Read Online Garage Sale Stalker (Garage Sale Mysteries) by Suzi Weinert - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Suzi Weinert
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with the others. Thinking fast, Adam said, “How would you like to improve my cover today by riding to the first sale in my car?”
“Well, I…I guess that’s okay,” she agreed somewhat reluctantly, and he helped her into his car.
No, Jennifer thought as she climbed into her own van. No, he doesn’t waste much time!
***
Ten minutes later, after both their cars parked at the first sale on the list, Jennifer strolled up the driveway, chatty as usual. “Hello,” she began, “You’re so well organized; did you own a store.”
“Didn’t own one,” said the lady-seller, “but I spent many years working retail.”
“Oh? Where?”
“Penney’s, Sears and Montgomery Ward. My husband was in the service so I stuck with the big chains likely to have stores wherever we were stationed. That way I complemented his career with one of my own, and in the service the double income helped.”
A large black Labrador scampered excitedly around the side of the house, galloping straight for Jennifer. She froze rigid, a hand at her throat and her eyes widened in panic as they riveted upon the black streak closing in upon her.
“My god, what’s wrong?” cried Seller with obvious concern.
“I...I’m afraid of dogs,” Jennifer stammered in a high voice choked with fright. “Sorry, but… if you have the fear, it’s real.”
“Baron,” shouted Seller seconds before the dog reached Jennifer. “Into the house this min ute!” The dog jerked to a stop, head hung in disappointment. With reluctance, he walked toward the opened kitchen door. He cast a last, long appraising look at Jennifer before disappearing inside.
Was it just superstition or could they smell fear?
“Forgive me,” Jennifer apologized, breathing deeply to calm herself, “but dogs are territorial and can get upset about strangers on their turf. Even the cute little ones have a full set of teeth.”
This amused Dog Owner. “My fault,” she apologized. “He shouldn’t have been out here today.”
“Thanks for your understanding!” Jennifer calmed enough to change the subject. “With the beautiful weather this morning, bet you’ve had a lot of customers.”
“You wouldn’t believe it. Our ad said 8:30 a.m. but the early birds began at 6:30 a.m.. Waking up to the chiming doorbell surprised us, but luckily we organized everything yesterday. So we just threw on our clothes and started the sale two hours early.”
“Good for you.” Jennifer glanced about for Regulars while scoping the sale merchandise.
Over the years, she’d made some amazing purchases, not just for her own house but for her family and even for friends. Once she took an “order,” success was usually only a matter of time! And they “shopped” risk-free because if they didn’t like what she brought, she fielded it later at a consignment shop or a future garage sale of her own. The four-slice toaster requested by a neighbor was such an example.
Daughter Kaela asked her to look for a room divider and here stood a four-panel folding screen in mint condition. It exactly matched Kaela’s description and price range: “natural wicker, tall and the Victorian curlicue style for $50 or less.” So handsome was it that she momentarily tried to craft a spot for it in her own house. “What’s the price for this?”
“How about $50? Actually, it’s probably one-of-a-kind. We brought it back from our tour in Hawaii and even there, I bought it at a military thrift shop for that price ten years ago.” Dog Owner ran a hand over the wicker. “It’s in perfect shape and they’re hard to find now.”
Jennifer examined the hinges and made sure the screen unfolded smoothly and stood level. Satisfied, she thought it well worth the money but remembered to bargain, especially acting as Kaela’s “broker.” “Would you take any less?”
“Not now, because I think it’s fairly priced. But you might stop back at 4 o’clock when the sale ends. If it’s still here then, I
“Well, I…I guess that’s okay,” she agreed somewhat reluctantly, and he helped her into his car.
No, Jennifer thought as she climbed into her own van. No, he doesn’t waste much time!
***
Ten minutes later, after both their cars parked at the first sale on the list, Jennifer strolled up the driveway, chatty as usual. “Hello,” she began, “You’re so well organized; did you own a store.”
“Didn’t own one,” said the lady-seller, “but I spent many years working retail.”
“Oh? Where?”
“Penney’s, Sears and Montgomery Ward. My husband was in the service so I stuck with the big chains likely to have stores wherever we were stationed. That way I complemented his career with one of my own, and in the service the double income helped.”
A large black Labrador scampered excitedly around the side of the house, galloping straight for Jennifer. She froze rigid, a hand at her throat and her eyes widened in panic as they riveted upon the black streak closing in upon her.
“My god, what’s wrong?” cried Seller with obvious concern.
“I...I’m afraid of dogs,” Jennifer stammered in a high voice choked with fright. “Sorry, but… if you have the fear, it’s real.”
“Baron,” shouted Seller seconds before the dog reached Jennifer. “Into the house this min ute!” The dog jerked to a stop, head hung in disappointment. With reluctance, he walked toward the opened kitchen door. He cast a last, long appraising look at Jennifer before disappearing inside.
Was it just superstition or could they smell fear?
“Forgive me,” Jennifer apologized, breathing deeply to calm herself, “but dogs are territorial and can get upset about strangers on their turf. Even the cute little ones have a full set of teeth.”
This amused Dog Owner. “My fault,” she apologized. “He shouldn’t have been out here today.”
“Thanks for your understanding!” Jennifer calmed enough to change the subject. “With the beautiful weather this morning, bet you’ve had a lot of customers.”
“You wouldn’t believe it. Our ad said 8:30 a.m. but the early birds began at 6:30 a.m.. Waking up to the chiming doorbell surprised us, but luckily we organized everything yesterday. So we just threw on our clothes and started the sale two hours early.”
“Good for you.” Jennifer glanced about for Regulars while scoping the sale merchandise.
Over the years, she’d made some amazing purchases, not just for her own house but for her family and even for friends. Once she took an “order,” success was usually only a matter of time! And they “shopped” risk-free because if they didn’t like what she brought, she fielded it later at a consignment shop or a future garage sale of her own. The four-slice toaster requested by a neighbor was such an example.
Daughter Kaela asked her to look for a room divider and here stood a four-panel folding screen in mint condition. It exactly matched Kaela’s description and price range: “natural wicker, tall and the Victorian curlicue style for $50 or less.” So handsome was it that she momentarily tried to craft a spot for it in her own house. “What’s the price for this?”
“How about $50? Actually, it’s probably one-of-a-kind. We brought it back from our tour in Hawaii and even there, I bought it at a military thrift shop for that price ten years ago.” Dog Owner ran a hand over the wicker. “It’s in perfect shape and they’re hard to find now.”
Jennifer examined the hinges and made sure the screen unfolded smoothly and stood level. Satisfied, she thought it well worth the money but remembered to bargain, especially acting as Kaela’s “broker.” “Would you take any less?”
“Not now, because I think it’s fairly priced. But you might stop back at 4 o’clock when the sale ends. If it’s still here then, I
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