Page 36 of Dead Heat

Ray chuckled. “No, ma’am. My daughter is married to her career. Unless Alessandro shows up at her place of employment with a promotion and a salary increase, she won’t be interested.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I said. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”

Nana Pratt gave a disapproving grunt. “I don’t think it’s his heart.”

I hefted my purse strap over my shoulder. “I’m headed to the library to see if I can find books on runes and curses.”

“I thought you said it was the letter F in ancient Norse,” Nana Pratt said.

“That’s what it looks like, but I don’t see any reason why that would curse him. I don’t see a connection.”

Nana Pratt surveyed the kitchen. “Where did you put the white vinegar? I need to make another spray bottle.”

I winced. “I forgot to get it. I’m sorry.” I’d been too distracted by the other hundred items I had to buy.

“While you’re out, maybe stop at the garden center too. I was thinking the moat could use a spot of color.”

“I can throw in a pink flamingo float when the weather turns.”

“I was envisioning flowerbeds.”

I snorted. “Along the moat?”

“Flowers would look lovely there, don’t you think?”

“It’s a moat. It isn’t supposed to look lovely or inviting. It’s supposed to keep people away.”

“Oh, come now, Lorelei. I think you’re well past the lady of solitude bit. You have more visitors to your house than an actual castle.”

“You should consider selling tickets,” Ray added.

“I’m not opening my home to the public.” I glared at Nana Pratt. “No flowerbeds along the moat. It’s there for defensive purposes … and to serve as a lazy river during the warmer months.”

“Don’t forget the white vinegar this time,” she called after me. “Those weeds won’t kill themselves.”

CHAPTER SIX

I groaned inwardlyas a group of children streamed into the library ahead of me. As usual, I’d chosen the wrong time for peace and quiet.

I entered the building and immediately spotted a frazzled Hailey Jones as she ushered children to the reading section. Story hour seemed to cause the librarian more stress than The Corporation caused me. I waited for the kids to be seated on the floor cushions before I approached her.

“Hi, Hailey. How’s it going?”

“It’s a process,” she replied vaguely.

“Do you have a minute? I could use your help with something.”

Her features rearranged themselves into a picture of calm. “For you? Absolutely. Anything at all.”

“I’m researching fairy tales.”

Hailey clapped her hands. “Oh, gosh. How fun!”

Fairy tale research seemed more appropriate for Hailey than runes and curses. It was also much easier to explain Goran’s predicament than Alessandro’s.

“I’d like to know all the methods used to turn a creature back into a prince. The more obscure, the better.”

I still felt guilty that I wasn’t able to help Goran reverse the curse that had turned him into a water spirit. Despite his claims that he was fine with his appearance, I felt obligated to find a solution that didn’t involve the Givers, the Slavic Fates responsible for the curse.

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