Page 111 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

Ian walked over to me, and I handed him Stone’s card, and he smiled.

But to make sure he got my message, I said, “I’m all yours and I always will be.”

Amy and Beau joined us, practically buzzing with excitement.

“This is so exciting,” Amy said. “We have a ton of work to do here. I’m so glad you hired an assistant, Pepper. Sherman Howard sounds perfect, being a prepper himself.”

“Hey, that’s great,” Beau said. “With Ian’s new personal assistant, you’ll both have more time to solve mysteries.”

I looked at Ian. “Edith in Scotland, finally found her counterpart for you here in the States?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Beau asked, and Amy winced.

I tilted my head at Ian, waiting.

“Edith insists she’s perfect for the position, much like herself. She will keep things running smoothly and handle tasks I’ve been stuck doing. And Beau is right, it will free me to spend more time with you solving mysteries, among other things.”

“Who is this perfect person?” I asked, suspiciously since he avoided mentioning her name.

Beau grinned. “You know her.”

Amy winced again.

It struck me then. “No. No. You didn’t hire her.”

Ian slipped his arms around my waist and held me as if he worried, I’d slip away.

I shook my head. “Tell me you didn’t hire her.”

“I didn’t hire her.”

I sighed with relief, a short-lived one.

“Edith hired her,” Ian said.

Beau laughed. “She’s not going to let you near the buffet table at the lodge.”

“Say it,” I said. “I want to hear you say it and know it’s real.”

“I love you, Pep,” Ian said.

“Good save, mate,” Beau said, laughing and Amy elbowed him in the side.

“Ian,” I said impatiently.

“She may not work out,” Ian hedged.

“Edith says she’s a gem,” Beau reminded and got another elbow in the side.

“Who is your new personal assistant, Ian?” I asked, leaving him no choice but to finally confirm what I suspected.

“Winifred Dickens.”

We all turned our heads, hearing Mo let out a long, mournful howl from outside where he waited, expressing my sentiments exactly.

The End

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