“She sounds wonderful. Maybe she’ll show me her pictures someday. Anyway, I love homemade soap. Hopefully I can meet her soon.”
When Darcy reached the shop, she went to the back and pulled some boxes out of the closet she had found the day before. The two large tomato cartons were full of small figurines, all from Japan, most over seventy years old.
She set the figurines out in a row on the counter. Linus settled beside them, with his feet all pulled together and his tail wrapped around his legs.
Darcy pulled out a blue and white China cat. “You two look the same!” she laughed, setting it beside him. She pulled out her phone and took a picture, then posted it to the Facebook and Instagram accounts she had started for the store. “I’ll have to pay your modeling fee in tuna. Sound good?” She rubbed the old cat’s head and a deep purr rumbled through his body.
Tapping her cheek, she surveyed the shop. Small pieces like these went quickly, at least they had when she helped Gran, and war-era figurines were especially sought after.
The top front shelf was perfect, but just out of reach. Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t feel like bringing that heavy old ladder back in here, Linus. How ‘bout you hop up and arrange them for me?”
Linus stared up at her, his copper eyes flashing. He meowed.
“No? All right, I’ll figure it out on my own.”
A plastic milk crate in the corner full of vintage wallpaper rolls seemed sturdy, so she emptied it and placed it by the shelf. This wasn’t quite high enough, so she topped it with a five-gallon bucket. She placed all the figurines in a row on the lower board, removed her shoes, and then climbed her makeshift stairs.
“Let’s see. We’ll put the geese on the sides, and I’ll find plate holders for these saucers. The cat would look nice in the middle.” She stared down at Linus, who was switching his tail. “Don’t even think about coming up here and knocking this stuff down.”
The bell over the shop door jingled, and Darcy jumped. The bucket slipped off the milk crate and she landed in a heap on the worn, wooden floor.
“Darcy? Are you all right?” Ramsey peered down at her. His eyebrows were drawn together, but his lips twitched at the corners.
“I think so. Don’t you dare laugh at me, Ramsey Johnson!” Darcy blew a dust bunny off her nose.
Ramsey took her hand and helped her to her feet. “I would never. Are you sure nothing’s broken? Seems to me you spent more time at the hospital every summer than here at the shop.”
“Whatever.” Darcy swatted his shoulder. “I only had to go three times. And one was just for a few hours. That time Gran thought I had scarlet fever and it ended up being Chickenpox.”
Ramsey pointed to a light indention the size of a pea on his wrist. “Yep, I still have scars from the pox you put upon all the kids in the area.”
Darcy put her hands on her hips. “How was I supposed to know I’d picked it up from my cousin in L.A.? That was one miserable beginning to a summer.”
“Tell me about it.” Ramsey rubbed the spot with a rueful smile. “I didn’t come by to rescue you from the floor, though. I wanted to see if you’d like to come on an ‘outing’ with me.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” He reached down and scratched Linus’s head. “They’re doing a movie day out at the park. My Man Godfrey. Sunday night at dusk.”
Darcy’s heart thudded. Is this a date? I mean, first his parents’ house, and now an ‘outing.’ She searched his eyes. That glimmer was there again.
He spread out his hands and leaned against the counter. “If you’re too busy getting the shop ready- “
“Oh no, sorry, I think it’ll be fun. I’ll be happy to go.”
“Good, I’ll pick you up around seven thirty. I guess I’ll be going.” He turned.
Her lips parted to invite him upstairs for a movie, or out for dessert, anything to make him stay. She covered her mouth and looked down. No. I’m not ready.
“Darcy?” His mouth was twitching again.
“Yes, Ramsey?”
“Next time you stock the shelves, try to find a proper ladder.”
7 opening day
S aturday dawned in brilliant colors. Darcy forced herself to lounge around on the couch and watch cartoons instead of working downstairs until the last possible moment. She’d reached a point where all she could do is move items from one shelf to another, anyway.
At ten minutes to ten o’clock, a text lit up her phone. “HAVE A GREAT DAY AND SELL LOTS.” It was from Ramsey. She bit her lip and smiled.
To her surprise, a handful of people waited out on the porch when she went down to flip the sign to OPEN and unlock the door. Ms. Travelsham sailed in first, her bare feet thumping the floor as she swept over to the display window. “Teapot, darling!” she sang out. Picking up the desired trinket, she held it to her cheek. “See, we were meant to be together,” she said to Miss Lorinda, who had come in behind her.
Miss Lorinda nodded. “I’m sure you are, just like the other fifty or so you have at home.” She sighed and smiled at Darcy. “Well, are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Darcy hung a stack of paper gift bags on a nail by the register. “Thanks for coming!”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” said a tall woman with flaming red braids and broad shoulders. She held out her hand. “I’m June, by the way. Own the special occasions dress shop. I usually come to the meetings, but its crunch time for me.” She floated to a stack of blue glass insulators. “I’m obsessed with these. What do people do with them anyway?” She looked back at Darcy.
“I’m sure there are a dozen Pinterest projects you could make with those,” Darcy replied, trying not to be distracted by all the commotion in the shop as more people came in the door.
June gathered them in a little heap. “I need them. I’ll figure it out.”
Darcy glanced at the clock. Hope Mrs. Johnson gets here soon.
On cue, Ramsey’s mother pushed through the door, a large box in her arms. “All right, here are the cookies and tea.”
Darcy went over and took the box from her. “I’m glad to see you! All I could think about last night was what if no one comes?” She gestured to the dozen or so shoppers browsing about the shelves.
Mrs. Johnson put a hand on her hip and surveyed the shop. “I don’t think you’re going to have that problem.”
“After we get the refreshments set up, could you run the register for a bit? Then I can help people find things.”
“Sounds good to me.” Mrs. Johnson went behind the counter. “Glad you already gave me a tutorial.”
“That machine is a cantankerous old thing, but you’ll get the hang of it.” Darcy headed toward the front of the shop. On the way, she stopped to open the door for an elderly man in a scooter chair.
He was a giant of a man, easily over six and a half feet if he’d been standing. A bristly beard speckled over his face, and he wore a leather jacket with what appeared to be a biker emblem on the back, though the letters were too faded for Darcy to read.
She smiled. “Welcome to Tangled in Time.”
He raised a hand that could easily palm a bowling ball. “Hey there. I’m Burt. Trixie wanted to come check out your shop. Don’t worry, she don’t pee on nothin’”
A tiny black puffball darted after the chair, attached to the handle by a thin red leash. The Pomeranian had a sharp, pointed nose, and tiny little feet. If Darcy squinted, she could just see the pink nail polish adorning each toenail. The scooter would have crushed the dog if she’d somehow become tangled in the wheels, but man and dog didn’t seem to worry about the possibility. They moved together as though they’d done this routine a hundred times.
And they probably have. “Nice to meet you Burt and Trixie. Let me know if you need anything.”
Something clattered behind her. Linus had jumped to the counter, and he glared at the little dog through slitted eyes. His tail twitched.
Darcy leaned over. “I don’t think Trixie could hurt you, ev
en if she did decide to bite. But you can go upstairs if you don’t want to be nice, Mr. Grumpy Pants.”
Otis came in with a rotund, cheerful woman. “This is my wife, Martha. Brought her in to buy her a new collector plate.”
“Nice to meet you, Martha.” Darcy waved to a corner shelf. “We have dishes over there. All different kinds.”
Martha looked around the shop. One penciled-in eyebrow raised almost to her thick fringe of bangs, which had been teased to their very limit. She leaned close to Otis, not bothering to whisper. “Just like I thought. This place is haunted for sure. I’m going to write in to those ghost fellers again. Maybe they’ll come look at this place after they investigate my plates.”
###
“That’s everyone.” Mrs. Johnson untied her ever-present bandanna and fanned her face.
Darcy twisted the key in the lock and shook the door to make sure it was tight. “Thank you so much for coming today. I don’t know how I would have done without you. I was surprised by the turnout.”
Mrs. Johnson sat in one of the wooden folding chairs behind the sales counter. “People have had three months to think about the treasures they might have missed if you hadn’t reopened the shop. Besides, I think just about every soul in town saw the ads you ran in the theater. Smart idea.”
“Miss Lorinda suggested that.” Darcy opened the cash register and began making neat stacks of bills, her heart growing lighter as she counted. “She’s given me some great strategies. I’m so grateful to her and the other women here.”
Mrs. Johnson took a broom from the corner and began to sweep. “Your grandma didn’t advertise much. I think she relied more on word of mouth. But it’s always good to remind people you’re here.”
“The ads were expensive, but I’m glad I took the risk.” Darcy sorted the money, putting the extra bills in a bank bag to drop off later that night. “We far exceeded my expectations. That vanity table alone brought in what I hope to make on a normal business day. If I can do half this well each week, the shop might work out.”
Mrs. Johnson pulled a jointed teddy bear off a shelf and began to fluff its fur. “Here’s a handsome fellow. Your grandma had an eye for finding things people wanted. How are you going to get new merchandise once you sell everything?”
‘Well, there’s the two sheds out back. I’ve only peeked into one so far, it’s full of furniture and boxes. I’m hoping for no water damage and that Linus has done his job keeping down the rats. After today’s success, I might even have room for some of the new things.” Darcy rubbed her forehead. “Eventually I’ll have to start scouting estate sales or auctions for treasures. Perhaps I’ll find someone to scout for me, but I’m not sure who I’d ask.”
“Have you considered consignment?” Mrs. Johnson asked. “Lots of people probably have items to pass on. Or crafts,” she added with a sly smile.
Darcy clasped her hands. “Oh, Mrs. Johnson, I’d love to sell some of your crafts here. And yes, I’ll be open to consignment. I’ve already had some folks come by with things they wanted me to buy outright. Some have been great, but I had to turn most of them down.” Darcy shuddered. “Neon beer signs don’t really have a place here. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’ve had to say no to quite a few. You would have thought I was passing up the crown jewels.”
Mrs. Johnson laughed. “You’ll definitely come across some characters.”
Darcy shrugged. “I remember Gran having to be firm with some folks. Besides, I’d much rather deal with Wimber crazy then Beverly Hills crazy. The boutique had its share of eccentrics.” She pulled the roll of used receipt tape from the register and taped it closed. “One woman insisted she be the first one to see a certain brand’s clothing shipment. She’d spend hours poring over three identical jackets before making her selection. Our bags weren’t good enough for her. She’d bring her own silk scarves for us to wrap up her clothes.”
Mrs. Johnson chuckled. “I can’t even imagine. Of course, most of my clothes end up being worn out to the cow pasture. Even my Sunday best, sometimes.”
She straightened a stack of cards on the counter, and her eyes narrowed. “Ramsey mentioned y’all were going to a movie on Sunday.” Pursing her lips, she looked up at Darcy.
The mention of Ramsey’s name caught Darcy off guard. “Why, yes, they’re showing My Man Godfrey at the community park movie night. Why is she grilling me about this? We’ve always been friends.”
Mrs. Johnson rested her chin on folded hands and raised her eyebrows. “I see.”
A knock came on the back door. Darcy drew a long breath. “Excuse me.” She darted away from the counter, almost tripping on a chair in her haste.
Kayla stood outside, balancing a tray with lemonade and cookies. “Wanted to come in during the thick of things, but I was busy dealing with all the tired folks who stopped by after shopping,” she said. “I forgot how much busier Saturdays are when this place is open.” She held up the tray. “Care for some refreshment?”
Darcy ushered her through the door. “Mrs. Johnson and I were just counting down the till and discussing the day. You’re a lifesaver!” For more than one reason.
“Hi, Mrs. Johnson, would you like some lemonade?” Kayla filled frosty glasses with the cheerful yellow liquid.
“How wonderful!’ Mrs. Johnson held the cup up to the light, then took a sip. “Best lemonade in the county. Perfect for such a hot day.”
“Sorry about that,” said Darcy. “I haven’t had the air conditioner looked at yet, and I’m scared to turn it on. It’s a very old unit.”
“I don’t blame you.” Kayla leaned against the counter and surveyed the shelves. “One morning I turned on the blender in the cafe and blew the whole electrical system. Thank goodness for Otis.”
“I hope nothing blows up. But I’ll have to get it running, no matter what. Can’t survive a Texas summer in this sweat box. I should have asked him about it when he came in.” Darcy downed half her lemonade in one gulp.
“We’ll be in the hundreds before the end of the month,” Kayla said.
Another knock, this time at the front door. Ramsey stood on the porch in his work clothes, a smudge of grease across one cheek. “Hey, Darcy.”
Darcy gestured inside. “I’m having all sorts of after hour visitors today. Come on in.”
“Hey, Kayla, hey Mom.” Ramsey touched the brim of his baseball cap and then removed it. His dark hair fell into his eyes. “How’d the first day go?”
Darcy couldn’t help but notice a glance exchanged between Kayla and Mrs. Johnson.
“I’d better go. I need to help clean up the shop and prep for tomorrow.” said Kayla. “Even though I go to early service at church, I open again for a Sunday lunch special.” She picked up her tray. “That reminds me. Do you go to church, Darcy?”
“When I manage to go, I’ll probably go to Wimber Community, since that’s where I always went with Gran. I’ll try to make it tomorrow unless I’m too tired to get out of bed.” Darcy waved to her friend as she left the shop.
“We still go there, too.” Mrs. Johnson drained the rest of her lemonade and stood up. “I think there’s a bubble bath at home calling my name. Have a great night, Darcy.”
“I’ll get you a check by Friday,” Darcy promised. “And I would love to see your crafts when you’re back in town.”
“I’ll bring ‘em.” Mrs. Johnson gave a fluttering wave and slipped out the front door behind Kayla.
The bells jingled for a moment, then everything in the shop became still, except for Linus, who scampered after a wad of crumpled paper by a corner wall.
Ramsey leaned against the counter and grinned. “Seems like they were in an awful big hurry to get out of here.”
“Yeah. It’s kind of weird. Your mom had all these questions about our movie outing, she even called it a date.” Darcy leaned over and pretended to dust the display case so Ramsey wouldn’t see her glowing cheeks. What’s wrong with me? It’s not like I’ve never been on dates
before.
“Well, what would you call it?” Ramsey’s gaze intensified. “I mean, it’s just a movie.”
According to the town, we have a torrid love affair going on, even though I’ve been here less than a month. Darcy tossed her head and tried to keep her tone nonchalant. “Outing’ sounds good for now.” She leveled her gaze at Ramsey, who was studying the brim of the hat in his hands. “Besides, it seemed like your mother wasn’t too happy about the idea.”
His forehead wrinkled. “Don’t worry about Mom. She doesn’t want to see me hurt again, that’s all. I’m twenty-five years old. I can make my own decisions.”
“Right? I wonder if my parents will ever see me as an adult.” Darcy shook her head. “Anyway, to drastically change the subject, I have a favor to ask, since you’re here. Remember how we used to explore this shop? I thought I knew every nook and cranny, every possible hiding place. But I’m looking for something important, and I can’t seem to find it.”
Ramsey nodded. “The key. To the room upstairs.”
“You remember?”
Ramsey strode across the room. He stopped at a bookshelf and ran his finger over a row of leather spines. “Of course I do, Darcy. How many afternoons did we spend speculating about what was in there? I thought it was a pirate’s den for a while, with maps and spyglasses and treasure chests.”
“Yes, and I thought it was full of dried flowers and old letters from my grandma’s former lovers.” Darcy giggled. “I wonder how I could have forgotten about those conversations.”
“It seems you’ve forgotten a lot of things.” Ramsey stepped back to the cash counter, and then came around behind it, to where she stood. He pressed a bit closer, until she could feel his warm breath on her neck. “Do you remember the last day of summer, seven years ago?”
Darcy’s heart fluttered against her polka-dotted Eileen Fisher blouse. “When we were seventeen? And still children? Of course. A very sweet moment of my life.” Not many girls forget their first kiss, Ramsey Johnson. Her breath came in quick gasps and she closed her eyes, willing herself to be calm. I’m not ready for this conversation. I have to be sure.
Tangled in Time, (Miss Main Street Book 1) Page 6