Chapter 4

After closing the next day, I spread a week of register receipts across the little table in the back room, like laying out a hand of cards I didn't want to hold.

I started with the shop.

Because for the past week, something else there had been off too.

Colette had offered to "help me at the counter" — said she was going stir-crazy at home and wanted something to do.

At the time it actually touched me.

The old ladies loved her. She had a pretty smile, and she remembered every one of their grandchildren's names.

One of my…