Page 32 of A Touch of Murder (Touched #1)

Adam yawned as he downed his second cup of coffee.

He'd tossed and turned all night thinking about that simple touch from Barret and the words he'd left with it.

What the hell did he mean? Was he really saying that he'd be willing to let Adam touch him without worrying about what he might see?

Did he realize what touching him would mean?

Barret wouldn't have any secrets left. In time, Adam would see everything about him.

He touched his cheek in the same spot that Barret had and sighed. He couldn't think about this. He'd gone nearly his whole life without dating and he wasn't going to let one small interaction spark hope that it could change.

"Morning." Jacey walked into the shop. "I've got a dentist appointment at two. I hope that's okay. We didn't have anything scheduled for today last I looked." He set his bag down at his desk and then went over to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"That's fine. There's still nothing scheduled. I'm going to inventory the essential oils and put in an order for whatever we're low on. I've been trying to think of fun items to add for summer, but I'm not sure what fits with our store." Adam sipped at his coffee, glad for the distraction.

"I was thinking maybe stock some holistic stuff like healthy sunscreen or bug spray.

The regular stuff is full of nasty, dangerous stuff.

People heading to Yellowstone or even hiking to the waterfalls might want something natural.

And I found a new site that does promotional printing, but they have so much more than just t-shirts and pens.

This site has umbrellas, socks, and all kinds of stuff we could add.

We could do something like, 'I was Touched in Hidden Falls', if that doesn't sound too dirty for you. " Jacey grinned.

That comment had Adam thinking about Barret simple touch.

God, he had to get his head straight. "Um, that might be a bit too much, but we can play around with wording and see what we can come up with.

I'll give that site a look later. I like the idea of holistic items. A lot of our oils will work for bug repellent, but having other options is good.

" Adam looked up as the door opened and three older women walked in. "Good morning, ladies."

"Morning, you two." One of the older women led the other two inside.

All three looked to be well into their seventies or maybe eighties.

Adam couldn't tell. Each carried a purse and a small bag with them.

"We came to have you look at some items we have.

I guess I mean touch the items. That's how you do what you do, right? "

Adam nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm able to see the history of an item by touching it. This is Jacey, he'll show you the contract and talk about the fees."

"Oh, we know Jacey." One of the women stepped forward.

"Hello, Mrs. Jensen," Jacey told her, then glanced at Adam. "They go to church with us."

Adam nodded.

"Who is going to have an item read?" Jacey asked as he reached for a clipboard.

"We all are. Do you charge per item or just per person?" one of the ladies asked.

"Per item," Jacey told them. "It's fifty dollars per item."

"Oh." Mrs. Jensen frowned. "Then I might have to just pick one or two items." She held up the small bag she held.

"What type of items are you having read?" Adam asked, looking at the small satin bag the women held. It wasn't very large, but the bottom bulged with whatever was in it.

"Martha Kendal told us we should have our jewelry looked at." Mrs. Jensen smiled. "Wouldn't it be amazing if we had something as valuable as her necklace?"

Adam held back a laugh. "I'm afraid the chances of that happening again are very unlikely.

That was a once in a lifetime find. I'll tell you what?

I'll read three items for fifty dollars.

You can each pick one item you want me to read, or you can each pay and have three read.

" Adam figured most of it would be nothing more than costume jewelry.

"I'll head in back while you decide, and once you sign the contracts, Jacey will escort you back.

" Adam met Jacey's gaze and saw he was fighting back a large smile as well.

"Thank you," one of the ladies he didn't know told him.

Adam went into the back office and got four water bottles and two candy bars.

He wasn't sure how detailed the readings might be, but jewelry usually didn't drain him as badly as other items. He thought about Trina's beaded bracelet and sighed, grabbing two more waters and one more candy bar just in case.

Jacey would be there should he need more, but he doubted he would go through what he set out.

He smiled as he thought about Mrs. Kendal sharing the news of her necklace's history with the older ladies.

He had no doubt they were all hoping to have the same luck as she'd had, and Adam hated that he'd probably let them down.

Still, business was business. He'd read whatever they brought because he had bills to pay.

He was upfront about everything and if these women wanted to spend money in his store, who was he to deny them?

He listened to Jacey talk with the ladies and felt a little bit guilty for leaving him to deal with the three alone. Jacey seemed to be taking their teasing and playful banter in stride as he explained the contract to them and had each of them sign.

"They each want three items read." Jacey led them into the back room. "They've requested to all three sit in on the readings if you're okay with that."

Adam nodded. "I'm fine with it. Have a seat, ladies. Which one of you is going first?"

"Stella, you go first. You've got that ring that has to be old." Mrs. Jensen sat down at the table and the other two followed.

Adam watched as each woman pulled three items out and set them on the table in front of them. There were several rings and a couple necklaces, but the one item that caught his attention most was an old broach. "Do you want this recorded?"

"Please." Stella pushed a gaudy ring toward him.

"Okay." Adam pushed play on the recorder and began.

As he expected, none of the jewelry Stella had was of value outside having some fun family history to them.

He enjoyed seeing the memories of the woman's mother wearing the jewelry as she went out on the town back in the thirties and forties.

"Your mother is very beautiful. Your father gave this necklace to her.

I want to say it's an anniversary gift, but I can't be sure.

There are wildflowers that he gave with it, but I can't be sure of the reason behind the gifts. It could be a birthday."

"You're right. Mom said that Dad gave her this on their fifth anniversary along with some wildflowers that he picked on the way home." Stella grinned. "Can you tell who had the necklace before?"

"It appears your father bought it new from a jeweler in the area.

I see the item in a display case, then being wrapped in a box.

The next images I get are of your mother receiving it.

" Adam continued to go through the items for each woman until he came to Mrs. Jensen's broach.

"Now this one is older. I see a young woman wearing it.

She has a darker complexion, perhaps Mexican or something similar.

I don't see anything that tells me for sure.

She's dressed in a fancy green gown and has the broach on.

She appears to be in a garden area. Like maybe she was attending a garden party.

Everything appears green and has a tropical appearance to the area.

I see palm trees and I think ocean. I just can't place where.

" Adam tried to find more information before the vision changed to a more current timeline.

"Honduras maybe? My husband's ancestors come from there. He gave that to me after we got married. Said it had been his mother's." Mrs. Jensen dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

"Is it valuable?" Stella asked.

Adam set the broach on the table and smiled as he pulled his glove back on.

"All of this is valuable if you consider its family history, but if you were hoping to have something like Mrs. Kendal did, I'm afraid not.

While many of the gemstones are real, they just aren't as valuable as a diamond necklace that has a history with Napoleon's wife.

" Adam glanced up and smiled as he saw Barret standing in his doorway.

"Someone reported a party going on here." Barret grinned at the ladies.

"Oh, look Stella, someone ordered us a stripper." Mrs. Jensen started laughing.

Barret's cheeks flushed red. "Careful, Mrs. Jensen, or I might just have to let your husband know what you're up to today."

She waved her hand at him. "Jerry knows what I'm doing.

In fact, he was happy to get me out of the house so he could go fishing without me nagging him to do things around the house.

You might want to run on over to Walker Lake and make sure he and the others he's with have their fishing licenses up to date. "

Barret shook his head. "I'll leave that job to Fish and Game. I'm not looking to slap anyone on the wrist for a good day fishing. If I go out that way, it'll be to join them, not charge them." He stepped farther into the room. "You ladies rob the jewelry store down the way?"

"Heavens, no." Stella rolled her eyes at Barret. "The last time Jenkin's Jewelers had anything this fancy, you were probably in diapers."

"Don't say that. I just bought Becky's birthday gift there today. Should I take it back?" Barret mocked worry.

"You know better, Barret Whiteston." Stella waved a finger at him. "Jenkin's is the best place in this town to buy jewelry. I'm just saying it's not as fancy as what we own. When is Becky's birthday?"

"It's this Sunday. She'll be the big three-oh. I figured it's one she should celebrate." Barret shrugged. "Got any ideas?"