Page 43 of Kiss for My Kraken
“Definitely by the pond,” she said thoughtfully. “The reflections on the water at night will add to the mystical atmosphere.”
“See?” Elara turned triumphantly to the others. “I told you.”
A huge troll—a local mechanic, if she remembered correctly—shook his massive head. “Fine, fine. But if Gladys’s duck gets possessed again like last year, I’m blaming you both.”
The table erupted in laughter, and she found herself joining in, even though she had no idea what had happened with Gladys’s duck. It didn’t matter. She was part of the conversation.
This is what belonging feels like,she realized with a sudden, warm certainty.
The tavern door swung open, letting in a gust of crisp autumn air along with Molly, her pale vampire complexion flushed with uncharacteristic color.
“Sorry I’m late!” she called, rushing over to the bar. “Family emergency. Sort of. My cousin accidentally shipped himself to Boston in a coffin. Long story.”
Nina handed off the section with a smile, returning to the kitchen where Ben was working on the appetizers she’d started. She resumed her position at the prep station.
“Not terrible,” Ben commented gruffly, nodding towards the dining room. “Your serving.”
Coming from Ben, this was effusive praise. She ducked her head to hide her smile. “Thanks.”
The rest of the lunch shift passed in the usual comfortable routine. By mid-afternoon, the tavern had emptied except for a few regulars nursing drinks at the bar. She wiped down the kitchen counters, mentally cataloging ingredients for tomorrow’s specials.
“Go home,” Ben ordered, appearing beside her with his arms crossed. “Split shift today. Back at six.”
She glanced at the clock. She’d been scheduled for a double, but the unexpected break was welcome. “You sure? I can stay if you need me.”
Ben’s nose twitched in what Nina had come to recognize as his version of amusement. “No, you can’t. You’re going to the Festival committee meeting this afternoon at four. You’re on the committee now.”
“I’m what?” She blinked in surprise.
“On the Festival committee.” Ben turned away to get something out of the refrigerator. “You can leave the mutt here—unless you want to take him to the meeting.”
She stood frozen, dish towel in hand.
“I don’t understand. I’ve only been here a few weeks,” she protested weakly.
“Nothing to understand. Elara nominated you as the food coordinator, and the council approved it.” He straightened, ducking under the hanging pots. “The town knows good people when it finds them. Now get going. Town hall. Four o’clock. Don’t be late.”
Before she could respond, he disappeared into the walk-in freezer, effectively ending the conversation.
Food coordinator for the Halloween festival? The thought was simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. In Haven’s Grace, women—especially unmarried ones—were kept firmly in the background, their contributions anonymous and uncredited.
She quickly untied her apron, hoping she’d have time to shower before the meeting. She wanted to make a good impression. She hurried down the narrow hallway towards the back door and almost ran into Flora. Despite her small size, she somehow managed to block the entire passage. Today, she wore a hot pink tracksuit with “JUICY” emblazoned across the chest in silver sequins.
“I’m sorry, Flora. I didn’t see you come in.”
“Of course you didn’t, dear.” Flora’s black eyes twinkled mischievously. “I have my ways. And one of them is recognizing that glow.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said, aiming for nonchalance and missing by a mile.
Flora cackled, the sound both merry and slightly unnerving as she reached up to pat Nina’s cheek with one gnarled green hand. “That’s the glow of a woman who’s being properly tended to.”
Heat rushed to Nina’s face, confirming the accuracy of Flora’s observation. “Well, um…”
“No need to be embarrassed,” Flora said, waving her hand dismissively. “It’s about time Sam got his head out of his inkpot, so to speak. He’s a fine boy. You’ll have strong babies.”
She choked. “I don’t think it works that way. Besides, I’m on birth control.” Her blush deepened as she realized what she’d just admitted.
“Things have a way of happening unexpectedly, especially in a town like this.” Flora winked, but she refused to take the bait.
