Seams Deadly by Maggie Bailey

Author:Maggie Bailey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CROOKED LANE BOOKS

Chapter Nine

Before she headed to Measure Twice, Lydia lingered in front of Clark’s storefront. The Pampered Pantry had a fair claim to be the fanciest shop on the square. While the PeriDough bakery reveled in its down-home, no-frills style, Clark aimed for something more refined with his small shop. Plus, she thought as she checked the time, he opened at noon on Sundays.

Since she had rushed out of Blessed Again, Lydia had a little time to kill before she met up with April. Why did people say that? Kill time. Lydia shuddered. She would be more careful with her language moving forward. Or at least, she would try to be. Too often, she spoke before she thought.

The small bell tinkled as Lydia pushed the door open and stepped into The Pampered Pantry, immediately sighing in relief as the air-conditioned air washed over her. It was hard to believe that Blessed Again and The Pampered Pantry had basically the same skeleton, as buildings went. Whereas the thrift store felt cavernous and disorganized, like a maze of dust and treasures, The Pampered Pantry was a brightly lit wonderland of neat, labeled displays.

Lydia walked slowly over to the first staged table, this one set with muted plates and proudly displaying a variety of pestos. Picking up the nearest, Lydia read the label: sunchoke pesto with artisanal walnut and sun-dried heritage tomatoes. Huh. She flipped over the lovely, small glass jar. Fourteen dollars? Lydia fumbled the jar before placing it gently back in the display.

Clark walked over, announcing as if for no reason, “Wonderful, isn’t it? Part of our brand-new pesto sampler. All twelve varieties. A total steal. What is more refreshing on a hot day than a nice pesto?” Clark asked, straightening the jar that Lydia had briefly considered.

Looking at the newspaper-wrapped bundle in her left hand, Clark wrinkled his nose slightly, asking, “How are Martha and Mary this fine summer day?”

“Good. Same as always, really. They truly are indefatigable.”

Clark smiled. “I do appreciate your vocabulary, Lydia. You might be, well . . . you may hide your light under a bushel, as we say, but you really are quite sharp.”

“Thanks,” Lydia responded, aware that he hadn’t exactly complimented her. That was just Clark’s way. A little barbed, a little intense. Not unlike a very expensive pesto, Lydia thought. A little went a long way, but at the same time, there was nothing else that quite did the trick. Clark was truly one of a kind.

“Did you find one of your Pyrex treasures?” Clark asked, gesturing to the bundle. A snarky one of a kind, maybe.

“Not today. This is a vase for April. She and Wade had me to dinner last night, and I wanted to thank her. But I thought maybe you could suggest something else to pair with it?”

“I wouldn’t say a secondhand vase from a charity shop is a traditional thank-you gift for a hostess. But I am sure she will appreciate the gesture. You know,” Clark added, walking deeper

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