• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

While I waited for him to return from the kitchen, Casper entered the pub and perched on the stool beside me.

“Tough day?” he asked.

“I’ve had better.”

“Any closer to solving the case?”

“Not much. I could’ve used your help—your company—today.”

“But you weren’t in any danger, were you?”

“No,” I mumbled, sounding like a surly school kid. I couldn’t tell him I’d missed him. So I asked, more sharply than I should have, “Where were you?”

“I had some business to attend to.”

“You mean you had someone else to guard.”

“I can’t talk about that.”

“So you do have someone else to guard.” I had to bite my tongue not to ask, Is she pretty?

“Are you jealous?” asked Casper as though he’d read my thoughts. “There’s no need to be.”

I might have punched him if Douglas hadn’t reappeared with a huge plate of roast beef and vegetables.

“Can I have some too? I’m starving,” said Casper. “Allegra’s buying.”

Douglas glanced at me for confirmation.

“I suppose you’d better feed him,” I said. “I can’t let my partner starve.”

Casper never had any money unless I gave it to him. It wasn’t the kind of thing guardian angels carried.

Douglas glared at him as though he thought any decent man should pay his own way. He said grudgingly, “I’ll get you some food, Casper,” and headed back to the kitchen.

Refusing to wait until Casper’s meal arrived before I began to eat, I picked up my knife and fork and savagely cut into a baked potato.

Casper said, “I’m sorry the case isn’t going well.”

I couldn’t tell him it wasn’t just the case. I kept my eyes downcast. If I looked at him now I might reveal how I felt about him.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Allegra?” When I didn’t respond, he said, “Look at me.”

No way. I focused on my food, trying to pretend I hadn’t heard him. Douglas chose that moment to arrive with Casper’s meal. Bless you, Douglas. Perfect timing.

As he put the plate in front of Casper, Douglas said, “Thanks for going to the dance with me, Allegra. I had a great time.” His words were meant for Casper, not me. He was marking his territory, so to speak. Usually I didn’t like being marked as someone’s territory, but tonight I was quite happy to let Casper think Douglas and I were closer than we were.

“I had fun too, Douglas.”

He smiled. “I’ve got to get back to work now, but maybe later we could get together.”

I was saved from answering by a group calling for more beer.

As Douglas moved away I noticed Casper was concentrating on his meal in the way you do when you’ve overheard a private conversation and want to pretend you haven’t.

I didn’t say what I was thinking—that I wished I could have gone to the dance with Casper. I kept that to myself.

Instead I remarked, “Douglas taught me Scottish dancing. I liked it more than I expected.”

“I’m glad you had fun.” He sounded genuinely pleased. I guess guardian angels aren’t allowed to be jealous.

For a while we ate in silence. Then I said, “I bought you a present.”

He looked up questioningly. Our eyes met.

My heart thumped so hard I thought I was going to faint. Not a good thing to do. Tough as nails paranormal investigator faints over handsome angel. I think not.

“What did you buy me?”

“A kilt.”

He laughed with delight. “Thank you, Allegra. I’ll try it on right after dinner.”

I was shockingly pleased by his reaction. If I’d ever been happier I couldn’t think when. I smiled at him. It must’ve been a dazzling smile because he immediately broke eye contact and looked down at his plate. I saw his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed hard.

Did he know how I felt? But he mustn’t. I had to act swiftly to repair any damage I had done. There was only one way to persuade him that he wasn’t the object of my affection.

I leaned toward him. “Can you keep a secret, Casper?” When he nodded, I said, “I really like Douglas.”

Casper seemed relieved. Or did I imagine it?

“I’m glad you’re happy, Allegra.” He moved to a safer subject. “Do you want dessert?”

“Why not?”

After drowning my sorrows in chocolate mud cake and cream, I asked Casper if he wanted his present.

“Yes, please.” He