“I know, and yes, I’m calling first thing.” She wanted to tell Delaney about finding the rose on her car, but knew that would only make her friend worry. She fished her credit card out of her purse. “Here you go.”

Behind the counter, Delaney put the box in a pretty little shopping bag. “Sorry, your money’s no good here.”

“Delaney, no. That’s very sweet, but I have money.”

“I know you do, but you’re my friend. And this is my shop and what I say goes. Also, you’re not supposed to upset a pregnant woman.” She handed the bag over.

Roxy laughed and put her card away so she could grab the goodies. “You’re going to play the pregnancy thing for all it’s worth, aren’t you?”

“You bet your lemon drops I am.” Delaney rest her arms on the top of the display case. “You sure you’re doing all right?”

“I’m fine. I swear.”

“Maybe we can do that spa day next week. What do you think?”

“I’d love that.” She didn’t have the time for it, but that was also exactly why she needed to do it.

“Sweet. I’ll see what they have available and email you.”

“Sounds good.” Roxy held up the bag. “Thanks again.”

“You betcha.” Delaney waved.

Roxy left with a smile on her face. Thomas might be dragging his feet—and playing games with the note and the rose—but that would all resolve itself soon enough. Life here was good. She had good friends in Delaney and Alex and was about to set up a great new bookseller connection. If that wasn’t a fabulous beginning to a fresh start, she didn’t know what was.

All those hallucinations she’d been having were clearly stress induced. More proof that she needed to find ways to manage her workload better. Going to the spa would be great.

She glanced at the bag. She just had to make sure Delaney didn’t pay. It was sweet of her to give Roxy the sweets for free, but a spa day was going to be significantly more expensive than a box of chocolates.

She hopped back in her car and drove to the bookstore since it was several blocks away, then parked and retrieved the goody bag of swag she’d brought for Agnes. That and the chocolates from Delaney would make a great introduction.

The store was adorable from the outside, with a green striped awning that matched the exterior paint. Bell, Book & Candle was spelled out in gold, and the big window in the front held a lovely display of books and knickknacks, but clearly books were the stars.

Roxy walked in and took a whiff. The smell of books was mixed with other pleasant flowery scents. Probably from the candles that were stacked here and there in small groups. Customers were scattered throughout. A seating area took up the front, which also held a coffee station. Beyond that was a small checkout counter, and then rows and rows of bookshelves.

And all the books were faced out, meaning the covers were on display. Very nice. Roxy liked the place tremendously. It was only medium sized, but well stocked and filled with the right kind of cozy feeling. The wall behind the register held a large bulletin board and on that board were pinned cover flats and a list of new releases for the following month.

“Hi, can I help you find something?”

Roxy turned and smiled. That voice belonged to Agnes. Roxy stuck her hand out. “I’m Roxy.”

Agnes made the same shriek she’d made on the phone and then immediately covered her mouth with both hands. “You’re early!”

“Sorry. Is that okay?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Agnes clasped Roxy’s hand and gave it a good shake. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Agnes had a short, chic silver-gray bob with baby bangs and a few streaks of teal and purple. Her big round black-rimmed glasses framed bright blue eyes and her wrists sported multitudes of bracelets in a rainbow of colors that matched her patchwork skirt. She looked like a real character. Roxy adored her already.

She held out the two packages. “I brought you a little something. One’s edible, one’s not.”

“Oh my!” Agnes took the bags and peeked into both of them. More shrieking followed. “I see bookmarks, pens, and magnets. How fabulous! I love them. I’m going to put them out on the counter right now. The magnets I’m going to put behind the counter for special customers. If that’s okay with you.”

“That’s perfectly fine. You can do whatever you like with them.”

Agnes patted the bag from Delaney’s. “As for these lovelies, they’ll be going home with me.” She slid the box of chocolates out, then held out the bag to Roxy. “But you keep the bag. It’ll make it easier to carry yours.”

“Mine?” Roxy took the bag. It still had weight to it. She glanced inside. A smaller box with an R on it in black marker made her shake her head. “How on earth did Delaney get that in there without me seeing?”

Agnes laughed. “Never look a chocolate gift horse in the mouth.”

“That’s for sure.” Roxy slipped the shopping bag handle over her arm. Even if it meant an extra round or three of sun salutations, whatever was in that little box was getting eaten tonight. “So. Let’s talk signing.”

Grocery shopping hadn’t been any big deal. Alex knew his way around the Shop-n-Save, and despite being stopped by several people to chat, he was in and out with everything on his list in about thirty minutes.

Getting the groceries unpacked and put away, however, became a much longer task due to the phone call from his mother. It was more of the same. When are you getting married? Have you met anyone? I want to see my grandchildren before I die.