if you’re feeding me, I want to work for my supper. Where do you want me?”
Rarity glanced at her list. “As soon as Katie’s back with the food, can you take Drew’s and Archer’s food over to the park? Then you can help them finish the setup. We’ll be open there and here all weekend, so we need a mini store ready for tomorrow morning. I was going to have Shirley run the store and I was going to run the booth, then come back at five for the signing and the movie. But now, I don’t know.”
“What hole do you want me to fill?”
“I can’t believe I went from a one-person show to this. Now, I count on everyone so much.” Rubbing her eyebrow, she glanced at the list. “Archer has his own store and booth to run.”
“Rarity.” Jonathon took her hand. “Breathe. It will be fine. I’ll either be here helping one of the girls, or you can have both girls here, and I can help you at the booth.”
Rarity took in several deep breaths. “I’m just worried. About the shop, the next signing, Darby, Shirley, I guess all of it. You’re right. Everything will work out. With what’s going on, the best place for you is with Darby. I’ll take Katie to the booth tomorrow and you and Darby can run the shop. Just don’t let her leave alone.”
“I’ll watch her with my good eye.” Jonathon pointed at his left eye, then at the right. “Hmm, I seem to have forgotten which one is my good eye.”
“You’re a nut. And thank you.” Rarity made notes on her list. At least one thing, okay, maybe two concerns were off her list. Now to finish boxing up the books that would go to the booth tomorrow. As she worked on her list, Darby came back into the shop from lunch. “Darby? Watch the register as I get Jonathon set up to gather books for the festival.”
Darby came around the register counter and put her bag underneath again. “Thanks for letting me out for lunch. Marc is really a nice guy. Oh, and don’t forget to bring twice as many kids’ books as you think you need. We always run out.”
* * *
Friday morning, Rarity felt calmer than she’d expected. Darby had left Rarity’s house last night to go back to her house for the girls’ night she’d planned. When they met up at the bookstore, everyone seemed rested and a little less on edge. Rarity handed out the coffee she’d bought as well as the scones from the little bakery. “Okay, here’s today’s plans. I’m heading up the booth from nine to five. Then we’ll close and move back here to get ready for the night’s events. Katie, you’re with me, and Darby, Jonathon will help you out here.”
“Oh, I get to be his boss?” Darby snuck a peek at Jonathon.
“No evil smiles. We need to get through this day. Saturday and Sunday will be busy, but this is the killer day.” Rarity glanced at the list she’d made last night. “Malia will be dropping off lunches from the Garnet for both groups, so you need to get your order to her no later than ten. Then she’s bringing over a taco bar at five for us and the next author—Mason Pike—who will speak from six to seven. The signing will happen then and the movie—his first film,Attack of the Venus Spiders—will start right at seven thirty. The movie is a little over an hour and a half—so we should be done and cleaned up right at ten. Then we’re back at our stations at nine Saturday morning. Don’t forget, the race starts at ten so parking and traffic will be a nightmare. Anyone who wants to can park at my house and walk into town with me.”
“So, you’re talking to me, since the rest of them are in walking distance too,” Katie deadpanned as she looked at everyone at the table.
“Okay, so yes, fine, I was talking to you. I was thinking about Shirley as well, but I don’t think she’s going to be here. George might have had a stroke so they’re doing testing today and maybe surgery.” Rarity paused for a minute, remembering how stressed her friend had sounded when she’d called last night. She hadn’t even left the hospital yet. “So keep her in your thoughts. I’ll keep you all informed, and if she’s still in Flagstaff, I’m going over to see her Sunday afternoon as soon as we shut down the festival.”
“I asked Edith to come up and sit with her until Kathy can get someone to watch the kids while she’s gone.” Jonathon added to Rarity’s statement. “So this guy really named a movieAttack of the Venus Spiders? What did he call his book?Aliens and Me?”
Rarity snorted. “No, it’sMaking the American Horror Movie.”
Katie giggled. “Stop it. Mr. Pike presented at our drama class in April and he was really interesting. He started doing movies when he was fifteen. The spider movie was the first one picked up by a studio and shot. He made a lot of money off the licensing.”
“Let me guess, you had to read his book for the class.” Jonathon sighed. “I’m never going to get a book published if all the slots are taken by Hollywood celebrities and those in the legal profession. At least it’s not election season. Then there’s even fewer slots.”
“That’s a scarcity mindset.” Darby shook her finger at him. “You need to think abundantly. There are plenty of slots open, and my book will get one and bring in tons of money due to its popularity.”
Jonathon nodded. “I get it, but when did you start writing a book?”
“I’m not writing…” Darby paused. “Okay, fine, I see what you did there. Rarity, are you sure I can’t have Katie at the store?”
Rarity tried to hide her smile. “Okay, kids, stop teasing each other. If I have to turn this car around, I will.”
Jonathon poked Darby. “See what you did. Mom’s mad.”
“I didn’t make her mad, you did.” Darby stuck her tongue out.
“Did so,” Jonathon said as he leaned closer, staring at Darby.
“And on that note, we’re going to leave so we can open the festival booth. Open the store at nine, and please, don’t kill each other. Bloodstains are so hard to get out of hardwood.” Rarity stood and snapped her fingers, calling Killer to her side. She clicked his leash on. “Sometime tonight, Terrance is coming to get Killer and take him home before the movie. So if you see him and you have Killer, you have my permission for Terrance to leave with him. You don’t have to find me. Just tell me when you see me. I think it’s going to be a madhouse here tonight. Here’s to a colossal day of sales.”
“Okay team, break,” Darby called out as she stood. “We’ll see you at five. Bet we outsell you.”
“You won’t even be close,” Katie challenged back.
“How much do you want to bet?” Darby pushed.
