Chapter 20 #2
I paused for a minute, searching for what I was trying to say.
“I like having time alone. Emma’s always with me.
I’ve got the bookstore to run and my books to read.
And I’ve got friends and some family. So yes, at times I feel lonely, but if I stay in that mood, it’s my fault for not reaching out to someone to meet me for dinner.
Or figuring out something else. Like Carrie’s book club.
After the wedding and finishing my MBA, I found that I had a lot of free time.
Of course, it was during an investigation.
So we built the book club. Our lives are always changing and expanding.
If I choose to stay stagnant and unhappy, that’s my fault. ”
“You’re a wise woman.” Beth smiled at me.
“I’ve just had to adjust more often than others. Especially when I left the job I’d wanted all my life to start something new.” I tapped the steering wheel as I thought. “Maybe it’s just my personality. I like to change more than the average person.”
“One of the classes I’m teaching this year is on learning your personality.
We’ll be taking a bunch of personality tests, then we’ll compare them.
I’m hoping to take the materials further and try to pin down the most likely personality type to be swayed by a cult.
And the one most likely to become a leader.
It should make an interesting book someday.
” Beth stared out of the window thinking about her work.
“You are a complete nerd. There is no way you can let Jim stop you from doing this. He just needs to get with the program.” I smiled as we turned off toward the craft fair. “And if he doesn’t get it? He’s not worthy of you.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Beth demurred the compliment.
“I would.” I parked the car on the field next to the community center holding the fair.
“You should own who you are. Greg’s even given up on complaining about my keeper bookshelves.
Although he did take over my office. I’m much more of a couch and laptop person than sitting at a desk.
I’m glad the room is being used. Jim needs to see the entire you.
Do you talk to him about things like this personality class? ”
“No, I haven’t.” Beth didn’t elaborate.
I looked over at her as we walked toward the fair. “Maybe you should. If he ignores you, at least you can say you tried.”
“He’s going to freak out when I get home and make a list of what we’re going to do before the wedding. But I’m not going to back down.” Beth’s phone rang. She checked the ID and put it back in her purse.
“Expecting a call?”
Beth shook her head. “It can wait. Come on, I need help figuring out what to buy for Amanda. I bet you already have all your gifts bought and wrapped.”
“Hardly.” I followed her into the madness that was a Christmas craft show.
Three hours later, we were back in the Jeep with bags filled with Christmas joy and a lot of candy. I now had to stop at the craft store to buy some sort of Christmas-themed containers for all the small gifts and treats I’d bought for the staff. “Now all I want to do is eat chocolate.”
Beth took a big whiff of the sweet smell that filled the car’s insides. “We should spend the day tomorrow making Christmas cookies. And peppermint cocoa. We can buy jars at the craft store and that can be my addition to the barista boxes. They were all so nice to me.”
“You were a warm body to help the store when Toby disappeared and Deek freaked out.” I laughed at the look on her face. “Fine, they were nice to you. Hold on and I’ll get directions to the craft store. I also want to stop at the grocery store. Do you need anything from there?”
“Probably.” Beth pulled out a small notepad. “I’ll start making a list while you figure out where we’re going.”
Her phone buzzed again. She looked at the message, then asked, “What’s the craft store we’re going to?”
“Bakerstown Crafts and Yarn. Why?” I put the car in gear and headed out of the parking lot.
She texted something, then put her phone away. “Don’t freak but Dom’s meeting us there. He needs to show me something.”
I turned onto the street and headed into town.
“You’re not going to say anything?” Beth didn’t look up from her list-making.
I shook my head. “I’ve said this before. Not my circus or my monkeys. I’m just going to be grumpy when Lille kicks me out of the diner for knowing you.”
“She’s not going to kick you out of the diner.” Beth grinned as she snuck a look at me. “I promise.”
When we pulled into the parking lot, Dom was waiting for us.
He leaned against his motorcycle like a bad boy on Sunday waiting for the preacher’s daughter outside the church in a movie.
I could see the attraction. I wanted to climb on back and ride away into the sunset with him.
Okay, not actually, but he looked good as he pushed his hair back and stood as we pulled up.
We got out of the Jeep and I looked at Beth. “I’ll see you inside.”
She walked over and he took something out of his jacket to show her. I pretended not to watch while I got my purse out and locked the doors. We didn’t want the bags of puffy quilted Santas and chocolate fudge to get stolen.
Finally, I could stall no more, so I went into the store and got a cart.
I don’t know how I would explain this to Greg and heaven help me if Jim found out.
But Beth was an adult. She could talk to whomever she wanted to talk to.
Even someone who looked like one of the dark romance book boyfriends that my customers were always drooling over.
I, obviously, went for a more clean-cut version of the alpha male. Too many Law & Order shows as a teenager, although I’d always thought I’d go for the lawyer type. I smiled as I considered several options for the staff’s gift containers.
I texted my aunt and asked if she wanted to put a small something in the gift box/stocking. I got a quick text back.
From her answer, she and Harrold must have just returned from their cruise.
She told me it was a great idea and she’d already picked up charms for the staff at the last port.
I texted her that we had two more baristas, and then put my phone away.
I didn’t want her to call and start questioning my hiring, even though she didn’t technically work at the shop anymore.
She would call this “consulting,” whether I wanted her opinion or not.
Beth handed me a small jar. “This should hold enough cocoa mix for ten cups, depending on how strong they like it.”
“You snuck up on me.” I nodded at the jar. “We should get some ribbon to wrap around it and stickers so you can name it: Beth’s Candy Cane Cocoa. Or something like that. Too bad your name’s not Candy.”
“Whatever. I would make a horrible Candy.” Beth grabbed a box of the jars and counted them out. Then she picked out a plaid Christmas ribbon. “What container are you choosing?”
“This one. Aunt Jackie’s putting a little something in the staff boxes too.” It was killing me, so I asked, “Why did Dom need to see you?”
She shook her head. “It’s a secret and I told him I wouldn’t tell.”
“You know you shouldn’t keep secrets with dark and dangerous men you meet on the street. It’s not safe,” I deadpanned.
Beth started giggling and then broke out into full laughter. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“FaceTime. I swear, it’s almost like being there.” I filled my cart with the chosen boxes that looked like Christmas presents and then met Beth’s gaze. “I’m going to miss you too.”