Читать книгу Crazy Love - Candace Gold - Страница 8

Chapter 5

Arnold called the next day, and once again, Abby let the answering machine take his call. She knew she might have to speak to him eventually, but she didn’t feel like talking to him now. Too bad Papa couldn’t make Arnold disappear–for good.

She drove to the bookstore thinking about the preparations for Charles’s book signing, which was to be held on Thursday night. Posters had been placed in the front windows of the store and in other stores around town. If the signing went well, then other authors would want to sign their books at Secondhand Prose. With the recent economic downturn, people had been buying fewer books. They were now being considered luxury items. Book signings would bring more people into the store and Abby could use the business.

Francie greeted her at the door.

“You’re here early, Francie.”

“Couldn’t get much sleep. My sister is visiting with her family. The kids don’t sit still for more than ten minutes at a time. And I don’t think they like each other very much.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because all they do is hit one another.”

“Kids fight. That’s what they do.”

“But the twins are only four years old. What are they going to do when they get older?”

“Francie, the way you’re making it sound, they’re not going to get older.”

“Ha ha ha. Very funny.”

“Come on, I’ll make you a cup of coffee. You’ll feel better.”

Ten minutes later, Francie was bragging to Abby about her nephews like a proud aunt. They opened the store and greeted their first customer, Mrs. Timmins, who loved to browse the used paperback racks for hot romances.

Abby held the door open. “Good morning, Mrs. Timmins. How are you today?”

The short, white-haired woman shuffled inside using her walker. “Get in any hot new books for me?”

“Yes, I think we may have. Follow me and we’ll take a look.”

Abby slowly led the way to the used romance paperback book rack. Secondhand Prose was one of the only bookstores in the area that bought used books from patrons. She felt this served two purposes. It recycled old books, and it made them more affordable for people living on a fixed budget, like Mrs. Timmins.

“Here we are.” Abby pointed to some new books on the rack.

Mrs. Timmins reached over and selected a book, bringing it a fraction of an inch from her eyes. Abby watched as she read the back blurb, remembering her mother’s comment about telling a book by its cover and smiling to herself.

“Would you like that one?”

“Hmm... I’m not sure…Oh, what the heck, I need something to read.”

“I’ll take you back to Francie and she’ll check you out.”

They slowly made their way back to the register.

“How are you today, Mrs. Timmins?” Francie asked as she watched the older woman remove the book from her oversized purse that hung from her walker.

“Breathing, which I hear is a good thing.”

“Yeah, the alternative sucks.”

Mrs. Timmins smiled, which would have been a chuckle for most people. Abby helped the old woman out and said goodbye. She knew Mrs. Timmins would be back with the book tomorrow or the next day and trade it in for another.

The phone rang and Francie answered. “It’s for you.” She handed the phone to Abby.

“Is it safe?” whispered the caller.

“What?”

“Is it safe?” the caller repeated and Abby then recognized it to be her cousin Alycia.

“Of course it’s safe. Everyone has to leave their semiautomatics and machetes outside prior to coming in to shop here. Where are you calling from, Alycia?”

“Right outside. I’m hiding in the bushes.”

Taking the cordless phone with her, Abby walked over to the window and saw her cousin crouching behind a large bush.

“Why are you hiding outside?”

“It’s a precaution. The pod people nearly found me earlier.”

Oh, yes, the infamous pod people.

“How do you know?” Abby asked.

“I found the garbage pail overturned and the garbage strewn all over.”

“That was probably a raccoon.”

“That’s what they want you to believe. They’re very clever, you know.”

“Well, I think you’ll be safe here. I’ve been patrolling all morning and haven’t noticed any pod people coming in to shop. We haven’t sold any sci-fi books today, either.”

Abby watched as Alycia stood up from behind the bush, and cautiously looked from side to side before running into the store. Once inside, she made a beeline toward the register area. She kept turning around and peering over her shoulder as if she were being followed.

“What’s up, Alycia?” Abby said.

“Hey, Alycia, love your getup,” Francie added. “The neon brings out the color of your eyes.”

For someone who was afraid of being found by the pod people, Alycia certainly didn’t take her clothing into account. Today she was wearing her special orange Day-Glo sweats with combat boots. She never carried a purse, but wore an oversized belly pouch that looked ridiculous because the strap had to be wrapped around her tiny waist several times. Alycia was most likely making a fashion statement. Abby just had no idea what it was.

“Mom wanted to stop at the drug store and I needed a book.”

“Any particular kind of book?”

“One on werewolves.”

“Why would you want a book about werewolves?” Abby asked, knowing it was a dumb question the minute it left her lips.

“Oh, it’s not for me. It’s a present for my friend. She’s in love with a werewolf.”

“He must have some five o’clock shadow.”

“Only when there’s a full moon.”

“Lucky girl, this friend of yours. I’ll check the computer and see what we have on the subject.”

There were a number of books, so Abby motioned for Alycia to follow her. They stopped in front of a group of shelves holding all sorts of books that would have made even the old-time horror movie actor Lon Chaney smile. “Here you go, Alycia. You should be able to find a good book for your friend. When you decide what you want, come back to the register and I’ll ring it up.” Before walking away, Abby watched her cousin’s black, beady rabbit eyes dart from one book jacket to the next.

A middle-aged woman came rushing over to Abby, nearly mowing her down. “There’s a very strange woman lurking at the desk. You might want to help Francie.”

“Thanks for the heads-up,” Abby said, and the hint of a headache, which had started as a slight throb when Alycia had entered the store, increased significantly with the news. Approaching the desk, she saw Francie’s eyebrows raised and beginning to knit. Aunt Raelene had already been there a few minutes.

“Ah, there’s my favorite niece now.”

“Hello, Aunt Raelene. Alycia is picking out a book for her friend.”

“I know.”

Abby hated to ask, but felt obliged since she hadn’t seen her aunt in a while. “How are you?”

“I’ve seen better days.”

“Are you ill?”

“Beyond ill.”

“That’s too bad.” Abby wondered if it were worse than the leukemia Aunt Raelene had thought she had a month ago.

“Alycia is taking me to see Dr. Newcome.”

Abby nodded.

“He has to check out these brown spots, but I just know they’re melanomas.”

The spots looked like freckles to Abby, but she dared not say a word. Every other week her aunt was dying from some dreadful disease or unspeakable condition. Why spoil her pleasure?

“Just in case I don’t return, I’ll say goodbye here. You know, you’re my favorite niece.”

“Yes, but I’m certain we’ll see each other again.”

“I’m sure of it…in the afterlife.”

Abby could feel her exasperation level climbing as her patience level tanked. Luckily, she saw her cousin coming.

“Here’s Alycia now.”

“I want this book,” Alycia said.

“I think your friend will like this one,” Abby said as she rang the book up.

Alycia opened her pouch and rooted around in it a few seconds and pulled out a charge card. As Abby was processing the purchase, it occurred to her that if her aunt was going to the doctor, she could save Abby the trip.

“Would you do me a favor, Aunt Raelene?”

“Of course. Anything for my favorite niece.”

Her only niece. “Would you pick up Mom’s pills from Dr. Newcome while you’re there?”

“Hmm. I don’t know. She’s still awfully mad at me and might think I’ve poisoned them.”

“Please, Aunt Raelene. If you don’t, I’ll have to make a special trip.”

“I guess I can use it as a peace offering.”

“You’re the best. Thanks.”

“Farewell, Abby,” she declared dramatically and waved her hand.

“Goodbye,” Abby and Francie said in unison, watching Alycia and Raelene leave.

“You know something, Abby, my two nephews aren’t so bad after all.”

Abby laughed. Then she popped two Excedrin down with water.

* * * *

Later that day, Charles walked into the bookstore. Francie was on the phone with a customer, so he waited at the counter until she hung up. He noticed a bouquet of roses and read the attached card, assuming “Arnold” was the guy Abby was dating.

“Hi, Francie. Is Abby here?”

“Yes, she’s somewhere around.” The phone rang again and she excused herself to answer it.

Charles went in search of Abby since he didn’t have that much time.

Abby saw him first. “Hi, Charles. Ready for the signing on Thursday?”

“I noticed all the posters and wanted to thank you for publicizing the event.”

“If we don’t advertise, nobody will come because they won’t know about it,” she said, straightening a book that was leaning on a shelf.

“I just thought it was super of you to do all this for me,”

“Don’t forget, I’m going to benefit from it too. Besides, you’re a nice guy who deserves a break. I know how hard the business is to break into.” Abby smiled.

“I really stopped by to find out if my books arrived.”

“Yes. They were delivered yesterday. I believe the publisher sent twenty-five copies. They’re still in the box. I figured we’d set up the table the day of the signing. Okay?”

Charles nodded. With a large smile, he took her hand. “Thank you, again.”

Still holding his hand, Abby said, “You’re very welcome. Stay for coffee?”

“No, gotta run. I’m driving the cab; just dropped off a fare.”

“I’ll let you go then. See you Thursday.”

Charles gave her another smile and left. As he got back into the taxi, he thought about Abby. He had actually gone to the store to ask her to dinner. However, when he saw the roses, he changed his mind. There was no way that he would get involved if she was seeing someone. He had a knack for always picking the girls who were taken. What was wrong with him?

* * * *

Abby walked back up to the front and watched Charles drive away. “He’s such a nice guy. I hope the signing goes well.”

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

Francie raised and lowered her brows quickly. “No, you really like him.”

Abby was about to answer when she noticed the roses. She read the card, gritted her teeth and swept the bouquet into the garbage. “When did this come?”

“I meant to throw it away. Sorry. Guess I forgot about them,” Francie said, whisking a stray strand of hair from her eyes.

“I just can’t get the guy to understand that all I don’t want to have anything to do with him,” Abby said, kicking the garbage pail.

“He’s a real jerk, all right, that’s for sure.”

Abby clenched her jaw. “I knew I should never have gotten involved. Blind dates suck.”

“Not all of them. You know, my parents met on a blind date,” Francie said.

“Really? You never told me.”

“It never came up in conversation. They met at a high school dance.”

“Well, I’m glad it worked out for them.”

“It certainly produced golden results, wouldn’t you say?” Francie said, pointing to herself.

Abby had to laugh and Francie joined her.

The front door opened and a young, African-American woman dressed completely in black walked inside.

Francie whispered to Abby, “Is there a full moon tonight?”

“Maybe. Why?”

“What other explanation can you think of for all the weirdoes coming in today?”

Abby found she was unable to take her eyes from the young woman. Her lips were thickly coated with black lipstick and her dark, black eyes were accentuated by black eye shadow and outlined with black eyeliner. Around her neck, she wore a thick spiked chain, reminding Abby of the type of collar a bulldog named Spike might wear. Last, but not least, a large carpenter’s nail was wedged through one of her earlobes.

“Her mother lets her out of the house like that?” Francie asked.

“What if she is somebody’s mother?”

“That’s a scary thought.”

The woman approached the register.

“May I help you find something?” Abby asked.

“Umm, where’s your section on monsters?”

“Have you a particular monster in mind?”

“Werewolves.”

Two in one day. Something had to be going on. “Follow me and I’ll show you where the werewolf section is.”

When Abby returned to the register, Francie began to hum the theme from the old TV program Twilight Zone. “All these weirdoes are beginning to creep me out.”

“I don’t know what to think, Francie.”

“We ought to call and see if any spring cleaning is going on at the mental hospital.”

The strange young woman approached the register with a large book. There was a color picture of Lon Chaney as the Wolf Man on the cover. She handed Francie the book and opened her purse.

“You’re going to love this book,” Francie told her.

“Oh, it’s not for me, but it sure does look great.” Turning toward Abby, she said, “Thank you, for your help.”

“That’s what we here for. I’m glad you found what you wanted.”

Suddenly, the pocket of the young woman’s trench coat began to wiggle and squirm.

“Did her pocket just move?” Francie whispered to Abby.

Abby was about to reply when a furry head popped out, opened its little mouth and squeaked. Both women nearly jumped out of their shoes.

The young woman giggled. “Sorry. This is Glom, my pet ferret. Say hello, Glom,” she said pulling the animal from her pocket and holding it up.

Francie jumped back, causing the girl to laugh. “He won’t hurt you. Do you want to pet him?”

“No, thanks, I’ll pass.” Francie said.

The girl put the ferret back into her pocket. Then she paid and left the bookstore. When she’d gone, Abby said, “There must be a pack of werewolves running around town.”

“I guess it’s time to purchase some silver bullets,” replied Francie.