Deadly Start by Clark Nefri (summer beach reads .txt) 📕

Charlotte handed a gift bag to a middle-aged man in a suit.

“You’ve been most helpful. Tell Rosie she’s done well.”

“Tell her yourself.” Rosie grinned from the doorway as she wheeled herself in. Grey-streaked brown hair pulled up in a messy bun, large glasses over sparkling eyes, Rosie’s face might be lined, but its genuine warmth made it beautiful.

“Hello, Rosie. What time do you call this, young lady?” Mr Chen laughed.

“I call it about time. What would you like to share about Charlie?”

Charlotte shook her head and went to tidy the shelves as they chatted for a moment or two. In the past week, almost all the customers were delightful, a few curious about her appearance, and the odd one or two quite stand-offish. Not much different from her reception in River’s End at the beginning of the year. Small towns.

Mr Chen left, and Rosie navigated her wheelchair to Charlotte’s side. “Everything looks wonderful, Charlie. No issues opening?”

“Not a one. So busy though!”

“Close to a week before Christmas, darling. Before we get too busy, I’d love a hand refreshing the windows.”

“I’ve never seen window displays as gorgeous as yours.”

Both windows were used for showcasing new books, or a theme. Charlotte couldn’t imagine making either of them better than they were right now, with their decorations and lights.

“Uh oh.” Rosie glanced at the front door. “Looks like the ladies from the book club are heading in. Smile. No matter what, just smile!”

“They look harmless.”

The slightly evil tone of Rosie’s laugh sent a small shiver up Charlotte’s spine. As Rosie wheeled toward the group, Charlotte pulled back her shoulders and smiled.

Chapter Two

For the first time, Charlotte understood exactly how useful her doctorate in psychiatry was. The book club ladies were anything but harmless.

“I truly miss Braden.” Marguerite Browne complained as she looked Charlotte up and down. “Such a sweet, polite young man.”

I’ll show you sweet. With a side dish of polite.

“He sounds like a nice person.” Charlotte’s smile didn’t waver.

“What bookshops have you worked in before here? What qualifications do you hold?”

“Marguerite, don’t worry about the new help, come and see the book I told you about.” That was Mrs Octavia Morris, who Rosie had introduced as Octavia and was quickly corrected to Mrs Morris. Rosie simply nodded and smiled.

Only Glenys Lane showed any manners, but they’d already met when Charlotte visited with Trev. Mistaking Charlotte for Rosie’s assistant, she’d purchased a stack of books on Charlotte’s recommendation. Rosie had been amused, particularly as Glenys usually browsed in the bookshop then borrowed from the library.

The three women huddled around a new release in the reading area.

“Right, how are you at decorating Christmas trees?” Back at the counter, Rosie kept an eye on the ladies. “I want to replace the artificial tree in the window with a real one.”

“As in, a cut tree?”

“Potted. That way we can plant it once Christmas is over.”

“Oh, I love that idea! And to answer, I’ve never decorated one.”

Rosie’s eyes widened. “Never?”

“But, I’m a fast learner. If you don’t mind me needing some direction.”

“It will be my pleasure. Our tree will arrive soon, so would you remove the decorations from the one in the window? There’s a box in the storeroom.”

As Charlotte removed each decoration, she tried to memorise its place on the tree. The ornaments were beautiful, gold and red in two sizes. So simple but effective. The tree was empty by the time a small flatbed truck pulled up outside. In red letters across the side were the words ‘Christmas Tree Farm’ and a phone number.

“That’s young Darcy getting out. His family started the farm more than fifty years ago and he took over a few months back.”

Darcy was in his late twenties, thickset and smiling as he wandered in. Freckles covered his face beneath short red hair. “Morning, Rosie.”

“Hello, Darcy. Darcy, this is Charlotte Dean, who has come to work with me. Charlie, please meet Darcy Forest.”

They shook hands as Darcy grinned. “And it is fine to point out I own a tree farm with the surname of Forest. Everyone does.”

“Didn’t occur to me.” Charlotte lied.

“Darcy, would you help Charlie remove the artificial tree from the window?”

“Sure. Actually, tell me where it goes, and I’ll do it and set up the other one. Looks like you’re needed.” He nodded toward Marguerite, who had stood and was waving.

For an instant, Charlotte considered simply waving back. She hoped these so-called ladies treated Rosie with more respect than they were showing today. She hurried over.

“Mrs Browne, how may I help?”

Marguerite looked put out. “I’d expected Rosie to help us.”

“She asked me to look after you.”

Smile.

“But you probably don’t know.”

“Charlotte was most helpful when we first met.” Glenys said. “She put me onto…” her voice lowered to a loud whisper, “Misti McCann’s books. You know!”

The other two women reddened. Charlotte remembered suggesting a rather steamy mystery novel to Glenys and warning her to read the blurb first. From the look of things, she’d shared it around.

“Very well, what do you know about the author of this new release? We are considering this for our book of the month in January.”

For a few minutes, Charlotte answered questions and made suggestions. Darcy emerged from the window with a large box, presumably holding the disassembled tree. Hiking it onto a shoulder, he headed for the storeroom. As he passed, his smile disappeared as he saw Octavia, who glared at him.

What’s that about?

Charlotte excused herself as soon as she could and joined Rosie at the counter as Darcy returned. She watched closely and again, there was that glare, and pursed lips, from the woman. Rosie tapped her arm and shook her head slightly.

“Thanks, Darcy. Will your tree fit in the same spot?” Rosie wheeled around the counter. “We can make a bit more space.”

“Nope, think that’ll be perfect. Two secs and I’ll have it in.”

His smile was back as he went out to his truck.

“Charlie, give him a hand and I’ll keep the book club ladies busy.”

Darcy was in the truck, removing