Free Deadly Greetings (Book 2 in the Cardmaking Mysteries) by Tim Myers

nodded. “Now don’t hold back. If
we happen to go over by a few hundred dollars, well, that will be
just dandy. You can explain to me what I’m buying as we go along.
Don’t be afraid to use your imagination; just help me put together
a perfect kit.”
    She was the kind of customer most
shopkeepers only dreamed about, and I planned to enjoy every second
of her spree.
    Her purchases ultimately took two buggies. I
set her up with card stocks, papers, expensive die cutters,
embellishments, accessories, envelopes, specialty scissors, rubber
stamps, cutouts, stickers, stencils, pressed flowers and more. I’d
also included a good selection of books, and the store’s phone
number. “Call me if you have any trouble, and I’ll walk you through
whatever you’re doing,” I said as I handed her one of my business
cards. I’d made them myself, shunning the printers and creating
each one individually. I couldn’t give out a lot of them, but so
far their creation had more than kept up with the demand. She took
the card, then asked, “Now, is there anything else we’re
missing?”
    “ I can’t imagine what it
might be,” I said in complete and utter honesty.
    “ Neither can I. This looks
perfect.” She glanced at the clock over the register. “Is that
right? Is it really that late?”
    I checked and saw that we’d been shopping
together over two hours. Time truly did fly with fun. “I’m sorry
I’ve kept you so long.”
    “ No, that’s fine—this has
been absolutely joyous— but I’ve got to get home so I can set
things up before Lee gets there. I can’t wait to see the expression
on his face.”
    “ Sybil, don’t give him a
heart attack.” We’d gone to first names early on, and not just
because of how much money she was spending. Sybil was my kind of
gal, a free spirit who embraced life.
    “ Jennifer, he’s as stout as
a horse. Besides, he could use a good shock to his
system.”
    She signed the credit card charge slip with
a flourish, then said, “I feel like I should tip you; you’ve been
so helpful.”
    “ Nonsense,” I said as I slid
the deposit in the drawer. “It’s been great fun.”
    “ It has, hasn’t it? I may
come back for more later.”
    “ I’ll be here.” If she
created and sent cards to everyone in the state of Virginia, then
she might need more supplies, but I couldn’t imagine her running
out until then. “Come by and tell me how you’re doing.”
    “ I will,” she said. “Now how
am I going to ever get this all to my car?”
    “ I’ll help. Lillian, could
you watch the front? I’m going to help Sybil with her
bags.”
    My aunt looked up from the worktable where
she’d been brainstorming on new card ideas for her own section of
the store. I’d given her an area to display and sell her acerbic
cards, and she’d reveled in the opportunity. Her cards were full of
zingers, put-downs, sarcasms and innuendos, perfect for the cynical
souls who walked among us. “I’d be delighted,” she said. “Hurry
back, though. It’s nearly closing time.”
    “ Do you have another big
date tonight?” I asked. Where did the woman get her energy? I knew
I couldn’t keep up with her if I was aided by a quart of coffee and
a dozen PowerBars.
    “ No, I’m staying in
tonight,” she admitted as she stifled a yawn.
    “ Don’t worry. We won’t be
long,” I said as I grabbed several of the heavier bags.
    Sybil took the rest, then held the door for
me. It was drizzling slightly outside, but I’d double-bagged her
purchases, so they would be safe from the weather. By the time we
got to her car, my arms were ready to fall off. She opened the
trunk and I gratefully put the bags inside. That’s when I had the
chance to look more closely at her transportation. It was a shiny
black Mercedes, a big one at that, and all doubts about Sybil being
able to afford my bill vanished. “That’s a lovely car you’ve got,”
I said.
    “ I’d rather drive something
a little more austere, but