Page 62 of The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium

“Yes, sir.” Talula braced herself.

Mr. Green let the silence build. Miraculously, he cracked a smile. “That’s the best damn quiche I’ve ever had. And I consider myself an authority on the subject. Quiche is my favorite breakfast food.”

Talula laughed, relieved and delighted. “I’m so glad!”

“Crust could use a little work, though.” Nathan winked. “It’s a bit too crumbly.”

Talula groaned. “I know. I struggle with pastry. Baked goods in general, actually.”

“Still tasted damn good.” Mr. Green tapped his fork on his plate. “If you put this on the menu with some better coffee, you’ll have a line out the door in no time.”

“I agree with you about the coffee.” She decided to take a chance and added, “But I don’t know if it’s worth staying open if people keep making complaints.”

He studied her for a moment. “Let me level with you here. This Samhain debate has riled up a lot of people, and I’m sorry to say, they’ve made their opinion of this establishment very clear to my department.”

Talula’s shoulders drooped. “I figured as much.”

“That being said,” the inspector continued, “some people see what the Blue Moon has done for this community. Those people will help out in any way they can. Starting with completing this inspection as usual and blacklisting malicious complainers. And maybe one day, I can see this quiche officially on the menu.”

For a moment, Talula didn’t know how to put the incredible gratitude she felt into words. “Mr. Green, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

“Are you kidding me?” He smiled. “My granddaughters live for the Samhain festival. And call me Nathan.”

After that, the inspection went as it had every other time, but there were a few differences. Talula chatted about menu ideas. Nathan showed her pictures of his twin five-year-old granddaughters. After hiding the Volta behind an illusion, Simon followed the inspection at a begrudgingly respectful distance. At the end of the visit, Nathan hinted that Talula could expect another stellar rating from the health department (despite Simon’s presence).

“I’ll be sure to make my findings public,” Nathan said, zipping up his coat.

“Thank you,” Talula said. “It was nice getting to know you better.”

“Same to you. But I have to ask, why did you have three slices of quiche in the oven? You said your friend was visiting, so that’s one slice for you, one for her, but who’s the extra for?”

Talula glanced guiltily at Simon. “He’s been looking forward to it all morning.”

Nathan hooted with laughter. “I don’t blame him one bit!”

After the health inspector left, Talula flopped down on the café couch. Simon flopped down next to her on the café rug. They let the morning’s events wash over them.

“That was a close one,” Talula said, massaging the lingering stress headache out of her temples.

“Exhausting,” Simon groaned. “I need quiche.”

Talula laughed as the front door swung open.

“Hello, hello!” Dahlia swept in, pink-cheeked from the October morning chill. She tilted her head, looking over a limp Simon and Talula. “What happened? Also, what smells so good?”

Talula perked up as Dahlia walked in. “We had a health inspection.”

“Ah!” Dahlia plopped down on the couch next to Talula. “How’d it go? Did they hear about the rabbit speakeasy?”

Talula laughed, then jerked her head toward Simon. “It went well. This guy was our biggest problem.”

Simon gave Talula a dirty look.

“It’s true! I’m sorry, but you’re a dog and there are laws!” Talula cried.

Simon growled, eyes narrowed.

Dahlia swiveled to face Talula, her elbow propped on the back of the couch. “Could he maybe get service-dog training so you can have him here? I bet he’d be great for anxiety!”