Page 128 of Bone’s Choice

“Told you,” Kori sang.

I looked down at mine. “I might need another one.”

“That’s why you buy two.”

“You bought two?”

Kori lifted the bag sitting beside her.

I laughed. “You have a problem and I am mad at you for not buying a second one for me.”

“I have foresight.”

For the next hour, we wandered.

And laughed a lot.

I bought a jar of honey I absolutely didn’t need because the man selling it convinced me his bees were happier than other bees. I wasn’t sure how anyone measured bee happiness, but he’d been convincing enough for me to hand over eighteen dollars.

Crystal bought flowers.

Kori bought earrings, a loaf of bread, some kind of spicy cheese, and another cinnamon roll.

“You already have another one,” I pointed out.

“That one’s for later today.”

“And this one?” I laughed.

“Tomorrow.”

“Do cinnamon rolls have a retirement plan in your house?” Crystal asked.

“They don’t live long enough.”

Fair enough.

We stopped at a table covered with candles. I picked one up and smelled it, then immediately pulled it away from my face. “No.”

Crystal laughed. “Bad?”

“It smells like a man named Earl who owns six ferrets.”

Kori grabbed it. “What the hell does that mean?”

“Smell it,” I insisted.

She did. Her face twisted half a second later. “Oh, my God, that is Earl who I think might own ten ferrets.”

“Exactly,” I laughed.

“What is that supposed to be?”

Crystal read the label. “Woodland Musk.”

“That’s not woodland musk,” I said. “That’s Earl.”

The woman working the booth glanced our way. I quickly put the candle down. “Walk.”