Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 130991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 655(@200wpm)___ 524(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
“Enjoy your vacation. I hope it was worth it.”
“Mrs. Marais?” I called out. Beast danced by my feet, barking. She sensed two people being agitated and wasn’t sure if she was supposed to bite somebody.
The woman turned to me. Oh crap, crap, crap, crap.
“You!” the Costco lady squeaked.
I had the worst luck in the world.
Donna Marais pointed at me and strained. She must’ve had a lot of things to say all at once and they caused a traffic jam, because nothing came out. She just pointed with her mouth gaping.
Marais blinked, looking back and forth between us. “Do the two of you know each other?”
“It’s her!” Donna spat out. “I told you. The monster in Costco! That’s her. The woman that disappeared! Is that who you’re sleeping with? What the hell is going on?”
“We are not sleeping together. I hired your husband.”
Her face told me she did not believe a word I said. “Hired him to do what?”
There was no way around this. “Come inside, please.”
“I’m not going in your house! I’m going to stay right out here, and someone better explain things to me.”
Marais took her by the arm and said, “Trust me.”
“Let go of me, you bastard!” she growled.
I really felt for her, but if I tried to reassure her here, not only would she not believe me, but she could decide to leave. She came here ready to challenge Marais and the person she thought he was sleeping with. It was much better to be a little combative. She would follow me if she thought I would give her that confrontation.
“Would you rather go inside and find out exactly what is going on, or would you rather stay outside here and keep making a scene for the whole neighborhood?” I asked.
Like throwing gasoline on the fire. Mrs. Marais drew back and gave me an angry stare. “I don’t like you.”
“That’s fine, but I’m trying to explain things. After I’m done, I’ll give you a can of beans you can throw at me.”
She glared at me. “Five minutes. That’s all I’m giving you.”
“Five minutes is plenty.”
She marched up the driveway. Marais and I struggled to keep up. We reached the door. I held it open and the two of them went inside.
I had to keep this as professional and impersonal as possible. The more business-like I was, the more it would reassure Donna that there was absolutely nothing between Marais and me. The customary innkeeper tone when meeting new guests was best here: courteous but slightly distant.
Caldenia emerged from the kitchen, still in her beautiful gown. “Here you are. Did you know that smoking meat with Dushegub logs gives the flesh a unique flavor? I just found out. This is very exciting. I couldn’t help but notice you have five on the lawn. They must have done something to warrant a rigorous pruning.”
Donna stared at Caldenia.
“We are not pruning guests to use as fuel for a BBQ,” I said.
“I spoke to Orro, and he’s on board.”
“No,” I said firmly.
“Are you her mother?” Donna demanded.
“Heavens no. I am her guest. Her first guest.”
Her Grace smiled, showing Donna all of her beautiful, pointed teeth. Donna took a small step back.
“No pruning. That’s final. Please follow me.” I started down the hallway to the throne room.
The inn tugged on me, and I opened a door to the Merchant rooms. Cookie popped through it in all of his fluffy cuteness.
“I wish to reserve a dining hall for the fourth week of the next month.”
“Which one?”
“The Ocean one. My grandmother has been watching the selection and she wants to visit. She specifically asked for me to escort her.” His fur fluffed up. He danced around me, unable to contain himself. The lees revered their elders, and Grandmother Nuan Re was Clan Nuan’s most respected elder. To be able to host her was a massive boon.
I smiled at him. “Congratulations, Nuan Couki. What a great honor!”
“I know.” His eyes sparkled. “May I have the dining hall?”
“Of course. Please let Orro know your preferences.”
“Splendid!”
He dashed ahead of us. I opened the doors ahead, and he streaked into the throne room heading for the kitchen.
“What the fuck is going on?” Donna whispered to her husband.
“A lot,” he said. “It’s not usually this busy.”
“Is this a movie? Hector, was that a little kid in a costume? Who’s the scary old lady?”
We entered the throne room. It took Donna a couple of seconds to realize that the massive room could never have fit into the Victorian she saw from the street. Her eyes opened wide. She grabbed Marais’ arm, holding on tight. He patted her fingers gently.
Gertrude Hunt tugged on me. I pulled a thirty-foot screen to the Pit out of the floor. A huge Dushegub waved its branches at me.
“Proposition: return those you took, or we kill you, we break your inn, and we smother your dog creature. Do you want to discuss?”