Page 23 of The Shop on Hidden Lane

“Thanks.” Mack was clearly relieved. “I appreciate it.”

She picked up a ladle and started to serve the oatmeal.

The sound of a vehicle pulling into the driveway caught everyone’s attention. Bruce looked up from his breakfast.

Sophy set the ladle back in the pot and disappeared into the living room. Luke went to the entrance of the kitchen and watched her open the door that separated the shop from the rest of the house.

“It’s Mayor Madeline,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll let her in.”

Bruce padded after her. Luke heard the chimes above the front door clash lightly.

“Come in,” Sophy said. “I’ve just made coffee. You probably need a cup.”

“I’d appreciate one.” The mayor’s voice was robust, energetic, and good-humored. “Thanks. I’m making the rounds, checking each house to make sure everyone’s okay. Tree fell on Darrell Rushton’s place over on Gill Road, but he’s okay.”

“Thank goodness.”

“Everyone told him he should have cut that damn tree down last year, but you know Darrell. Doesn’t listen to anyone. I see you have a visitor and a dog.”

“Three visitors, actually. Two humans and Bruce.”

“Bruce being the dog, I assume. Fine-looking animal. Does he bite?”

“Probably. He’s a dog. But I don’t think he’ll bite you. I’ll introduce you to the person who goes with him.”

The middle-aged woman who followed Sophy into the kitchen fit the voice: tall, solidly built, and infused with the charisma of someone who intuitively knows how to take charge.

“Madeline, you already know Detective Rivington,” Sophy said.

Madeline gave him a friendly nod. “Mack. Thanks for taking care of the dead runner. Any ID yet?”

“Not yet,” Mack said.

Madeline cocked a brow. “Surprised to see you here this morning.”

“I got caught by the storm last night,” Mack said smoothly. “Sophy was kind enough to let me spend the night.”

“And this is Luke Wells,” Sophy said quickly. She handed Madeline a mug of coffee. “He’s a customer. He was trapped by the storm, too.”

“Uh-huh.” Madeline peered at Luke. “Any relation to Deke Wells, that wildlife photographer renting the cabin on Hudson Road?”

“Is that what he’s calling himself these days?” Luke smiled. “Yeah, I’m a nephew.”

Sophy glared at Madeline. “Do you know Deke Wells?”

“Bea introduced us. Something about him being an old friend of the family.” Madeline winked at Sophy. “Everyone here in Mirror Lake knows they’re an item.”

Sophy’s mouth tightened into a grim line. “I didn’t know that.”

Madeline shrugged. “They keep to themselves when he’s in town.” She turned back to Luke. “So you showed up here in the middle of the night to shop for crystals?”

“Something like that,” Luke said. “I was planning to stay with Deke. I didn’t realize he was out of town.”

“And you got caught by the storm like Mack,” Madeline concluded.

“That’s pretty much how it went down,” Luke said.

“That’s right,” Mack said.