Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barnett Read Free Book Online Page B

do—and you’ve got your own store to tend to.”
    Tricia gave her friend a smile. “I promised Angelica I’d be available if you or Darcy or Jake needed me, so don’t hesitate to call.”
    “You have no idea how much you’ve already helped.” Frannie headed for the cash desk, found a legal pad and a pen, and quickly jotted down a few notes.
    Tricia wished all life’s problems could be solved so easily.
    “I’ll just let myself out,” Tricia said, and headed for the door. Then she paused, and turned to face Frannie. “Just one more question: What’s Angelica’s cutout doing outside the shop door?”
    Frannie rolled her eyes. “It kept staring at me. It was like having Angelica looking over my shoulder all morning. I finally couldn’t stand it, and put it outside. Don’t worry, I’ll bring it in if it looks like rain.”
    Tricia nodded, but secretly hoped someone would steal the cutout. Much as she loved her sister, Tricia couldn’t stand looking at the thing, either.

    It was well after one by the time Tricia returned to her store, and Ginny had disappeared up the stairs to Haven’t Got a Clue’s second-floor employee break room. Mr. Everett stood behind the sales counter, helping a customer, while Miss Marple looked on. She was always interested in promoting good customer relations.
    Mr. Everett finished ringing up the sale and wished his customer good-bye before greeting Tricia. “Hello, Ms. Miles. Isn’t it a lovely day?” he said without much enthusiasm. He swept a hand toward the front display window and the sunny street beyond.
    She glanced around the empty store. “Looks like another slow day,” she observed.
    “Yes, but the economy has picked up, and good weather brings tour buses,” he said, but his voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.
    “I want to thank you for saving those books last night. Ginny told me all about it.”
    Mr. Everett shrugged. “It was the right thing to do.”
    Tricia nodded. “How’s Grace? Has her cold improved?”
    He nodded. “Her sniffles have abated and she is her smiling self once more.”
    “And where is your smile?”
    Mr. Everett’s frown deepened.
    Perhaps it was time to open a more candid dialogue. “Mr. Everett, you’ve seemed preoccupied for several weeks. Is something wrong?”
    “You’re very perceptive, Ms. Miles. But I don’t like to burden my friends with my petty troubles.”
    “Maybe I could help.”
    He seemed to wrestle with the idea. “Perhaps. You see, it’s . . . it’s Grace.”
    “Oh, dear, I hope her cold hasn’t gotten worse.”
    “Oh, no. As I said, her sniffles have almost disappeared.” His expression grew more solemn. “It’s her . . . her . . . her generosity.”
    Generosity a problem? “I don’t understand.”
    “When Grace and I married, I had some outstanding debts—all tied to the closing of my grocery store. However, when my statements arrived this last month, I found that she’d paid off all my creditors.” His cheeks colored, and he avoided her gaze. “I’m afraid we had words over it.”
    “Oh, dear.”
    He nodded, his gaze heavy with . . . disappointment?
    “I’m sure she had the very best of intentions,” Tricia said.
    “Oh, no doubt. But . . . my pride, you see.”
    Tricia nodded. Pride goeth before a fall , she repeated silently to herself. “You can’t let this come between you. The two of you have been so happy together.”
    “Yes. And I’m sure we shall be again. Although I’m afraid desperate measures may be necessary to alleviate this situation.”
    “Desperate?” Tricia repeated. She didn’t like the sound of this.
    “I may have to take out a loan,” Mr. Everett said and gave a heavy sigh; and suddenly Tricia felt just as weary. The day was barely half over, and already she felt wiped out. It also seemed as though she’d started a new career—personal counselor to half of Stoneham.
    Before she could give a word of advice or comfort, the shop door opened. A woman customer