“She most probably isn’t. But if I were you, I’d dig in the old archives, Rhiannon. Fascinating information those books hold. And who would know better about books than you? Someof them are so old, their owners have forgotten how much information they contain, since they’d need an expert touch to open. If only there was a restorer in town once again. One trained by the late, great Jerome Maginot himself. After all, he knew all about those very old, very much forgotten books.”
Something cold slithered down Rhiannon’s back and she kept her eyes focused past Paloma where Prudence was surreptitiously looking around herself, no doubt trying to find Rhiannon.
Paloma chose to give Rhiannon a moment before she turned to her fully, stepping closer, crowding her. It wasn’t unpleasant, but Rhiannon’s already-on-alert system went into overdrive.
“And speaking of books, Rhiannon. Did you know that the town’s library has received four more challenges? Immigration and queer books this time. There hasn’t been a single challenge yet that didn’t include an LGBTQIA title. And Fowler is silent. Interesting.”
“Interesting is not a word I’d use for this case, Ms. Allende. And you are remarkably well informed for someone who is a newcomer on the island.”
The amber swirled with mischief and the voice got even lower, as the gorgeous face was suddenly much closer to Rhiannon’s.
“I make a point of knowing what I am up against. As should you.” Paloma blew out a breath and gave her a curious smile. “Though the more I look into you, the more I find out you tend to just forge ahead. Challenging the Town Council on the Halloween Festival and simply funding the entire thing yourself. That takes steel ovaries.”
Rhiannon crossed her arms, the evening chill suddenly making her shiver. It had to be the chill.
“Or it takes having a large disposable income and a desire to spite people. I have plenty of both. It also helps that I’m on theisland for ten more months only. The notion that I would be up against anything other than walls or doors or the shower stall and that would be by anything other than my own volition, is presumptuous, wouldn’t you say, Ms. Allende?”
Paloma’s laughter was all smoke and seduction. When Rhiannon narrowed her eyes, however, she was waved away with another chuckle.
“Touché, Rhiannon Crowhart. We’re not enemies either, you and I. But I do wish to know mine. Alternatively, I tend to warn women when they might be walking into a trap. My job here is done. Watch your exquisite backside. In this town, nothing is what it seems. But then you knew that already. And if you hadn’t learned it when you left, then surely you got that message when you returned.”
With that she placed a kiss on Rhiannon’s right cheek, and after a whispered “You can call me Paloma, querida. I hope you enjoy your evening,” she was gone.
From the distance, Rhiannon could see Prudence’s eyes ignoring the departing woman, instead staying on her, their piercing gaze not warming her this time.
20
PRUDENCE, DOVES & THE HEADMISTRESS
MORE BOOK BANS ON THE HORIZON!
Prudence Fowler has placed the entirety of the Book Nest LGBTQIA stock on sale this month as Banned Books Week is approaching and more challenges to the titles in the town’s library have been registered. Anonymously, of course. Christian Astor has expressed his frustration as the Library Board is to meet again this week.
“The system is unfair.”
Well, yes, Your Honor, it is. While the Board will be taking up the newly submitted challenges, the town’s councilfolk and the mayor could not be reached for comment.
Watch this space.
—Crow’s Caw
Prudence had heard tellthat Paloma Allende was gorgeous. She just didn’t need it thrown in her face quite like that. Or was it in Rhiannon’s?
She watched from afar as the boss of the Astronomy Resort stood way too close to Rhiannon, leaning in slightly, and her mind couldn’t keep from conjuring all the horrible, seductive, awful, sexy things she must be whispering.
She had never been the jealous type. Moreover, what was there to be jealous of? They weren’t anything to each other. A few weeks of amazing sex and taking care of pets and sleeping in the same bed… Ah, heck. Hell even. If any moment deserved a damn curse word, it was this one.
Prudence prided herself on being ever faithful to her own name. Prudent. Careful. Hadn’t she known? Hadn’t she understood that Rhiannon was on the island like her own proverbial wind, wrecking havoc one minute and gone the next? Hadn’t Rhiannon herself told her as much? So why this neediness? Why this clinginess to a woman who, as she herself put it just a few minutes ago, wanted nothing on Dragons?
“Because you’re afraid she wants no one as well as nothing. And you very much want her to want you.”
She whispered the words into her still full champagne flute, unable to hold the sigh and the truth inside.
“I don’t think that fear is entirely warranted. In fact, if I were a betting woman, I’d say it’s not warranted at all, Ms. Fowler.”
A stunning redhead stepped in front of her as if conjured by magic, and Prudence blinked at the suddenness of the appearance.
“Headmistress! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Prudence presented her cheeks for the now customary greeting between them and watched the faint crow’s feet appear under the dual-colored eyes. The small smile playing at the corners of the full mouth attested to the pleasure seeing Pru had brought the other woman.
