Publishable By Death, Andi Cumbo-Floyd [interesting books to read TXT] 📗
- Author: Andi Cumbo-Floyd
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Mayhem sniffed her way along the sidewalk, noting the earlier visitors and any gifts passersby had left in the way of crumbs. I enjoyed the window displays, particularly in the co-op. Cate had stopped by to suggest I take a look on my way home since they were featuring some of Woody’s pieces. I’d mentioned wanting a small table to put behind my sofa, and she’d told me about a gorgeous one. It was indeed beautiful, but pricey – well-worth the price for such fine work, but I’d need a few more really good weekends to justify that kind of expense, even from a friend like Woody.
We were about to turn and head up our street when Mayhem stopped cold. Her hackles rose along her back, and the top of her head wrinkled. A low growl piled up in her throat.
I knelt down beside her. “You see something?” The growl got louder, and she turned to face behind me.
I spun around, but I didn’t see anything. Mayhem didn’t calm, though. In fact, she started to bark and tug hard at her leash. She was definitely seeing or hearing or smelling something.
Unsure what to do – I didn’t want to turn my back on whoever or whatever might be back there, but I didn’t want to go investigate either – I took a deep breath and decided our best course of action was to stay on the busier, if not really busy, Main Street. I held the leash tight and tugged Mayhem across the street, trying to act as if we were simply taking an evening stroll. If someone was following us, I didn’t think they’d buy it, but maybe they’d have sense enough not to accost us in the full light of the street lamps.
We kept walking, picking up our pace a bit, the growl still climbing Mayhem’s throat. I thought about heading back to the store and letting the alarm bring the police, but I didn’t know how quickly I could fish out my keys. Plus, if it turned out to be nothing, I’d feel very foolish when the sheriff arrived.
I glanced in the shop windows as we practically jogged by. Everything looked fine, and I regretted my decision not to stop almost immediately when I heard footsteps behind me. I didn’t dare look back lest I see someone lunging at me.
Quick as lightning, Mayhem lurched forward, dragging me into the street. I tried to slow her down, yelling Stop with my best “alpha dog” voice, but she kept going. She was either terrified, or . . .
Then, I saw where she was headed and heard the baying of a familiar hound dog voice. Daniel’s shop was straight ahead, and the lights were on. We bolted into the garage, and Mayhem let out a volley of sharp barks.
Daniel came out of a door at a run, and I felt tears of relief spring to my eyes. “Harvey, are you okay?” He was by my side in seconds.
I fell into his chest and let out a hard sob. His arms came around my back and pulled me tight to him. A few moments later, when my sobs subsided, he pushed me gently away from him and asked, “You okay? What happened?”
I pointed toward a low stool at the side of the garage, and he walked me over so I could sit down. “I’m not sure, honestly. Mayhem heard or saw something, and she brought me here. I thought I heard footsteps behind us.”
Daniel walked to the door and looked out with Mayhem at his heels. “I don’t see anything, but I’m glad you came here.”
“I didn’t see anything either. But Mayhem doesn’t usually act like that. Maybe she just smelled bacon.” I tried to laugh.
“I doubt it. That’s your girl. She knew you were in danger.” His voice was serious.
“I feel silly. Maybe it was just my imagination. You guys were so worried. I guess I got a little spooked.”
Daniel kneeled down to look into my face. “I don’t know you well, Harvey, but you’re not a person who scares easily, I can tell you that. If you – and Mayhem here – thought someone was out there, someone was out there.”
I still felt a little ridiculous, but his confidence in my good sense was bolstering. To be believed is not a minor thing. I took a long, deep breath.
“Maybe you could walk me over for movie night?”
“I’d be honored, and if it’s okay with you, I’ll walk you home each night after this, too.” He blushed a little. “I mean, until they catch the killer.”
I winked at him. “But only until then. Once this murder is solved, I’m on my own.”
“Right. Exactly.” He put out his hand and helped me up. Then, he kept hold of my hand all the way to my house.
Movie night was perfect. Terrifying – especially after my scare earlier in the evening – but perfect. Somehow, being so scared that I had to keep my hand over my mouth because I kept making everyone else scream when I screamed took away some of the terror of earlier in the evening. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t scared.
Or that my friends were going to let me pretend I wasn’t.
Mart had already cancelled an overnight trip for a consulting gig outside Philly, and Walter and Stephen had vowed to be at the store every minute for the next two days just as back-up. “Back-up for what?” I’d joked. “Will your organizational skills fend off an attacker?”
Stephen had thrown a pillow at me, and I’d smiled. Once again, I was reminded that I had good people around me.
After midnight, when Us ended, I walked Daniel to the door. I’d told him that he and Taco were welcome to crash on the couch, but he’d noted that Rocky seemed to have already claimed that honor. She had passed out halfway into the second movie, and when her phone had gone off, I’d answered her mom’s text by telling her that Rocky was safe and could stay here for the night.
“Besides, Taco and I will sleep better in our own beds,” Daniel said. Then he leaned in closer. “Do you need me to stay?”
“Oh no. I have plenty of company. It’s just late, and well, I’d kind of like you to stay.” I blushed at my candor. Adrenaline, hard cider, and fatigue made me brazen.
He gave me a tender smile. “I’d like to stay, too. But maybe our first sleepover can just be the two of us sometime.”
I felt my heart kick hard against my chest. “I’d like that.”
He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on my lips before turning and heading down the drive with Taco trailing behind at the speed of molasses.
His gentle kiss made sleep come easily, but in the middle of the night, I jerked awake and sent Aslan hissing to the floor. I’d had a nightmare about a giant paper flower chasing me down the street. That image haunted me until I got up, checked the doors, and made sure Mayhem was on the couch by the front door. She raised her head as I walked through. “Always on alert, aren’t you, girl?” I gave her a good rub before heading back to try and sleep.
The next morning, I woke to the smell of bacon and came out to find all three of my closest friends dressed and cooking in the kitchen. “You guys are up and about early.”
“Well, we have a bookstore to run,” Walter said as he handed me my largest mug full of the darkest coffee I’d ever seen.
I smiled. “Thanks, guys. Really.” The coffee was so good, and I was going to need it. I hadn’t slept well after my nightmare, and if yesterday was an indication, it was going to be a doozy of a day at the shop.
After a quick shower, I took an extra second to slather on my favorite vanilla lotion before heading to the foyer to walk to the shop. As I passed Mart she said, “Ooh, vanilla. Someone’s hopeful.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh nothing,” she said with a conspiratorial wink. “You just only wear vanilla when you feel really good about yourself.”
I started to object, but then realized two things. My objection would do nothing but make me look defensive, and also, Mart was right. I did feel good about myself. A kiss from a handsome man will do that to a person.
All that good feeling faded away as we reached Main Street, though. One block up from the shop, the street was closed by a police car with its lights on, and I could see a group of people milling around on the sidewalks nearby. By some sort of tacit agreement, my friends and I crossed
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