Chapter 18

“Jealous much?” Maury shot back, and they were off.

I left them all to their friendly bickering as I grabbed my coffee—decaf this time—and headed out front. Usually things were slow at the store in January but picked up a little around Valentine’s Day.

I could hear Murphy hammering away on the roof as I checked my customer list to see who would be coming in to pick up their orders. I put a reminder on my phone to go over to the diner and get Murphy something for lunch.

When it was time to let in the customers, I unlocked the front door and turned the sign to “Open.” A few of my regulars who always stopped by the store no matter the weather greeted me heartily and went on their search for the perfect book. Among the customers today were Maury’s sister Sheila, her boyfriend Leonard, and the triplets.