Read Online Knock on Wood by Linda O. Johnston - Free Book Online

weather?”
    We shared a smile. By then, we had reached the Lucky Dog Boutique. I decided to stop in for a second, check with Jeri to see how things were going, and make sure she and Pluckie were getting along all right since I wanted to leave my dog there a little longer. That didn’t take long—although I was pleased I had to wait a minute to get Jeri’s attention since she was helping a raft of customers while I patted Pluckie. Jeri broke away briefly, and then Justin and I got on our way again.
    By then, Gemma already seemed in charge of the Broken Mirror Bookstore. She was studying the main table in the front as she moved the somewhat sparse copies of The Destiny of Superstitions by Kenneth Tarzal into what appeared to me to be a more attractive array, fanning some out and stacking others with the titles in each row all aimed in one direction.
    Stuart seemed to beam at her. The Brownlings looked both curious and tolerant.
    The expression on Nancy’s long face appeared skeptical.
    â€œHey, I like it,” I told my friend, wanting to be utterly supportive of whatever she did, or didn’t do, here.
    â€œDo you? That’s great. Of course the table is well situated to make sure anyone who comes in will see these particular books, so they especially need to stand out. I assume that the more books we can show off and sell, the better luck the Broken Mirror Bookstore will have. And I gather it could use some good luck now.” She stepped back and glanced around the rest of the store, her brown eyes sparkling with fervor. “Those mirrors fortunately aren’t broken.” She pointed toward the farthest wall that appeared among the store’s myriad tall bookshelves.
    The mirrors actually had been broken not long ago, but I’d tell her that some other time—if I dared to talk about it. I’d also explain to her the significance of the five dollar bills hanging beside them in picture frames—which could turn around the seven years of bad luck for breaking a mirror.
    â€œI’d like your professional opinion on how to arrange the rest of the books, too, including the luckiest way to display them,” she continued.
    â€œI can help a lot if they’re dog or cat food, or toys,” I said, then gave a little laugh at her suddenly grumpy expression. “Okay, I’ll make some suggestions based on my extensive retail experience and my less extensive, but growing, knowledge of superstitions.”
    She smiled then, but only for a moment. As she looked over my shoulder, her face grew white and even fearful.
    I turned. Frank Shorester had just stalked into the store. I had always considered him short and maybe even a little geeky as a male librarian, but right now I took a step back. The fury on his face was almost palpable, even from several feet away.
    As I turned back toward Gemma, I saw that everyone else present had noticed. Nancy and the Brownlings appeared taken aback. Gemma herself now had a touch of anger in her scowl.
    And Justin? He wore the only calm expression in the place. But though I didn’t really know him very well, this looked like a cop assessment to me.
    Frank finally broke the silence with a very loud question. “What’s going on here, Gemma?” He took another step toward her, but she stood her ground.
    I nearly interceded, then caught Justin’s expression and stopped at the slight shake of his head.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Gemma’s tone was ominously quiet.
    â€œI ran into that public affairs guy when I was headed toward the library. He said I was too late, that you weren’t there anymore. He looked so damned smug … and told me to go home. That you and he were going to get to know each other better.” Frank looked around the store with his lips curled in rage. “That you were going to run this bookshop and never, ever see me again. It’s not true, is it? Gemma, come home with