Snuffed Out (Book 2 in the Candlemaking Mysteries) (9 page)

I’d just finished my cleanup when Eve came
back. She studied my experiments without comment, though I noticed
her gaze did linger a little longer on the flattened taper.

I smiled and said, “You should try it; it’s
lots of fun.”

She said, “I’ll stick with the traditional
methods, thank you,” though I could tell she was tempted. “You have
a visitor.”

“
Is it somebody I’m going to
be happy about seeing, or should I stay back here?”

Millie poked her head in. “Harrison Black,
are you ducking me?”

“
No, ma’am. I’m just hard at
work.”

“
You missed the taste-test
yesterday afternoon.”

I’d forgotten all about Millie’s offer to
share her latest and greatest recipe. “Sorry.”

“
Nonsense, everyone deserves
a little time off now and then. That’s why I’m closed Sundays. It
gives George and me time to get reacquainted.” Millie’s husband
worked more jobs than any sane man would, but the two of them were
happy with their arrangement, and far be it from me to
interfere.

“
Something smells
wonderful,” I said, looking at the basket tucked under her arm. A
bright piece of gingham cloth covered the top, but it couldn’t
contain the heavenly aroma coming from beneath.

“
That’s why I’m here. Eve,
would you like a sample?”

“
I’ll have to take a rain
check, I’m losing ground on my diet as it is. Harrison, I’m meeting
someone for lunch, so I may be a little late this
afternoon.”

“
Take your time,” I said. “I
owe you.”

After she was gone, Millie said, “Does our
Eve have a new man in her life?”

“
If she does, she hasn’t
said a word to me, and I’m not about to ask.”

She laughed. “Such a big man, and a big
coward, too.”

“
Hey, I never denied it. Now
are you going to let me have a taste, or am I going to have steal
that basket from you?”

“
Never let it be said I led
someone to a life a crime. Here, try one and tell me what you
think.”

She pulled back the cloth and I saw a batch
of cranberry muffins, the bread shining like a wedding dress and
the fat, crimson berries barely contained, bursting to get out.
They were warm to the touch, and I took one and bit into it. It was
absolutely the best muffin I’d ever had in my life. “What’s in it?”
I asked.

“
Oh, cranberries of course,
some flour and sugar, a little butter, things like
that.”

“
In other words, don’t ask.”
I took another bite and was startled to find that I’d polished it
off.

“
So what do you
think?”

I stroked my chin and said, “Well, it’s
really hard to say based on such a small sample. I’d better try
another one.”

She held the basket out of my reach. “You’ve
already used that on me, you rascal. Honestly, do you like
them?”

“
They are spectacular,” I
admitted. “Does that buy me another one?”

“
I don’t want to spoil your
appetite,” she said, laughing softly.

“
Have a heart. You heard
Eve, she might not be back till tonight.”

“
Oh pooh, of course they’re
all for you. Thanks, Harrison, I trust your palate.”

“
You shouldn’t,” I
said.

“
And why not?”

“
I love everything you
make.” I took another muffin out, had a bite of it, and said, “If I
could get upstairs to my apartment, I’d grab some cold milk and be
set. I don’t suppose you could...”

She laughed and said, “This isn’t a catering
service, you know. Now I’ve got to get back to The Crocked Pot. I
locked up so I could bring these by.”

“
Thanks again, Millie,
you’ve got another winner here.”

Before she could leave, I added, “Did you
see the sign on Heather’s shop? She’s having a moving sale.”

“
Oh dear, I never thought it
would come to that. I’d better talk to her.”

“
Let me know what you find
out, would you?”

“
If I have any luck at all,
I will. If you don’t hear from me, it’s not good news.”

Five minutes later the chime rang over the
door and Sanora Gaston walked in with a tall glass of milk. 
This is from Millie. She said you’d understand.”

I took it from her and had a healthy
swallow. “Thanks, that was great.  Sorry you had to deliver it
to me.”

“
I didn’t mind. Harrison, I
came by to see if you’d like to have lunch with me
today.”

“
I’d like to, but Eve just
left, and there’s nobody to watch the shop till she gets back. How
about a raincheck?”

“
You’ve got it. I guess I’ll
take Tick up on her invitation. She wants to welcome me
back.”

“
That’s sweet of her,” I
said. “Sorry I didn’t think of it first.”

“
There will be plenty of
time. We’ll do it later.”

The rest of the day dragged through starts
and sputters, never anything steady but accumulating to a healthy
total as I started to run the day’s report off the register. Eve
had been cryptic about her lunch after she’d returned, but I could
tell something pleasant had happened while she’d been gone. She
scooted out the door two minutes after I locked it, another sign
that something was up. Eve was usually a stickler for our closing
routine, but today she obviously had something else on her
mind.

I was just walking out with the deposit when
Erin walked up. “You’re closed? I got here as fast I as I
could.”

‘
Tell you what, let me open
back up and I’ll give you the nickel tour.”

“
I hate when people come
right when I’m closing. Harrison, I wouldn’t do that to
you.”

“
But I’m offering,” I said
as I opened the door and held it for her. “Come in and take the
grand tour.”

She stepped inside and I locked the door
behind her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t want anybody else
wandering in. Not that I’m trying to get you alone. No, that didn’t
sound right either. Would you feel more comfortable if I left it
unlocked?”

Erin smiled at my stammering. “I think I’ll
be safe enough with you. Besides, I’ve got some Mace in my pocket
if you get out of line.”

“
No, ma’am, you don’t have
to worry about me.” I added, “Is there anything in particular you’d
like to see, or would you like a quick overview of it
all?”

“
If you don’t have anything
pressing, I’d love to see it all.”

“
I’d be delighted. Why don’t
we start up front with our displays so you can see the different
types of candles we make, then we’ll take a stroll through the
aisles.” I showed her some of the hand-dipped candles I’d made and
just displayed, along with poured candles, some rolled ones from
sheets of wax, gel candles, floating candles, and braided ones. She
was particularly fascinated with a carved candle that looked as if
it had been dipped in the world of fairies and sprites. “Wow, did
you actually make this one?”

“
That’s beyond my talent as
of yet. My Great-Aunt Belle did. At Wick’s End was hers before I
inherited it.”

“
She was wonderful, wasn’t
she?” Erin said, studying the piece.

“
In more than just her
candlemaking,” I said.

Erin nodded, then we walked through the
shelves until we reached the classroom in back.

“
Is this where you actually
make them?”

“
It is. We teach classes,
too.” I picked up one of the braided candles I’d just made and
handed it to her.

She asked, “Is this another one of Belle’s
creations? It’s absolutely beautiful.”

I smiled. “That happens to be one of mine.
I’m glad you like it.”

“
I love it, but it looks a
little complex for me. What’s the easiest way to start making
candles?”

I led her to the shelves with packets of
sheet wax and wicks, ready for rolling. “These are fun, easy, and
they burn great. It’s a wonderful place to start.”

“
I’ll take one.” She studied
the packet, then said, “I was going to ask for a lesson, but this
says the instructions are inside.”

I shrugged. “I’d be happy to supplement
them, if you’re interested. Strictly teacher to student.”

She thought about it a second or two, then
said, “Why don’t I try my hand at this myself and see how I do?
What do I owe you?”

“
I’ve got an idea,” I said
as I took the packet from her and grabbed a bag. “Why don’t we
barter? You come by for candle supplies, and I’ll grab a kayak now
and then.”

“
I’m all about bartering,”
she said enthusiastically. “My hairdresser loves to canoe with her
boyfriend, so we trade, too.”

I wrapped the braided candle she’d admired
and slipped it into the bag as well.

She asked, “Hey, why did you do that? All I
expected was the kit.”

“
These are on the house. I
can always make more.”

“
Are you sure? That’s
awfully generous of you.”

“
I’m positive.”

She took the bag, then said, “Thank you,
kind sir, I do appreciate that. I’ll burn it tonight.” She thought
about it a second, then added, “That’s kind of tacky of me, isn’t
it? You probably like them to be displayed, don’t you?”

“
Candles are made for
burning. I’ve got a friend who bakes, and she’d be insulted if you
didn’t actually eat her creations.”

Erin nodded, then lingered by the register.
She read aloud the week’s quote I’d printed out and posted the day
before.

“‘
My candle burns at both
ends; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—it gives a lovely light.’
I know that one. She’s one of my favorites.”

“
Put the poet’s name on a
slip of paper and you’ll be eligible for the drawing.” I’d started
the candle-quote contest the week before, and Eve had been amazed
how many of our regulars had taken the chance to win a ten-dollar
gift certificate to the shop.

I saw Erin write “Edna St. Vincent Millay”
on the paper, and she even added “A Few Figs from Thistles” on it.
She was right on the money.

“
I put my phone number on
there, too,” she said.

“
That’s great. Good luck.
I’ll call you if you’re the winner.”

She frowned a second, then nodded. “Okay.
Thanks again for the tour, Harrison.”

“
You’re welcome. Let me know
how your candles turn out.”

“
I will.” Erin lingered at
the door a moment, then watched as I locked up behind her. I’d been
tempted to ask her out, but my rule was firm. I’d asked her once,
and she’d declined. If she was interested in anything else, it was
going to be up to her. I didn’t have all that much time in my life
for dating anyway, not with running At Wick’s End and trying to
keep River’s Edge afloat as well, and my ego could only take so
much rejection. Still, she’d given me her phone number, that was
something.

I made out the deposit for the day and was
locking the front door when I remembered the power cord I’d cut off
Aaron’s pottery wheel. After slipping it into one of our bags, I
locked up again and headed to the bank for my nightly deposit. I’d
lost a deposit once because of my carelessness, but it had taken
only one time to teach me that particular lesson. I drove to the
bank, thought about grabbing something to eat, then decided my
waistline and my wallet could both use some home-cooking, even if
it did mean spaghetti or a sandwich.

Cragg was just locking up his office when I
walked upstairs. I normally do all I can to avoid confrontations,
but he’d tried to railroad me into accepting Sanora Gaston back to
River’s Edge, and I wasn’t about to let him get away with it.

Chapter 7

I don’t like what you did,” I said without
preface.

“
What are you referring to?”
he asked in his deliberate and sonorous tone.

“
You had to know how folks
around here felt about Sanora. Why didn’t you warn me?”

“
Warn you of what, idle
gossip, rumor, and rampant speculation? She was ill-accused,
Harrison, and I wasn’t about to perpetuate the myth. She belongs at
River’s Edge.”

I shook my head. How in the world had I been
dense enough to actually believe I could win an argument with a
lawyer? “I know this is an argument I’m not going to win. I’m just
glad I didn’t sign her up to a long-term lease.”

“
So you’ve made your mind up
already? You’re not even going to give her a chance, are
you?”

I thought about it a second, then said, “I
haven’t made my mind up about anything. I just wish I’d had all the
information before I made my decision.”

That appeased him somewhat. “Just be fair,
that’s all I ask. She deserves at least that.”

“
As do we all,” I said and
slipped inside before Cragg had the chance to get the last word in.
Had I meant what I’d said? Was there a chance in the world I would
trade Sanora’s presence at River’s Edge for Heather’s? If it came
down to keeping one tenant and losing the other, was that a
decision I was willing to make? I didn’t want to lose Heather,
either as a tenant or a friend, but I also wasn’t about to let
anyone dictate my leasing policies to me. Right or wrong; River’s
Edge was mine to run.