by Неизвестный
“I guess I’ll see you Sunday evening, then.” Luna smiled and left the shop. She glanced back as she drove off. Gloria held the phone in her hand, her face animated as she spoke.
The information highway was at work. Nearly everyone in town would know about her designer outfit, right down to the size and minute details. Did everyone gossip? Luna wondered, while she headed for the supermarket.
In the pet food aisle, Luna read labels on bags until she found the usual fare for Riddles. Cat toys lined the side wall, near boxed litter. She chose a couple of colored catnip mice. Maybe some exercise would help Riddles shed his extra pounds. The thought brought a smile to her lips.
“What’s got you smiling?” A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
Luna swung around. Arvi stood before her, a bag of bird feed dangling from his scrawny hand.
“Nothing much,” Luna said, wishing she was anywhere else rather than here with this man. The copied papers came to mind and panic surged along Luna’s nerves. Why hadn’t she read them yet? And why hadn’t she shown them to Devin?
“Did you consider the deal I offered you?”
“It’s been on my mind, but I haven’t quite decided yet. I hope you understand my reluctance to sell,” Luna said with a forced smile, knowing she would read the papers upon her arrival home.
“Yes, yes, of course, but now that you and Radford plan to marry, surely it would be in your best interest to sell. He won’t want a working stiff for a wife.” His malicious smile caught Luna off guard.
“We haven’t spoken of it yet, but I will be in touch with you soon. Besides, I don’t allow anyone to make decisions for me.” She edged away and scurried toward the register, her other grocery needs forgotten.
She turned at the register, glancing down the aisle to see him staring at her, eyes narrowed with suspicion. Suddenly, he turned and traipsed away, his loose fitting clothes flapping around his slight frame as he moved.
Wary, Luna hurried to her car and drove back to Faerie Cake Junction. Parked in the empty lot, she sat for a moment, her purchases on the seat next to her. Arvi, it seemed, was definitely up to no good. He and Thomas wanted her land, and she wondered to what lengths they would go in order to persuade her to sell out. Anger consumed her, and she pounded the steering wheel of the car with her fist. Fighting to control her temper, she left the car and entered the building.
The telephone message light blinked. Luna pressed the button and listened. Her order form at hand, Luna scribbled the cupcake order, the name and phone number of the buyer and then flipped the page for the next message in hope of more orders.
Devin’s sensual voice filled the room. She smiled as he said he’d be by to pick her up for dinner around seven. Luna glanced at the faerie clock, realizing she only had an hour to get ready.
Gauging her reaction to the sound of Devin’s voice and his touch, let alone his lovemaking, Luna knew he’d slipped past her defenses like a wraith in the night. Despite her reservations over entering a romantic relationship, never before had she been as sure of her feelings. Thomas hadn’t ever inspired her or warmed her the way this man did. Devin’s blue eyes and gentle smile, the dimples so dear to her, brought squiggly feelings to her stomach and heat to other parts of her anatomy. Thomas’s brown eyes had failed to warm her, and his words couldn’t have brought the comfort or joy she found in Devin’s presence.
Racing up the stairs, Luna emptied the contents of the bag and hung the dress in the closet.
The clutch purse and shoes were set on the top shelf. She wandered to the jewelry box on the dresser and pulled the drawer forward, exposing a sterling silver faerie pendant. Outstretched faerie wings held a cross-legged faerie seated in the center. The lovely creature lay in Luna’s hand and she stared at the beauty of it. This single piece would set the dress and accessories off to perfection.
Smiling, Luna settled the pendant back into the nest of black velvet and slid the drawer closed.
Luna returned to the breakfast nook where she’d tossed Arvi Gribblederd’s paperwork. Her breath caught when she realized the entire document was meant to steal everything she’d worked for.
The fine print noted Rille Corporation retained all rights to land, buildings, businesses and stocks, even if the stocks and businesses were separate from the condos. These dirty dealers had set themselves up for unbridled wealth. Beyond selling condos, they would retain the right to run Faerie Cake Junction as they saw fit or even close it down should they have the urge to do so.
All this lay neatly wrapped in terms meant to confuse the average person. Luna had learned business and legal terms through the tutelage of William Kinney. With a silent prayer of thanks for William, Luna paced back and forth in an effort to dampen her anger. Settling the papers into the fax machine, she punched in a number and pressed the send button.
Riddles pranced around the kitchen. He’d searched the tearoom for crumbs, and when he found none, yowled to gain attention before scooting up the steps into the loft. Luna reached down and scratched his ears. He purred with satisfaction before wandering to the empty bowls.
After she filled the bowls with cat crunchies and fresh water, Luna returned to the documents. Folded neatly, Luna tucked them between several newspapers before she readied for her date with Devin.
Chapter 16
Soft light filtered from the petite lamp on the table between them. Shadows cast across Devin’s face created planes and angles. He was handsome and attentive, and Luna reveled in his attention. Heart soaring, she laughed and listened as he regaled her with life as a child in the coastal town. When he asked about her childhood, she glanced around the room before speaking.
Luna murmured, “My father and mother lived in an old Victorian house surrounded by mountains and lakes in the northern part of the state. I was an only child with faeries as playmates.”
His lips curved into a smile that warmed his gaze as he stared into her blue eyes. “You aren’t afraid to speak to me of them, and I’m pleased about that. Ida holds the faerie folk in great esteem.
She feels they have magical powers. Have you ever experienced that?”
“Other than visions, no, I haven’t. If they have magic, it’s because we believe in them.” She tilted her head to the side, her uneasy gaze fixed on him.
He covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. The corners of his mouth curled slightly. He said, “Don’t think for one minute that I find our conversation strange or odd. For years I feared mentioning fey creatures and what they meant to me. I’m glad to have found someone who sees them the way I do.”
Luna nodded. “I’m glad, too. It’s our responsibility to save them, you know. Gribblederd approached me in the market earlier. I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a shady character, and I think this land deal is a scam. I copied the sale contract he showed me yesterday when he came to the shop. After I met him today, I read the documents over and the whole thing is shady. The company wants the seller to think they’ll have legal rights, but the fine print tells it all.”
Devin frowned while his eyes narrowed. “Tell me more.”
The waiter approached their table and took their order. When he walked away, Luna said, “That’s all, really. He urged me to sign the documents yesterday. I managed to hide them in my apron while Annie kept him busy. I faxed them to William to look at. I’ll show them to you when we return to the loft.”
“Good, William should be able to take steps to prevent them from any deviant acts where you’re concerned. Maybe your idea to tromp them good isn’t such a bad one.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he chuckled.
Changing the subject, Luna asked, “Did you hear from Ida about the party? She called to say we’re set for this coming Sunday. Are you sure you want to go through with this?”
His eyes sparkled as he watched her. “I couldn’t be more positive of anything in my life. You aren’t having second thoughts are you?”
At that moment, their fo
od arrived. Luna took the brief moment to gather her thoughts. After the waiter left, she turned to Devin. She hesitated for a second and said, “Uh, well, you don’t have to keep up pretenses once the culprits are caught, you know. I wouldn’t force you into something like a marriage.”
“No one can force me to do anything I don’t want, Luna. You and I are a team, and a team we shall remain. This pretense has taken a turn, and I, for one, am happy it has. You do realize I’m in love with you, don’t you?”
“Uh, well, uh, yeah. The faeries made that clear to me. I’m the one who’s been having difficulties with the idea.”
Devin stared at her, his expression questioning. “Do you want to marry me, or not?”
Luna panicked. She hadn’t thought he was serious about the marriage end of it. He’d used the engagement idea to solve her dilemma and nothing more. Surely he wasn’t about to enter into marriage?
“I refuse to discuss that at this juncture.” Luna pushed her half-eaten meal away. “We need to solve the problem of who left a dead man at my shop, drugged and dumped that defenseless woman on the porch, and then decide how we can uncover Thomas’s plans to scam everyone within reach.”
“Then I guess we have our hands full, don’t we?” With a sigh, Devin leaned back in the chair and studied her features.
“I’d say so.”
Devin pulled some cash from his wallet and placed it beside the bill the waiter had left earlier. He murmured, “I think you’ll find all will be revealed quite soon. Ida has gotten wind of what’s going on, and she isn’t happy about it.”
Luna reached for her purse as they rose from the table. Her wrap lay on the back of the chair.
Devin draped it around her shoulders. His hands caressed her exposed skin.
“Let’s take a walk on the beach, shall we?” he asked.
The cozy restaurant overlooked the water. The sunset had been spectacular and the huge moon rising offered a glow over the nearby shore. Luna slipped her shoes off and let the straps dangle from her fingertips as they ambled over the soft sand.
Waves lapped the shoreline. A heady breeze blew in off the water, and Luna breathed deeply. She could smell the sharp, pungent odor of seaweed and salt. Never had she enjoyed it as much as tonight.
“What thoughts are running through that mind of yours?” Devin asked, his arm circling her shoulders.
“Just that it’s a lovely evening, and the company is quite wonderful.” Luna smiled as he tightened his grip on her.
“Thanks.”
“It’s getting late, I need to return home. Two o’clock arrives fast, and I have to make an extra order tomorrow for a customer.” She wished she could linger a while.
“Sure thing.”
Faerie Cake Junction lay in near darkness upon their arrival. The only light, a tiny glow from the loft, had been left on before she’d gone out. As they climbed up the rear steps, she pulled house key from her purse.
Devin glanced around before he drew her aside. He whispered, “The faeries aren’t about. I think there’s a problem.”
Her gaze swept the entire back yard. He was right. No faerie lights glowed, the crickets and frogs lay silent and an eerie feeling drifted over her in a mere second. She stepped closer to Devin, her heartbeat quickened, and her hands shook. She dropped the key into his extended hand.
“Stay right here. I’ll go inside and check things out,” he whispered.
“I’m not staying out here alone, I’d rather be right behind you.” Her voice came out in a croak. Luna swallowed hard to relieve the lump in her throat.
He slid the key in the door, but it swung inward on silent hinges before he could unlock it. He glanced over his shoulder at Luna, pressing her close to him as he crept forward.
Luna pasted herself against the corridor wall when they entered the building. Devin held her hand tightly, moving forward on silent feet. They peered into the moonlight shadowed tearoom. All appeared to be in place. The couple tiptoed into the gift shop. Again, all seemed well.
Luna sighed, but waited for Devin to flip the light switches before she could honestly say she was relieved. The rooms remained in the same state she had left them. Clean and tidy, the tables ready for patrons, glass cases shone, and gifts filled the shelves.
“Nobody’s here. Let’s take a look in the basement.” Devin turned, headed toward the stairs.
“I’ll check the loft,” Luna said.
He turned toward her. “No, I’d rather we do it together by working our way from the bottom of the building to the top.”
“I’m sure nobody went to the loft, so don’t worry about me,” Luna said. “I’ll be right back. Riddles would have taken care of them anyway, he can be ferocious, you know.”
Devin hiked his eyebrows as he stared at her in disbelief. “Oh yeah, he’s tough. Just throw him a cat crunchy and he’s your best friend.” He realized his sardonic glare was for nothing when Luna turned and hiked up the stairs two at a time in her bare feet. Shaking his head, he ran down the stairs and checked out the large baking room and office. Satisfied the space was empty, he quickly headed back to the first floor.
A thud followed by rumbling heavy feet brought Devin around as he closed the basement door. Fearful for Luna’s safety, he raced toward the loft staircase. I should have insisted she come with me. A man’s silhouette appeared as Devin rounded the corner. Shoved hard against the wall as he placed a foot on the first step, Devin tumbled backward into the galley kitchen. His head slammed against the refrigerator. Dazed, he slid to the floor.
Chapter 17
The outer door lay wide open when Luna reached the first floor. She glanced around and flipped the light switches illuminating the porch, backyard and the corridor. Concerned for Devin, she rushed toward the galley and saw him on the floor.
“Are you all right?” Luna leaned over him, her voice filled with fear.
“Yeah, I was taken by surprise. When I heard feet on the stairs, I thought it was you. The intruder reached the bottom step as I was about to start up.” He shook his head, rubbing the back of it. “Did you get a look at him?”
“No, but it was a man. I smelled his cologne.” Luna helped Devin up the stairs.
“What kind was it, do you know?” Devin asked as they entered the loft.
Luna shook her head and thought for a moment. “It had a spicy scent.”
“Have you ever smelled it on anyone else?”
“Not that I recall. I don’t date and not many men frequent the shop unless you count the medical personnel who keep coming to the rescue, or the sheriff and Doc Hardy.” She gave a slight shrug and sat opposite him in an armchair across from the sofa.
“Right, I forgot you don’t date,” Devin smirked. “At least not until you met me and found me irresistible.” His eyebrows waggled and he chuckled.
She frowned at his ability to find humor in the situation. “This is no joking matter. You could have been seriously injured. And so could I, for that matter.”
Devin cleared his throat. “Of course, you’re right. How about a kiss to make me feel better?”
“Oooh, you’re impossible,” Luna said. “I’m going to look around to see if anything was taken. The papers from the counter are all over the floor, but Riddles could have done that.”
She searched the loft, peering into every nook and cranny for the cat. When she lifted the comforter edge, she peered under the bed, finding Riddles hunched into a ball, the tip of his tail flicking up and down. Speaking softly, Luna coaxed Riddles out of his hiding place.
“You’re a tough guy, all right,” Luna murmured, cuddling the hefty creature to her bosom.
Laughter rolled around the room, the sound bounding off the walls. Devin lifted the cat from her and settled the heavy beast onto his lap. Stroking Riddles’ thick coat, Devin watched Luna browse the contents of the desk before she addressed the papers strewn around the kitchen floor. Shuffling through the mound she turned, her mouth dry as a desert.
“The contract is gone. The thief took it with him. What do you think about that?”
“The one for the land deal?”
“That’s the one. The thief didn’t take anything else, just that. I wonder why?”
“I guess you didn’t fool Arvi very well when you hid it inside your apron.” His eyebrows gathered together.
“It’s incriminating evidence, that’s why he wouldn’t give you a copy of it. Good thing you sent one to William.”
The phone rang bright and early, but Luna was awake and ready for the day. Finished cupcakes awaited their trip to the chilled glass cases and teapots glistened in the sunlight streaming through the sparkling windows. Porch tables warmed and bright, plump cushions adorned wicker chairs. Multi-colored butterflies fluttered around the flowerbeds and shrubbery.
“It’s for you, Luna.” Brandishing the phone, Annie called across the room as Luna finished the tables.
Hurriedly, Luna crossed the floor and scooped the phone from Annie’s hand.
“This is Luna, how can I help you?” she asked in her best businesslike tone of voice.
Soft laughter filtered across the phone line. William chuckled and said, “Good morning, Luna. I received the fax and have given it the once over. We’ll talk about it when I visit at the weekend. You are not to sign anything, understand?”
With a glance at Annie’s inquisitive gaze, Luna strode outdoors, murmuring to him that the contract in question had been stolen from the loft the night before. She explained the events leading to the find.
A tsk sound crossed the line. She smiled, envisioning William’s concerned face.
“Did you report it to the police?”
“No, the sheriff couldn’t care less, and he won’t do anything about it anyway. He thinks I’m trying to gain attention for the shop.”
“I’ll have a word with him, if you’d like.”
“No, William, don’t bother.” She gazed across the parking lot as a car drove in. “He’s just driven into the parking lot. I think Devin may have gotten hold of him. Thanks for calling, though, and I look forward to seeing you this weekend.” Before she could ask why he planned a visit, William disconnected the call.