Excerpt from The Lick Skillet Coffee Club

Mike leaned back in his chair, and watched her taking small sips from her cup.

“You aren't from Briarsville?” he asked quietly.

“No,” she murmured into her cup, then glancing up at him, said, “Lick Skillet is a strange name for a drug store.”

“This use to be a pretty famous place to eat,” Mike answered. “Now we're only famous for the coffee. Where are you from?” he asked, returning to his original question.

“Birmingham. I've come for a funeral.”

“Awfully early for a funeral.”

“Oh,” she answered, lifting her head, “I just wanted to come early and maybe go by the funeral home before the service.”  

“Anyone I know?”

“His name was Silas Abercrombie.”

“I thought it might be,” Mike spoke cautiously. “You're sitting in his chair.”