Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(15)

Guilt dimmed the spark in Jed’s eyes and Nora wondered how long he would work double shifts to atone for causing the fire that had injured both his mother and his dog, Henry Higgins. His mother had forgiven him years ago. Would he ever forgive himself?

Running her fingertips down his unshaved cheek, Nora decided that Jed needed a break from his responsibilities, no matter how brief.

“I’m going to make you breakfast,” she said. “And how about we go on a hike later? We could pack a lunch, grab Henry Higgins, and leave the world behind for a little while. How does that sound?”

Jed let out a weary sigh. “More exercise? I just did my cardio for the day. What happened to lazy Sundays?”

Nora rubbed his flat stomach. “See this? I don’t have one of these. I don’t lift weights with firefighters in my downtime. I sit on my ever-expanding ass and read. So I need to climb some hills today. But for now, you should stay in bed. I’ll bring you a cup of coffee and the paper, and while you’re recovering from your cardio, I’ll make you a big omelet.”

“With bacon?”

“Don’t have any,” she said, getting out of bed. “How about sausage?”

Jed pulled a face. “Not if it’s that organic chicken stuff. It tastes too healthy.”

“And you call yourself a medical professional. I can’t even look at you.” Nora picked up a pillow and dropped it over his handsome face.

He sat up and tried to grab her, but she dodged his hand.

Jed flopped onto his back and stretched his arms out wide. “If I hadn’t missed just then, you wouldn’t be going anywhere. My strength is already coming back.”

“Oh, good. We’ll take the extra steep trail.”

Laughing, Nora went into the kitchen to cook breakfast.

*

They didn’t go hiking right away. Jed had errands to run, and Nora needed to hit the flea market and a few garage sales. She’d perused the classified ads and made a list of promising garage sales over breakfast, but had to set aside the rest of the paper to read later.

Unfortunately, Nora’s late start cost her the first pick of the garage sale treasures. The shoppers who’d arrived within thirty minutes of the advertised start time were already bargaining with the homeowner, and after three sales, Nora’s only finds were an old bank shaped like a mailbox and sixteen books in the Cherry Ames nursing series. Though the vintage books were in good condition and would make a charming endcap display, they also filled up Nora’s backpack. She’d have to drop them at Miracle Books before heading to the flea market.

Because Nora didn’t own a car, she was used to making multiple stops. She didn’t mind this at all. In fact, she looked for excuses to drive her moped around town. Not because she loved driving, but because her mode of transportation was just plain spectacular.

When Nora acquired the moped, it was canary yellow with pink floral decals. The color scheme didn’t suit her personality one bit, but Nora wasn’t going to spend her limited funds on a paint job. As a surprise, Jed and Nora’s friends paid an auto detailer to transform the moped from an eyesore into a work of art. It now featured rows of colorful book spines.

Drivers would often roll down their car windows and shout, “I loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!” or “Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book!”

Nora would flip up her visor, smile, and say, “In that case, I have the perfect book waiting for you at my shop. Come see me.”

And eventually, the person would.

Nora’s moped was a billboard on wheels. When she parked in front of the big, red barn where the flea market was held, every shopper could see the graffiti-style text painted under the seat. They’d read, NEXT STOP: MIRACLE BOOKS, and make a mental note to drop by the bookstore the next time they had a few moments to themselves.

On Sundays, the barn was especially crowded, and Nora maneuvered around any dawdlers, heading straight for Bea’s booth. Bea had a large family, and all of her siblings, nieces, and nephews dealt in vintage goods. Because of this, Nora hoped Bea had fresh merchandise for sale.

Bea was wrapping a tin Halloween noisemaker in newspaper when Nora approached the booth. The customer buying the noisemaker was also trying to make a choice between a retro black cat or a skeleton ornament.

“Get both,” Bea suggested. “Things are always better in pairs. PB&J. Batman and Robin. Han Solo and Chewbacca.”

The woman grinned. “Now I’m thinking about Harrison Ford. Nice sales technique you’ve got there. Okay, I’ll take them both.”

While Bea wrapped the ornaments, Nora examined an art glass pumpkin paperweight for imperfections. Finding none, she cradled it in her palm as she continued to survey Bea’s wares.

“I set some things aside for you.” Bea reached under a table and pulled out a cardboard box containing two items. The first was a repoussé pillbox with harvest decorations. The second was a white pottery water pitcher with autumn leaves dancing around the rim. Several sheets of crumpled paper indicated that there’d been more than two items in that box at one point.

“These are great. Is there anything else?” Nora asked.

Bea shook her head. “I put the rest of it out. You’re usually here and gone by now.”

“Yeah, I’m running late today.”

“Is it because of that?” Bea jerked a thumb at the folded newspaper next to her cash box.