Shep’s smile diminishes a notch.
Oh my goodness, could he have really said he loved me back there?
“I mean”—I can feel the L word bubbling up my throat, and I swear on all that is holy I mean it to the depths of my soul—“I l—”
Shep lands a searing kiss over my lips and makes me forget what I was going to say next. Instead, we express exactly how we feel, effortlessly without the use of words.
I love Shepherd Wexler. I knew it the minute I laid eyes on this ornery man, and I know it more than I know my own name right now. I love him. I do.
We head deep into the woods and cut down a couple of perfect blue nobles. Shep and I sip on hot cocoa while walking through the snow, holding hands, holding Pixie, holding onto all that the glorious future holds for us.
I do think it holds something special just for the two of us, and I don’t need a peephole into the future to believe it.
Chapter 7
Who knew a little red dress could garner twice the tips than just tossing an apron over a sweater and blue jeans?
Regina. That’s who.
No sooner does the breakfast rush hustle through the doors than Shep heads in right along with them.
“Holy jolly holiday.” He sucks a quick breath in through his teeth as soon as he spots me. His eyes do that broken elevator thing, and he lets me know he approves of my naughty, albeit Regina-inspired accouterments.
Stephanie grunts. “That enthusiastic reaction deserves an entire box of Nana Rose’s cookies. I’ll put some together for you. Maybe you can share some with that ex of yours down at the station.” She winks my way.
“Ignore her,” I say as I make my way to him. And just as I’m about to wrap my arms around him, a sparkling specter enters our midst.
“Oh, Bowie, it’s terrible.” Hazel Newton moans in only a way that a ghost can. Her auburn hair shimmers like the Red Sea, and her lips look just as ruby.
“What?” I whisper in hopes Shep won’t pick up on it.
He lands his arms around me. “All right, let me rephrase that. You are smokin’. Are we still on for dinner tonight?”
“Did you think I’d forget?” I give a wink his way.
“I’ll pick you up at seven. It’s going to be a long day. Try to stay out of trouble.” He dots a kiss over my lips. “Seven.” His eyes drift down my body once again. “You’re an innovator.”
Regina slams her hand over his chest and causes him to stagger back a few feet.
“I’m the innovator.” She glances my way. “Excuse us, Bowie. We’ve got some business to discuss.”
She pulls him out the door, and I blow him a kiss as the she-devil pulls him off by the tie.
Stephanie takes off after the two of them with a box of Nana Rose’s best Christmas cookies just as Hazel swoops in close with her glowing countenance. Sparkling red stars shimmer in her hair as if they were forming a brand new constellation.
“Bowie, there’s a creepy man out there with a vacuum cleaner attached to his back—who thinks he’s going to suck me into it and land me in a bottle on his desk.”
“What? Where exactly is he?”
She wrinkles her nose. “He just left. I fried the electrical board on that equipment he was hauling around. But he’ll be back. This isn’t the first time he’s been here.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Mud. He’s the handyman around here. And I’ll get to the bottom of it. Was that the surprise you mentioned the other night?”
She shakes her head. “This isn’t the time or place, but I’ll let you in on it soon. I think you’ll be pretty excited about it. You should bring your sister, too.”
“You bet.”
Who knows?
She might just send Stephanie packing yet. Not that I’m itching for my sister to head back to Hastings. But when you get right down to it, she’s most likely a big liability. And will more than likely be the reason I end up doing that time I seem to be putting off.
I nod to Hazel. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Can’t wait. I’ll see you later.” She dematerializes right in front of me, and it’s a disconcerting sight.
Tilly comes up and slings an arm around my shoulders. “What do you say we get out of here? I’ve already made twice as much in tips as I did yesterday.”
“Don’t you want to knock the fire hydrant over and see how high the financial waters can go?”
“Why spoil all the fun at once? Besides, I’m in the mood to do a suspect run. I’m dressed to impress and hot-to-trot. Is it asking too much if I’m hoping the next suspect is hanging out at a morally replete watering hole?”
A tiny laugh percolates within me. “It’s more of a literary watering hole. But stick with me, kid, you might just learn something.”
Tilly groans as she takes a look around the Starry Falls Public Library.
“I’m learning something, all right,” she mutters. “I’m learning that I can’t trust you, Bowie Binx, to ensure I’ll have a good time.”
Stephanie pats her on the shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Til. Many a people have been fooled into believing Bowie might be trustworthy. Newsflash: she’s not a good time either.”
I shoot her a look. I have no doubt that was a dig at my dubious money laundering past. She’s not wrong. But that’s not the point.
The Starry Falls Public Library has a grand entrance comprised solely of homey whitewashed bricks. And once you enter the library proper, you’re met with sterile walls and glossy white chairs and tables—the effort of a recent remodel I’m guessing. The carpeting inside is thick, lush sage with a pattern of embossed leaves over the surface of it, and it helps to dampen the noise of footsteps. But it’s the heavenly sweet scent of the paperbacks and
