Chapter 3
Later that afternoon, Rarity sent Archer and Drew to the park to set up the bookstore’s booth there for the festival.
She’d been planning on setting it all up tomorrow, but with the guys’ help and with Katie arriving midmorning, she was ahead of schedule.
They’d completely set up the alley stage, movie theater, and book sales stand.
She was working on the staffing plan for this weekend in case Shirley wasn’t able to work.
She’d be okay, but it would be tight. She might have to close the store on Saturday just to have enough people for the festival booth.
Overtime was going to kill her budget this weekend. But sales at the Wednesday signing had been strong and today had been busy. Marc Billings had come by and asked Darby if she’d join him for lunch. Rarity had sent them away with a grin.
Katie had waited until they were out of the bookstore before she said, “Wow, he’s like a bee to a wildflower with her. Can you see it in his eyes?”
“He does seem smitten. And from what I can see, he’s a good guy. Besides, Darby needs a distraction from last night’s mess.” Rarity sighed as she handed Katie a piece of paper. “Go get everyone’s order for lunch at Carole’s. My salad is already on the list. And an iced tea, please.”
“We need more waters too. I’ll stop by the store so we can get stocked up for tomorrow.” She reached for the credit card that Rarity kept in the drawer. “I love spending your money.”
“Just remember, I need money for payroll too,” Rarity teased. “Oh, get additional water and some sodas for the booth this weekend. So buy twice as much as you were planning.”
“I’ll get our lunch order in and then head out to the store.” Katie glanced around the bookstore. There were several customers browsing. Foot traffic had been strong all morning. “Unless you think I need to stay. I can go to the store after we close.”
Rarity shook her head. “No, you’re going to be working too many hours this weekend as it is. Take tonight to do something fun.”
“Actually, Darby’s having a bunch of the girls over tonight for a sleepover. She invited me to come along as well. I really like having her here. She’s not what I expected, but I’m dying to see the inside of her house. And her pool.” Katie took off to help a customer in the romance aisle.
As she did, the bell over the door rang, and Rarity called out, “Welcome to the Next Chapter.”
“Thank you. I know I’m early for Tuesday’s book club, but I am having a bad case of writer’s block and Drew thought I might be useful here.” Jonathon Anderson, Drew’s father, and a full-fledged member of the sleuthing club, walked into the store.
“Jonathon. You’re just on time. Give Katie your lunch order, then come over and tell me all about what’s going on with Edith and Savannah, of course.
” Rarity knew that Drew had asked his dad to come up from Tucson where they lived probably sometime last night.
Jonathon was a retired detective and a really nice guy. He was also an aspiring author.
“I didn’t come for a free lunch,” he grumbled as he set his laptop bag on the counter.
“Perks of the day. Never turn down food when it’s offered.
You don’t know how long it will be until the next meal.
Especially with as busy as this weekend is going to be.
Besides, I’m down a set of hands. This way I don’t feel bad about asking you to help.
” She waved Katie over. “Now give her your order and then I’ll tell you what’s going on unless Drew updated you this morning. ”
“No, I talked with him late last night.” After he’d given his order to Katie, he sat down at one of the stools. “Where’s Darby?”
“She went to lunch with Marc Billings. He’s a retired bike racer and we hosted a book signing for his first book last night.
He’s also enamored with our Darby. She should be back any minute.
” Rarity took a book from a customer who’d come up to the register and processed her checkout.
Once she was finished and the customer had left, she turned back to Jonathon to finish the update.
“Shirley is at the hospital with George.”
Concern filled Jonathon’s face. “Do we know what’s going on? Should I ask Edith to join me this weekend?”
“I don’t know anything more than what I said.” Rarity thought for a minute. “Can you ask Edith to call Shirley? It might be a welcome distraction from the waiting.”
“I just texted her.” He held up his phone and then tucked it back into his jacket pocket. “So if you’re feeding me, I want to work for my supper. Where do you want me?”
Rarity glanced at her list. “As soon as Katie’s back with the food, can you take Drew’s and Archer’s food over to the park?
Then you can help them finish the setup.
We’ll be open there and here all weekend, so we need a mini store ready for tomorrow morning.
I was going to have Shirley run the store and I was going to run the booth, then come back at five for the signing and the movie. But now, I don’t know.”
“What hole do you want me to fill?”
“I can’t believe I went from a one-person show to this. Now, I count on everyone so much.” Rubbing her eyebrow, she glanced at the list. “Archer has his own store and booth to run.”
“Rarity.” Jonathon took her hand. “Breathe. It will be fine. I’ll either be here helping one of the girls, or you can have both girls here, and I can help you at the booth.”
Rarity took in several deep breaths. “I’m just worried.
About the shop, the next signing, Darby, Shirley, I guess all of it.
You’re right. Everything will work out. With what’s going on, the best place for you is with Darby.
I’ll take Katie to the booth tomorrow and you and Darby can run the shop. Just don’t let her leave alone.”
“I’ll watch her with my good eye.” Jonathon pointed at his left eye, then at the right. “Hmm, I seem to have forgotten which one is my good eye.”
“You’re a nut. And thank you.” Rarity made notes on her list. At least one thing, okay, maybe two concerns were off her list. Now to finish boxing up the books that would go to the booth tomorrow.
As she worked on her list, Darby came back into the shop from lunch.
“Darby? Watch the register as I get Jonathon set up to gather books for the festival.”
Darby came around the register counter and put her bag underneath again. “Thanks for letting me out for lunch. Marc is really a nice guy. Oh, and don’t forget to bring twice as many kids’ books as you think you need. We always run out.”
* * *
Friday morning, Rarity felt calmer than she’d expected.
Darby had left Rarity’s house last night to go back to her house for the girls’ night she’d planned.
When they met up at the bookstore, everyone seemed rested and a little less on edge.
Rarity handed out the coffee she’d bought as well as the scones from the little bakery.
“Okay, here’s today’s plans. I’m heading up the booth from nine to five.
Then we’ll close and move back here to get ready for the night’s events.
Katie, you’re with me, and Darby, Jonathon will help you out here. ”
“Oh, I get to be his boss?” Darby snuck a peek at Jonathon.
“No evil smiles. We need to get through this day. Saturday and Sunday will be busy, but this is the killer day.” Rarity glanced at the list she’d made last night.
“Malia will be dropping off lunches from the Garnet for both groups, so you need to get your order to her no later than ten. Then she’s bringing over a taco bar at five for us and the next author—Mason Pike—who will speak from six to seven.
The signing will happen then and the movie—his first film, Attack of the Venus Spiders—will start right at seven thirty.
The movie is a little over an hour and a half—so we should be done and cleaned up right at ten.
Then we’re back at our stations at nine Saturday morning.
Don’t forget, the race starts at ten so parking and traffic will be a nightmare.
Anyone who wants to can park at my house and walk into town with me. ”
“So, you’re talking to me, since the rest of them are in walking distance too,” Katie deadpanned as she looked at everyone at the table.
“Okay, so yes, fine, I was talking to you. I was thinking about Shirley as well, but I don’t think she’s going to be here.
George might have had a stroke so they’re doing testing today and maybe surgery.
” Rarity paused for a minute, remembering how stressed her friend had sounded when she’d called last night.
She hadn’t even left the hospital yet. “So keep her in your thoughts. I’ll keep you all informed, and if she’s still in Flagstaff, I’m going over to see her Sunday afternoon as soon as we shut down the festival. ”
“I asked Edith to come up and sit with her until Kathy can get someone to watch the kids while she’s gone.” Jonathon added to Rarity’s statement. “So this guy really named a movie Attack of the Venus Spiders? What did he call his book? Aliens and Me?”
Rarity snorted. “No, it’s Making the American Horror Movie.”
Katie giggled. “Stop it. Mr. Pike presented at our drama class in April and he was really interesting. He started doing movies when he was fifteen. The spider movie was the first one picked up by a studio and shot. He made a lot of money off the licensing.”
“Let me guess, you had to read his book for the class.” Jonathon sighed. “I’m never going to get a book published if all the slots are taken by Hollywood celebrities and those in the legal profession. At least it’s not election season. Then there’s even fewer slots.”
“That’s a scarcity mindset.” Darby shook her finger at him. “You need to think abundantly. There are plenty of slots open, and my book will get one and bring in tons of money due to its popularity.”
Jonathon nodded. “I get it, but when did you start writing a book?”