Page 46 of Dumbstruck
While I grumble nonsense words, Jonah beams at Maya and wraps his arm around my waist. His happiness has returned in full force. “We’re on our third honeymoon, my darling wife and I,” he explains. “Can’t keep away from each other. What were you saying, miss?”
Maya’s eyes jump between us before she lets her smile free. “Unfortunately, the supplier wasn’t able to confirm whether the eggs came from free-range chickens, but I’m going to guess no. Usually they put that kind of thing on the package.”
“Oh, I suppose we will be fine if we eat these if that’s what you have,” Jonah says. I’m glad he’s unaffected and able to talk, because I’m still irritated that we got interrupted.Again. Am I ever going to get a real kiss with Jonah? With the nature of his career, it feels unlikely unless I take up acting and star alongside him. “Do you know what this reminds me of, Mrs. Smith?”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “What, Mr. Smith?”
“That time we visited Alton and they were entirely out of sugar.” He turns to Maya, which is good because I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Did you know it’s the most haunted place in America?”
Maya’s eyes go wide. “Oh?”
“Yep. Alton, Illinois. I have a fondness for ghost stories, and everyone in town was certain a ghost had come and stolen all the sugar, when in truth it had just been misplaced by a new employee.”
Oh! Now I see what he’s doing, and I can’t help but grin at him. “Itoldyou it wasn’t a ghost,” I say, whacking his arm lightly. “It never is.”
“She’s an unbeliever,” Jonah mock whispers to Maya. “Even though we keep hearing all sorts of stories here in your charming town, my Maggie refuses to think a ghost could be behind it all.”
Maya chuckles, relaxing a bit as she glances between us. “To be honest, I’m with you, Maggie,” she says, ringing up the eggs and putting them in a paper bag. “Most of our eggs went out on a delivery order rather than falling prey to a ghost.”
“Who needs that many eggs?” I ask, hoping she’ll answer.
“Couldn’t tell you. It was a made-up name and a fake address.”
“How do you know the name was fake?” Jonah asks.
Maya snickers and shakes her head. “Because the person who ordered them was named Brighton Early. And lived on 123 Road Lane.”
Laughing, Jonah hands Maya a ten-dollar bill and pulls me tighter against his side. “I suppose I should stop believing this town is just as haunted as Alton was. How disappointing.”
“Wait,” I say, stopping him from grabbing the bag from Maya. “If the order was fake, where did the eggs go?”
Maya shrugs. “My employee delivered them and said they made it to the right person. They were paid for, so I didn’t ask questions.”
“Maybe you should have,” I mutter under my breath. Out loud, I say, “I wonder if it was to that film crew we keep hearing about.”
Though annoyance flashes across her face, Maya shrugs. “Maybe, but they put in their own order for eggs just a few days before that, so I don’t know why they wouldn’t do it the normal way. Honestly, they’ve given me a lot of business since they got here, and it’s been kind of nice.”
It’s the first good thing anyone has had to say about the film crew, and I’m not sure what to do with that other than continue on the same trajectory. “I would imagine they’ve brought a lot of money to the town all around,” I say, trying to sound thoughtful and objective.
Maya nods and hands Jonah the bag of eggs. “Not many of us like having them here, but the money is nice. I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason any of us tolerate them being here.”
I share a quick look with Jonah, who looks as confused as he does thoughtful. “I hope they don’t cause too many problems for you,” I say. “From the sound of it, they’re the ones being affected by this so-called ghost the most.”
Maya’s eyebrows drop low, as if she hadn’t considered that. But then her gaze shifts to the door. “I’m sure you’ll just be disappointed by what he has to say, but if you want to ask my employee about the egg delivery, here he is now.”
I flinch and hide behind Jonah when the automatic door slides open, presumably to let Herman back in.
“I think I would rather enjoy the mystery of it all,” Jonah says, tucking the bagged eggs under one arm and leading me to the door. “Thank you!” He keeps himself in between Herman and me, which I appreciate, and it’s not until we get a block down Main Street that he releases me.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I ask, though my thoughts have started whirling too fast for me to keep up. The egg delivery, the dangerous “accidents,” the people running around the production field this afternoon…
Jonah chuckles. “Doubtful. You’re way smarter than me.”
“Not true. You were brilliant when you brought up that haunted town! That was amazing.”
For the first time since I met him, Jonah looks completely flabbergasted, like he’s not used to anyone praising him like that. He clears his throat and turns away for a moment before he returns his gaze to me. “Anyway, what are you thinking, my love?”
My love. Savoring the warmth that comes from his pet name, I try not to sound too set on my conclusion when I say, “We’re not dealing with a professional.”
