“Sure. I can print it out for you.” Ellen shrugged. “Sometimes I have to call around when my inventory is low. But I already gave the list to Mrs. Schiller, just so you know.”
“Oh.” Bianca rubbed one eye, feeling suddenly tired again. “Mrs. Schiller said she was having fun playing detective.”
Ellen laughed. Her phone rang then, and she grabbed it off the counter. “Ellen’s Extravaganza.”
Bianca gave her a small wave and headed for the door.
Outside, the rain had stopped completely. The air smelled bright and clean, the kind of freshness that made the mountains look closer than they really were. Sunlight broke through the clouds in thin stripes, lighting the wet pavement. She walked toward the end of the street.
Just as she reached the corner, the door of the crafts shop opened and three familiar women stepped out together. Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. Schiller, and Mrs. Poppins all held bags full of yarn.
“There you are,” Mrs. Hudson said immediately. “Dear, you must be going to Adam’s.”
“I am.” Bianca’s gaze flicked toward Mrs. Schiller. Did everyone know about the newest creepy note?
Mrs. Schiller gave the slightest shake of her head. Good. At least somebody could keep a secret in this sweet town.
The door of the yarn shop opened again behind them and another woman stepped outside. She had thick blonde hair that curled loosely around her shoulders and long lashes that made her brown eyes look even darker. Her shirt was tight enough to show off generous curves, and she wore dark jeans tucked into stylish boots that definitely hadn’t been worn in a muddy pasture.
“Bianca Estrada, this is Joan Daniels,” Mrs. Schiller said, turning to introduce them with the formality of someone presenting guests at a garden party.
“Hi,” Bianca said politely.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Joan murmured. Her gaze traveled slowly over Bianca from head to toe in a way that felt more like an evaluation than a greeting. “I take it you’re going to Adam’s with all of us?”
Bianca hesitated. “Is this… a thing you all do in the morning?” Did the bar serve breakfast?
“You bet it is, sister,” Mrs. Hudson said cheerfully, sliding her arm through Bianca’s before she could escape. “Let’s go.”
Bianca stumbled half a step as she was pulled along and then fell into stride with them. “Do you have more flowers to deliver?” Nobody seemed to be carrying anything other than yarn.
“Nope,” Mrs. Poppins said. “It’s just about that time.”
They reached the end of the street and crossed it together. The road was quiet, and a pickup truck rolled slowly past before turning the corner toward the highway. Puddles still dotted the pavement, reflecting strips of blue sky between drifting clouds.
“Time for what?” Bianca asked again, completely baffled.
“Oh,” Mrs. Schiller said happily, “Adam stocked the bar for the day, probably has coffee on, and he’ll be tuning up.”
“Tuning?” Bianca repeated.
Mrs. Schiller giggled. Actually giggled. “You’ll see.”
They continued down the sidewalk toward the low wooden building that housed Adam’s bar. The sign above the door creaked in the breeze.
Mrs. Poppins glanced up and nodded with satisfaction. “I’m so glad he renamed it. It should say Adam’s.”
“It used to be Babe’s Bar,” Mrs. Hudson explained.
“It just didn’t fit,” Mrs. Poppins added.
“No,” Mrs. Hudson agreed firmly. “Adam’s is a much better name.”
Joan reached the door first and pulled it open. Cool air and the faint smell of wood and lemon cleaner drifted out to meet them.
Bianca stepped inside with the others. The interior was dim compared to the bright street outside, but it smelled clean and fresh. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows along the front wall, catching on the polished bar and the rows of bottles behind it.
From farther inside the room came the soft sound of guitar strings being strummed.