Snuffed Out - Tim Myers [63]
Heather shook her head. “I’ve already talked too much as it is.”
“Good enough. I do appreciate you making the effort.”
I handed her Esme, who seemed reluctant to leave my grasp. “By the way, I believe this belongs to you.”
She took her cat from me and gave me a genuine laugh. “Haven’t you heard? Cats don’t belong to people, it’s the other way around.”
I bowed to them both, then left while Heather was still in a good mood. I’d taken a chance, confronting them like that, then following up with Heather in her own den, but it had been true. Since Sanora’s return, it felt as if all of River’s Edge had been tiptoeing around the two of them. Maybe now they’d released enough tension to at least ignore each other if they couldn’t manage civility.
I hoped so, at any rate.
The joy of my trip had been dampened but not entirely eliminated, so before anyone else had the opportunity to kill the rest of it, I decided to take the deposit to the bank.
Upstairs later, for dinner I had a few apples, sipped some cider, and had pumpkin butter on toast. That was one of the coolest things about being an adult, as far as I was concerned. Every now and then I could have dessert for dinner. Some people didn’t think it was all that great a perk, but it was one I reveled in.
I was in no mood to go out.
Instead, I curled up with Rest You Merry from Ms. MacLeod and settled in for the night.
Chapter 16
I normally got to At Wick’s End an hour before opening the shop, but since I had indulged in a little extra sack time, I rolled in with just thirty minutes to spare.
I found the woman from the day before standing outside the door, a chocolate cake in her hands.
She offered it to me, then said, “Here’s the cake, as promised.”
I smiled broadly at her, trying to hide my surprise. My sense of humor oftentimes got me into trouble, but this was the first time it had brought me a cake!
“I see you’ve brought your golden ticket,” I said as I unlocked the door and held it open for her.
She stepped inside, then said, “My husband thought you were kidding, but I knew better.”
“You should have brought him along. I wouldn’t have minded sharing.”
She laughed. “Are you kidding me? He kept after me last night until I baked him one, too.” I took the platter from her and said, “Feel free to look around. If you don’ mind, I think I’ll have a slice for breakfast.”
“Breakfast? You’re kidding me.”
I shook my head. “Hey, it’s got flour, eggs, all kinds of healthy stuff in it. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you know. Care to join me?”
“I had cereal, thanks anyway.”
I smiled. “You don’t know what you’re missing.” I flipped all the lights on and went back to the office for a knife, a couple of plates and two forks. I thought about trotting upstairs for a glass of cold milk, but since Eve wasn’t due in until noon, I had to stay with the shop.
I put the utensils down and said, “Forgive me, but should have introduced myself. I’m Harrison Black.”
“Celeste DeAngelo,” she said.
“Celeste, it’s a pleasure knowing you.” I cut a fat wedge of cake and tasted the first bite. “Wow, it’s wonderful.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Are you sure you won’t join me? How about just a small slice?”
She laughed lightly. “Why not? I’ll cut my own piece though.”
I handed her the knife and she cut a sliver of cake and put it on the offered plate. I sneered at her serving size. ”You could read through that. Come on, have some cake.”
“This will do nicely,” she said as she took a bite. “Bob will never believe this.”
“I’m willing to bet if you offer him some for breakfast tomorrow, he won’t say no.”
She grinned. “No doubt you’re right.” We ate our cake, then Celeste said, “Now for some shopping.”
I finished my slab, thought about getting another piece, then decided to wait until lunch. Dessert after lunch, I amended. I was going to have to supplement my menu with some healthy fare. And some time on one of Erin’s kayaks, if I wanted to be able to wear my jeans much longer. Maybe if I worked it right I could slip out a little early.