“Neither do I!” Elle said hotly.

Another customer hurried in, a teenage boy wearing an avid expression and carrying a phone.

Angelica sighed. “Tamalyn lied. There is a newspaper, the Town Blab.”

“Really? That’s what it’s called?”

“No. It’s called the Gothic Times, and Justin Scharphorn puts it together with the help of the English teacher who also teaches journalism. I imagine Justin is here to ask for an interview. We need to get you back into Adam’s custody. Justin won’t dare approach you then. Now, what do you think of these?” Angelica showed Elle a loose-fitting sheath dress in a bright, tropical-flower print, a lemon-colored T-shirt, a blue cambric button-up shirt, a pink fleece hoodie and two pairs of jeans, one cut short, another ankle length.

“That’s too much.”

“They were damaged by my appalling failure with the Cheery Freezes.”

“I wouldn’t call it a failure. More like...” Elle remembered the incident vividly because somehow it seemed so wrong. “I have to ask—have we met?”

Angelica looked her in the eyes. “No. I have a remarkable memory for names and faces. We most definitely have not met.”

“Okay.” But Elle got the feeling she was standing in the bright sunlight squinting at a truth and unable to see it for the glare.

Angelica pointed to a spray of red on the hoodie. “I can’t sell them. Imperfections are not acceptable for the Angelica Lindholm line. Take them. It’ll save me the trouble of donating them to a charity.”

“If you’re sure.” Elle lightly touched the soft fleece.

“Very sure. I’ve included a pair of pajamas. They’re undamaged. When you’re on your feet, you can pay me for those.” Angelica handed Elle her Cheery Freeze. “Go find Adam. I’ll wrap the clothes and fetch two dinners to go.”

“Thank you. For the clothes, the care, the protection and the information.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

19

ADAM RETURNED TO RUNE, now sitting in one of the rocking chairs on the porch. “What happened?” he asked.

Rune smiled wanly. “It’s a recurring problem. I’m better now.”

What is wrong? Adam wanted to ask, but he respected Rune’s privacy.

Yet Elle had asked Brocklebank about his past, and he had confessed a painful history. She asked Clarice about her acting, and Clarice explained how she got into her career. She asked Mr. Kulshan about his marriage, and he’d told her how it worked and why.

Here Adam sat with Rune. They had known each other for five years. Perhaps... Adam should ask for more information? He saw how people responded to Elle’s questions. They told her stuff because she was interested. Was that how this relationship business worked?

Before he had to make a decision, Elle came out of the store and across the porch and extended her hand to Rune. “You must be Madame Rune.”