“I loved being here. My mind is filled with ideas for my clubs.” Janey pointed to the treat table. “Do we have a budget for food? I’m thinking about finding a kids’ book about a certain food; then we can taste it at the end.”
“I hadn’t thought about a food or supplies budget, but yes. Just let me know what you’re spending, and we’ll figure out a reasonable budget for both groups.” Rarity handed Holly’s credit card back to her. “I suspect you’re off to work?”
“Yeah, I’m still digitizing records. Now I’m working with the electric bureau. It’s a ton of fun. Not.” She turned toward Janey and Caleb. “Make sure you check the boxes about being willing to travel when you meet with the career counselors. Or you could wind up stuck in a little town like this.”
Janey’s eyes went wide, but Caleb laughed. “Believe me, my only requirement for a long-term career plan is to be in a city that actually has more than two stoplights. Not that I don’t appreciate working at your bookstore, Rarity. I just want to have a place where I can explore and meet interesting people. Like New York or LA.”
Janey shook her head. “No way I’d go somewhere that big. I want a job where I can make a good living but also have a great life. I guess I’m looking for the picket fence kind of world.”
Rarity thought she saw a shadow cross Caleb’s face, but it changed so fast, she wasn’t sure she’d even seen it. “It takes all kinds. That’s why the store has an entire frozen food case just for ice cream.”
They laughed, and the three headed out the door. As Rarity watched, Caleb’s hand gently touched Janey’s back as he held the door open for her. A friendly gesture or more? Rarity would need to watch her new hires to make sure an office romance didn’t get in the way of getting the work done.
Archer Enders came in the door as the last club member headed out. Sam hadn’t stayed long, wanting to see if her brother would meet her for drinks. “This place cleared out fast. Usually, I have to kick people out so I can walk you home and get some dinner in you. I’ve got a chicken salsa stew on the stove at your house.”
Archer was an amazing cook, the local hiking expert and tour guide, and Rarity’s boyfriend. He had a key to the house and had started going over to her place after he got off work on Tuesdays so he could cook dinner for her and have it waiting at nine when she got home. He wasn’t bad to look at either. His blue eyes, blond hair, and tanned body made the customers at Enders’s Tours treat him like some Indiana Jones character. And he played the part well.
Rarity was just glad he was also sensitive and smart, and he liked her. And the good cook thing. That was important too. She picked up Killer’s food dish, put the contents into a ziplock bag, and tucked it under the counter. Then she started cleaning up from the book club. “Would you lock the door and then dump the coffeepot? I’m starving.”
By the time they got the bookstore in shape, the streetlights had come on. They walked the few blocks from her store to the little bungalow she’d bought mostly for the pool in the back.
She leaned into Archer’s shoulder and sighed. “It’s a beautiful night.”
“It is.” He adjusted her jacket to cover her shoulder. “We’re going into winter, though. I might have to come get you in the truck soon.”
Rarity took in the starry night sky and got lost in the grandness. “I hope not too soon. This is amazing.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m not complaining, but what has you so happy tonight?”
She grinned up at him. “Sam’s brother is coming into town. She’s so excited to see him. I guess it’s wearing off on me.”
He squeezed her shoulders as they walked onto the porch and into the house. “I’m glad you’re happy for Sam. I’m happy for Sam. But sometimes, family can disappoint. I hope this isn’t one of those times.”
Chapter 2
Wednesday after lunch, the doorbell rang. Sam and a tall, muscular man walked into Rarity’s bookstore. She waved at them from the register, where she’d been working on a list of current and classic elementary-aged books for Janey to look through. Right now, Janey was sitting on the floor in the children’s books aisle, reading what they already had. Rarity had to admit, Janey was taking her new job seriously and getting ready for her first book club in two weeks.
“Hey, guys, what’s going on?”
“Rarity, this is my baby brother, Marcus.” She pulled him toward the register counter. “Marcus, this is my best friend, Rarity. And don’t hit on her. She’s in a relationship.”
Marcus held out his hand. “All the good ones are. Nice to meet you, Rarity. This is a great shop. I’ve always wanted to run a bookstore, but IT pays a lot better. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Since I used to do marketing for a large firm, and I know IT paid more than what I was making there, I think your sources are sound.” She shook his hand. Strong, quick, but warm. “On the other hand, there’s a lot to be said for work-life balance. I run my shop; then I go home and swim or take a hike. And if I want to head out for a day, I close the shop and leave. No one is telling me what to do, and I’m not punching a time clock. Of course, my paycheck is based on what I do, not my position.”
“You’re making self-employment sound more attractive.” He pointed toward the thriller section. “Mind if I glance through what you have? I need some reading material to keep me busy at night. I’m on vacation, and it’s killing me not to open the laptop and just work. Especially at night.”
“And that’s why you should come to Darby’s party tomorrow night.” Sam stared at me, waving her hand to get me to invite him as well.
“That’s a great idea. You’ll meet a ton of people from here. My boyfriend, Archer, will be there, and you can ask him about the hiking around here.” Rarity pointed to another section of bookcases. “We’ve got a ton of tourist and hiking books about the area. Oh, and Drew Anderson should be there too. He’s your sister’s beau.”
“And one of Rarity’s friends. They share a love of dogs,” Sam added.
“I’ll think about it. But I do need some books.” Marcus excused himself and went to the other side of the store.
“What’s that about?” Rarity turned to Sam. “He doesn’t want to meet your friends?”
Sam shrugged, staring after her brother. “I’m not sure. I know he just got out of a relationship. Maybe he just needs some alone time.”
“Well, if he’s going to be moving here, there will be plenty of ‘alone’ time. He needs to figure out if Sedona is the right fit. Living in this small of a town isn’t for everyone,” Rarity reminded her friend.