Vortex
Luckily, the Feds had moved into the suggested accommodation, and those who’d booked rooms arrived on time, with no guests cancelling. Several asked to see the site of the Zeppelin crash, only to be instantly shamed by other customers. It appeared that what Moon had done was getting around, and nobody wanted to upset the club that ran this town. The crowds kept coming, and we were taking in a small fortune.
“We need to open a dress-up store,” Nanci exclaimed as I entered the clubhouse later that morning. She and Amy were sitting at a laptop, busy clicking on things.
“A what?” I asked as Amy jumped up, kissed me and headed into the kitchen.
“We’re getting a lot of questions about period clothing hire. It would be a good investment.”
Amy returned carrying a plate of food, which earned her a smouldering kiss. She smiled into my eyes as Nanci’s gaze dartedback and forth between us. I sat down in front of my lunch and took a huge bite.
“Well, now!” she exclaimed.
“What are you working on?” I asked to distract Nanci. I wasn’t going to sit here gossiping with her.
“Something we all missed. Many of the hotel guests and day visitors have inquired whether we have period clothing. There’s a lot of feedback on this. I’m taking a chance, and Amy and I were ordering clothes in various sizes.”
“Holy shit,” I muttered when I saw the basket. “Have you told Inglorious?”
“Nope. This is my project. If he doesn’t like it, he can do one.”
“Do one what?” I asked to poke the bear.
Nanci glowered and shook her head. “I’m not biting. Go away, Vortex.”
That was the problem of having the Queen Bee look at you like a pesky brother. Nanci was a bloody nightmare at times. Amy looked amused as I took another deliberate bite of the sandwich.
Nanci rolled her eyes.
“Did you spend the entire day here?” I asked Amy, and she shrugged.
“I visited the candy shop, but people kept staring, so I left. It wasn’t frightening, just unnerving.”
“You shouldn’t have to be cooped up,” I growled out, feeling frustration rise.
“Vortex, it’s fine. I’ve been having fun ordering clothes,” Amy replied.
It wasn’t okay, but I wasn’t going to push her. If Amy was happy doing what she was doing, that was her choice. Even so, it grated. This would be Amy’s home; she should be comfortable here.
“Oh, did Inglorious talk to you?” Nanci asked.
“About?” Amy murmured, frowning at the screen.
“Being the schoolteacher for our kindergarten?”
“No!” Amy gasped, and I scowled.
Inglorious informed Amy of the job offer; Nanci had overstepped.
“Seriously?” Amy turned to look at me.
“Yeah, but it’s for Inglorious to speak to you, not us,” I chided Nanci, who hesitated and then shrugged. There was a slight flush on her cheeks, which meant she knew she’d done wrong, but Nanci would never admit it.
“Hey, I won’t say a word when Inglorious asks. Also, Papa called. They got Declan.”
“Now that is good news!” I exclaimed. Amy and her dads had been in constant contact with Declan since he’d been placed into emergency care. His entire family had died on the Titanic of the Skies. Christ, there was nobody left for Declan. Phil and Duke had been pushing hard to get a foster placement, and it had finally come through.
“Declan’s a little confused; he thought I lived with them,” Amy continued.
