Page 52 of The Magical Bed & Breakfast

It did not.

They still wound up helplessly tangled together, this time laughing. Kate turned, wide-eyed at Rory’s breath, soft on her face. Her perfect American rebel—herownCaptain Hazard. She too could fall for the soldier in her home. In a flash, she understood Prudence falling for the handsome British officer. Her heart thumped at this American rebel, up close and available for the lady of the house.

Rory leaned in.

Would they kiss? Kate held her breath in anticipation, even as she moved to meet his lips with her own.

THUD!

Kate jerked back, startled. “Was that at the front door?”

Rory jumped up and strode for the foyer.

Shoving herself up, Kate dashed after him.

THUD again, this time harder, louder. Trembling, Kate placed her hand on his arm just as she caught up. “Wait.”

But he was in motion, crossing the foyer, his long strides eating up the distance. He flung the front door wide open.

Two of her pumpkins were smashed on the steps, while slimy pumpkin innards slithered down her newly painted front door.

“Ick. Do you think it was teenagers?”

“No,” Rory’s voice was harsh.

“Her?”

He nodded.

“What makes you think…”

He pointed to the slash marks marring all her pumpkins running down the walk. Slashes just like in Sunny’s drawings.

*

Kate spread openthe pages of the Hazard Gazette. She loved getting the little local paper the old-fashioned way and reading it with her early morning coffee, long before the sun rose to greet the day. It had become one of her favorite rituals, and she expected it would continue once her inn was full of guests and she rose early to prepare breakfast. She read the headlines:

Harvest Festival

Well, that was short and to the point. She shifted uneasily at seeing that she was listed as one of the performers along with Rory. How would he feel about that? She hoped he didn’t think she had volunteered him without confirming with him first.

Successful Safe Halloween

Well, mostly safe. Kate had spent quite some time carefully cleaning her front door, wondering if the culprit was watching from the trees. Rory insisted it was a threat, but Kate wasn’t sure. It could have been teens pulling their tricks. Shehadturned her lights out early. In the city a bit of malicious mischief wouldn’t have surprised her, but here, it did seem out of character. Of course, there was some crime in Hazard, but not like the violent crime in the city. She had read the crime blotter with the occasional reports of a stolen bike recovered. Or the high school broken into by students. Even an occasional DUI or disorderly conduct.

But nothingmalicious.

She flipped to the columns section and grew still. It couldn’t be, but it was. The local columnist, Harmon Collier, had done a piece on Rory Rollins a.k.a. Rory Throckmorton being back in town. And who had he interviewed? None other than Sunny Briscoe.

Rory’s stalker certainly wasn’t hiding.

Kate held her breath and began to read.

*

Rory smelled baconand headed down the stairs. Mystery cat had curled up on his bed again, he was certain from the cat-shaped indent in his covers. Of course, he hadn’t seen the cat, which seemed odd as his sleep had been restless and disturbed due to Kate’s sudden involvement in his problems. He enjoyed having her help but wondered at the wisdom of it. Were they all business? He and Kate? Their relationship felt like more than reputation-manager and client, more than guest and innkeeper, but—he shook his head. Despite what they’d shared, playing the duet and tromping through the tunnels, even sharing the past, he was leaving in two weeks. He had engagements lined up, concerts. Kate was ensconced in Hazard in a way he could never be.

He settled in at the dining table set cozily with two orange placements and a towering fall flower arrangement of yellow chrysanthemums interspersed dramatically with red roses and dark green foliage. Kate entered with the plated breakfasts.

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