While He Built Her Home novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Tough

Linden Pharmacy opens at eight, and on Wednesday I was waiting at the door.

The pharmacist was an older man with half-glasses and a gray cardigan.

I set the bottle on the counter with the label up and the tape peeled back.

"I need to know if you filled this," I said.

He picked it up and read it for a long moment.

"Yes," he said. "That's our label."

"The patient is Brynn Foley."

"I can't discuss any patient's file with you, ma'am."

"I'm not asking for a file," I said.

"I'm asking whether a woman picked up this pill for four years and gave it to me as a vitamin."

His eyes came up over the glasses.

He set the bottle down very gently.

"Ma'am, I can't say what happens after a bottle leaves my counter."

"Can you say who picks them up?"

"No."

"Can you say anything?"

He looked at the door, then at me.

"For four years that standing order has been two bottles a month," he said, low.

"She picks them up herself."

"Why do you tell me this?"

"I've never understood why a woman needs two."

"Thank you."

"I didn't say anything."

"I know."

I put the bottle in my purse and walked out.

At noon Brynn came to my shop with a photographer.

I heard the bell, and then her laugh, and I knew before I turned around.

"Val! Don't be mad. The committee wants a behind-the-scenes shot for the thank-you page."

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