Page 25 of Dragon Detective

Hannah’s smile joined in. “Not quite but close enough.”

“Why didn’t you bring your bag?” Sylvia asked, her gaze lingering on my chest so long I wanted to find something to cover up. “Did your airline lose your luggage? That happened to a friend of mine once. It took four days for her to receive it,and she was on a cruise. Oh, dear, it was dreadful. She had to wash out her underthings in the sink and wear what she could buy on the ship. Everything came in Hawaiian floral or leopard print. She was thrilled when she arrived in Barbados to find her luggage had caught up to the ship. As for her contact lenses, let me tell you, she had to use shot glasses. Shot glasses, I say! Imagine fishing your finger around inside the—”

“I shifted,” I said. “No cruise. No airline. No need for luggage. I live locally. I usually remember to bring a new set of clothing with me when I shift, but last night, I forgot.”

“He’ll collect some things today,” Hannah said.

“Ah, I see.” Sylvia retook her seat and lifted her coffee mug, taking a sip. “When exactly do you plan to open for business then, dear?”

“Soon. Reylor’s here to—”

“Help Hannah finish the construction so she can get her B&B ready to open,” I said.

Sylvia seemed friendly enough, but I wasn’t going to trust anyone. I doubted she’d heard that Monsters, PI had recently hired a dragon shifter. Let her think I was a friend.

“Yes, he’s . . . helping with the construction.” Hannah gestured to a place setting across from Sylvia. “Would you like some coffee? I made muffins.”

A big basket of cinnamon goodness sat in the middle of the table, and I was salivating already.

“I could smell them all the way down the street.” Sylvia bit into her muffin, speaking around it. “Hannah was kind enough to offer me one when I came knocking on her door.”

“I’d love some coffee.” I strode toward the door connecting the dining room to the kitchen. “I’ll get it.” As I passed her, Hannah nibbled on her muffin.

“Nice ass,” Sylvia said much too loudly.

My face overheated. I liked thinking that Hannah was checking out my ass. Sylvia? Not one bit.

I returned to the dining room with my coffee and sat. Hannah lifted the basket and offered me a muffin.

“I get lonely,” Sylvia said in a somewhat defensive tone.

Why defensive?

“There’s no need to feel lonely any longer,” Hannah said. “We’re friends. You know you’re always welcome here.”

“My husband died years ago,” Sylvia said, placing her coffee cup back on the table. “Thankfully, this town is busy most of the year, so there’s always someone to talk with. I open promptly at ten and remain open until six. I think five’s too early to close, don’t you? People like to stop by on their way home from work and knowing they can snoop around inside my shop and pick up something lovely to take home and enjoy just makes my day.”

“I can see that,” I said, buttering a piping hot muffin. I couldn’t wait to taste it.

“I was just about to go up and knock on your door.” Hannah sipped her coffee. “I didn’t know how long you might want to sleep, though.”

“It’s almost eight already,” Sylvia gasped, clearly scandalized. “You young kids, always lounging in bed until all hours.”

“I like to sleep in sometimes.” Hannah lowered her butter knife onto her plate and lifted the second half of her muffin. “But I love cooking, and I knew you’d both be hungry.”

Sylvia shook her finger at Hannah. “You could still consider that offer. With the profit, you could buy a condo in Florida. Lounge on the beach or go visit alligators.” She shivered.

“I don’t want to visit alligators,” Hannah said firmly. “I don’t want to buy a condo in Florida. I like the beach, and I can see the perfect one from my back patio. I told you already that I’m not selling.” Hannah glanced my way. “Sylvia is good friends with Grant Murray. He’s stopped by a few times and sent offers to buythis building. I don’t know if you’ve met him yet or not. He works with Estadore, the owner of Griffin Grove Real Estate Group.”

“I heard from a reputable source that he hopes to build condos here,” Sylvia said, saluting me with her mug. “They’ll level this rundown place in a flash and put up a high-rise.”

“Destroy this lovely building?” I asked. “What a shame that would be.”

“I’ve told him I’m not selling,” Hannah said again.

“Do it, I say.” Sylvia grunted. “Winters here can be tough.”

“No worse than in Boston,” Hannah pointed out. “Remember, I grew up in this state. I don’t mind shoveling snow.”

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