Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [25]
“Oh, cranberries of course, some flour and sugar, a little butter, things like that.”
“In other words, don’t ask.” I took another bite and was startled to find that I’d polished it off.
“So what do you think?”
I stroked my chin and said, “Well, it’s really hard to say based on such a small sample. I’d better try another one.”
She held the basket out of my reach. “You’ve already used that on me, you rascal. Honestly, do you like them?”
“They are spectacular,” I admitted. “Does that buy me another one?”
“I don’t want to spoil your appetite,” she said, laughing softly.
“Have a heart. You heard Eve, she might not be back till tonight.”
“Oh pooh, of course they’re all for you. Thanks, Harrison, I trust your palate.”
“You shouldn’t,” I said.
“And why not?”
“I love everything you make.” I took another muffin out, had a bite of it, and said, “If I could get upstairs to my apartment, I’d grab some cold milk and be set. I don’t suppose you could...”
She laughed and said, “This isn’t a catering service, you know. Now I’ve got to get back to The Crocked Pot. I locked up so I could bring these by.”
“Thanks again, Millie, you’ve got another winner here.”
Before she could leave, I added, “Did you see the sign on Heather’s shop? She’s having a moving sale.”
“Oh dear, I never thought it would come to that. I’d better talk to her.”
“Let me know what you find out, would you?”
“If I have any luck at all, I will. If you don’t hear from me, it’s not good news.”
Five minutes later the chime rang over the door and Sanora Gaston walked in with a tall glass of milk. This is from Millie. She said you’d understand.”
I took it from her and had a healthy swallow. “Thanks, that was great. Sorry you had to deliver it to me.”
“I didn’t mind. Harrison, I came by to see if you’d like to have lunch with me today.”
“I’d like to, but Eve just left, and there’s nobody to watch the shop till she gets back. How about a raincheck?”
“You’ve got it. I guess I’ll take Tick up on her invitation. She wants to welcome me back.”
“That’s sweet of her,” I said. “Sorry I didn’t think of it first.”
“There will be plenty of time. We’ll do it later.”
The rest of the day dragged through starts and sputters, never anything steady but accumulating to a healthy total as I started to run the day’s report off the register. Eve had been cryptic about her lunch after she’d returned, but I could tell something pleasant had happened while she’d been gone. She scooted out the door two minutes after I locked it, another sign that something was up. Eve was usually a stickler for our closing routine, but today she obviously had something else on her mind.
I was just walking out with the deposit when Erin walked up. “You’re closed? I got here as fast I as I could.”
‘Tell you what, let me open back up and I’ll give you the nickel tour.”
“I hate when people come right when I’m closing. Harrison, I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“But I’m offering,” I said as I opened the door and held it for her. “Come in and take the grand tour.”
She stepped inside and I locked the door behind her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t want anybody else wandering in. Not that I’m trying to get you alone. No, that didn’t sound right either. Would you feel more comfortable if I left it unlocked?”
Erin smiled at my stammering. “I think I’ll be safe enough with you. Besides, I’ve got some Mace in my pocket if you get out of line.”
“No, ma’am, you don’t have to worry about me.” I added, “Is there anything in particular you’d like to see, or would you like a quick overview of it all?”
“If you don’t have anything pressing, I’d love to see it all.”
“I’d be delighted. Why don’t we start up front with our displays so you can see the different types of candles we make, then we’ll take a stroll through the aisles.” I showed her some of the hand-dipped candles I’d made and just displayed, along with poured candles, some rolled ones from sheets of wax, gel candles, floating candles, and braided ones. She was particularly