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As soon as Ray disappeared into the back, a few customers trickled in and started to browse. I busied myself helping them find what they were looking for and as soon as the last customer left the store, I immediately went back to stocking the shelves, cracking open the last box of books I had ordered.
“Oh, Cass, I meant to tell you,” Ray said, coming around the corner, carrying a mug of hot coffee. “Some guy stopped by the shop today, wondering if you lived around here.”
I frowned, swallowing hard, thinking back to last night’s message from Josie and of course, talking to Maggie.
“Really?” I hadn't told Ray about them—come to think about it, I had never mentioned Brody to Ray, at all. All he knew was I was widowed.
“Yeah, no worries though, I acted as if I didn't know you,” he winked, stuffing the last of the chocolate chip cookie in his mouth. “Now, why don't you go and have a sit-down and something other than refined sugar to eat, I can handle things out here.” He grabbed the handful of books I was holding in my hand.
“You sure?”
“Positive. Go, I'll call you if I need you.”
Grabbing my lunch from the little fridge, I sat down at the small table in the lunchroom and unwrapped the sandwich I had brought. It wasn't much, but it was something. I took a bite and grabbed my phone from my purse. I reread the texts from Josie and typed out a message to her.
Me: How did it go last night? Did he believe you?
Josie: I tried, Cass, I told him I hadn't heard from you. I'm not sure he believed me
Me: What makes you think that?
Josie: Because he said he didn't believe me.
I chuckled—such a typical Josie response.
Me: Thanks, Josie, I'll call you later.
I sighed but continued to laugh at her response. I missed her so, she was always so much fun to be around. I made a mental note to give her a call later in the week and maybe arrange a visit with her and the family.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet and went by smoothly. Thanks to Ray, I ended up getting the whole new shipment put away while he started clearing the shelves for the book drive. I wanted to start collecting whatever I could, and I was happy to be able to concentrate on nothing but sales for the rest of the week. I had shut the open sign off in the front window and was going to help the last couple of customers in the shop. Ray came out from the back carrying a couple of boxes of the books that were donated and started placing them on the shelf.
“You want these in any particular order?” he asked as he walked over to the empty shelves.
“Whatever you do is fine.” I would have plenty of time tomorrow to arrange things how I wanted. What mattered to me right now was they at least got filled. “Just make sure any doubles are put together.”
“I can do that. Did you want to come to my place tonight for dinner? I was going to pick up a pizza on the way home,” Ray asked as he collapsed the last box he had emptied.
“Sure, that sounds great,” I answered as I locked up the door behind the last customer.
“Alright, I'm going to head out and let you finish. I'll pop over and feed Missy for you as well.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
* * *
By the timeI pulledinto Ray's driveway, it was close to six-thirty. Ray greeted me at the door, pulling me in for a kiss, then stepped aside to let me in.
“Smells great, I'm starved,” I said as my stomach let out a large growl. I threw my coat on the back of the chair by the door and followed Ray into the kitchen.
“So, I went over to feed Missy.”
“Great thank you.”
“Who's the handsome guy in the picture with you on the end table?” he asked grabbing two plates from the cupboard.
I took in a deep breath. I normally kept that picture of Jackson and me in my bedroom, but I must have forgotten to put it away.
“That was my husband.”
