Carolina Moon

artisans for puppy chow.”
    “What do you care what I use it for as long as I pay the price?” Only more determined, Faith marched over, scooped up the pup, and picked out two matching bowls of royal blue with bold emerald swirls. “We like these. Don’t we, darling? Don’t we, sweet-ums?”
    “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
    “A sale’s a sale, isn’t it?” Faith crossed to the counter, set the bowls down. “Ring me up, and don’t forget to add the cost of the supplies.”
    “Forget the supplies.” Behind the counter, Tory dumped the tissue in the wastebasket, then dealt with the transaction. “That’s fifty-three dollars and twenty-six cents. For puppy bowls.”
    “Fine. I’ll pay cash. Here, hold her a minute.”
    Faith pushed the pup at Tory so she could dig into her purse.
    Charmed despite herself, Tory gave the puppy a nuzzle. “You’re going to be eating like a queen, aren’t you? A regular queen bee.”
    “Queen Bee. Why, that’s just perfect.” Faith laid the money on the counter and snatched the puppy back. “That’s who you are, Queen Bee. I’m going to get you a fancy collar that sparkles.”
    Tory shook her head as she made change. “I’m seeing a whole new side of you, Faith.”
    “So am I. I kinda like it. Come on, Bee, we’ve got places to go and people to see.” She gathered up the shopping bag. “I don’t think I can get the door.”
    “I’ll get it.” Tory opened it, and after a minute’s hesitation, touched Faith’s arm. “Faith. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Your makeup could use a little freshening,” she added, and left.
    She didn’t intend to get involved. The way Faith looked at it, other people’s personal lives were fascinating to speculate about, to gossip about, but all from a safe and smug distance.
    But she kept seeing the way Tory had looked curled up behind the counter, with ribbon and tape and silver cords scattered around her.
    She kept seeing that ugly red mark on Tory’s neck.
    There’d been marks on Hope. She hadn’t seen them, no one had let her see them. But she’d known.
    She didn’t hold with a man pushing a woman around, that’s all there was to it. When it was kin, you didn’t run to the police. But there were other ways to make things right.
    She bent to kiss Bee’s head, then walked straight to the bank to tell J.R. what had happened to his niece.
    He didn’t waste time. J.R. canceled his next appointment, told his assistant manager he had to leave on personal business, and set out for Tory’s shop at such a brisk pace his shirt was damp with sweat by the time he got there.
    She had customers, a young couple who were debating over a blue-and-white serving platter. Tory was giving them room, staying on the other side of the shop replacing the candle stands she’d sold that morning.
    “Uncle Jimmy. Is it heating up out there? You’re flushed. Can I get you something cold?”
    “No—yes,” he decided. It would give him time to compose himself. “Whatever you’ve got handy, honey.”
    “I’ll just be a minute.” She went into the back, then leaned on the door and cursed. She’d seen it in his eyes. Faith must’ve made a beeline to the bank. So much for trust, Tory thought, wrenching open the refrigerator. So much for understanding.
    Then drawing a cleansing breath, she carried the can of ginger ale out to her uncle.
    “Thanks, honey.” He took a good long swig. “Ah, why don’t I buy you lunch?”
    “It’s not even noon, and I brought something from home. I don’t want to close the shop in the middle of the day. But thanks. Gran and Cecil get off all right this morning?”
    “First thing. Boots tried to talk them into staying a few days, but you know your gran. She likes to be in her own. Always itchy when she’s away from home.”
    The young couple started out, with the woman glancing back wistfully. “We’ll come back.”
    “I hope you do. Enjoy your day.”
    “All right, now let me see.” The door had hardly closed when J.R. set down the ginger ale and took Tory’s shoulders. He studied the raw skin on the side of her neck. “Oh, sweetie. That bastard. Why didn’t you call me?”
    “Because there was nothing you could do. Because it was over. And because there wasn’t a point in worrying you, which is all Faith’s done by running down and telling you.”
    “Now, you stop that. She did exactly what was right, and I’m beholden to her for it. You didn’t