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Rarity reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “You’re needed. You just need more structure in your life. I told you to come work for me. I need someone a few days a week, even with hiring Janey and Caleb. It would give you something to do.”
“I don’t know. I love books, but do I want to make what I love my job?” Shirley chuckled. “You’re trying to solve my problems, and I’m complaining. Sorry about that. Let me think about it, and I’ll let you know soon. I need to get some more coffee now and stretch my legs. Sitting is the new smoking, you know.”
Rarity watched as Shirley moved to the back, greeting other club members as she went. Killer whined from where he sat on Rarity’s lap. She ran a hand down his back. “I know, buddy. Shirley’s sad. But people get that way sometimes. We’ll just haveto watch her.”
“Watch who?” Sam bounced into the chair next to Rarity. “And who are you talking to? Killer?”
“Sometimes he’s the only one around to listen. So why were you so late? Did you get a big order?”Rarity asked.
Sam ran the crystal shop next door, and she knew a ton about the different types of stones. She turned the stones into jewelry for people to clean their chakras or bring some energy into their lives. Sam had made Rarity a necklace when she went through chemo, and she still wore it, mostly because she loved theway it looked.
“No, not an order. I’m still working on getting stock ready for the Fall into Sedona festival next week. It’s better than that.” Sam giggled and bounced in her chair. “My brother is coming to town tomorrow. Actually, he’s already here. He’s staying at the hotel at the end of town. He’s coming by the shop tomorrow. I haven’t seen Marcus in years. And the best part? He’s thinking about moving here. He works from home, so he can work anywhere. Isn’tthat amazing!”
Rarity didn’t know a lot about Marcus except that he went away for college and never came back to Arizona, not even for his parents’ anniversary party Sam held last year. Oh, and he did something in computer software development. But Sam was happy. Rarity didn’t want to be that friend who rained on everyone’s parade. “That’s wonderful. I hope to meet him.”
“Of course you will. I’ll bring him over to the shop. And he can come to Darby’s party. It’s going to be amazing. I hope Drew likes him. Being a cop, he has a certain standard. Marcus can be a bit unconventional.” Sam pursed her lips, as if she was thinking about the differences between her brother andher boyfriend.
“And on that note, it’s time to finish up this discussion.” Rarity stood and clapped her hands. “Let’s get back together and finish up with this book. I’ve got a new one I want you all to consider for the next open slot. I’ve also got next month’s book ready to purchase at thefront counter.”
They continued discussing the current book, a domestic thriller. Malia allowed that maybe some of the reasons she didn’t like the character were her personal bias, but several other members agreed with her that the main character let herself be victimized, then whined rather than taking control of her life. Anytime the group read a book where the main character didn’t deal with the cards she’d been given gracefully and full force ahead, the book got slammedin the meeting.
Rarity thought it was probably because many of the Tuesday night group were cancer survivors. They knew life wasn’t fair. They’d lost friends during their journey. Now, they took their lives into their own hands. And, mostly, didn’t whine about theircircumstances.
After they’d finished the meeting, Rarity was ringing up a purchase for Holly when Janey and Caleb stopped at the register. They looked like they were heading back to Flagstaff, where they lived by the college.
“Thanks for coming tonight. I wanted to give you a flavor of what a book club might be like and have you meet some of our patrons. Of course, your clubs will be kids, so it’s probably not comparable.”
“I loved being here. My mind is filled with ideas for my clubs.” Janey pointed to the treat table. “Do we have a budget for food? I’m thinking about finding a kids’ book about a certain food; then we can tasteit at the end.”
“I hadn’t thought about a food or supplies budget, but yes. Just let me know what you’re spending, and we’ll figure out a reasonable budget for both groups.” Rarity handed Holly’s credit card back to her. “I suspect you’re off to work?”
“Yeah, I’m still digitizing records. Now I’m working with the electric bureau. It’s a ton of fun. Not.” She turned toward Janey and Caleb. “Make sure you check the boxes about being willing to travel when you meet with the career counselors. Or you could wind up stuck in a little town like this.”
Janey’s eyes went wide, but Caleb laughed. “Believe me, my only requirement for a long-term career plan is to be in a city that actually has more than two stoplights. Not that I don’t appreciate working at your bookstore, Rarity. I just want to have a place where I can explore and meet interesting people. Like New York or LA.”
Janey shook her head. “No way I’d go somewhere that big. I want a job where I can make a good living but also have a great life. I guess I’m looking for the picket fencekind of world.”
Rarity thought she saw a shadow cross Caleb’s face, but it changed so fast, she wasn’t sure she’d even seen it. “It takes all kinds. That’s why the store has an entire frozen food case justfor ice cream.”
They laughed, and the three headed out the door. As Rarity watched, Caleb’s hand gently touched Janey’s back as he held the door open for her. A friendly gesture or more? Rarity would need to watch her new hires to make sure an office romance didn’t get in the way of gettingthe work done.
Archer Enders came in the door as the last club member headed out. Sam hadn’t stayed long, wanting to see if her brother would meet her for drinks. “This place cleared out fast. Usually, I have to kick people out so I can walk you home and get some dinner in you. I’ve got a chicken salsa stew on the stoveat your house.”
Archer was an amazing cook, the local hiking expert and tour guide, and Rarity’s boyfriend. He had a key to the house and had started going over to her place after he got off work on Tuesdays so he could cook dinner for her and have it waiting at nine when she got home. He wasn’t bad to look at either. His blue eyes, blond hair, and tanned body made the customers at Enders’s Tours treat him like some Indiana Jones character. And he playedthe part well.
Rarity was just glad he was also sensitive and smart, and he liked her. And the good cook thing. That was important too. She picked up Killer’s food dish, put the contents into a ziplock bag, and tucked it under the counter. Then she started cleaning up from the book club. “Would you lock the door and then dump the coffeepot?I’m starving.”
By the time they got the bookstore in shape, the streetlights had come on. They walked the few blocks from her store to the little bungalow she’d bought mostly for the pool in the back.
She leaned into Archer’s shoulder and sighed. “It’s a beautiful night.”
“It is.” He adjusted her jacket to cover her shoulder. “We’re going into winter, though. I might have to come get you in the truck soon.”
Rarity took in the starry night sky and got lost in the grandness. “I hope not too soon. This is amazing.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not complaining, but what has you sohappy tonight?”
She grinned up at him. “Sam’s brother is coming into town. She’s so excited to see him. I guess it’s wearing off on me.”
