Page 85 of Magic and Muffins

The police asked a few more questions and took all of our names, along with Vena’s information.

After they left, Griz locked the back door and walked us to his car.

“Thanks for your help. I’m sorry it turned out like this.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said. “I can’t believe they would attack Vena like that.”

My thoughts drifted to Pam for a moment. She had been thinking about leaving Blur because of the attacks. What if it would have been her instead of Vena?

At least Vena was scrappy. She’d wrap her arm in a cast and come out swinging. But the others? I wasn’t so sure. Maybe Shepard had been right to shut down Blur even though it was sad. It felt like one more thing was lost in this stupid war Orphia had started.

“It’ll be okay,” Cross said as he opened the passenger door for me.

“Will it? What if our bakery is attacked next?”

“Then we’ll repair and move on. Don’t let other people’s hate and misinformation dictate what we do. Our bakery has a mission, after all. One that will hopefully unite people. It might not happen overnight, but it has to start somewhere. Where better than a place filled with love and cookies?”

“You’re right. But it still sucks.”

“It does. Let’s head back and wait for Vena and Anchor. Does she have a favorite treat you can make her?”

I nodded and got in so Griz could drop us off at home.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Cross said as we walked upstairs. “The sign is ready. It should be installed tomorrow.”

While I still felt the thread of excitement, I wondered how long it would take to find Orphia. Would we have to deal with her for weeks or years? Would she be like the villain in a movie franchise that kept returning movie after movie?

At the top of the stairs, Cross drew me into a hug and released me into the kitchen. He even handed me my whisk and tied a new apron on me.

“Kiss the Vampire?” I asked as I read it aloud. “Isn’t it supposed to say ‘Kiss the Cook’?”

“If you insist,” Cross said, kissing me.

I grinned at his playfulness, especially after everything that happened.

He straightened the apron as if unable to stop touching me yet. “It’s just a reminder for you. I’ll always know to kiss the cook.”

“I’ll always know to kiss you as well. Out of curiosity, did you get one that says ‘Kiss the Wolf’?”

“No. I’m getting him something better. He’s going to love it.”

“I have a feeling he won’t.”

Cross lazily shrugged and sat at the island to watch me work.

* * *

“Where are my gnomies at!”Vena yelled from downstairs, announcing her arrival just before lunchtime.

I heard Anchor shush her and one set of footsteps on the stairs. He appeared at the top with Vena in his arms. She was grinning like it was Mardi Gras and she was half a bottle in.

“A clean break,” he said. “They gave her some pain meds. Too strong in my opinion.”

“I told ‘em it didn’t hurt, but they didn’t listen to me.”

“They were listening,” Anchor said. “The whole emergency room was listening.”

“Oh-oh,” I said, beating him to the couch where I had pillows and a blanket waiting for her. “What did she do?”

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