“What did she say?” he asked as he waved at some of his friends who had just come to school.
“She understood where I was coming from, but she wanted me to give her the pills. She thought it might look bad if I was caught with them,” Holly said as more students began to arrive and walk past them.
“Good point. I’m sure our teachers would have something to say about it if they were to see you with them,” he said. “Have you come up with an idea on how you’re going to find out who they belong to?”
“I think I should talk to someone at the library. Hopefully Margaret will be there. She treats me like family, so she’d never assume that I was up to no good if I asked her help in finding someone. My plan is to tell her most of the truth, that I was helping with the coat drive and someone left something I thought they may want in the pocket of a coat, and I need to get a picture or description of the person who dropped the coat off,” Holly explained.
She knew it wasn’t much, but that’s all she really had at this point. If that didn’t work, she was going to have to come up with another plan.
“It’s worth a shot,” Wade said with a shrug. “When are you going to the library?”
“I have to work at the bookstore tonight, so I thought maybe I’d swing by the library on the way over to the bookstore and see if Margaret’s there. If not, I’ll have to try again some other time. I don’t think anyone else there will help me out in this kind of a situation,” she grumbled.
“I agree,” Wade said, “but at least since Brigid knows what you’re doing, you can always ask her for help.”
“That’s what she said. She told me if I run into a roadblock to let her know, and she’d do her best to help me. I know this is kind of a long shot and it probably seems dumb,” she said turning away.
“Hey, no. I get it. You have an extremely big heart, and you want to help someone in trouble. There’s nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, I think it’s a good thing. I’m just worried about how you may feel if they don’t want your help,” Wade said as he took her hand in his.
“I’ve thought about that, and I know it’s a very real possibility. But I’m not sure I could live with myself if I don’t at least try,” she sighed. The first bell rang and they stood up, sliding on their backpacks.
“See you later, Holly,” Wade says as he headed off in the direction of his first class. Before she went inside the building, Holly took one last look around. The sky was a bright, crisp blue, and the leaves were starting to turn. She could almost smell the cooler temperatures coming. Sighing she headed inside.
*****
“How do you manage to make it all sound so simple? I watch you, and it looks doable, but then I try to do one and I can’t manage to get even halfway through the problem before I’m royally stuck,” Levi pouted. They’d been struggling to get him to understand the next formula, but for some reason, no matter how Holly tried to explain it to him, it just wasn’t sticking, and he seemed to be getting more confused.
“It’s really not that hard. I’m pretty sure you’re overthinking things, Levi. Just relax and we’ll take it one step at a time,” Holly said in an encouraging tone of voice. They were back out in the hall again today, while she tried to help him catch up. Although it seemed like he was getting it, he wasn’t quite there yet.
Holly was certain if she could get him to focus on what he was doing without any interruptions, he’d get it. Some of the things they’d learned could be difficult until certain parts clicked. She needed to find what worked for him, then, hopefully, it would all fall in place.
“I’m trying, honestly I am,” he said with a loud exhale. “I feel like such an idiot out here. I know everyone’s staring at me thinking I’m some stupid kid from the city who doesn’t belong here.”
Holly could tell he was frustrated, and she could understand how he felt. “Nobody thinks that, and I know you’re trying. Don’t worry about how long it does or doesn’t take. Why are you trying to rush yourself?” she asked. “Do you have some sort of timetable we’re working against I don’t know about?”
“Mrs. Lohman says if I can’t manage to catch up fairly soon, she’s going to recommend I go back to pre-algebra. She asked me this morning how it was going, and I told her I wasn’t sure. She said she didn’t want you to have to spend too much time working with me, and that if I wasn’t going to get it, maybe a refresher course was what I really needed.”
He continued, “But I don’t want to be in a class with all freshman!” he said, eyes wide, as if the teacher had suggested he sleep in a bed of scorpions. “Then I’ll really end up not fitting in here.”
“Trust me, you won’t have to go back to pre-algebra. You’re going to get this, it’s just your confidence that’s working against you.” A couple of senior guys walked by talking loudly and teasing each other, oblivious to everything else.
Holly glared at them. “That kind of thing isn’t helping you, either.” She turned and looked at Levi who was watching the seniors disappear around the corner. “You have serious distraction problems,” she said, “and those aren’t helping you in the slightest.”
Levi blinked and shook his head. “I know, I’m sorry. I really am trying. It’s just sitting out here in the hall, there are so many people walking by. I can’t think about math when I can people watch,” he said, his forehead wrinkled in apology. “I honestly hate math and would rather do like, anything else.”
“Wait a minute. I have an idea,” Holly said, her mind working. Once she got him caught up to where the class was, he should be fine. Sitting in the hall was probably half the issue. After all, there were always people walking by and announcements being made over the intercom. Sometimes she had trouble focusing when she was out in the hall.
Maybe if she could get him someplace where there were no distractions, she thought. “What are you doing tonight?” she asked as she began to formulate a plan.
Levi furrowed his brow as if he were confused. “Are you trying to ask me out? Because if you are, I really should stop you and let you know you just aren’t my type. You’re cute, but seriously not my…”
“No, geeze, I’m not asking you out. Calm down. I work at the bookstore here in town, and I’ll be there tonight. There usually aren’t that many customers in the middle of the week, so I could help you catch up there. Anyway, middle-of-the-week customers are usually just older people and stay-at-home moms. Besides, it’s a bookstore so most people treat it like a library, and it’s pretty quiet. I think you’ll be able to focus much better there,” she explained.
Levi ran his fingernail along the edge of the desk, thinking. “I don’t know. Are you sure you won’t get in trouble with your boss? I don’t want you to lose your job just because I’m stupid at math.”
“That’s not a problem. My, uh,” she realized for a moment that she was about to call Fiona her aunt. Of course, Levi wouldn’t know the difference. “My kind-of-aunt owns the store. She trusts me. If I bring you there, she’ll be okay with it.”
“Wow, okay then,” Levi said nodding. “I wanted to check the place out anyway. Is it true you can trade your old books in?”
“Sure can,” Holly said. “You can either get store credit or cash for them. I’ll show you tonight.”
Levi nodded a little more enthusiastically. “Great. So, okay, let’s work on this problem again.”
CHAPTER 9
When Wade dropped Holly off at home, she was surprised to see that Linc and Brigid weren’t there. There was a note on the counter that the dogs were with them, and that they were out running errands. Holly was a little disappointed she wouldn’t be able to see Lucky before she had to go to work, but she trusted Brigid. Maybe they were at the vet’s office. It would be nice to know that he was healthy and everything was okay with him. Otherwise she knew she’d worry about him.
She headed to the fridge and pulled out the makings for a quick sandwich. If she didn’t eat now, she’d end up incredibly hungry while she wa
s at the bookstore, and she hated to ask anyone to bring her something to eat. Brigid and Fiona had always told her if she needed something to just call, but she didn’t want to be a nuisance, so she normally just let her stomach growl until she got home. The sandwich would tide her over for the few hours she’d be there.
While she was sitting at the counter eating her sandwich, she thought about Levi and his situation with math. Although Holly had never had any trouble in school, she certainly could sympathize with the pressure he was under. It wasn’t his fault the school in Denver had been behind, and it seemed a little unfair that he had to hurry and catch up with the class in Cottonwood Springs.
But Holly could also see Mrs. Lohman’s side. The teacher didn’t want to have to make special concessions for one student the whole school year, and if Levi couldn’t catch up, maybe he should be in a different class. Holly was fairly certain Levi wouldn’t be the only sophomore in the pre-algebra class that was filled with freshmen, but she knew most kids didn’t want to associate with anyone who was a grade below them. Sighing, she hoped he’d do better with less distractions.
She finished her sandwich before filling her water bottle and heading outside to her bike. She had just enough time to ride over to the library and see if Margaret was there before going to work. If Margaret was there, then maybe, just maybe, she could help Holly find out who had put the coat in the library donation box.
Pedaling quickly, it didn’t take long before she was parking her bike in the bike rack in front of the library. She locked it up, headed towards the big metal doors, and pushed them open. As soon as she entered the library, she saw that one of the younger librarians was behind the long wooden counter, not Margaret. That librarian wasn’t a very friendly person, and Holly felt her heart sink.
As Holly approached the counter, the door to the back office opened, and Margaret walked out. Her long flowing dress and grey hair were a welcome sight. When she took her usual chair behind the checkout counter, the other librarian stood up and left, probably going on her break.
“Margaret, how are you doing?” Holly asked as she approached the woman.
“Holly!” the woman said with a smile. “I’m so glad to see you, dear. Feels like it’s been ages since you’ve been here. I guess I’m just used to how often you used to come to the library. How are things going?”
“Really, really good,” Holly said returning the woman's smile. She always had a way of making Holly feel loved and cared about. “Did you get to take that trip to see your son?”
“I did,” she said with a nod. “It was a bit of a drive, but so very worth it once I got to hold that new grandbaby of mine. There’s just something about a baby that makes me feel all light and airy inside.” She looked at Holly and said, “But I’m sure you didn’t come here to talk to me about my new grandchild. What can I help you with?”
“This may sound like an odd request, Margaret. You see, I was helping Missy over at the church with the coat drive she recently held. While I was there, I found something in the pocket of one of the donated coats that may be of value to the owner, and I’d like to find out who donated the coat.
“The coat in question came from the donation box Missy left here at the library. I know it’s a long shot, but I was hoping if I showed you a picture of the coat you might be able to look at the film from the library’s security camera and tell me who had donated it.”
Holly didn’t like lying to Margaret, but she also didn’t want to make the situation any messier than it already was. She knew not many people would understand her desire and drive to find this person and help them. But it was like a fire had been ignited in her belly, and she just couldn’t give up until she she’d really and truly tried.
“I won’t make any promises, but I can try,” Margaret whispered. “Let me see the jacket.”
Holly brought up the images of the coat on her phone and passed it across the counter to her. “Even if you see a couple of people you think may have done it, I’d appreciate it. Anything to point me in the right direction.”
Margaret nodded and patted the counter, her rings clicking on the surface. “Stay here. I’ll look at my computer and see what I can find. It automatically stores video from the security cameras for thirty days, so I just might be able to find something.”
Holly nodded and wandered away from the counter, looking at the shelf that contained the newest books. Flipping through them, she browsed each one until there were no more to look at. She glanced over at Margaret behind the counter, but she was still focused on the screen of her computer, so Holly moved over to the magazine rack and started looking at them.
“Well if it isn’t Holly Lewis,” a familiar voice said from a nearby row of books.
Holly turned and saw Amber Lockwood, the cheerleader she’d caught writing cruel things about one of the teachers last year. From what Holly had heard, Amber had been kicked off the cheerleading squad and the volleyball team. “Hey Amber,” she said not even trying to pretend she was happy to see her.
“You know, you really ruined my life,” Amber said quietly as she walked towards Holly. “I was captain of the cheerleading squad and on the volleyball team before you went and stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.” Her eyes raked over Holly as if they were looking at something foul. “After you snitched and I was kicked off them, I wasn’t able to get scouted by colleges. I was relying on a scholarship for college.”
“Actually, you have that wrong, Amber. If you hadn’t been so cruel to Mrs. Epting, you wouldn’t have been kicked off of them. It’s all about you Amber, not me,” Holly said dismissively. She knew it wasn’t her fault Amber had lost out on her chance for a college scholarship. In truth, she still may not have even been scouted, but Holly did feel a pang of remorse for a moment at having a hand in Amber’s downfall.
“Oh please, like you’re so perfect. Who do you think you are?” Amber said beginning to raise her voice.
“Look, Amber. All I was trying to do was get justice for a teacher who was being unfairly picked on. It’s not my fault you were the one who chose to do it,” Holly shrugged. “You had to have known that the school wasn’t going to allow you to get away with it. What you did was cruel. Mrs. Epting has spent her entire career trying to help students.”
She turned back to the magazine rack as if Amber didn’t faze her, but in reality, she was a little worried. The girl was looking more than a little violent and a tad bit crazed.
“Whatever. Don’t forget, I still have friends in this town,” Amber whispered in her ear before deliberately bumping into Holly on her way to the door. Holly didn’t breathe normally until Amber had left the library and headed for the parking lot.
Holly picked up a magazine and sat down at a nearby table. No one else seemed to have paid any attention to the exchange, but Holly felt rattled. It was possible that Amber was all talk and just trying to get under Holly’s skin, but it was also very possible that she meant every word she said. Rather than dwell on Amber’s threats, Holly busied herself looking at the magazines.
Just as she was finishing her third magazine, Margaret came over and sat down beside her. She placed a couple of printed photos on the table. “Here’s your phone, dear,” she said as she handed it back. She looked around the library and when she was convinced nobody was in earshot, she continued.
“I found three different people who may have dropped the coat off. Keep in mind I may have missed something, but I don’t think so. I wrote their names on the back of these photos.” She flipped one photo over to show her the shaky handwriting on the back.
“Thank you so much, Margaret. You’re a lifesaver. If you ever need anything, just ask,” Holly said as she wrapped her arms around the older woman and gave her a big hug.
“It’s no trouble, Holly. I know you’re a good kid. If you need to find out who donated that coat, I’m sure you have a good reason for it,” she said with a small smile. “I only wish I could have been of more help.”
“You’ve been a huge help. You have no idea how much,” Holly reassured her. Margaret patted her hand and made her promise to come in more often before she headed back to the checkout counter. Holly flipped through the photos and noticed only one had a first and last name written on the back. The other two just had last names.
She stood up, replaced the magazine she’d been reading, and straightened the chairs at the table. As she headed toward the doors, she gave Margaret a small wave.
When she was outside, she pulled her phone out and began to text Wade. I have three possibilities from the library, she sent.
It didn’t take long for the little bubble on her cell phone to appear, letting her know he was texting back. Great, who are they?
One is a Brittany Jackson, the other two Margaret wasn’t sure of their first names, so she just gave me the last names. They’re Cole and Jenkins, she replied.
That’s great! The initials on the coat were “L.J.” so maybe one of the people whose last name starts with a “J” is the one who dropped it off.
We can hope, she responded. Can you search for them online and see if you can find out anything?
No problem, he sent back.
Holly tucked her phone back in her pocket and unlocked her bike. She wondered if she should ask Brigid to look at the pictures. She might know who one or two of them were. She decided to think about it while she was at work. Which, by the looks of it, she was going to have to hurry to, so she wouldn’t be late.
CHAPTER 10
Holly pushed open the front door of Fiona’s bookstore, “Read It Again,” just in time.
“Cutting it a bit close today, Holly,” Fiona said with a smile. “But you know you don’t have to sweat it if you’re going to be a few minutes late. Just send me a text or something. I don’t want you getting hit by a car because you were rushing to get here in time.”
Fiona stepped around the counter and her baby bump caught a display box of book lights on a lower shelf. She swore as she caught the box, but a couple of lights tumbled to the ground. “I think this danged belly of mine is going to wreck the store.”
Holly Lewis Mystery series Box Set Page 18
