CHAPTER NINE
Niko started at Farm and Field Fresh, the local grocer and discovered the produce and organics section to be sixty percent of the store. Only in Blue Moon, he thought, eyeing up the yards-long sprouts section.
He decided to entertain himself and hopefully Emma by texting her a running commentary on his shopping trip.
Deathbed deliveries arriving shortly. Any special requests? Ginger ale? Vomit bucket? Coffin lining samples?
He stocked up on tissues and tea and was studying the medicine selection when he felt a firm tap on his shoulder.
The woman had waist-length hair the color of the palest gold. She wore cowboy boots, jeans, and a plaid button down. She smiled at him, and her lavender eyes crinkled when she smiled. “You must be Summer and Carter’s house guest,” she said, shoving her hand at him.
He took it, intending to shake it, but she flipped his palm up and skimmed her fingers over the skin. “You have a very long, very fractured love line,” she said matter-of-factly as if she were discussing the weather.
“Hi, I’m Nikolai,” he said pointedly.
“Mmm, yes I know,” she said, frowning intently at his hand. “My, eleven children is a lot. Oh! Silly me, that’s your money line. My mistake!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name,” Niko said with growing concern. The crazy meter in Blue Moon went higher than anywhere else he’d visited.
“Willa,” she said in a breathy voice.
“Can I have my hand back, Willa?”
“Hmm? Oh, sure,” she said. She made no effort to conceal her study of the items in his basket. She frowned, placing a hand on his forehead. “You’re not ill,” she announced. Strangers just didn’t walk up to people and try to diagnose them in grocery stores in the city. Blue Moon was fucking weird.
“It’s for a friend,” Niko said, even as he warned himself that he didn’t actually owe Willa an explanation.
“Of course!” Her eyes widened. “Your ‘friend’ Emma,” she said, with an exaggerated wink.
“Yes, my friend Emma.”
“Well, you’re going to need some flu medicine because she refuses to go strictly holistic,” Willa said, switching into I-play-a-doctor-on-TV mode. “And let’s get you some bone broth and coconut water. Maybe some fresh yogurt full of probiotics. She’ll need protein and electrolytes.”
She floated off, and Niko wasn’t sure if he was supposed to follow her or if he should just try to escape.
“Hurry up, Nikolai.”
Think I’m being kidnapped by someone named Willa. She’s trying to lure me into a van by promising me extra probiotics in my yogurt.
There was still no response from Emma by the time he left Farm and Field with four canvas bags of ingredients that Willa and the rest of the entourage they’d picked up around the store recommended to treat Emma’s flu. Each item that went into his basket—and then cart when the basket overflowed—was Blue Moon-made. Niko felt like he’d gone shopping in the visitor’s center gift shop.
Then, as if to prove how friendly the town was, Willa, the store clerk, an elderly farmer named Carson, his friend Ernest in grease-stained coveralls, and the girl in the meat department, all chipped in for a get-well card for Emma and signed it.
Niko tucked the bags into the backseat of his rental. He picked up the packet of loose tealeaves and shook his head. He had no idea what the hell to do with thistleweed tea. Hopefully Emma knew what to do with it. But first, he was under strict orders to hit OJs by Julia before stepping foot in Emma’s house.
He found the shop, painted a bright green, situated on the corner of Main and Patchouli next to Abramovich’s Jewelry. A bell jingled above his head when he ducked into the storefront. Benches and chairs with thick plum-colored cushions butted up against lime green wainscoting. The coolers, filled with mason jars holding a color wheel of juices, were highlighted under stainless steel spotlights. The chalkboard menu was artistically drawn, but still legible, and listed juices with catchy names like Beet Root Reboot and Berry Balance Blend.
He pulled out his phone and rattled off a text.
At the juice joint. How many prunes do you want in your smoothie?
“Nikolai, I presume?” A woman with a pink punk rock haircut and an eye-searing neon apron propped her elbows on top of one of the coolers.
“Word travels fast,” he said, rubbing his temples.
“Especially when it involves ‘six-feet-two-inches of walking sex.’” She laughed when Niko cocked an eyebrow at her. “I’m quoting Mrs. Nordemann, who caught a glimpse of you in the grocery store while buying out their selection of trashy romance novels. I’m Julia, by the way.”
“I’ve met more neighbors today than I have in the three years I’ve lived in my building,” Niko quipped.
“You’ll get used to it if you stick around. People have even less privacy around here than they do living on top of each other in the city,” she grinned.
“I’m getting the feeling that you’re not kidding.”
“Nope. So Emma’s sick?” Julia asked as she danced out from behind the counter. She wore black skinny jeans and a paisley patterned tunic.
“So I hear.”
“Willa called over and said you were on your way, so I pulled a couple of juices that should help,” Julia said, pulling a paper bag out of the tall cooler in the corner. “This one is infused with ginger to help with the nausea,” she said pulling out a jar filled with what looked like apple juice. Next came a pink one and then a green one. “This one’s an immunity booster, packed full of citrus fruits for vitamin C. And this one is her favorite. So once she’s back on her feet, she can enjoy it.”
“Thanks, Julia,” Niko said, pulling out his wallet.
“You’re getting the flu season discount, even though it’s not technically flu season,” she said, slim fingers flying across the screen of her register.
“Thank you. That’s very nice of you,” Niko said, handing over cash.
“We’re a nice town. A nice place to live,” she said with a crooked smile. He got the feeling she was trying to pass him an encrypted message and was amused about doing so.
The back door of the shop opened, and two kids raced in ahead of a man in a hockey jersey carting a third.
“Gird your loins,” the man called out in warning. “Here come the troops!”
“Mooooom!”
Julia’s face lit up as the two ambulatory kids hurled themselves into her arms. “Hi, my lovelies!”
“Hi!” the little boy in an Avengers t-shirt and pajama pants chirped.
“Why aren’t you wearing real pants?”
The little boy eyed Niko and gave him a nod. “Hi,” he said suspiciously before turning back to his mother. “Because I didn’t wanna. Dad’s not wearing real pants.”
Niko’s gaze tracked to the man’s well-worn gym shorts.
“Well, I guess I can’t argue with that,” Julia said, puckering up to accept a kiss from the man who was clearly her husband.
“Who’s he?” Kid Avenger demanded, eyeing Niko suspiciously.
“This is Nikolai,” Julia said by way of an introduction. “This is my husband Rob and our unruly mob.”
“Ah, the famous Nikolai,” Rob said, offering his child-free hand. “It’s nice to meet you in person instead of just reading about you on Facebook.”
“Robert!” Julia shot her husband a warning look.
“Uh, what?” Niko interjected.
“Trust me. You don’t want to know,” Rob assured him. “All you need to know is that Blue Moon is a wonderful place to live. Right, honey?” Rob’s exaggerated wink at his wife told Niko there was a bit more to the story.
“The best,” Julia said brightly.
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After the juice café, he’d been directed to make a quick stop at the home of one Elvira Eustace, president of the chamber of commerce and maker of organic, homemade household cleaner “guaranteed to cleanse the hell out of everything.” Elvira, with her head full of silvery curls and her alpaca wool caftan, then made him promise to stop by the used bookstore in town for some kind of cleansing incense that the owner, a squirrely hippie named Fitz, sold.
Your flu-busting incense smells like pot.
By the time he pulled up in front of Beckett and Gia’s stately Victorian, he was starting to wonder if the entire town of Blue Moon was fucking with him.
Everyone knew him on sight, plied him with discounts and chatter about how wonderful Blue Moon was, and cheerily sent him on to the next “helpful” destination. His flu-fighting arsenal had grown to six full shopping bags.
Your town is so weird. Haven’t heard from you, so I’m violating your privacy and getting the key from Beckett if you don’t answer your door. See you in five… or tomorrow if I meet any other townsfolk.
He could see evidence of the steadfast Beckett’s taste in the manicured lawn and neatly trimmed shrubbery. Gia’s presence was also notable in the tangle of wind chimes on the wide wraparound porch and the riot of wildflowers spilling out of jewel-toned planters.
He followed Fitz’s instructions and instead of heading to the front door, followed the porch around to the side door and entrance to Beckett’s law practice. He let himself into the sun-filled parlor and found himself face to face with a gothic princess.
She wore a short-sleeved black turtleneck with a crystal skull sewed into the chest, black jeans, and a pair of spiky black stilettos that looked sharp enough to turn murder weapon in a pinch. Her ebony hair was parted on the side and secured in a ponytail.
Her dark purple lips curved in welcome. “Nikolai! I didn’t think I’d get to meet you for a few days.”
“How does everyone know me before I walk in the door in this town?” he asked in exasperation.
“It’s all part of the Blue Moon experience,” she said, eyeing up his shopping bags. “I’m Ellery, by the way. What can I do for you?”
Niko mellowed slightly. “I just wanted to talk to Beckett for a second.” If there was a God in this tiny town, he would make it across the twenty-five feet of grass that separated Beckett’s house from Emma’s before nightfall.
“That’s easy enough. He’s just in with some clients. Can I get you a cup of coffee while you wait?”
He wilted, losing the will to fight the Blue Moon mojo. “Coffee would be great, thanks.”
“You can put your bags over there and have a seat,” Ellery told him, pointing to a table and an overstuffed armchair next to a fireplace on the back wall. Niko dropped his bags on the table and sank into the leather.
He could see Emma’s cottage through the tall leaded glass window. So close, yet so far. He snapped a picture and texted her.
Assuming you are incapacitated. Will be breaking down your door shortly.
“Cream or sugar?” Ellery asked from the coffeemaker.
“I’m surprised you don’t already know,” Niko said dryly. “Black, please.”
A wisp of a smile teased her purple lips. “We’re not that bad.”
“I feel that I would not be exaggerating if I said that the entire town knows what color underwear I’m wearing.”
Ellery handed him a sturdy mug.
“Now you’re just being silly. You’re new and shiny. Blue Moon loves new and shiny. Especially when it’s a little mysterious.”
“There’s nothing mysterious about me,” Niko argued.
“Oh, really? Famed fashion photographer Nikolai Vulkov shows up unannounced in little ol’ Blue Moon with one suitcase and no return date, and we’re not supposed to be curious?”
Niko sipped the coffee. “There’s curious, and then there’s shoving the ‘best little town in the world’ propaganda down my throat. I’m starting to think your town wants me to stick around.”
Ellery didn’t say anything so much as “hmmed” and left him to his brooding. He watched with interest as she bypassed the coffeemaker and instead opened a cabinet and produced a bottle of scotch. She poured a glass, set it on the shelf, and returned the bottle to its home. A minute later Beckett’s office door opened and a middle-aged couple walked out all smiles. The woman was dressed in a flowing, fringed kimono in severe black. The man towered over her, looking like a banker on his day off in khakis and a striped polo.
They enthusiastically shook hands with a haggard-looking Beckett before letting Ellery usher them out the door.
Beckett held up a finger at Niko before he could say anything and reached for the scotch. He downed it in a gulp.
“The Buchanans looked happy,” Ellery commented when she returned.
“I suggested a trial separation period, and they countered with a trial togetherness period,” Beckett said, eyeing the empty glass. “Why in the hell don’t we have a therapist in Blue Moon?”
“A therapist couldn’t handle all this crazy,” Niko sighed.
“It’s not craziness. It’s cultural quirkiness, which is at the heart of this great community,” Ellery said placing her hands over her heart.
Beckett pointed both index fingers at her. “No! I know what you’re doing, and as your boss and mayor of Blue Moon, I’m ordering you to stop.”
Ellery pouted.
“We have more than enough work to do that should take precedence over meddling in people’s lives,” he reminded her.
“Should I ask what’s going on?” Niko wondered.
Beckett shook his head and started to unroll the sleeves of his shirt. “Trust me. It’s better if you don’t know. Now, what can I do for you?”
“Emma’s sick, and I’m bringing over some supplies. Gia can’t remember where the spare key is.”
“Keys,” Beckett corrected. “My wife wouldn’t remember where they were if they were glued to her forehead.”
“Poor Gia,” Ellery sighed dramatically. “How would she feel if she heard her husband talking about her that way?”
Beckett glared at her, but Ellery merely batted her lashes at him.
“This is one of those people-drive-me-insane days,” Beckett grumbled.