Page 56 of The Haunting of Lockton

Madison was a bubbling burst of energy that afternoon, peppier than usual and constantly smiling and humming to herself.

“What’s gotten into you?” I asked. “Do you have a new boyfriend or something?”

“Possibly.” She plucked a piece of candy from the bowl and popped it into her mouth. Her hair fell to her chest in blonde waves, and she’d worn a red-laced corseted dress that fanned out around her hips and brushed the floor. She reminded me of a saloon girl. “I met him at the grocery store, of all places. Can you believe it? There I was with a damn messy bun on top of my head, looking like a greasy onion, wearing baggy lounge pants with kittens on them and in an oversized sweatshirt, when this fine-ass specimen of a man approached me in the aisle and asked if I knew a good place to get tacos.”

“Is he new in town?”

“Yep. He just moved here from some town in Georgia. He works in construction.” She fluffed her hair. “So anyway. I told him the best place is the food truck downtown that sets up beside the main courtyard. Because any self-loving girl will indulge in tacos with no fucks given. He then asked if I wanted to go eat some with him. Three days later, and I think I’m in love.”

“Three days was all it took, huh?” I grabbed a candy and unwrapped it.

“I don’t need your judgy eyes, Crane.” She gently flicked my cheek. “A girl knows when she’s found her prince. Well. Jason’smore like the insanely hot stable boy who sweeps the princess off her feet and shows her how to truly live.” Her expression softened. “He makes me laugh like I never have before.”

“I’m happy for you,” I said, meaning every word. She was a little spitfire at times, but Madison had a heart of gold and deserved all the good things in life.

The bell above the door jingled. Julian and Skyler walked in, and my stomach did a little somersault.

“Afternoon, Ichabod,” Skyler said, sidling up to the counter. He slid a small pink box toward me. “Payment, as promised.”

I opened the lid and laughed. It was a chocolate donut with sprinkles. “Thanks.”

He cleared his throat and moved his finger in a circle. “Your turn.”

Madison grinned between us, barely holding back her giddiness. She’d definitely picked up on the flirting.

With a sigh, I stepped out from the counter and showed off my costume. I’d worn all-black that day. The shirt fell open at the top to show my collarbone and was tucked into fitted black trousers with leather boots that laced up the side and hit just below my knee.

Skyler’s gray eyes darkened as he stared at me. “Next time, I’ll bring two donuts.”

I laughed and escaped back to the counter.

“Greetings, gentlemen!” Val said as she spotted them. “Please come with me.”

“Duty calls,” Skyler told me. His hand brushed mine before he and Julian stepped over to Val.

She ushered them toward her office. “How’s the investigation? I watched the Redwood episode you posted this morning! Oh, the chills I got when Mr. Dalton was speaking of the place. Before I knew it, I’d eaten the entire platter ofcinnamon raisin cookies Miguel baked for us here at the shop. I’ll need to buy something else for my work family—”

Her voice trailed off as they went into her office.

Madison flipped around to me. “Okay, that was adorable.”

“What was?” I grabbed the donut and tore into it. I was due for a lunch break anyway.

“You and the sexy Skyler Knoxtotallyflirting just now.”

“Sexy?” I lightly nudged her. “You have your own man. Leave mine alone.”

She smirked. “Yours, huh?”

Realizing what I’d said, I balked. “Forget I said that. It was a slip of the tongue.”

“A Freudian slip.”

“I’m taking this somewhere private to enjoy it.” I stepped away from the counter with my donut.

The sound of her giggle faded as I walked to the breakroom.

I didn’t get the chance to talk to the twins again. After my lunch break, they had already left. But my phone vibrated around two o’clock.