Page 34 of Merry Murder Season
I could feel Lille’s cold stare on my back but I didn’t turn around. If I ignored it, maybe she wouldn’t blame me.
“I better go. Tiny’s made me a special burger we’re thinking of adding to the menu at my place. Looks like it’s ready. See you later.” And with that, heleft the table.
“He’s so interesting. Did you know his family was affected by a cult like that? He didn’t mention it before.” Beth went back to her meatloafas she talked.
“I didn’t know that. But really, all I know about him is he’s dating Lille. The woman who owns the diner.” I tried to stress the word, dating.
“They’re so cute together. They must be bonding over their love of food. I’m not sure Jim and I have anything we can bond over together. He doesn’t read. He doesn’t like cooking. And if I mention going to a show or a museum, he tells me he has a game or a race he has to watch. And this is while we’re still dating. What’s it going to be like when we’re married and he doesn’t have to be on his best behavior?” Beth snuck another glance at Lille and Dom. Then she focused on eating. “Is Amanda Zooming in for the bookclub tonight?”
“I think so. Deek’s handling the meeting link.” I should have asked if he needed help, but he probably would have laughed at me. I wasn’t the most technically savvy person. That’s why I hired people who were smarter than me. At least in that area.
As we finished our dinner, I was glad that the subject of Dom had dropped off the table. Maybe she was just interested in his personal cult story. I didn’t want to be responsible for bringing them together if she dumped Jim and Lille dumped Dom.
I was overthinking the interaction. At leastI hoped I was.
Besides, Beth would be back in Nebraska next Monday and I wouldn’t have to worry that my almost sister-in-law had gotten me thrown out of my favorite eating establishment. I guess I could eat at Dom’s new bar and grill if that happened. And Beth wouldbe around more.
We walked over to the bookstore and helped Carrie set up chairs. Deek already had a monitor set up in the bookstore’s seating area. We moved chairs around the couch and the fireplace that I never used. But it was a pretty focal point for the book gatherings we held inthe bookstore.
As we settled in for the book club, I started to relax a little. Dom was focused on the book and didn’t make eye contact with Beth or me. I wondered if Lille had said something. Instead, he chatted with the guy who had attended last week’s meeting with him. Gunter was Dom’s “bodyguard” and he’dread the book.
When Deek brought up the topic of suggestions on what to read next month, Gunter was the first one to raise his hand. He suggested they read one of the Lincoln Lawyer books by Michael Connelly. “It’s kind of a hero’s journey with a flawed protagonist.”
I stared at him, but Deek nodded as he went over to the shelf behind him and pulled the books from the shelves. “The first one is kind of old, but we should start there, so if some of us like the books, we can see the character growth. Great suggestion. Anyone else?”
Mandy Thomas raised her hand. “What about the Harry Dresden books? We always say we’re going to read something in the urban fantasy genre, but it always gets left off for women’s fictionor thrillers.”
Josh looked horrified and countered his wife’s suggestion.
“We haven’t read a California history book yet.”
“That’s because this isn’t a college history class, honey.” She patted his leg. “Besides, you need some variety in your reading choices. Did you know that before we joined the group Josh hadn’t read anything but history and nonfiction in years?”
I tried to hide my smile but it broke out anyway. Mandy was good for my friend. He was stuck in his ways and his new wife was transforming not only the clothes he wore but his connectionwith the world.
“Besides, you suggesting we read history is like me suggesting we read fruit and garden how-to manuals. Not everyone wants to always be thinking about their jobs.” She leaned overand kissed him.
Deek’s face was red at the show of affection between the couple as he came back with the first book in the urban fantasy series Mandy had suggested. “We have two more slots, even with taking a week offfor Christmas.”
Dom raised his hand. “If nonfiction isn’t banned, maybe our last week could be a book on goal setting for the next year. I’ve been meaning to make a business plan for the bar, but I keep putting it off. Lille said annual goal setting changed her financial outlook at the diner in less than a year.”
A lot of our group ran small businesses in town and I noticed a lot of head nodding at Dom’s suggestion.
So of course, Deek had the perfect book. And when someone else suggested a holiday feel-good book, our monthly schedule was set.
Deek ended the club and he and I went to the back room to have our talk. I paused by Beth before leaving. “I’ll be out in probably thirty minutes. Do you want the house keys, or do youwant to wait?”
“I grabbed the second set you gave me last week. If I get bored, I’ll head home. Or I might find something to read while I wait.” She patted me on the shoulder. “I’m an adult, Jill. I know how to find my wayto your house.”
“If you get home before me, can you let out Emma? She’s good, usually, but she still can have an accident,” I called over my shoulder as Deek poked his head out of the back to see where I was. “See you after or at home.”
I should have asked herto wait for me.
Chapter 14
Deek was flipping pages in his planner as I sat down. I glanced at the planner and then asked, “Do I need to open the computer and get these dates on the staff calendar? Or can you do thatafter we talk?”
He looked up and blinked. “You don’t even know what I’m going to ask for.”
