Grinning, she sits in the chair across the desk and unwraps her sandwich. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
It’s almosttime to close, and the shop has finally cleared out. A few patrons chat at a walkway table out front, but the tearoom is empty. Rowan is upstairs checking inventory, and Nadine just left for the livery stable.
I’m in the middle of refilling the large glass jar of sugar cubes when Hazel walks into the shop.
The pretty fox shifter sets a small box of jam jars on the counter and sighs when she slides onto a stool. “One dozen half-pints of strawberry jam and another dozen of marmalade, as ordered.”
She’s in her mid-thirties, pretty, with caramel-brown hair and a youthful face. She and her husband run the meat and cheese store down the street.
“Thank you for bringing them by,” I say. “Let me write you a check.”
“Take your time.” She rubs her rounded stomach. “Jasper is watching the kids, so I’m in no hurry.”
I smile. “Do they get bored at the shop?”
“They do all right. We have a playroom for them, and we walk to the park often so they can get some energy out. They’re up and down the stairs all day long, but they mostly behave themselves around customers. Jasper’s parents watch them a few days a week in the summer, and they’ll pick them up on other days if they’re too squirrelly.”
I smile to myself at the idea of a fox acting like a squirrel.
“We have to keep an eye on my brother, though,” she adds. “He sneaks them ice cream.”
“Uncle Arlo must be their favorite.” I write out the check, thankful my next inheritance payment will arrive in a few days.
“He is,” she laughs.
“Your parents live in Arizona, right?”
“Yes, my dad and my stepmom, along with my youngest brother. But my dad and I are from here. We moved to Arizona after my mom passed away. Jasper and I stayed in touch through school, and then I came back.”
She looks around as if making sure no one will overhear whatever she’s about to say. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” I slide her the check. “Would you like some tea? I have both decaf and pregnancy-safe herbals if you’re watching caffeine.”
“A nice cup of black decaf would be very welcome.”
“Hot or iced?”
“Iced,” she says with a sigh.
“It’s my first summer away from the cool Washington coast,” I tell her. “It’s going to take some getting used to.”
“After Arizona, Vermont felt like a green reprieve. But now I’m pregnant, and I think Alaska would be too warm.”
I laugh. “When are you due?”
“September 28th. I still have three months.”
“May they go quickly.” I pour the cold tea over a glass of ice. “What did you want to ask me?”
“Forgive me, but I’m just hoping you would indulge my curiosity. There’s a rumor going around town that Ansel accidentally bonded your magic to Rowan’s. Is it true?”
I laugh, always amazed at how fast news travels around Moss Hollow. “Yes, it is.”
“But you’re not shifters. How could you possibly have accomplished that?”
“No one knows. Rowan and Ansel are trying to figure out how to reverse it.”
She takes an innocent sip of her tea. “Do youwantto reverse it?”
