If the Shoe Kills Read Online Free PDF

be a long day. Monthly inventory.”
    â€œHow many times do you have to count rifles and flare guns?” I grumbled as I followed him to the door.
    â€œAccording to the city charter, once a month.” He kissed me again, this time longer, a proper kiss. And one that always made my toes curl.
    I watched him stroll to the truck. “Thanks for the ride. And thanks for not bringing the cruiser.”
    He waved without looking back.
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    The next morning, I opened the shop and started with the list of things I hadn’t finished yesterday due to the business meeting. Sometimes I wondered if the liaison job was worth the effort. At first, it had been a way to prove myself to the more settled townspeople. That I was willing to jump in and work for my new home. Now, besides Bill and Darla, I felt I was pulling the plow by myself. I drafted up the minutes and e-mailed them to Amy for inclusion in next week’s council report.
    Then, since the coffee run of the morning had slowed, I pulled a new arrival off the mystery shelf and, with a mocha, settled in to read until either Toby showed up for his own shift, or a wandering tourist found my door.
    Toby was the first to arrive. I glanced at my watch and as usual, the guy was spot-on time. Not early, not late. Eleven thirty on the dot.
    â€œHey, boss,” he called as he went behind the counter to wash his hands and don an apron. “Slow morning?” He poured a cup of coffee for himself and came to sit by me.
    â€œPerfect morning.” I held the book so he could see the cover. “Almost finished.”
    He leaned back. “You’re the only business owner in town I know who enjoys a slow shift.”
    â€œThere’s a reason I take the early shift. I like having time to myself.” I grinned. “So what’s going on with you? We haven’t chatted for days. You got a new love in your life?”
    â€œI’m seeing one of the girls from the cosmetology school. We went to dinner in the city last night after my shift.” The boy blushed down to his roots.
    I raised an eyebrow. “Just one?”
    He nodded. “Yep. Just one. Look, I know I told you I wasn’t dating anyone, but Elisa is special. I didn’t want you to judge.” The bell over the door chimed, and an older couple walked in. Toby jumped up and almost sprinted to the counter. “Duty calls.”
    Elisa, huh? I wondered if maybe Toby had actually found the one this time. I put a bookmark to keep my place and picked up my empty cup. Time to check in with Marie. The girl and I were going to have a long talk about responsibility, no matter what Greg had said last night.
    I stepped out of the shop and crossed the street, checking for traffic. We didn’t get many cars during the weekdays, which was probably why Marie hadn’t seen Ted yesterday. Most of the tourists parked at the public parking near the end of town, then walked through our small village. My shop was smack-dab in the middle of Main Street, perfect placement for an impulse cup of coffee or frozen treat.
    The door of The Glass Slipper stood open. The front of the shop overflowed with small display shelves, each one holding a different type of glass ornament. Currently, Marie had moved the Christmas display closer to the window, but wind chimes and stained-glass pieces held center stage. I stopped to admire a Cinderella-motif stained-glass piece. The large square would be amazing hung over the children’s book section at the shop. I was lost in thought when I heard her voice.
    â€œI love how that piece turned out. I’m almost tempted not to sell it.” Marie stood next to me, looking at the stained glass.
    â€œI’m considering it for the shop. You can feel the fantasy of the story. It’s like walking into the book.” I smiled and turned. “You’re an amazing artist.”
    Marie blushed, then shrugged. “I have my moments.” She walked back