Chapter 2 #2
Rarity looked up from the notebook where she’d been writing a to-do list. “We don’t know. The home sent George to the hospital, but they wouldn’t tell Shirley why. That’s all I know, so we’ll just have to think good thoughts for our friends.”
Darby nodded as she went to set her backpack in the break room. When she came back, Rarity could see she’d been crying.
“Are you okay?”
Darby wiped her face with her hands and took a tissue from the box that Rarity held out for her.
“It’s just bringing up when Grandma died.
They just told me that I had to go to the house.
No whys, so you think the worst. And it was for her.
I guess with the break-in last night, and now this, it’s messing with my head a little. ”
“I’d be surprised if it didn’t,” Rarity said. “Look, we don’t know anything. He could have fallen. Shirley will call when she has news, and we’ll deal with whatever happens. Until then, life goes on.”
“So, I’m spraying down the alley?” A smile creeped onto Darby’s face. “With a stalker threatening me?”
Rarity blinked. “Oh, no. You’re right. You can’t be out there on your own.”
“Chill. I was just kidding. Besides,”—Darby pulled something out of her cargo pants—“I have pepper spray. Just in case.”
“Put that stuff away before I can’t pretend I didn’t see it,” Drew said as he and Archer came into the bookstore. “I hear you’re down a minion. We’re here to help, but can you call in Katie?”
“Who called you?” Rarity asked as Archer handed her a cup from Desert Coffee & Cream. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure. Here, runt, a caramel mocha with whipped cream and enough sugar to run a suburban mall electric grid.” Archer handed Darby a cup, ignoring her question. “And until Katie gets here, I’m your new minion. Where do you want me?”
“We’re your new minions. I don’t have to go in until five tonight.
They wanted more people on nights this week, so I volunteered to work tonight.
I told them I had to be at your movie thing tomorrow, so they let me get away with just one double shift.
” Drew corrected Archer as he sipped his coffee, watching Darby move around the shop.
Rarity thought Drew was here for more than just to help. She could see the concern in the look he gave Darby. She played along. “Shirley must have called you?”
“On her way out of town. I actually saw her leaving and I called her to tell her to slow down. Martin has a speed trap right out of the city limits set up this morning, and I didn’t want her to have to talk her way out of the ticket.” Drew smiled as he talked. “The woman has a lead foot.”
“Okay, since I have you two, you can go spray down the alley. We need to clean it up before we set up chairs and the stage out there. The movie will be shown on the side of the building between my shop and Sam’s.
We’ll have the projector over on the hill behind the alley.
We’ll have extra seating there, but people will have to bring their own lawn chairs.
” Rarity was thinking as she talked out the setup.
“Too bad it’s not grass out there. They could bring blankets. ”
“Grass wouldn’t live there. Too dry. You could do Astroturf, but bugs might still get into it.
” Darby leaned against the table, sipping her coffee.
When she saw the others watching her, she shrugged.
“I called a landscaping company for the house. I wanted to do a grass backyard by the pool, but they laughed at me.”
“Are you keeping the house?” Archer asked. “It’s pretty big for one person.”
Darby nodded. “I know. But I have plans. I’m going to open up a bed-and-breakfast for tourists. Not a fancy one with antiques and such… Well, except for what Grandma already had in the house. But one where people can come and relax after hiking or sightseeing all day.”
“That sounds amazing.” Rarity had wondered what Darby was going to do with the mini mansion her grandmother had left her, but she had assumed she’d sell it.
Darby grinned at Rarity’s comment. “I know, right? Malia says she knows a chef looking for a side gig and she wants to be part of it. Holly’s thinking about it too. We just need a cool name.”
“And a business plan and a contract between the three of you, just in case something goes wrong with the friendship.” Drew added to Darby’s dreaming.
“And there’s always someone to bring down the mood.” Archer lightly punched Drew in the shoulder. “Let’s get the alley cleaned up before you get called off to save the day, Superman.”
“Dude, don’t call me that.” Drew and Archer headed into the back room to go out to the alley.
Darby went over and looked at Rarity’s to-do list. “You think it’s too much for us? Running a bed-and-breakfast? I know we’re young.”
Rarity laughed as she set her pen down. “Darby, I had a plan when I was your age. I did all the right things, and still, I had to adjust when I was diagnosed with cancer. When my upcoming wedding dream blew up during the treatment, I realized that it didn’t matter what other people thought.
This is your life. If you want to do this, why not? ”
“Grandma used to tell me all the time to follow my dreams. That’s why I went to Scotland to finish school. I’d always wanted to but thought it was too expensive. Especially after she got sick. I wanted to be here with her.”
“And you were. I’m excited to see what happens next in your life.
If this bed-and-breakfast is the next chapter for you, then I’m all for it.
” Rarity looked around the bookstore. “I have never regretted giving up everything I built in St. Louis and moving here. It’s like I was meant to be here all along. You’ll find your happy place too.”
Rarity grabbed her cell phone. Time to call in the troops to help. It wouldn’t be the same without Shirley, but they could pull together to get it all done.