A Flicker of Doubt - Tim Myers [37]
“No, but I’ve got them on my schedule. I have high hopes, Harrison.”
“Listen, don’t take it as a personal insult if you can’t work things out between them,” I said as I walked him to the door.
“You should have more faith in me than that,” he said, a smile on his lips.
“I’m just saying that their history runs hot and deep. Keep that in mind.”
He patted my shoulder gently. “Thank you for your concern.”
Three minutes later the overhead light came on and I had power in the candleshop again. I just hoped Pearly would be as successful when he talked to Heather and Sanora.
It was a busy morning, and I was happy for the distractions of selling candlemaking supplies to the public. The more I worked in At Wick’s End, the larger my list of customers grew, and more importantly, the bigger my circle of friends. I knew folks who traveled in all walks of life. When my great-aunt left me River’s Edge, I never dreamed she’d be changing my life so much. I still had her letter in a simple frame upstairs, the one where she’d first told me I was about to inherit the complex. I could remember reading it in the lawyer’s office, amazed by the scope of what Belle was suggesting.
The most important words she’d given me were when she’d said, “Candles bring light into the world, my boy, and we need all the illumination we can get.” I tried to live up to those words every day.
A middle-aged woman came into the shop and went directly to the mold releases. If she’d been in the store before, I hadn’t noticed her.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
She looked at me through squinted eyes. “I don’t know, can you? I assume you are willing to assist me, since you appear to be working in this establishment, but that is the question, isn’t it? Can you help me?”
“I surely hope so,” I said, not sure what I was getting myself into. “Do you need some release?”
“I do indeed. Belle Black, the proprietress here and the woman I assume is your immediate superior, used to carry a product in a gray and red can, but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten the name of it.”
I said, “You’re looking for Yukon Release.” I handed her a can, then said, “They changed the label, but the product’s still the same. Will there be anything else?”
She looked around the store,, then said, “I was hoping ‘ to spend a moment or two chatting with Belle. I’ve been touring Australia. She’d yearned to go with me, but I’m afraid her finances and commitments here limited her traveling.” She patted her handbag and said, “I’ve brought her a souvenir I know she’ll absolutely adore.”
I hadn’t had to tell any customers about my great- aunt’s demise in months, and I was finally hoping I wouldn’t have to anymore. Belle was loved by a great many people, and I hadn’t found an easy way to pass the news on, despite countless times to practice.
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but she died while you were away.” I said, not wanting to go into details unless I was pressed.
“Oh, dear. That’s dreadful,” the woman said as she stumbled back against a shelf full of votive molds. “Was it her heart?”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid it was more ominous I than that. She was killed here in the candleshop.”
“That is ghastly,” the woman said. “And you’re the new owner? Did Eve leave you as well?”
“I’m the owner, but Eve’s still here. I’m Harrison Black,” I said as I offered her my hand.
“Candace Grishaber,” she said. It took her a moment, then she added, “Black, did you say? Were you related to Belle?”
“She was my great-aunt,” I said.
“And she was my great friend,” she said. “I’ll miss her.”
“As do I,” I said. I couldn’t bear the thought of spending any more time dwelling on the past. It left me sad and empty inside, and it did nothing to bring Belle’s memory back. “Are you done?”
She arched one eyebrow. “I suppose if I were a turkey I might be done. As it is though, I am human, therefore I am finished.”
I started to reply when she said, “Forgive a retired English teacher. We never quite get over correcting our students.”
“You’re forgiven,” I said as I rang up her purchase. “I hope you visit again.”
“You can count