Page 83 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

“I didn’t get far,” Beau explained. “Amy spotted me and was about to call out and I hurried away from the two men so I wouldn’t get caught.”

“That’s why I couldn’t find you,” I said, as Ian picked a couple of cream puffs out of my hair.

“How did you wind up on the skateboard?” Ian asked.

“Running away from the man from the hospital,” I said, grateful to Amy when she handed me a few wet paper towels.

“He chased after you?” Ian asked, anger sparking in his blue eyes and he took the paper towels from me and began to gently wipe the mess from my face.

“He told me I was too nosy for my own good and stepped toward me. I didn’t wait to find out his intentions. I ran and not long after I found myself flying down the pathway at a remarkable speed and with no way of stopping.”

Beau chuckled. “Dessert to the rescue.”

Ian couldn’t hide his smile.

“At least I found out that Professor Anderson needs to deliver to this unknown guy or else.”

“Did either of them say what Anderson was to deliver?” Ian asked.

I nodded. “Information.”

Winifred Dickens returned ending the conversation.

“The desserts are on the way,” Amy said.

“We can’t serve the desserts here,” Winifred complained.

“I have an idea,” Amy said.

Beau and I stuck to cleaning the mess in the kitchen while Ian helped Amy set up three folding tables outside, the gorgeous near-summer day perfect for the end of the preview event. Amy worked her magic and created a far more inviting dessert display then was probably planned, Ian snapping pics with his phone to send me.

Amy had found linens to cover the tables and had cut some of the flowers from the garden and placed them artfully among the desserts which were plentiful and placed at varying heights.

The serving staff who arrived to set up a coffee, tea, and a champagne bar and to tend the dessert tables also admired her talent, the manager offering Amy a job which she graciously declined.

People began to drift outside, the preview ending, and hearing the talk and laughter, I wished I could have joined them. Ian brought me a glass of champagne and sat with me.

“You should go out there,” I said.

He shook his head. “I’m not going to leave you alone.”

“You might hear something that could help us or look and see if Professor Anderson is anywhere to be seen.”

“I haven’t spotted him so far.”

“Go,” I insisted, “even if it’s just for a little while.”

“I cannae leave you here all alone.”

“I’ll stay with Pepper.”

We both looked to see Kate from Yesterday’s Treasures stepping through the open doors.

“Amy told me you were here and what happened. I came to help,” Kate said. “Ian, Beau is waiting for you to join him to help find Pepper’s shoes. I believe I can get her cleaned up enough to look presentable and join the crowd.”

“That would be great, Kate.” Ian kissed my cheek. “I’ll find your shoes.”

“And you will place them on my feet, and I will turn into a beautiful princess,” I said jokingly.

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