Book High And Low E-Book

Jessica Brimer

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Welcome to the re-opening of a used bookstore in East Tennessee, Bind Me Again. Books are piled high and the shelves are fully stocked.
Garnet Stone hoped the remodel would make the bookstore tidy, but her boss Jane is proving to be as messy as the previous owner. Garnet undergoes a secret mission to declutter the store, which isn’t easy with two cats running the place.
Jacob Rome overshadows Garnet’s concerns. The freelance editor has moved to Sevier Oak and causes problems with the locals. When he brings books for trade-in, Garnet and Jane find a death certificate tucked inside. The deceased is a missing person from twenty years ago, and the mystery intensifies when someone murders Jacob behind the store.
Garnet and Jane take it upon themselves to save the bookshop’s reputation - and of course, to satisfy their curiosity. Solving the homicide is a challenge as everyone seems to be lying, including the dead man. In the end, unearthing the truth will reveal much more than simply who murdered Jacob Rome.

Leseprobe

Book High And Low

MESSY BOOKSHOP MYSTERIES

BOOK TWO

JESSICA BRIMER

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Next in the Series

About the Author

Copyright (C) 2023 Jessica Brimer

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2023 by Next Chapter

Published 2023 by Next Chapter

Edited by Graham (Fading Street Services)

Cover art by Lordan June Pinote

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author’s permission.

For my two kids. No matter what you say, I believe you enjoy keeping your rooms a mess. Mom still loves you.

Acknowledgments

I first have to thank my husband. This story has been through a few…okay several rounds of revision, and you still believe in me. You’ve been with me through all the highs and lows of my publishing journey. Next, I must give a tremendous shout out to Becky Crookham and Cheryl Gilmore. Your suggestions and feedback on Book High and Low helped me so much. I appreciate all the support from my friends and family. Last, but not least, thank you Next Chapter.

Chapter1

Jane and I stared at the body lying on the sales floor. We had to resolve this before the used bookstore opened, which was in ten minutes.

“I don’t think this is going to work,” I said, pushing Princess aside. The tuxedo cat kept wanting to lay over the body’s stomach. “Can’t we just toss it in the dumpster and be done?”

“Garnet,” my boss Jane said, giving me a side look, “we just need to be creative.” She studied it.

I pointed at the body. “It’s twisted at the waist.”

Jane walked around to see it from my angle. “Ah. I see the problem now. We have to detach it there.” She pointed.

“Again?”

She crossed an arm over her chest and nibbled her nails. Jane’s lips swayed as if she was starting to second guess.

A couple walked by the bay window. One stopped and peered inside. The woman’s eyes went wide before easing her stance. I gave a little wave, and they continued down the street.

“This mannequin isn’t worth the trouble,” I said.

Since reopening the used bookstore, Jane kept bringing more treasures that her aunt had stashed away. When Teresa passed away five months ago, she’d left everything to Jane, mess included. If I’d learned anything in my time working with Teresa, it was that she had liked to collect stuff. She once said, “I’m an organizer.” That was partly true. Teresa knew her clutter.

In the course of solving a murder over the summer, Jane decided to carry out the store’s remodel as Teresa planned. Things went smoothly at that point; we worked well together. As the grand opening grew closer, more and more stuff magically appeared.

First, Jane brought ten boxes of books from Teresa’s personal library, ones Jane didn’t want to read. Next came a few boxes of fall decorations. I kept the good stuff and tossed what was beyond repair. Then, Jane brought books from the local flea market, all in the name of I-got-a-good-deal. I didn’t doubt it, considering the books were encyclopedias from the ‘80s. This morning was the mannequin. I had no idea why Jane’s aunt had bought the fiberglass with cracked feet and different-colored arm than the rest of the body. Yet here it was on this wonderful Wednesday morning.

More like Wacky-Wednesday.

“I disagree,” Jane said. “Once we’re done, I’m taking pictures and posting them on Instagram. Book fashion might be the next trend.”

I strongly disagreed but kept the thought to myself. No need to debate about a fake human when there were more important matters to attend. I glanced around the used bookstore, taking in the scenery.

Bind Me Again opened earlier this month. The remodel had freed up the place. After taking out the second staircase, the back area of the store allowed us to push bookshelves against the wall rather than squeezing them in the center. Part of the second floor was removed and converted into a loft. Here customers could shop the bargain books while gazing down at the main sales floor. The walls of the room that once held romance and horror books were knocked down as well, making the main sales floor bigger.

Now when customers entered Bind Me Again, they noticed the open layout. No more complaints about feeling claustrophobic. Everything had a home and books were not overcrowded. I smiled all day while putting genre labels on the bookshelf edges. Organizing the used bookshop was something I’d been looking forward to since Teresa first mentioned the update.

I pictured the L-shape counter to be spotless. Above it was a sheet of glass with books, appearing as if they were floating, a magical vibe while customer orders were being rung up. I’d also envisioned the loft area with comfy chairs surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves. Bookish pictures displayed on the walls. My favorite signage being, JustOneMoreChapter, written in bold letters above an open novel.

But things didn’t turn out as I’d hoped.

Despite knocking down some walls and eliminating an extra staircase, Bind Me Again still seemed to house more books than the shelves could carry. The bookstore always had a reputation to be a little messy, mainly due to Teresa’s struggle to throw anything away and acceptance of books no matter the damage. Jane and I had a long talk about the mess before a single book was placed on a shelf. She agreed the odd knickknacks that were placed on top of bookshelves, such as Tennessee Vols mini football helmets and collection of tea pots, had to go. Jane also agreed to not accept books that were in ruin and to recycle or donate those the bookstore already had. This cleared some of the clutter. Yet Jane inherited other habits from her aunt. Unfortunately, none involved being orderly.

As a used bookshop, customers brought in their unwanted books for store credit. It wasn’t uncommon to add novels and reorganize the space to accommodate them. I worked hard to maintain the books from being stacked horizontally or randomly placed over a row. How they were placed didn’t bother Jane as it did me. For her, restocking the shelves was like playing Tetris. If the books fit, it stayed.

Despite the mild clutter, there was a sense of coziness. Strands of globe lights ran along the edge of the bookshelves, adding more illumination. Since it was September, I used some of the new decorations Jane had brought. Miniature pumpkins were scattered here and there on shelves with larger ones on top. Between the rows, I zigzagged garland strands of red and orange leaves. While walking the aisles, it felt like I was strolling down a magical pumpkin patch surrounded by books.

Bind Me Again was more of an organized mess than a disarray. Yet I feared that if Jane kept bringing more treasures, the store might get out of control. I learned to handle a cute, organized mess, but not to the point where people wouldn’t want to shop here. To avoid tension or hurting her feelings, I kept my worries to myself and cleaned behind her back. Jane had been too busy in the office—which suited her better than working the sales floor—to notice what I’d been doing. Yet after a few weeks of doing this, I was burning out.

I faced Jane, telling myself to focus on the current task. How to abandon my boss while I tidied the place, all while keeping Princess with her. One glimpse at the L-shaped counter gave me an out.

“The online orders are ready,” I said. Two stacks were waiting to be put on the sales floor. Not all of our books were donated by customers. Jane bought some online through various sites. Books that were popular or requested from our regulars. Finding deals was one of Jane’s specialties.

My boss talked as if she didn’t hear me. “Stiffanie is going to be great. She’s going to look fashionable when I put clothes on her and a bag full of books.”

I resisted a groan. “You named it?” This mannequin would never leave now.

Jane held her head up high like a proud parent of an honor roll student. “I’ve always loved the name Stephanie and the name fits her.”

We stared back at the mannequin. Princess sat beside me. I think the feline was on my side about Stiffanie.

Jane carried on in her peppy tone. “Stiffanie won’t be so wobbly once we move her waist more to the left.”

“Too bad her feet don’t come apart,” I muttered.

For several minutes, Jane and I twisted and turned Stiffanie’s lower body. Thankfully, Princess stayed out of the way by sitting on a stack of books Jane had also brought today. With the tiny black dots around Princess’s neck, she looked like a queen.

Once Stiffanie stood strong, after shoving a used notebook under the base, we stood back and held our breath. At any moment, I expected the mannequin to lean forward before gravity pulled her down. She stood.

“See,” Jane said, flashing a bright smile, “I knew this would work.”

I sighed after realizing a problem. “She’s naked.”

“Oh.” Jane blushed before she gave me a timid smile that said, sorry.

I concealed another groan as we detached her limbs. Again. A store mannequin wasn’t what I had in mind for marketing, but it made Jane happy. She tugged a pant suit over Stiffanie’s legs while I held the lifeless body. Mentally I apologized for how I manhandled it. By the time Stiffanie was fully clothed, my arms were burning. Now in pants and white blouse, the mannequin looked like Jane when she was a defense lawyer rather than a bookstore owner.

Princess meowed from her perch.

“She approves.” Jane walked over and gave Princess a good pet down her spine.

I left Jane and turned on the store’s laptop, making sure money was in the drawer. In the corner of my eye, I saw Jane add a book in the mannequin’s hand as if Stiffanie were carrying it. Then she added a bag with three books inside. Once she was done, I came to her side. We studied Stiffanie and our hard work.

“She looks intelligent and stunning,” said Jane.

I noticed the bag of books made Stiffanie a little lopsided. She also looked funny with bare feet. I kept that part to myself. I didn’t want to try to figure out how to put shoes on her without breaking the pole that connected her to the base. Princess stepped off the stacks and rubbed Stiffanie’s ankles. Traitor.

“I think she needs a wig,” Jane said. “What do you think about making her a redhead?”

Personally, I didn’t care because I had to straighten the store and put out the new online books. Instead, I said, “Halloween is coming up, I’m sure you can find all kinds of wigs.”

My boss’s smile grew. “I can change her hair with each season.”

“Please don’t buy a platinum color one,” I said, twirling with the edge of my long platinum blonde hair. The last thing I wanted was to be mistaken for a mannequin. I walked back to the counter before Jane concocted another crazy idea.

“I considered hiring a part-time worker,” Jane said, picking up the books she didn’t use for Stiffanie. Princess gazed at her as if she was wondering why her throne was taken away.

“That’s a great idea.” Jane’s idea was music to my ears. I hadn’t had a day off since early July. During the demolition part, I worked with my best friend at Dessert Bar. When not serving delicious desserts, I helped Jane sell books at the flea market and helped spread the word about the grand reopening. After a crew delivered the furniture from the storage unit to Bind Me Again, the real work began. Inventory. With the bookshop reopened, I worked every day and arrived a little early to tend to the cats and other tasks.

“It will help you when I go to New York.”

My excitement vanished. Before Jane took over her aunt’s bookstore, she’d lived in the big city. At first, Jane planned to sell her aunt’s home and business to pursue a new career. Thankfully, Jane had fallen in love with Sevier Oak. I’d been so busy that it never occurred to me that Jane had belongings in New York. I hoped she didn’t plan to bring it into the store in the name of treasures.

“Don’t worry Garnet,” she said. “I’ll hire a hard worker.” Princess gave a loud meow. She knelt down to pet her. “Of course, that person has to love cats.”

The tuxedo feline purred.

My boss’s main concern should be about the tortoiseshell cat. Butterscotch practically lived upstairs in the office, favoring more of the solo life, unlike her sister Princess. During the store’s makeover, the cats had lived with Jane. They didn’t bond as Butterscotch still hissed at her.

A sudden knock startled us. Princess trotted over as we noticed a waiting customer. While Jane unlocked the door, I checked the clock hanging behind the counter. Fifteen minutes past ten.

“You made us open late,” I playfully sneered at Stiffanie. No reply. Perhaps venting to a mannequin would have some advantages. Then again, Princess and Butterscotch were great listeners too.

A steady flow of customers shopped, ending my worrying thoughts about Jane and the overcrowded shelves. Princess mingled with customers, wanting to be pet or acknowledged. Kids adored her. Most of the day Jane spent in the office where she dealt with the financial side as well as maintaining the store’s media sites. Everyone would know Stiffanie before lunch.

I loved working among books. There was a smell that could only be found among a collection of novels. The autumn decorations matched the weather outside. Sunny and warm while leaves danced in the breeze. Now was the perfect time to read outside. The mornings had a slight crisp, an Autumn’s kiss as I liked to call it. As the sun came out, it brought warmth making it not too hot nor too cold. Perfect weather, as most Tennesseans called it.

A man carried a to-go mug. Pumpkin spice wafted when he stood close. I craved one while ringing up his purchase. Once he left, I made a decision that I would walk down to the coffee shop during lunch and buy a tall latte.

In between customers, and daydreaming about a pumpkin spice latte, I placed book orders on the shelves. I knew when Jane had straightened them. It drove me crazy when she laid a novel across the books rather than shift the row altogether to make room.

As much as her quirks bothered me, I knew she wasn’t lazy. Jane worked hard getting the bookstore to where it was today. She was here while the crew members renovated the place. She updated the old boxy computer with a laptop along with the apps for the business. Customers on the mailing list got personalized fliers, or emails if they didn’t want to give out their address. I’d witness Jane sitting at the office’s computer, putting books into the system, pictures included, and then onto the cart to put on the sales floor.

I was about to rearrange the fantasy section when a muscular man caught my attention. He walked with a limp, roaming aimlessly through the aisles while looking at everything and nothing at the same time. It was obvious that he wasn’t a reader. When I went to see if he needed help to find something, he disappeared down another aisle. He must have walked past the next aisle because I couldn’t find him, and a lady was ready to check out.

Three customers later, I walked around to find him. Walking with a limp all day had to ache. After looking, I concluded he must have left during my mini rush.

Princess appeared. She jumped on the counter and plopped. At least I had some company. After petting Princess for a few minutes, I decided to get back to work. If I wasn’t careful, I could play and love on the cats all day. First thing first, reorganizing the shelves, starting with the ones closest to the counter.

“Excuse me, Garnet.” Gloria McRoberts, one of the bookstore’s regulars, walked up to me. “Do you have any books on Waya Mountain? I need one with a map.”

Waya Mountain was a twenty-minute drive south of Sevier Oak. The nature park had a planetarium theater and animal habitats such as an aviary and reptile building. A pack of wolves and two bobcats were the main attractions. The 3,478 acres also featured hiking trails and a large lake in the center. A perfect place to embrace nature while the leaves were changing.

“W-ya,” I corrected, as Cherokees spoke the word, meaning wolf.

Gloria muttered “whatever” under her breath. As a native of the area, she ought to know how to pronounce the park’s name.

“We have some books, but I’m not sure about a map being included.” I set the books I was organizing on the somewhat empty shelf and headed toward the local section. The small display consisted of non-fiction novels. Most were about Sevier Oak’s history, neighboring towns, and certain locations. Waya Mountain being of them. I skimmed over the covers. “If not, I know the park has map brochures.” With forty miles of hiking trails, a map was a must.

As Gloria stood next to me, I smelled what people called an “after tan odor.” I didn’t recall a time when her skin color wasn’t bronze. With her shoulder length blonde hair, she reminded me of a beach girl. If she hadn’t grown up here, folks, myself included, might assume Gloria lived near the ocean.

“No. I need an old map,” Gloria said.

The store’s phone rang. I handed her the oldest book, hoping it had what she wanted. Gloria wasted no time flipping through the pages as I walked toward the counter.

“Bind Me Again, this is Garnet Stone, how can I help you?”

“Garnet,” a familiar voice came through the speaker.

“Leo?” I was shocked to hear his voice. I hadn’t talked to Leo since his grandfather sent him away for business. His grandfather owned Voss-of-Books and his personal mission was to be our bookstore’s rival. For two months our texts have been simple how-are-you-doing. Him calling Bind Me Again was a complete surprise.

“Garnet? Are you there?” Leo asked.

“Yes.” I began pacing behind the counter. Princess sat up, eyeing me. I gave her a pat each time I walked past.

“I’m calling to warn you about Jacob Rome.” There were voices in the background, but I couldn’t make out a word. Was he standing outside somewhere? “Have you met Jacob?”

“I have,” I grumbled.

Jacob Rome came into Sevier Oak while Leo was away. Every business and restaurant in town learned about him, and not in a good way.

“I’ll try and put this in a nutshell,” Leo said “it’s been a hectic morning. Jacob might be coming into your store. Gramps fired him this morning and then tried to kick him out of the office building. Things got out of hand. Cops were called. Just when things got settled, Jacob started shouting at someone in a green sedan. He’s in a foul mood. Maybe you should call one of your officer buddies?”

Wow, I thought. This was a lot to take in. “First, I wasn’t aware Jacob was working at Voss-of-Books. Second, I can handle difficult customers. And third…”

And what? You call me out of the blue only to warn me about a self-absorbed guy? Not, “Hey Garnet, how’s it going? Wanna go out for dinner tonight?”

“Garnet?”

I pulled myself together. Now wasn’t the time to wonder where we stood as…booksellers? Friends? A couple?

“Jacob has been here several times,” I said, recalling his unpleasant visits. Jacob loved to point out books that had been poorly edited. I also heard him muttering how he wasn’t surprised to see them in a used bookstore, as if Bind Me Again was lesser than other bookshops. On the last visit, Jane defended Princess and Butterscotch when Jacob said felines belonged outside. “I really appreciate the warning, but Jane and I can handle him.”

“I’m telling you,” Leo’s voice pleaded, “Jacob is livid. I’ll feel more comfortable if you ask your gramps to come to the store.”

My gramps was the former police chief, Sterling Stone. Everyone called him Stone, including me.

The cowbells clanged. I looked up to find Jacob Rome marching towards me. His shoulder clipped Stiffanie. She fell on her side. A piece snapped somewhere on her body. If Jacob heard, he didn’t show it. He kept his piercing focus on me.

Chapter2

Jacob made a beeline to the counter. This visit carried a more intense vibe than the others. One that made Princess scurry away.

I ended the call with Leo and greeted Jacob. “Hello, what can⁠—”

He arrived at the counter, slamming down a stack of books. From our first encounter, he reminded me of a sneaky villain. Jacob’s build was tall and slim; his jet-black hair was slicked against his skull. The only thing that made him look less villainous was his bold yellow glasses. Today, his hair was ruffled, and his perfectly pressed shirt had wrinkles. A tiny bruise formed on his upper cheek. The villain had met his match. I wondered who.

“I want store credit for these books.” He adjusted the leather strap on his shoulder. Where he went, so did his satchel. “Also, I want books similar to StrangersontheTrain by Patricia Highsmith.”

Jacob’s snappy tone was sharper than usual. I wondered if Drake had a good reason to fire Jacob. He was notorious for terminating employees for petty reasons.

“Did you hear me, girl?” He snapped his fingers.

I bit the words I wanted to say. Rude or not, I didn’t need to lower myself to his level because he was having a bad day. “One thing at a time.” I slid the books towards me to add under his account.

It wasn’t uncommon for customers to trade in new releases, yet three that were published earlier this month was unusual. Jacob drummed his fingers while I added each book under his name. I stashed Maddie Day’s latest paperback under the counter. I’d buy that one after work.

“All set,” I said, handing Jacob the receipt slip.

He snatched it and shoved it into his satchel. Cowbells clanged, announcing another customer. The man stared at Stiffanie with horror.

“It’s a mannequin,” I called out. “She fell over.”

The customer relaxed. He gave Stiffanie a final look before stepping over her.

“Did you already forget about the books I wanted?” said Jacob.

I lifted a finger for him to wait while I used the store’s phone to page Jane. Someone might trip over Stiffanie and get hurt. Plus having a body on the floor was really creepy.

“Done yet?” Jacob snapped.

“Let me see what I have in stock.” I typed a certain book title into our inventory. As I waited for the laptop to load, I pondered on other mystery books. Several came to mind, but none of them were a perfect crime story.

Gloria walked up, carrying a stack of books. There was a sudden glee in her eye as she stared at the back of Jacob’s head. I didn’t like her Cheshire cat smile. To my understanding, Gloria didn’t know Jacob. She worked and lived with her parents at their apartment complex. Perhaps she thought the villain had a nice backside.

Jacob followed my gaze. His expression morphed from annoyed to something I couldn’t read. They knew each other, that was certain. I had the feeling things were about to get weird.

Gloria placed her books on the counter and flipped her hair back. “Can’t you shop at your store?”

“Voss-of-Books doesn’t have what I need,” he said.

Gloria picked up the top book from her stack and held it up for Jacob to see. It was the Waya Mountain book I showed her.

“You mean this book?” She waved it.

Jacob’s eyes skimmed over the cover. “I don’t need that anymore.”

“Sure, you do. You just don’t want to order it at your store. No wait, it’s because the best-editor-out-there doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Jacob’s face hardened. I interrupted before he unleashed whatever anger he used on Leo onto Gloria. “We have EightPerfectMurders by Peter Swanson.”

Gloria snorted. “Since when did you read fiction novels?”

Since when did Gloria know Jacob’s reading taste? And when did they meet?

“I’m branching out.” Jacob draped an arm on the counter. “Perhaps you should have an open mind to new things. Like me.”

If eyes could shoot daggers, Jacob would be as dead as the mannequin. I glanced at the staircase, wondering what was taking Jane so long. Did Butterscotch distract her or was Jane on her cell?

Jacob turned his back to Gloria to face me. Her lips curled into a snarling frown. He said, “What was the name of that book?”

I knew Gloria had heard me when she marched towards the mystery section. She’d be disappointed because the author’s novel was floating above us.

“Let me grab a ladder,” I said.

Jacob sighed. “Just tell me where it is, and I’ll grab it myself.”

I pointed up. After a few moments, he looked at the floating glass above us. This time he let his annoyance be heard by drawing out a groan.

Behind him, Jane came into view. She hoisted Stiffanie up, not realizing Princess was lying on the mannequin’s back. The cat’s yellow eyes widened as she was being lifted. Her claws dug in rather than hopping off. I walked around the counter, resisting a laugh.

The moment the ladder clicked into an A-shape, Princess trotted over. Jane looked relieved, yet not completely as she wrestled with Stiffanie’s arm. I went up the steps before Princess bolted in front of me. With a grabber tool in hand, I was able to push aside books to get to the one Jacob wanted. Of course, Peter’s novel was in the center.

“Wrong book,” Jacob snapped at me. “The one on the left. No, your other left. That’s the one. Move that beast. Why is that thing still here?”

Princess batting at the grabber made this harder than it was. Some days I wished she acted more like Butterscotch and slept in the office all day. Princess hunched and rocked her back legs.

“Don’t you dare,” I softly hissed.

Below me I heard the unmistakable sound of treats. Princess’s head snapped down, looking through the glass. I got the book the same time the tuxedo cat leaped onto a bookshelf and hopped down to Jane.

Once I climbed down the ladder, Gloria was there. My foot barely touched the floor when she reached for the novel. I darted around her and went behind the counter. Whatever made Leo call the cops on Jacob, I didn’t want it happening here over a hardcover. I handed him the book.

“Is that all?” I asked Jacob while Gloria huffed.

Jacob studied the cover. “I’m not familiar with this author. I need to read the blurb first.”

Gloria strolled up to the counter. She looked like she was going to say something to him, but I spoke first. “Are you ready to check out?” I asked.

Jacob stepped aside, eyes glued to the back cover.

For a moment, I thought Gloria would pay for her books and move on with her day. Nope. “If you’ve read suspense novels then you would have known Peter Swanson.” Gloria pointed at the author’s name.

Jacob moved further away, still reading. If I had said that he would have scolded me for not reading non-fiction. Whatever, I thought. Meanwhile, Jane was helping another customer as Princess ate the chicken flavored treats.

I pulled up Gloria’s account as fast as the laptop allowed. Just when I thought their spat was over, Jacob pointed at the memoir book Gloria was buying.

“That’s a bad book,” he said. “It’s poorly edited.”

“How would you know? Did you edit a book from…” Gloria opened the Waya Mountain book to read the copyrights, “1932?”

“Memoirs are often poorly edited. Authors always think the grammar rules don’t apply to them. The cover says it all.” His eyes veered up and down. I sensed Jacob wasn’t talking about books. “The saying goes, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ but,” he scoffed, “well, we do. The cover speaks for itself.”

Whatever hidden message Jacob had referenced to Gloria, it really ticked her off. She flipped her hair back with clenched fists. She shouted so loud that everyone in the store turned their attention to the counter. Jane was already on the move before Gloria finished her first sentence.

“How about you go back to Nashville where you belong. No one wants you here.” Gloria lowered her tone when Jane stood beside her. “Your lease will be up soon. I suggest you pack your bags now.”

Jane gave me a what-the-heck-is going-on look. I shrugged and told Gloria her total. Jacob wandered nearby, pretending to read the first page. I held my breath as Gloria strolled by Jacob and out of Bind Me Again. She had a smug expression, clearly thinking she got the last word. Once the cowbells clanged, Jacob came up, paid for his book and left.

“What was that about?” Jane asked as we watched Jacob walk past the bay window and out of sight.

I pondered for a moment. “I’m guessing Jacob lives in Gloria’s apartment complex and like everyone in town, they don’t get along.”

Princess jumped on Stiffanie’s back, who was propped against the wall. Apparently, Jane didn’t have time to help Mrs. Humpty Dumpty.

“Stiffanie’s arm snapped off,” said Jane. “Mind giving me a hand?”

I sighed, not looking forward to putting the mannequin back together again. Jane walked around the counter, wiggling a finger for me to follow. I did.

“Princess, you’re going to have to get off,” Jane told her. Like every feline, the cat did what she wanted. She lay down.

I picked up the tuxedo and set her aside. Quickly, before Princess jumped back, Jane stood Stiffanie upright. Thankfully, her waist didn’t come apart during her fall. After snapping her limb back into place and adjusting the notebook under the base, Stiffanie looked as good as new. Or as one could be made of fiberglass.

“I think the books are too heavy,” Jane said, removing two heavy dictionaries from the tote. No wonder Stiffanie fell so easily. Jane frowned. “She doesn’t look very fashionable with less books. She needs a small paperback in her hand.”

Jane’s lips swayed, thinking. The idea was good, but I really didn’t want to encourage the book model. So far, Stiffanie had been nothing but trouble, and it wasn’t even noon.

Since the customers were out of earshot, I thought now was a good time to tell Jane about Leo’s phone call. I figured it was better to hear it from me than through the grapevine.

“Leo called to warn me about Jacob before he came in,” I said. “Jacob was fired at Voss-of-Books, and the cops were called.”

Jane faced me, eyebrows rose. “He got into a scuffle. Did you notice the bruise on his face?”

“I did. Leo didn’t get into specifics. Jacob came in when I was on the phone. Someone riled him up.”

“Jacob talks down to everyone. I’m sure he had it coming. It only takes one insult to the wrong person.”

Drake Voss, the owner of Voss-of-Books and Leo’s grandfather, had a temper. Old Drake struggled with any sort of drama. Instead of resolving it, he fired employees on the spot.

More customers entered. While I went back to work ringing up purchases and rearranging the shelves, I wondered what Jacob would do. Find a new job or move back to Nashville? Neither sounded appealing. I wanted him out of town, but imagined how Dad would handle a character like Jacob. As a homicide detective, he dealt with a variety of people, including criminals who murdered narcissistic folks, like Jacob. A sudden notion crossed my mind which lingered, hard to ignore.

Someone in Sevier Oak might kill Jacob if he doesn’t start being nicer to folks. Dad and Stone had told me crazier motives.

I kept telling myself that was a silly thought. No one would kill a person over something petty here. Right?

Chapter3

I placed the two paperback novels Jacob brought into Stiffanie’s tote bag. Since Jane had a hidden stash, the floating glass, I saw no reason why I shouldn’t have one too. I winked at her after doing the deed. I was wrong thinking Stiffanie was only good for her fashionable-book-looks.

Back at the counter, I placed the third book aside for my boss. During the remodel, Jane had devoured Erin Sterling’s first novel in a single day. I assumed she wanted the next in the series. She normally gravitated towards historical novels, but the witchy main character had Jane under a spell of romance.

Jane’s footsteps echoed as she came down the stairs. “It’s time for your lunch break.” She walked around the counter to take my spot. “You can take yours first.”

“It’s lunchtime already?” I checked the clock behind me. Sure enough, it was after twelve. I glanced at the bay window, hoping Jacob was long gone. Between bouncing back and forth between the register and sales floor, I had no clue how much time had passed since he left.

“Mind bringing me back something?” Jane asked as her eyes skimmed over the bookshelves. “I’ve misplaced my wallet somewhere. I’ll pay you back.”

I usually brought my lunch since my roommate moved out. To save money, I cut back on extra expenses. Today felt like a good day to change up the routine, and my simple salad didn’t sound appealing. “Sure. Where at?”

“Surprise me.”

I grabbed my purse from the office, petted the cats, and walked out. The autumn air brushed against my face. I closed my eyes, welcoming the gentle air.

Copper Street was once the main hub of Sevier Oak. The half-mile road felt like a step into the past. The faded red brick buildings were built in the early 1900s. They once served as dry goods, general store, hardware, drug store, and a hotel with the painted sign claiming to be two dollars a night. Those stores had either relocated or went out of business. Yet business owners still occupied the buildings. Now they were antique stores, furniture, restaurants, a café, and other stores such as Bind Me Again. The only buildings that remained from the era were the post office and the courthouse.

American Elms dotted the sidewalk. Their leaves began transforming from vibrant green to golden yellow. In the coming weeks, the rolling mountains surrounding Sevier Oak would change into an arrangement of reds, yellows, and browns.

The scent of smoke lingered in the breeze. A week ago, there was a fire. The gossip mill had been talking about the Norrises’ fire since. Sevier Oak didn’t get many arson cases. However, it wasn’t uncommon for an old barn to go up in flames. Sometimes all it took was a discarded cigarette. Everyone has been asking, was it the wife or the husband? The Norris couple were chain-smokers.

After walking further down the street, I smelled something delicious. Chicken. More specifically, Kountry Wings, the famous chicken restaurant in our area which included the towns surrounding Sevier Oak. If I had known Jane wanted to go out to eat, then I would’ve gone on their website to order ahead. Hopefully, the lunch crowd wasn’t too busy.

I didn’t walk far when a voice shouted at me. “Hey. Woman, over here.” The man’s tone was like being hit with a sudden icy blast on a perfect fall day.

Until this moment, I hadn’t realized I walked past Jacob Rome. I prepared for whatever awaited me as I faced him. Jacob wore a deep scowl.

Before I said a word, Jacob continued, “Who did this?”

My gaze followed his pointed finger. Jacob stood between two parked vehicles; one I recognized as his silver smart car. All the windows were intact and neither car appeared to have been in a fender bender.

“Who did what?” I asked.

Jacob grunted and said, “This.” He re-jabbed his pointed finger. “Someone keyed my car. I want to know who.”

Upon closer inspection, I saw a long scratch, starting from the front tire to the rear bumper. It looked as if someone was walking on the sidewalk and crossed over into the street, keying as he or she went. That horrible sound played in my mind. I resisted a cringe.

“Well?” Jacob demanded.

“I don’t know.” And how would I know? I’d been at the bookstore.

“Don’t y’all have cameras to protect citizens from criminals?”

Sure, at banks and retail stores who got more profit than a used bookshop. But for folks who keyed people’s cars?

“I’m afraid not,” I said. “You can call the local police. They can⁠—”

“No cops.” He raked his hands through his hair, making it more ruffled. “How am I supposed to fix this?” He glared at me as if I knew the answer.

I was half tempted to quote Flo from Progressive. Did you know you could have saved money by bundling home and auto and be protected by cunning key criminals if you… Instead, I said, “Call your insurance.”

“This is a disgraceful town,” he said. “I thought small towns were friendly. Instead, this hick town is vile and hostile.”

Ouch.

“How about toxic, contentious, quarrelsome,” another voice said.

We turned to the mysterious voice. A man walked towards us with a limp. His shaggy hair needed trimming. As he approached us, the wider his frame became. I eyed his robust arms. Very impressive. I realized this was the guy at the bookstore earlier.

“And aggressive,” he added as he eyed me.

I felt my cheeks warm. He was handsome in the face and clearly had a gym membership. I guessed him to be in his late twenties, a few years older than me.

“Hey, buddy.” The guy patted Jacob on his back. Jacob’s red face went pale. “Long time no see.” He studied Jacob long and hard. “Surprised to see me?”

Jacob said nothing, yet his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted to get away.

The man turned to me and held out his hand. “The name’s Dusty.” His hand engulfed mine as we shook. I was thankful he wasn’t one of those dominant guys who liked to crush folk’s hands. He would have broken bones if he had. “You’re a friend of my buddy?” Dusty smiled big at me.

“No,” Jacob said the same time I replied, “I was just walking by.”

Dusty’s smile didn’t cease. “Did you notice my strut?”

Strut? Was this guy flirting with me?

“I got into a nasty car accident a few years back.” While Dusty talked, I felt like he was speaking to Jacob, but his eyes stayed on me. “I might have drunk too much that night. Thankfully,” he patted Jacob’s shoulder again, “my buddy was with me. He pulled me out of my car before it went up in flames. He saved my life. He’s been like a big brother to me. Good guy.” Dusty leaned closer. “But I’m the better guy.”

I felt my face flushing after he winked. The longer I spent time with him, the more I found myself not liking him. There was something about him that didn’t set right. His tone sounded nicer than Jacob’s, had a friendlier smile, yet there was something sinister behind his tone.

Once Dusty realized I wasn’t going to comment, he said, “Jacob changed my life. Have you had a moment when something so quick changed your life? Like in the movies, when the main character spots a guy across the room and knows instantly that he’s the one. Love at first sight? Oh,” he purred into a bigger smile, “the things she would do for him.”

This was making me uncomfortable. At least I didn’t feel myself blushing anymore.

Dusty turned his attention to his so-called buddy. “How about we grab some lunch?”

It sounded more like a statement than a question. I saw the wheels turning in Jacob’s mind as if he was trying to figure a way out.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t get your name,” said Dusty. He stepped closer, and I stopped myself from taking one back. I knew too well that if I did, he would follow my movement.

“Garnet Stone,” I said, hoping he knew my last name. Before Dad moved to Nashville, he was a police officer here, and as of last year, my grandfather was the chief. Now Stone was a retiree.

Dusty didn’t react as I hoped. Most guys stopped flirting once they knew I came from a police family. Law enforcement daughters didn’t share the wild reputation of a preacher’s daughter. Either they distance themselves or become overly polite.

“Garnet Stone. That has a nice ring to it. I’d never met a girl with a rock name.”

I stopped myself from adding it was a family tradition to have a rock-ish name. The less he knew about me, the sooner he would leave me alone. Flirty guys moved on when I ignored them long enough.