Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [62]
“I know how much you hate going to the bank, so I thought I’d do it for you. Not that I don’t trust you,” I added with a smile.
I handed her a jar of pumpkin butter and said, “By the way, here’s a souvenir from my trip.”
I wasn’t sure how Eve would react, but she smiled as she took the jar. “I haven’t had this since I was a little girl.”
“Well, then I’d say it’s high time you had some now, wouldn’t you say?”
She allowed a slight smile to break through. “You’re certainly in a good mood, aren’t you?”
“I appreciate the break,” I said as she handed the deposit to me.
“Any time,” she said.
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Goodness me, I’ve created a monster.”
I saluted her and said, “You can’t even imagine.”
I was feeling good about the world as I walked out of At Wick’s End.
Then I heard angry voices down the way.
It appeared the truce between Sanora and Heather was officially over.
“I don’t want you here,” I heard Heather nearly shout as I rushed toward them.
“Do you honestly think I care what you want?” Sanora was matching her, toe to toe. “You tried to come between my husband and me. It didn’t work, though, did it?”
Heather’s cheeks burned. “He was your ex-husband.”
“Ladies, what’s going on?” I asked forcefully.
“Butt out, Harrison,” Heather snapped.
“This doesn’t concern you,” Sanora added.
“So at least you two agree on something. This is all none of my business.”
Neither one of them cracked a smile. Hey, it was a tough crowd.
I continued unabashed. “Since we’ve agreed it’s a personal matter between the two of you, why don’t we go somewhere in private where you can discuss the situation like adults.”
“I’m not going anywhere with her,” Heather said.
“I’m willing to,” Sanora said, a little sweeter than needed.
Heather grunted at her, rolled her eyes at me, then stormed back into her shop.
I asked Sanora, “What brought that on?”
“I made the mistake of leaving my shop at the same time she left hers. Harrison, I’m not looking for trouble, but I won’t be a doormat either.”
“All I ask is that you two try to get along.”
“You’re talking to the wrong person then,” Sanora said. I
“Let me go talk to Heather. I’ll see what I can do.”
The wind chimes over Heather’s door danced as I opened it, and she turned rigidly to me as I walked in.
“Harrison, I’m not in the mood for any foolishness right now, so just turn around and walk right back out.”
Esmeralda lithely danced to me and leaped up into my arms. It looked like she’d forgiven me. “Sorry, I can’t. I seem to have an armful of cat at the moment.”
“How could you take her side like that?” Heather asked, the tears a heartbeat away.
“What are you talking about? I’m not taking anybody’s side.”
“Exactly.” Heather crowed. “And why is that, Harrison? I thought we were friends. Apparently I was wrong.”
I shook my head and scratched behind Esme’s ear. She was purring contently as I did so. “If you think I’m some kind of fair-weather friend, you’re sadly mistaken. But if you consider friendship me standing by while you muck things up. then you’re wrong there, too. I’m trying to help. Heather.”
“Then stay out of it,” she said.
I laughed. “Sorry, that’s not the kind of friend I am, either. I have a tendency to meddle. Probably should have told you that before, shouldn’t I?”
She tried to look sternly at me, but my feigned sincerity won her over and her harsh countenance finally broke into a smile. “That’s not fair. I want to be angry.”
“By all means, don’t let me stop you,” I said.
“Why do you care, anyway?”
I said, “Well, you’re my friend, and I want to help you get over this animosity you have for Sanora. Besides, things are tense around River’s Edge, and it’s not good for anyone. Any chance of burying the hatchet and I don’t mean in someone’s back?”
“Oh, I won’t sneak around to do it. I’ll come at her from the front.”
“Now, now, no backsliding. And here we were making such good progress.”
She shook her head. “I admit it, I lost my temper. It won’t happen again.”
“So any chance we could offer her a cup of coffee