Page 21 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

Sunshine appeared behind me, and I noted the door she’d obviously just come through.Interesting she left her elderly customer to mind the store.

“He’s calling on Dickens.”

I sensed no censure from Miss Edna.Only mild curiosity.I glanced at her.Okay, major curiosity.

“Well, Dickens is meeting with Raven right now to get those books signed.Major miracle he was able to get it done for you.”

Miss Edna waved her imperious hand in the air.“I knew he could.Or you could.”

“All on him.”Sunshine bestowed a warm smile upon me.“You’re welcome to wait.He just ran over to Abbotsford.Should be back in twenty minutes.”

I managed a smile.“No, thank you.I need to be getting back.”

Her gaze intensified.

Those pale-blue orbs saw right through me.So transparent.Them and me.

She shrugged.“I’ll let him know you were here.”

“I’d prefer if you didn’t.Seems silly, you know?”

“Young man, anyone who comes calling deserves to be heard.If Sunshine doesn’t tell him, I will.”

Ah, well, at least I’d been warned.“I’m going to Tim Horton’s.Would either of you like something?”

Both women shook their heads.

I bobbed my own and left as quickly as I could.

Your goose is cooked.

Maybe not.

What did you expect?

That he’d be there.

And now?

Time to grab a sandwich and head back to see if I could find an acceptable Harley for Kendra.

Chapter Seven

Dickens

“Another happy customer.”Sunshine flounced back into the office.Going way above and beyond, she’d driven Miss Edna over to the library.Far too hot for the elderly lady to walk.Apparently Sun also offered to stay until Miss Edna had given the books to Marnie, but the woman claimed she had a ride home planned with the shuttle bus.

I was cooler, but not by much.Hoofing around campus to secure a limited-edition copy of the book, and Raven’s autograph, had taken much out of me.

This weather was nuts for June, and apparently tomorrow was going to be worse.We were promised a thunder shower, but those things rarely materialized.We’d be lucky if we got a few drops.

Which reminded me…

“Sun, are you up to watering the flower bed?”

The city installed one a few years back, but The Owl’s Nest took responsibility for it.We had flowers, but we also grew a few herbs.A nice touch.

“Sure, boss.”The woman looked as cool as the proverbial cucumber.Maybe the flowy dress?She had bohemian chic down pat.

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