Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(54)

Nora grabbed Bobbie’s wrist. “Be safe.”

“Better a thousand times careful than once dead.” Bobbie winked, squeezed Nora’s hand, and left the shop as another group of lodge guests entered.

Because one of the men immediately asked for Nora’s help finding a book on regional fishing holes, she didn’t have time to process how she felt about Bobbie’s departure. She had to lock her emotions away until later and focus on her customer’s needs.

“I know you’re already helping the gentleman, but I’d like a trail guide if it’s in the same area,” a woman said as she followed Nora and the fisherman through the stacks. “Something for beginners. I’d love to tell my kids that I hiked the Appalachian Trail, even if I only walked it for a little bit.”

“Any bit counts,” Nora said. “There’s a wonderful outdoor shop on the other side of town too. After you’ve finished your hike, you can buy a T-shirt there.”

The woman was thrilled. “Oh, good. I’m going to buy that shirt, put it on, and send my son a picture. He didn’t believe me when I said that I was going to lose a hundred pounds. It took me a whole year, and it was the hardest thing I ever did, but I did it.”

The man looking for the fishing book gave the woman a high-five. “Go you! Hitting goals and hiking the big trails. I think my kids would be happier if I’d just move into a retirement center and act my age. But I’m not there yet. I want to keep having adventures. I’ll get to shuffleboard and bingo soon enough. What’s the rush?”

After Nora showed the man several fishing books and found the perfect beginner’s hiking guide for the woman, she overheard the fisherman ask the woman if he could buy her a coffee. An hour later, they were still sitting in the readers’ circle.

“I think we’re witnessing a budding romance,” Sheldon whispered to Nora as he headed to the stockroom to eat his lunch and read another riveting chapter or two from the latest Jack Reacher thriller.

“I hope so,” Nora said. She waited until Sheldon was out of sight before checking her phone. This was the third time she’d looked to see if Jed had tried to reach her, but he hadn’t. Neither had Sheriff McCabe.

As she ate a turkey and cheese sandwich at the checkout counter, Nora thought about her female friends. They understood that relationships involved plenty of give-and-take. But the men in her life—Jed and Grant—showed up at her home or business when it suited their schedules. Their needs always seemed to supersede her own. At least, that’s how it felt to Nora.

And though she found it somewhat therapeutic to be irritated at Jed and Grant, she also knew that her judgment was probably clouded by the events of the past few days. Seeing Bobbie after so many years had dredged up memories and emotions that Nora had worked very hard to bury.

As she popped red grapes into her mouth, Nora remembered how lovely last night’s Cabernet had tasted. She also remembered how lovely it had felt to be relaxed and mellow.

That was a onetime thing.

She had to repeat this mantra several times that day, especially after bumping into McCabe outside of Soothe on her way back from the bank.

“Are you avoiding me?” Nora demanded.

“Hello, to you too,” he replied. “And no, I’m not avoiding you. I’ve just been busy. In a minute, I’ll be busy escorting Ms. Leopold to Woodland Cemetery.”

Nora paled. “Oh, Lord. I didn’t realize that everything had been arranged so quickly.”

“There wasn’t much to arrange. The funeral parlor director came here so that Ms. Leopold wouldn’t have to close the shop. It was all pretty straightforward.”

“Are you leaving now? I could ask Celeste if she’d like me to watch the store or come with her to the cemetery. She shouldn’t have to go through this without a friend.”

McCabe shot a glance over his shoulder before saying, “I don’t think she’ll take you up on either offer. She’s closing the shop now, and she made it clear that she doesn’t want company at the graveside. I’m driving her to the cemetery and will wait in the car until she’s ready to leave.”

Nora studied McCabe’s face. “Are you escorting her or guarding her?” Receiving no answer, she went on, “Look, I understand the logic behind the ruling. But what about Bren’s trashed house? Or the book page under my mat? What about Lazarus Harper? Where is he?”

“He hasn’t been seen in Pine Hollow for at least ten days,” said McCabe. “This is why I keep offering you a job. You’re an ace researcher.”

“It didn’t take much digging to figure out why Harper might bear a grudge against Celeste.” Nora touched the statue of Juliana, finding comfort in the marble woman’s solidity. “Does he have any tattoos?”

McCabe shook his head. “I don’t know. I was hoping to get that information from Mr. Harper’s ex-girlfriend, but she isn’t a fan of the police. She told me, using words I won’t repeat to a lady, not to call her again. She’s a dog breeder, so Deputy Wiggins volunteered to give her a call. Wiggins can talk dogs all day long. We’ll see how it goes.”

At that moment, Celeste stepped outside, pulling the shop door closed behind her. She made sure it was locked before quietly greeting Nora and the sheriff.

“I can keep the store open if you’d like,” said Nora.