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“That would be nice. The girls met up in Flagstaff earlier this morning and are doing some shopping. I didn’t want to go through the outlet mall looking for more clothes. I have too many in my closet now that I never wear.” Shirley glanced over at the fireplace and Killer’s empty bed. “I take it you left the pup at home?”
“Yeah, and I’ll pay for it tonight. I think I’m keeping the shop closed for the day and just going home after this.” Rarity turned off the lights to the back room. “I wanted to talk to you anyway about next Saturday’s book club. I didn’t know if you wanted to help out with the elementary group or even just take it. I hate to overload Caleb right now.”
“One Saturday a month?” Shirley asked as we moved outside. “I could do that. I really loved working with the groupon Wednesday.”
Rarity locked the door. “You did a great job.”
As they moved toward Shirley’s black Yukon, she saw Sam pull up at her shop. She waved, but her friend didn’t see her as she unlocked the door and hurried inside. Rarity got into Shirley’s car. “I wonder if Sam’s going to the funeral.”
Shirley peered over the hood. “There’s a man in the passenger seat. Is that her brother?”
Rarity turned from watching the shop and stared into the car. It looked like Marcus. And if she wasn’t wrong, it looked like there were two large suitcases in the back. Was Marcus moving out of the hotel and in with Sam? Or was he running away from Sedona?
Rarity picked up her phoneand called Sam.
She saw her stop at the register and glance at the display. She picked it up. “Hi, Rarity. Sorry, this isn’t a good time. Can I call you later?”
“Sure. I was just wondering if you were goingto Flagstaff.”
“Why would I be goingto Flagstaff?”
Rarity could hear the tension in her friend’s voice. “For Janey’s funeral. I know things are weird right now, with Marcus and all. But Shirley’s offered to drive.”
“Oh, that, no, I’m home. I’m not feeling well,” Sam lied as Rarity saw her taking money out of the till. “I’ll call you later.”
“Sam, don’t do anything stupid,” Rarity said, staring at her friend through the shop window, willing her to look over atShirley’s SUV.
“I don’t know what you mean. Look, I’ve got to go.” Sam hung up the phone and tucked it into her back pocket. Then she tucked the cash into her jeans and grabbed the shop keys. She left the shop and got into her car, driving off without looking back and seeing Shirley’s car orthe occupants.
“So she’s driving herself?” Shirley put her seat belt on.“Shall we go?”
Rarity put her phone on her lap. What should she do? If she called Drew, Sam would be mad, and maybe it wasn’t what it looked like, even though Sam lied to her. “You better know what you’re doing, Sam.”
“I’m sorry, do we follow her to the house?” Shirley turnedtoward Rarity.
Rarity shook her head. “Sorry, I was just talking to myself. Sam’s not feeling well. Let’s go to Flagstaff. We don’t want to be late.”
When they got to the church, they were able to park in the lot next door. Shirley glanced around when they got out of the car. “Maybe we’re early.”
“From what Janey said, she didn’t have much family. Maybe this is it.” Rarity pointed to a car she recognized. “Looks like Holly and Maliabeat us here.”
“We should get lunch at that tearoom across town before we go back. I’m sure Holly and Malia would enjoy it.” Shirley chattered as they walked to the front door of the church. It had a small overhang in front, where a mortuary van was parked. “When George or I pass on to the heavenly gates, we’re having our service in Sedona at our church. It’s not huge, but it’s just enough for what’s left of our friends. Flagstaff’s churches are all so big. It’s like they’re a corporation, not a gathering for parishioners. The more people who attend, the more money they raise, and the bigger church they build. It’s avicious cycle.”
Rarity must have kept nodding at the right places, because Shirley kept talking. When they came into the vestibule, Holly and Malia hurried overto greet them.
“Hi, guys. Sorry if we’re a little late.” Rarity gave the womana quick smile.
“You’re fine. We haven’t been waiting long. There’s a lot of people from the college here. Guys keep coming up and asking if we’re in their English or History class. I think they’re looking for dates.” Holly shuddered. “I did my time in the college dating scene. You either meet your Prince Charming or you kiss a lot of toads. I’m donekissing toads.”
Malia giggled. “I don’t know. That last guy, Todd,he wasn’t bad.”
“He wanted to go get beer and chicken wings after the funeral.” Holly lightly punched her friend in the arm. “You need to up your standards to wine and dinner, at least.”
“College guys are all broke,” Malia countered. “You have to find one with potential.”
Holly looked over at Rarity. “Exactly my point.”
“Well, if you aren’t swept away by Mr. Right during the service, Shirley thought we could go over to the new tearoom for lunch after this. I’ve got some new information on the case,”Rarity offered.
