Page 25 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

I could hear Keir’s bark of laughter from the back of the house. Pool boy? I got an image of Keir in his enforcer form holding Cole down with one giant paw while Cole begged for mercy. It made me smile.

“I know. It is funny, right?”

He thought we were sharing a joke at Keir’s expense? He probably imagined that Keir was getting a free ride from me because of his surfer blond locks and stunning good looks. Oh, nay, nay, sir.

“Yes. It’s funny that you’re jealous of my husband’s remarkable good looks. Last chance. Say why you’re here or the next sound you hear will be my door closing. If you persist after that, I will set the dogs on you.”

Of course, I wouldn’t set the dogs on him. First, I don’t know the first thing about how to do that. Second, I couldn’t be sure they would retain their border collie forms. Third, I couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t rip him asunder.

That last thought brought on another involuntary smile which must’ve emboldened him.

“Okay. Simple. I want you back.”

It was the first time he’d ever surrendered to a demand made by me. It was soooooo satisfying. It was also my turn to bark out a laugh. “It’s a little late for April Fools and if you’re thinking Trick or Treat, it’s too early for that. One thing before you’re on your way, how did you know where to find me?”

“Right after the split, Evie mentioned you’d moved to a little town in England, Hallow Hill, and were working in an antique shop.”

“Uh-huh. You should have called and saved yourself the trip. I can’t stand the sight of you. That’s not going to change. Ever.”

Averting my eyes, I stepped back inside and closed the door.

I hated that I felt rattled, but I did. I was still standing close to the door when Keir returned.

I looked up. “Do you know where I left my coffee? It’s probably cold now.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yep. Right as rain. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know where your coffee is, but I’ll help you find it. Cold isn’t permanent. That’s what microwaves are for.”

“You heard the whole thing?” I asked.

“I did.”

I knew he wasn’t trying to pry. He couldn’t help extraordinary hearing, but he was probably also curious.

“Looking at that man, now, I can’t imagine what I ever saw in him.”

“People change. Or so I’ve heard.”

Keir bent down and lifted my coffee mug from where I’d set it on the secretary on the way by. “I’d say it could do with a little fire.”

No one had ever nurtured me like Keir. Not even my mother. It was nice.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

I followed him into the kitchen, sat down, and watched while he nuked the room-temperature joe.

“You want me to take care of him?” he said.

I laughed out loud. “You sounded a little like J.D. when you said that.”

“J.D.?” He looked confused.

“You know. That’s what I call the Ales Monstrum that I’d originally mistaken for a Jersey Devil.”

“Ah.”