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Chapters (86)
  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Booklist
  4. Dedication
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  85. 81
  86. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

“A great number of our clothes are on clearance. We’re closing out last season’s stock. Adam, you’re familiar with our dinner selections.” Angelica turned toward the back of the store. “I’ll get a caution board to put over the spill, then I’ll help you myself.”

“You’re not going to clean up? Right now?” Tamalyn was clearly aghast. “But you always say—”

“I am going to help our customers,” Angelica repeated. “Elle, is it? Is it short for something?”

“Yes. Well, long story. No.”

“You don’t know your own name?” Tamalyn muttered.

With tried patience, Angelica said, “Tamalyn, finish hanging the clothes.”

Tamalyn picked up an armload of hangers and stormed toward the door.

“Get them picked up quickly.” Angelica’s voice was deadly calm, but it would have taken a braver soul than Tamalyn to argue with her. “Adam, if you need to do something else,” Angelica said, “I’m glad to help Elle.”

“Thank you, because... How did Rune take ill?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know. She walked down, said she was going to rest before she shopped and went out on the porch. Do you really think she’s sick? With a fever?” Angelica looked horrified. “Nothing contagious, I hope.”

“I don’t know.” Adam said to Elle, “You’ll be all right without me?”

“Yes. Is your friend going to recover?”

“I hope so.” Adam didn’t think to say Rune wasn’t his friend.

But Elle noticed.

18

ANGELICA CAME BACK WITH clean hands and in a pair of ironed linen slacks. She carried a stack of towels, which she used to sop up the spill, and a laundry basket where she deposited the now-stained rags. She stood a sandwich board that said Caution! Wet surface! over the remains of the Cheery Freeze disaster. To Elle, she said, “I don’t mean to pry, but you look as if you need pain relief.”

Elle smiled, but she didn’t shake her head. Her neck was getting stiffer, and the muscles in her shoulders were tight. “Adam brought the pills. I’ll get them.”

“Not at all necessary. Wait here.” Angelica returned with a small opened foil package and another giant red Cheery Freeze topped by a cap and straw. She shook pills out of the packet into Elle’s hand, and when Elle had put them in her mouth, she handed her the cup. “Careful. It’s slick, but the cold will help your throat.”

Elle held it in both hands and gratefully took the pills. “Thank you, and the Cheery Freeze is as good as I remember.” Remember was the wrong word, but she stuck with it.

“Pardon me for asking, but Adam Ramsdell didn’t—”