“You gave yourself the heart attack.” He squirmed uncomfortably on the chair. “I really trust your judgment, so that’s why I’m asking you.”

  “Asking me what?”

  “I want you to read my manuscript. I need someone’s opinion that I trust. My professor, well, I’ve already told you that he thought it was garbage, but the other book I turned in, the one I hated, he loved. Said it was a clear, new voice in the literary world. Then he told me I needed to get my PhD and teach.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Jill, I love working with the book clubs here, but if I had to do that all day? I’d hate it. I’m not a teacher.”

  “It’s important to know what your strengths are. Look, Deek, I know you won’t work here forever. You’re too ambitious to be a coffee shop/bookstore seller forever. But I’m hoping the experiences you get here will help you decide what you want to do with your life.” I was going to talk my barista into quitting, I knew it.

  “I know what I want to do with my life. And working here is part of it. You give me the social outlet I need so I can go back into my writing cave and focus my time there.” He took a pile of papers out of his backpack. “Okay, so there’s this guy who’s telling me if I sign with him, I’ll probably make a million dollars the first year on the book. My issue is he hasn’t even read the full thing. Maybe only the first three chapters are good?”

  “Who is this guy?” I held out my hands for the packet. The book was heavy, probably five hundred pages from what I could tell. I understood his fear.

  “Brandon runs a publishing company out of Colorado. One of my friends from my writing group gave me his website. I got five rejections from agents last week, but this guy loves what I sent him.” Deek paused and looked away. “I think it’s a good book.”

  “I think it probably is a good book. But you’re not telling me something about this offer. What’s bothering you besides the fact he hasn’t read the full book?” I didn’t read auras like Deek and his fortune-telling mother, but I could tell something was wrong.

  He scooted up to the front of the chair and tapped the table. “It’s just that…”

  The bell on the door rang, and several people walked into the shop.

  “Oh, I know this group, they just need coffee. Let me help them, and you can look at the book and see if you want to read it or not.” Deek jumped up before I could even think about standing up and heading to the coffee bar.

  There was something he was holding back, and I was going to find out what it was, but right now wasn’t the time. And before I could even start reading, another group came in. I recognized a bus driver. We had a tourist group visiting South Cove. I picked up the book and tucked it under my arm, then took my cup and went to join Deek. “Thanks for the help. It looks like we’re going to be busy for a while.”

  He flashed me a smile. “I’ve got time. And you know I’m always up for extra hours.”

  By the time the tour bus customers had been served and bought books and left, my shift was over and Toby was working with Deek.

  I tucked the book draft into my tote bag. “I’ve got to go pick up the dresses for the party on Saturday. Deek? You’re working tomorrow, right?”

  He nodded. “We can talk more then.”

  Toby glanced between us. “I’m picking up on something. What’s going on?”

  Deek shook his head. “It’s good, man. Jill is just helping me out with something. Nothing to worry about.”

  “If you say so.” Toby glanced around the shop. Every table was dirty. “Do you mind staying for a bit before you take off? Or at least until Evie shows up? I need to get this place cleaned up.”

  “I can do that.” Deek grabbed a tub and headed out to the coffee shop area.

  Toby leaned closer to me. “He’s not leaving, right?”

  I laughed. “That was my first reaction. No, it’s just something with his writing.”

  Toby fake-wiped sweat off his brow. “Whew. That’s good to know. He’s always great about switching out with me if Greg needs more hours from me.”

  “We’re fine. Don’t worry.” I nodded to the group that just walked in the door. “The beauty school students are here. I’ll let you flirt.”

  He threw a towel over his shoulder. “I have to admit, Deek’s just as popular with these women as I am. It took a while for me to accept it, but I can share the love.”

  I checked my watch. I needed to go and meet Harper. “Gotta go. Thanks for all you do.”

  “Easy to work for good people,” he called after me as I made my way to the front door.

  As I passed by Deek, I patted my tote. “Looking forward to digging into this tonight.”

  He blushed. “Thank you again.”

  As I left the building, the sunshine wiped away my fears about Deek’s future with Coffee, Books, and More. And I felt blessed that he trusted me enough to read his book. I just really hoped it was as good as I wanted it to be.

  Chapter 4

  I was making my to-do list in my head as I headed to the dress shop to pick up the dresses for Aunt Jackie and me. I had a key to their apartment over the Train Station, so I’d drop hers off before heading home. Then a quick run with Emma and I’d make some lunch. Finally, I’d be able to start reading Deek’s book. I knew it was a mash-up of fantasy and time travel, so I was really excited to dig in. I wasn’t sure about this publisher who was pushing him for a commitment and I hoped Deek hadn’t signed anything. I paused outside the dress shop and texted him a note to caution him about signing any contracts until we talked. Maybe I could ask one of the authors who visited the shop to talk to Deek about publishing. I knew a few authors pretty well. I bet I could call in some favors.

  I waited for an answer and wasn’t disappointed when Deek responded with an “I know, I know” and a smiley face emoji. Apparently, he’d been given the warning about signing before checking out a publisher before.

  Relief filled me, and I tucked my phone back into my jeans and opened the shop door. Like yesterday, the lobby entry was quiet. Harper had been expecting me to show up, so I knew she had to be there. The room just felt so empty.

  I walked over to the counter and rang the bell. I heard a box fall in the back. Harper must be finishing things up so she could take off for her trip. I called out, thinking if she’d heard the bell, she probably would appreciate a warning that I was the one in the front. She really should consider hiring a receptionist or only opening by appointment and keeping the front door locked. “Harper, it’s Jill. I’m here for the dresses.”

  As I waited, I picked up the silver heart frame and looked at the two little girls smiling up at the camera. The picture was older, and the frame said “Sisters,” so using my top-notch detective skills, I deduced that this must be Harper and her sister. The girls were the same size and wearing matching dresses. Was Harper a twin? If not, they were very close in age. That was one piece of history she hadn’t mentioned during her business-to-business talk.

  Still no Harper. I set down the frame and glanced at my watch. Greg would probably be home about five. Unless something kept him. And we were going out to dinner tonight, so I wanted to shower and change into something date-night worthy. The party on Saturday might be considered a date night, but we both knew it wouldn’t be relaxing. So we’d kept our Wednesday night tradition.

  “Hello? Harper? Are you back there?”

  The sound of a door shutting made me jump. Laughing at myself, I decided to check out the dressing room. Maybe she’d left the dresses there and hadn’t heard me come inside. She could be out packing her car.

  I moved into the dressing room, and someone was on the stand in front of the mirrors. But she wasn’t standing up, she was lying down, and it looked like she was reaching under the mirrors for something. “Harper, did you lose something?”

  But Harper didn’t look up. Or respond. I started to get a bad feeling as I stepped closer. “Harper?”

  When I got to the stand, I saw pruning shears sticking out of her chest and a pool of blood on the floor. I hurried out of the room, pulling out my phone as I moved to the front entrance. When the call went through, I pulled open the door and, after it closed, turned to watch inside the windows. I didn’t see anyone following me. And, bonus, I couldn’t see the body anymore. Although I wasn’t sure I’d get that out of my head anytime soon.

  “Jill? Did you butt-dial me again?” Greg’s voice was comforting as he chuckled.

  Hearing his voice, I started shaking. “Greg? I need help.”

  “Where are you?” His voice turned all cop in two point two seconds.

  “Outside the dress shop. The new one? Greg, I think she’s dead.”

  “Oh, Jill,” Greg said. I heard noise from the other end of the line. “We’ll be there in a few minutes. Stay out of the shop. And don’t touch anything.”

  “Okay.” I hung up the phone and sank onto the bench outside the shop. My tote was still on my shoulder, and I let it drop to the ground as I kept my gaze on the front door. I jumped when my phone rang. Not recognizing the number, I answered the call. “Hello?”

  “Jill, it’s Esmeralda. Greg asked me to call you and keep you on the line. Are you hurt?”

  Relief filled my body as I listened to a friendly voice. “No. But I think…”

  “Stop, don’t talk about it yet. I just want you to feel the sunshine on your arms. Can you feel the warmth?” Esmeralda asked, her voice calming. “Take a deep breath in and blow it out. One, two, three, and four.”

  “I feel the sun.” My gaze didn’t leave the door. “I heard a box fall, so I went to the back.”

  “Jill, stay with me. What do you hear? I bet you hear birds. Can you hear the ocean waves on the beach?”

  I was surprised that I could hear the birds. They were singing a short song, over and over. I never was good at picking out what type of birds they were. “I hear the birds.”

  “Good, what about the waves?”

  I shook my head, then realized I was talking to someone a few buildings away who couldn’t see me. “Sorry, no waves, but there are a lot of cars on the highway.”

  “True. What do you smell?”

  I thought for a moment. Then I turned away from the dress shop and toward Diamond Lille’s across the street. “Tiny’s chili. It’s Wednesday, he always makes chili.”

  As I sat there, I watched a woman walk across the street, a bag in hand. She was drinking a milkshake. I froze as I watched her approach the dress shop. I was seeing a dead girl walking. “Harper?”

  She hurried over to me. “Sorry, Jill. I ran to get some lunch so I didn’t have to stop when I was driving north. It’s hard to find anything but fast food when you take the freeway.”

  “You’re alive?”

  Harper had just taken a sip of her milkshake as my words hit her. She startled slightly. “Of course I’m alive. What are you talking about?”

  Greg pulled up at the side of the road with a patrol car that Tim, his other deputy, was driving. He looked at Harper and then at me. “Jill? What’s going on?”

  I hung up the phone and tucked it into my jeans. “I think I’m going crazy. I swear, I saw Harper lying on the floor in the dressing room.”

  Harper turned white and dropped her shake and the bag. She ran to the door, but Greg was faster and grabbed her arm.

  “Stay out here with Jill. I’ll check it out.” He led Harper over to the bench and sat her next to me. Then he nodded to Tim, who pulled his weapon, and the two of them went inside.

  Neither Harper nor I said much of anything until Greg came back outside. I watched her milkshake spill out into the flower bed where it had dropped. It appeared to be chocolate. I reached over and picked up her bag and handed it to her. Being polite, I added, “You dropped this.”

  “Thanks.” She took the bag and set it on the bench next to her.

  Greg came out but Tim wasn’t with him. He walked over to the bench and we both stood up.

  “Well?” I expected him to put me into his truck and drive me off to some private facility where I’d be treated for stress. I wondered if they’d still let me read Deek’s book.

  “There is someone inside.” He turned to Harper. “And she looks a lot like you. Do you know who might be inside your shop?”

  Harper burst into tears and hid her face in her hands.

  There was more going on with this story, but at least I wasn’t going crazy and seeing things. I put my hand on her back. “Are you okay? Do you know who it might be?”

  “It’s impossible. I need to see for myself.” Harper started to stand, but Greg put a hand on her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t let you into the crime scene. If you want to stay until the coroner gets here, we can escort you inside then. But for now, we need access to the shop.” He turned to me. “Do you need to be somewhere? Can you stay with Harper?”

  “I can stay here for a while. I’ll need to let Emma out sometime this afternoon.” My only appointment was with Emma for a run and date night with Greg, but it looked like that appointment just got canceled.

  Harper shook her head. “My boyfriend will be here at one. We were planning on spending some time in Mexico at a retreat. I guess that’s off.”

  “It would be better if you stayed around for a while, at least until we found out who was killed in your dressing room.” Greg had pulled out his notebook. “Was there anyone in the shop when you went to get food?”

  Harper shook her head. “No one. I was expecting Jill to come and get the dresses, and then like I said, Colton was coming to pick me up.”

  Her gaze darted to the shop, and for a second, I felt like she was lying. That she knew who was in lying dead in her shop. I turned toward her and met her gaze. “Why did you say it was impossible?”

  This time I saw her face change as she lied. “Would you think there could ever be a dead body in your shop? I just remodeled this building. I studied the crime rate for South Cove, and my Realtor swore to me it was a safe town. Now, I’m here less than six months and someone is killed in my shop? I shouldn’t have left the door unlocked when I left.”

  “Typically, we’re a pretty safe community,” Greg responded, but then a large blue pickup truck pulled up and parked across the street. A tall man wearing a blazer and dress shirt over a pair of new jeans got out and hurried across the road. He looked like he was dressed for a date.

  This must be Colton, I thought, and then my suspicions were confirmed when he took Harper into his arms, squeezing her tight.

  “What on earth is going on? When I pulled up, I thought maybe something had happened to you before I saw you sitting here. Was the store robbed?” He put his arm around her and turned toward Greg. “Colton Canyon. I’m seeing Ms. Sanchez. Full disclosure, I’m also an attorney, so if she’s in any trouble, I guess I’m serving in that capacity too until we get different representation.”

  “Ms. Sanchez isn’t in trouble. Someone was killed in her shop. So unless she’s the killer, she’s fine.” Greg’s look took the guy in, and from where I sat, Mr. Canyon had come out lacking. “Right now, we’ve just started collecting evidence, so I will need to interview Ms. Sanchez as soon as we secure the scene.” He turned his focus toward me. “And I’ll need to interview you as well. I suppose I can let you go home until I’m ready.”

  I knew it wasn’t a question. Greg wanted me as far away from the crime scene as possible. Especially since I had a habit of getting involved in his murder investigations. This time it wasn’t my fault. I was just picking up the dresses. “Oh no. The dresses. Do you think we’ll be able to get them before Saturday? Aunt Jackie will be…”

  I didn’t finish the statement, but Greg knew my aunt. His tone softened. “I’m sure we can make arrangements for you to finish your transaction with Ms. Sanchez. But for now, go home.”

  I glanced at Harper, but she and Colton had sat on the bench and were holding each other. She was in good hands, even if the guy was a lawyer.

  “I’ll see you at home, then.” I picked up my tote from next to the bench and turned to leave.

  Greg stepped away with me. “Do you need Tim to walk you home?”

  “Why? Do you think I’m not safe?” I shook my head but kept my voice low. “Look, I found the body, that’s all. I didn’t see anyone else in that shop.”

  “You know that, but maybe this killer doesn’t.” He studied the path toward the house. “It looks fine. Just keep your eyes open.”

  “And don’t take candy from strangers in a white panel van. I get it.” I leaned up and kissed him. “I’ll make some soup so if you come home late, there will be food on the stove.”

  “Sorry about date night.” He rubbed my arm.

  I shrugged. “It happens. The joy of being engaged to a cop, I guess. You’re always out there protecting the good citizens of South Cove.”

  He laughed quietly. “And sometimes the bad ones. I’m glad to hear you say engaged though.”

  “I love you, Greg King. Don’t let my moody behavior get in the way of that one thing.” I squeezed his hand and started walking down the street to my house. It really wasn’t that far away, and traffic was light for a Wednesday. On Saturday, when the weather was nice, there would be cars inching their way up to the town parking lots or people walking up the road from the beach parking area. Today was a ghost town.

  Especially for that poor woman in Harper’s shop.

  On the way home, I called my aunt. When I got her voicemail, I explained the situation at Harper’s shop and Greg’s promise that we should be able to get the dresses before Saturday. I hoped my fiancé kept his word on that, or my aunt was going to be so mad at him.

  When I arrived home, Esmeralda called me.

  “I’m supposed to verify that you went straight home,” she said as soon as I said hello.

  I laughed. “Nope. I stopped in every shop on the way back and still made it here in ten minutes. Of course I went straight home. But he’s also going to tell me not to take Emma running today, isn’t he?”