Rarity waited for the door to close before turning to Sam. “And there it is. I thought for a moment that the ex-cop was going to realize that I’m a freaking adult with a brain.”
“He hovers because he cares.” Sam laughed as she put the leash on Killer. “So you don’t mind me being a third wheel?”
“Not at all,” Rarity said as she held up a finger. “Let me lock the back up and check the security system. We have time to change if you want.”
“I’ll have to see what’s in your closet that I haven’t borrowed yet.” Sam grinned as she pulled a book off the shelf. “With Drew busy all the time, I’ve had more time to read. So that’s one advantage.”
Rarity checked the back door and its locks. She turned and thought she saw something behind her, but it was a leather jacket hanging up on the back of the door to the shop. How long had that been there? She took it off the hook and looked in the coat’s pockets. A small notebook with a pen was in the left pocket, and a wallet in the right one. Archer didn’t own a jacket like this and it was too small for Jonathon.
She opened the wallet and found Mason’s driver’s license. This was his coat. She needed to get this to Drew. It must have been missed in the rush to get him out of the back room before the movie ended. A picture fell out of the wallet. It was of him and Talia at a restaurant. The photographer had superimposed the words “Valentine’s Day” and the year. This year.
Had Talia and Mason gotten back together? Or maybe tried and failed, again? She’d never said anything like this to Rarity during dinner.
She opened the notebook and found a to-do list for the quarter. Most of the items were about festivals and events. Some about developing a new screenplay.Send a thank-you to Rarity at the Next Chapter.And one that made her pause.Move Talia home.He’d inked a heart behind that task.
Chapter 17
“Well, you got to see Drew,” Rarity said to Sam as they walked to the house. After finding the coat and its surprises, Sam had called Drew, who came to pick up the items.
Sam nodded but then added, “At first, he asked if I’d just give them to Jonathon. I had to explain to him that his father had just left. Sometimes I think making time to see me might just be too much for him to fit into his busy schedule.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. He does depend a lot on his dad at times. Frankly, Jonathon loves it. He wants to be back in the action, but I know he’s torn between being here and being with Edith.” Rarity paused, thinking about the father and son duo. “Maybe Drew’s feeling the same push and pull between work and a personal life.”
“Yeah, but Jonathon retired to be with Edith. And the kids, of course. Drew is a long way from retirement, and I’m not sure I want to be the little woman at home, waiting. Especially when he has such a dangerous job. An officer in Flagstaff was shot the other day. By a kid. Law enforcement is a hard job. He’s edgy all the time. I think it’s getting to him.”
“Or he’s thinking about something else.” Rarity didn’t think Drew acted edgy the other day when it was just him and his dad at the shop. But this afternoon, he had seemed a little jumpy when Sam was around. She hoped he wasn’t rethinking his relationship, because before this discussion, Sam seemed happier than she’d ever been.
“I guess I’ll let it be for now. I don’t want to confront him in the middle of an investigation. He has enough on his mind. But did you see howhe ran out of the bookstore as soon as he got the jacket? It’s weird, right?” Sam paused since Killer was busy with a scent in a patch of rocks.
Rarity had noticed his abrupt departure. “I’m sure the case has him busy, not to mention all the film people starting to leave this weekend. If it’s one of them, he needs to figure it out soon or they’ll all be back in California. You know the mayor is always clamoring about unnecessary travel.”
“Let’s just have a good evening.” Sam bumped her shoulder to Rarity’s. “When are we meeting Archer?”
“I thought I would have heard from him by now.” Rarity pulled out her phone and realized she’d missed a call and had a text message. “And there’s the problem. The tour is running long. This group decided to do a second go at the hike to see if they could beat their time. So they’re eating, then going back out. He won’t be coming tonight.”
“I bet he’s heartbroken not to be there,” Sam teased.
Rarity nodded. “He wasn’t excited last night, but these guys said tonight’s films are better. Anyway, the money will be good on this tour. He’s trying to get a down payment saved to buy a house he can flip. With Drew’s help. I guess you and I are going to be doing a lot of girls’ nights once that happens.”
“It could be worse. They could be at the bar playing pool or darts. I’ve dated one of those guys before and it’s all about FOMOOAGT. Fear of missing out on a good time. We have to admit, we picked driven men to fall in love with.” Sam laughed. “Maybe I just need to learn to swing a hammer or paint. We could paint this new house of theirs.”
“Sounds fun after a long day of dealing with running our businesses.” Rarity sighed then added, “The things we do for love.”
They changed into cute dresses and flats, fed Killer and turned on the television for him, then headed back into town. Rarity thought they still had time to grab a bite to eat, so they stopped at the Garnet.
“Malia’s working, so I’ll seat you in her area,” the bubbly hostess said as soon as they walked in. “I haven’t seen you two here forever. Where are the guys?”
“Working.” Sam put a hand on her forehead like she was about to faint. “So we’re here to party like we’re single.”
“Sure, you are.” The hostess giggled. “Anyway, I’ll tell Malia you’re here. White wine?”
“Perfect,” they said in unison.
When Malia came out, she had a basket of chips, guacamole, and salsa she set on the table along with the glasses of wine. “Hey, Darby’s throwing a I’m-not-being-stalked party on Sunday. You guys are in, right?”
“Sure, what do I need to bring?” Rarity pulled out her phone to put the event in her calendar.
“Nothing but you and a suit. She’s having Garnet cater it. So, potato bar. And of course, adult beverages. If you’re picky, you should bring your own.” Malia stared at Sam.
