Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(30)

For some reason, Celeste’s confused mumbling bothered Nora, but she didn’t know why. She’d never heard Bren or Celeste mention a community before.

“How can we help her?” Hester asked.

As another customer approached the chalkboard menu and studied the choices, Nora realized that it was time to relieve Estella.

“We’ll make a plan tonight. We’ll talk about Celeste first, and if we don’t discuss the book, then we don’t. The book won’t mind. Books never leave us. They always wait. They’re as loyal as a dog. As patient as a grandparent.”

Hester smiled. “You get all starry-eyed whenever you talk about books. Do I look like that when I talk about scones?”

“You don’t get stars in your eyes, my beauty, you get entire galaxies,” said Sheldon as he walked into the ticket agent’s booth. “I love you both, but you need to leave. My personal space is a deluxe suite, and I’m checking in.”

With Hester in tow, Nora walked to the front and thanked Estella for the help and the delicious lunch. Then, she took her place behind the counter.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of recommending and bagging books, wrapping shelf enhancers, rearranging displays, and replenishing stock.

By closing time, the shop was a total mess. There were big holes on almost every shelf. Everywhere Nora looked, books leaned on other books. They reminded her of small children resting their weary heads against a parent’s leg.

As much as Nora loved a festival crowd, she didn’t love the debris they left behind. She’d been in business for years, but she still got annoyed to find wads of gum, balled receipts, hair ties, candy wrappers, apple cores, dirty tissues, water bottles, straws, toothpicks, potato chips, Cheerios, pens, pencils, napkins, and coins—mostly pennies—all over the shop.

Nora couldn’t remember the last time the floor had been covered in so many different shades of dirt, and the trash cans were overflowing.

“Dios mío!” Sheldon cried from the children’s corner. “These Clifford books are sticky and blue.”

“It’s probably cotton candy.”

Sheldon groaned. “Cleaning sugar-and-germ-infested toddler residue is not in my job description. This sailor’s abandoning ship.”

“Go ahead. I’ll deal with Clifford after I detach a candy apple from the rug.” Nora sat back on her heels and smiled at Sheldon. “You were incredible today. As always. But you must be exhausted. Do you want to take Monday off?”

Sheldon looked horrified. “No way. We have to prep for the next round of festivals. I’ll rest tomorrow. You hit the garage sales. All the autumnal pieces you bought last week are gone, so do your book club thing and then go to bed early. You need to take care of yourself.”

After pinching Nora’s cheek like his Jewish grandmother used to pinch his, Sheldon left.

Nora freed the candy apple, wiped off the Clifford books, emptied the trash, and vacuumed the floors. At home, she took a quick shower and changed her clothes. Her hair was still damp when she pulled on her coat. For the first time ever, her sofa seemed more appealing than a Secret, Book, and Scone Society meeting. Nora loved her friends. She loved books. And she loved food. But she was really tired.

What about Celeste? She’s all alone.

With this thought in mind, Nora hurried back to the shop.

June was waiting next to the delivery door, a cardboard box in her arms.

“What’s in the baking dish?” Nora’s stomach gurgled in anticipation.

“Chicken and wild rice casserole. Estella made spinach salad and Hester’s bringing leftovers from the store.”

Nora frowned. “I supply the paper goods and drinks while the rest of you bring food. It doesn’t seem right.”

“Honey, you need to make like Elsa in Frozen and let it go. I have more time to cook than you do. And I enjoy cooking.” June carried the box into the ticket agent’s booth. “After last night, it felt good to do something productive today. I made this casserole for us, but I also made things for Celeste. Stuff to fill up her freezer. Comfort food.”

Nora took a bottle of white wine out of the fridge. “She won’t be ready for comfort books yet, but she’ll need company. Not the sit around, drink tea, and murmur condolences kind of company. She’ll need us to help her at Soothe. I just don’t know how we’ll manage it.”

“Women come out of the womb knowing how to multitask,” Estella said from the doorway.

“What are you guys talking about?” Hester called. “I just got here.”

The four friends decided to put all talk of Celeste on hold until they’d filled their plates with June’s casserole and Estella’s salad. Hester’s bakery box contained a hodgepodge of desserts including an apple cinnamon blondie, pecan pie brownie, pumpkin bread, apple strudel, and several ginger cookies.

“I’ll let my supper settle before I dive into that box,” said June after they sat down. “But I want you all to know that the pecan pie brownie is mine.”

“The cook should always get the first pick when it comes to dessert.” Nora pointed at her plate with her fork. “This casserole is so good. What else did you make for Celeste?”

June rattled off a list of dishes that included mac and cheese, sausage lasagna, chicken potpie, and meatloaf. She and Hester were trying to convince Estella that meatloaf glazes were better than ketchup when Nora heard someone knock on the back door.