Kitty St. Clair gave the key to her guest and turned to leave the room.
“Enjoy your stay,” the chipmunk said. “Breakfast will be available in the dining room tomorrow morning, and you can make tea or coffee anytime—it’s all on the dining room sideboard. If you need a recommendation for dinner, I’ll be in the sitting room.”
Vera breathed a deep sigh of contentment as the door to her room closed behind her hostess. It was such a luxury to have a beautiful room all to oneself, and nothing pressing to do but decide what to have for dinner. She lay down on the bed, feeling rather like she was floating on a fluffy cloud. Vera’s eyes slid closed, and without meaning to, she began to doze.
The chiming of the mantel clock woke her a half hour later.
“Oh, dear!” Vera gasped. She hadn’t meant to sleep on the job, and there was only so much time left in the day. There was fresh water in the ewer on the dresser, so Vera poured some into the accompanying bowl and washed her face and paws. Feeling refreshed, she went downstairs. She didn’t encounter any other travelers, and she thought it was possible that she was the only guest. Vera found Kitty in the sitting room knitting some type of garment in an extremely bright shade of green. As she was just about to greet her hostess, her gaze went to the occupant of a wing chair near the fireplace. It couldn’t be, but it was…a wolf in a fedora!
The chipmunk didn’t seem to notice that Vera was frozen in the doorway with her mouth open. She greeted Vera pleasantly, and said, “Have you met my other guest? This is Bradley Marvel.”
Before Vera could respond, the wolf rose to his paws smoothly and gave the fox a toothy smile.
“Miss Vixen and I are old friends. Perhaps she would like to have dinner with me at that charming bistro that you recommended, Ms. St. Clair. What was it, the Blue Golf Club?”
Kitty giggled and corrected him. “The Blue Umbrella!”
Vera was flabbergasted by this turn of events, and unfortunately, still unable to regain her composure. She found herself headed down the front steps of Highbank Hideaway with that insufferable wolf, while Kitty St. Clair waved at them from the front door like they were teenagers headed to the prom.
Bradley Marvel did not seem to notice Vera’s silence, but yammered on about what a great book he planned to write about Dotty Springfield and the Edward situation. Before she knew it, they had arrived at the restaurant, a pleasant-looking building with several outdoor tables, each with (as one would expect) a large blue umbrella.
A cheerful young rabbit welcomed them to the Blue Umbrella and led them to a table for two in the corner of the large dining room. Bradley Marvel ordered a bottle of cider for them to share. At this moment, Vera finally recovered enough from her shock to speak.
“What on earth are you doing here in Highbank, Mr. Marvel?” She spoke quietly, but her anger was evident. “Did you follow me? What do you think you’re doing? I’m here on serious business!”
“Calm down, Miss Vixen,” the wolf replied, taking a large sip of his cider as he looked over the menu. “I know you’re too shy to ask for my help, but I’m offering it to you.”
Too shy? At this, Vera could actually feel her blood pressure rising. She took a sip of her own cider, which was crisp and delicious, and tried to compose herself.
She noticed that Bradley Marvel was looking at his menu with more and more concern. He beckoned their waiter over and demanded to know where a hungry wolf could get a steak in this town.
The server, who had told them his name was Nathaniel, began trembling as he nervously explained that the Blue Umbrella was a vegetarian restaurant, and thus, no steak was available. Marvel started to argue, and then, realizing that Vera was staring at him with a most disapproving look, suddenly changed course and told Nathaniel that he would have the mushroom risotto. Vera nodded and ordered the eggplant parmigiana. Nathaniel, who looked extremely relieved, wrote down their orders in a small notepad, and brought them a basket of freshly baked bread.
Vera munched on the bread, sipped her cider, and glanced around the restaurant. She refused to make small talk with the wolf. When Nathaniel brought their entrées, she asked him if he had ever heard of Thomas Springfield.
The rabbit’s eyes grew large. “Why, yes, miss,” he replied. “The whole village of Highbank knows about Thomas Springfield. He ran up a tab in almost every store and restaurant in town, and then a few years ago, he vanished.”
Vera’s ears perked up. It seemed like she was onto something.
“I was pretty young when it happened,” the rabbit continued. “But folks say that he owed money to some very sketchy creatures. I would check in with the local police if you want to know more. The police department is only a few blocks away.”
Vera thanked Nathaniel for his information and turned her attention to the delicious-smelling plate in front of her. Bradley Marvel was already halfway through his bowl of risotto.
Nice manners, Vera thought to herself, picking up her fork. Oh well, she did not want him to think this was a date.
The party slurping risotto across the table from her notwithstanding, Vera was thoroughly enjoying her meal at the Blue Umbrella. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was outstanding. Not quite as good as
