Audrey Claire - Libby Grace 02 - How to Blackmail a Ghost by Audrey Claire Page B

about it, and I drifted closer in anticipation of his answer.
    “That phrase originated in the early twentieth century, of boxing origins.”
    I ground my teeth in frustration. He deliberately avoided my question and focused on the silly phrase. I imagine Ian knew where every expression started. He might even have created one or two himself. Thinking that gave me pause and made me forgot my own train of thought. When I recalled, I tossed him a scowl, but he had already gone back to his reading. I contented myself with just hanging about, and then he glanced up.
    “Liberty.”
    “Yes?”
    “Your blood was unlike any I ever tasted.”
    “Thanks.”
    “I cannot explain it, and from the first time I tasted it, I wanted to know why. I searched for answers and found none. All I knew was I could not give you up.”
    My emotions jumbled. I didn’t know how to respond. On one hand it offended me to know Ian’s attraction centered on my blood. On the other, he was in essence saying in a hundred years, he had never met a woman as compelling as me. My ego refused to let this go and swelled as a result.
    “I have found sustenance, but it will never replace my loss,” Ian said. “You are special. If it is just your blood, it is still true.”
    I spun away and headed for the door. “So you’re not my friend. I get it.”
    “I did not say that.”
    I winked out of his house, but on entering my own, I heard his voice as if I had never left his presence. “I cannot drink from you, but I am still with you. As long as you want me to be.”
    * * * *
    “I need a ten inch earth auger bit,” Bart said, approaching my counter. “Do you have any in stock?”
    I blinked at him. What in the world was an auger? “Um…” I had been compiling a book with inventory and short explanations of what the items were that I didn’t recognize. I was still in the As. “Is that o-g —”
    “ A-u,” he corrected. “You don’t even know what it is. How can you work in this store?”
    I straightened. “I’ve been doing just fine so far.”
    “Because everyone pretty much knows what they need.”
    “What is your problem, Bart?” I demanded. “Did I do something to offend you?”
    He seemed taken aback, and the scowl disappeared from his face. “Sorry, no. I just have a few things on my mind. If you don’t have the bit, maybe you can order it with your discount.”
    “Sure.” I brightened and slid a sheet of paper toward him. “If you’ll write down all the details here, I’ll order it tonight and let you know when it comes in. Meanwhile, I’ll check my inventory just in case I already have one.”
    He grudgingly obliged and muttered his thanks.
    “I appreciate your patience during my learning curve. If there’s anything else?”
    “No.” He scratched his head and glanced around the store. “I’ll just check the aisles while I’m here.”
    “Okay, take your time.”
    That was how my day went, trying my best to help the few customers who entered the shop. I was proud of myself that I knew which aisle contained the hammers and nails and which vendor could get me a delivery of showerheads in a decent amount of time. Derision at my lack of knowledge didn’t end with Bart, unfortunately. Many of the men in town assumed I knew nothing and pointed it out frequently. A couple informed me they would be speaking with the mayor about my incompetence.
    “Well, good luck!” I had snapped at the last customer when he threatened me as well. Olivia Walsh had at first said she would hire someone who knew more about the hardware business when she hired me if I couldn’t handle it. Later, in a moment of weakness, she had said she didn’t want to be reminded of George, so I could do what I wanted. The flash of sadness in her eyes confirmed to me if no one else that she had loved her husband despite their problems. I felt sorry for her loss.
    Days passed slowly with no break in the Sadie Barnett case. I could find no clues, and the few