Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [44]
I looked down at my notes, then said, “River’s Edge welcomes you. Feel free to shop all of our fine stores while you’re here.” I’d suggested the last bit to Sanora, and she’d heartily okayed it. After all, while we did run separate businesses, we were also part of a community. Besides, I thought it wouldn’t hurt her standing with the other tenants, and the fact that it might throw a little business our way at the candleshop hadn’t escaped me.
But these folks were here for Sanora, and I felt obligated to give the pottery center stage.
“There are some great deals inside, there’s food and drink, too, so come on in.” With that, I used a giant pair of scissors to sever the red ribbon Sanora had strung across the door, and she was officially open for business.
As folks moved toward the open doors, I thought I spotted Heather in the background, but I must have been mistaken. Coming to Sanora’s opening was something I just couldn’t see her doing. I regretted she was missing the opportunity for sales, but shutting her store down had been her decision.
I found myself standing beside Tick after the crowd vanished into The Pot Shot.
“Nice speech, Harrison,” she said. “I didn’t know you were available for rallies and celebrations.”
“Believe me, I have no intention of making a habit of this. Sanora needed a quick substitute when the mayor canceled, so she asked me.”
“You did fine,” Tick said.
“Do you think this crowd is going to wander around to our shops after they see what The Pot Shot has to offer?”
Tick said, “It’s too soon to tell, but it couldn’t hurt How’s business at the candleshop been lately?”
“We’re keeping our heads above water,” I said. “How’s the world of antiques?”
“Oh, it stays pretty steady between our walk-in customers and our regulars. Why, I’m even on the Internet now, if you can believe that.”
“Getting much business there?”
She shook her head. “Not particularly, though I must admit, I don’t give it the time it requires. I have a young lady from the high school working my web page. It was her idea, since she had a debt to work off with me.”
“How did that come about?”
Tick said, “Young Maria has a passion for Depression Glass, and we barter for her services. You haven’t been in the shop lately, you should stop by. I’ve just gotten some lovely furniture from Ireland.”
“It must be great fun amassing your stock. Do you ever go on any expeditions yourself?”
She nodded. “In fact, I was supposed to go to Scotland two weeks ago, but I had to cancel at the last minute. My traveling companion backed out on me almost as we were boarding, and it’s no fun going alone.”
“I understand that,” I said as I started for The Pot Shot. “Are you coming?”
“Do you know, I’ve never stepped one foot into that pottery shop? I don’t appreciate the medium at all.”
“How about candles? You know you’re always welcome in At Wick’s End.”
She shuddered visibly. “Thank you for the invitation, but no, I’m afraid not. You see, I’ve got a horrid fear of fire. I’m afraid I spend all my time with my treasures.”
“Well then, maybe we could have lunch at Millie’s sometime.”
Tick frowned, then said, “I seem to keep saying no to you, don’t I? I’d honestly love to, Harrison, but I don’t have someone like Eve watching over my wares.” She glanced at an antique watch pinned to her sweater, then said, “I’d better go back to the shop.”
“I’ll catch up with you later, then.”
“Do visit me sometime soon,” she said as she headed back to her world of antiques.
Sanora was busy behind the cash register, so I wandered around the shop. The display I’d seen earlier sporting many of Aaron’s pieces had already grown smaller, and from the look of things, there wouldn’t be anything left by the next day. What was it about the work of some artists and craftsmen that as soon as no new pieces would ever be available, the remaining ones sold so quickly, and in most cases for so much more? Folks had grabbed up many of Belle’s creations after her death, until I held some in reserve for the shop with “Not For Sale” stickers attached. In