by Cat Larson
I stifled a giggle. He reminded me of a sweet cop from the early ’60s. Living in Chicago for half my life, it was easy to forget that towns like this still existed. Ones where the biggest crime committed was garden gnome theft.
“Nope. I walked here.” I would’ve thought that’d been obvious by the white blanket dripping off of me. “Is Officer Kane around by chance?”
“No, he’s out. Can I help you with something?”
He handed me a cup of hot coffee, and I accepted it graciously. It was weak and stale, but it tasted better than anything I could’ve imagined at the moment.
“Um…” I wasn’t sure. For this matter, I really wanted to speak with someone familiar. “I don’t know.”
“Miss, if you need help, you know it’s my job to assist you.”
Right. To serve and protect. I thought of poor little Fernando the Frog and my blood boiled.
“Do you know Violet Hain?” He nodded. Stupid question. Of course, he did. Everyone knew everyone here. “I’m in town… visiting her. I’m her sister and—”
“Samm?”
“Actually, I go by Eve now.”
“Wow, I haven’t seen you in forever.”
I studied his baby face. His overextended smile only made his cheeks plumper. Cute kid. And much too young to be a cop. But who knew? Maybe he was just really well-rested.
“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
“Mike. Mike Hansen. I was a year below you.” He grinned. “You know, I had a bit of a crush on you back in the day.” Okay, well this was awkward. I didn’t recognize the face or the name. And how was I supposed to respond to his little confession? Thank you? “Wow, so you’re back now. For how long?”
“Not sure. Um…” I really wished Officer Kane was here. “Are you able to find a car for me?”
“You need a car?”
“I don’t need a car. I’m trying to locate one.”
“Was it stolen?”
I tapped my chin, considering my answer. Stolen was accurate, but I didn’t want to get Violet in trouble before I had a chance to kill her.
“More like misplaced. It’s my boyfriend’s car, rather my fiancé’s.” Mike glanced at my left hand wrapped around the Styrofoam cup, no doubt noticing my ringless finger. “I need to know where it is, and I thought maybe…” Maybe what? Maybe this was a dumb idea? Yeah, probably, but I’d been desperate.
“Ah, I see. You’ll want a private investigator for that, um, issue. I can recommend one if you’d like.”
I coughed up a sip of coffee then set down the cup. “It’s nothing like that. You know what? It was silly of me to take up your time with such a non-issue. I’ll just be going now.”
I didn’t need him thinking Fernando was off cheating on me and that was why I needed to know where his car was. And based on his raised eyebrows, that was exactly what he was thinking.
He gave me a funny look. Not that I blamed him. Who wanders out on a night like this, barging into a cop shop and making absurd requests?
“I can’t leave the station, but I can call for a car to take you back. I’m assuming you’re staying with Violet?” He picked up the receiver.
“No, please. That’s not necessary. The walk isn’t too far and it’s… refreshing. Thanks anyway.”
His forehead creased further. “You sure about that?”
“Yep.”
I headed for the door. “Okay, then. I’ll be sure to tell Damon you stopped by.”
I swiveled my head. “Damon?”
“Officer Kane. You did ask for him.” Now, he looked downright alarmed. “Samm, are you sure you’re okay?”
I chuckled. “It’s Eve, remember? And I’m perfectly fine. I was asking for Jack Kane.”
“Oh, I forget how long you’ve been gone. Jack is retired, traveling the world with the missus. I thought you were asking for his son.”
I nodded. Of course. Damon had always talked about going into the academy and following in his father’s footsteps. “No worries then.” I waved. “See you later.”
“You be careful out there.”
“Always.”
I exited, confronting the blustery air once again. “Don’t be a stranger now,” Mike called out as the snow swirled around me in a whirlwind. I began the trek back to Violet’s. Shoot. I should’ve asked Mike if he had a phone charger to borrow.
The walk back was easier than the walk there since I had a better sense of direction. When I arrived at her place, I shook off all the icy clumps and went inside, beelining directly to the bedroom. I experienced a slight anxiety attack imagining the toilet lid up with Fernando bobbing inside. There was a tiny bathroom connected to the bedroom. Had I remembered to close that door too?
All these little precautions that I would have never thought twice about before were worrying me sick now. I didn’t know the first thing about caring for a frog. For his protection, I should’ve considered buying a tank, but I could not humiliate him like that.
Relief flooded through me when I noticed that the bathroom door was shut tight. I quickly scanned the floor, but he was nowhere to be found. I held myself back from rushing frantically around. That was how accidental squashings happened. Ugh.
“Fernando?” Could he understand me with his froggy eardrums? Could the cold-blooded recognize their name like a dog?
This was so, so wrong.
“Fernando!” I checked all over the bedroom, in the corners, in every nook and cranny. Even under the bed. I was baffled. The room was barely larger than a galley kitchen, for heaven’s sake.
I plopped down on the bed, almost accomplishing what I’d been terrified to do with my foot. Oh no… I almost sat on the poor guy. Wait, what? I peered closer. No wonder I hadn’t seen him. He’d taken on a silver shade to blend in with the comforter. I picked him up and he immediately began to change back. Huh. I guess enchanted animals followed a different set of rules because I was pretty sure your everyday green frog didn’t act like a chameleon. Maybe it meant he could understand me after all.
As he cuddled in my lap, I was overcome with emotion. Tears gathered below my lids, and it didn’t take long before a fat drop rolled down my cheek. I just wanted my old life back. I wanted my man to hold me.
“You’re not getting out of this much longer, you know,” I said with a weak laugh, wiping my wet face with the back of my hand. “I’m going to get that ring on my finger. You hear me?”
He made a noise between a chirp and a bark, and I took that as an affirmative. A second later, the room filled with a high-pitched ringing sound that startled me enough to nearly send him flying again. Geez. Even I was a danger to him. How would he ever get through this ordeal in one piece?
Wait a leaping moment. My phone. It was my phone ringing. My dead phone. I set Fernando down on the blanket and dashed out. What had charged it this time?
The screen displayed an unknown number and a fully charged battery. I was almost scared to answer, but it could be Violet.
“Hello?”
“Yeah, hi. I’d like to order a large pepperoni.”
“What?”
“Isn’t this Sasquatch Pizza?”
“No, it’s not.”
Click. I pulled the phone away with a frown. Then I watched as it quickly drained back down to zero. Argh. I tossed it across the room, and it skittered into the wall.
Just what I needed on top of everything else—a haunted cell phone.
I returned to the bedroom and resumed my position on the bed. Fernando hopped onto my stomach. If anything, we were going to have a memorable story for the grandkids. There’d be no hiding my witchy family now.
There was only one question left after all was said and done.
Would he forgive me?
Chapter Three
When the morning light rolled around, I was exhausted, barely having slept more than a dozen minutes at a time. Fernando hadn’t budged from my stomach, curling up in the folds of my warm sweater. Did frogs curl up?
I sa
t up and held my hands in my head. Oh man… it was not all some bad dream. I took a few minutes to stare down at him while he slept. He was currently sporting a lovely shade of turquoise. My stomach roared loudly, waking him, and he jumped off.
I touched his back. “I’m sorry. Did I scare you?” This was so, so wrong. I had the feeling I’d be saying that a whole heck of a lot before this was all over. And it would be soon, I swore. It was a brand new day, and I was going to set this right. Somehow.
But first, I needed to fill my stomach. When was the last time Fernando had eaten? He was probably starving as well. I was responsible for making sure he ate now too. Oh man, what if he’d only eat centipedes and horseflies? Ick.
Quit being such a baby, Eve. I stood and put on my big-girl pants. If he had to endure living in a little amphibian body, then I could easily deal with some bugs.
I used a spare toothbrush I found under the sink, then took the quickest shower in the history of showers, coming out feeling dirtier than when I went in. But that was okay. I couldn’t waste time on such things this morning. I didn’t even wash my hair, just threw it back in a ponytail. Violet’s clothes would have to suffice since I hadn’t exactly thought to pack an overnight bag when I ran out the door the night before.
After throwing on one of her sweaters and a pair of jeans, I patted Fernando on the head. “Before you know it, you’ll be back to your handsome self.” I was going to be all unicorns and rainbows today. I’d force myself because the alternative was going stark raving mad. I had to be the rock for both of us. “Not saying you’re not handsome now, of course, but, um… never mind.” Ugh. Hopefully, I hadn’t offended him again.
I peeked out the bedroom door to see sunlight streaming through the windows. I went over, noticing that all the streets had been plowed and there was actual life outside. Not a lot because the town still had a couple of months until tourist season started, but there were a good handful of locals out and about. I wasn’t sure when the blizzard had finally let up, but the snow was now all piled up nice and neat, disguising its hazardous side. If I were still a kid, I would’ve been rushing out to sled and build forts.
My eyelids drooped, hitting me with just how tired I was, and the day had barely started. If I was going to get through it with half a mind, I needed coffee stat. Unfortunately, a search of the shop hadn’t turned up a single bean. Only nasty, musty leaves. Otherwise known as tea. Blech.
But I did find a loaf of chocolate chip bread in the mini-fridge. Three loaves, to be exact, all wrapped up tightly, one missing a tiny bite. I peeled back the plastic wrap on the bitten one and sniffed. Banana. Darn. I would’ve devoured it if it were just plain chocolate, but banana made me queasy. My growling stomach urged me to reconsider and suffer the consequences, but I quickly shoved it back into the fridge before I could regret it.
After more rooting around, I found a couple oat bars that looked suspiciously healthy, but at least they contained chocolate. I broke off a piece and discovered that it was just its imposter, carob. Oh well, good enough. I declared it edible and scarfed it down while mentally listing out the day’s agenda in order of importance: coffee, pet store, Fernando’s car. Gah! Violet could be all the way to Canada by now. Although, her entire life was here. I couldn’t imagine her leaving it for too long. She couldn’t stay away forever. I glanced through the slightly open bedroom door and stopped shoveling food into my pie hole in case Fernando was watching.
Feeling guilty, I offered him a piece but he didn’t bite. Then I yanked it away. What if carob was toxic to frogs like chocolate was to dogs? Just because he was bewitched, didn’t mean he had a completely different physiology than a regular frog. Or did it? Maybe he didn’t have to eat at all and just magically survived on air. No, that was one theory I would not be testing out. I wasn’t about to starve my poor fiancé before I could even get him human again. I hung my head. There was so much I had to learn.
I snapped it back up with a large smile. Nope. Miss Positivity, remember? “Don’t worry, sweetie. We’ll find you something you like.” Even if that something happened to be crawling and wriggling. I’d hand-feed him if I had to.
Before I left, I checked my phone that I’d tossed into the corner. Maybe I’d knocked some sense into it. I expected to see a cracked screen, but it was still intact. Albeit still dead. Another thing to add to my to-do list: Pick up a charger for my haunted cell.
For the heck of it, I tried Violet’s landline and got a dial tone. That was a good sign. The storm had likely messed with the wires and now everything was good to go. I dialed up my mom but had no luck getting through. I’d try again later. Oh, she was going to hear about this. No doubt about that.
I made a note to call Mrs. Geller when I returned to ask her to keep an eye on my place. My elderly neighbor was the only approachable one in the building. Everyone else was either too busy or preferred to keep to themselves. Fortunately, she lived in the unit right across from me and was a natural-born busybody who’d befriended me. She’d let me know if she saw anything suspicious. Who knew when I’d be back again? I could be evicted first.
As long as I had Fernando the Man back nothing else mattered. I could move in with him if needed. I pulled on my coat and was halfway out the door when I paused. It didn’t feel right leaving him alone again, especially when I had no idea how long this would take. I stepped outside and gauged the temperature. The sun was warm on my face, lessening the chill, but it was probably only about thirty degrees. Was that too cold for an enchanted frog?
I dumped out the entire contents of my purse, save for some cash that I zippered up in a side pocket, and stuffed a couple of Violet’s scarfs inside. Then I placed Fernando in the makeshift bed. There, all soft and cozy. I almost hoped he’d poop all over them. It’d serve her right.
I’d just have to take him with me wherever I went. I was planning to drive, but one look at my snow-crusted car and I decided to hoof it. It’d take way too long to scrape, and I didn’t want to waste precious time. Everything I needed was within a few blocks anyway. Almost everything. In the time that both of us were fed, there was a good chance the sun would take care of most of the clean-up, and I could spend the rest of the day searching for Violet.
As I ventured down the street, I was in awe over how much hadn’t changed—and how much I still remembered. It was like I’d never left. I could recall each store, each crack in the sidewalk as if it were yesterday. I wasn’t sure how that made me feel since I’d never intended to ever come back.
There was the candy shoppe/ice cream parlor on the right. The upscale boutique to my left. The multitude of gift shops that were closed for the season but would soon be bustling all summer long. The family-style restaurant that served the best gingerbread pancakes, and ooh… just a street over near the waterfront was Caliente—the best Mexican food on the planet. My stomach rumbled something fierce.
I quickened my pace. On the corner up ahead was Murphy’s Pet Store. And score! There appeared to be a coffee house right next door, replacing what I thought had been a puzzle outlet.
I popped into Bigfoot Café first for a quick to-go cup of the darkest brew they made. The kid behind the counter looked like she should’ve been behind a desk instead. At Bigfoot Bay Middle School. She eyed me with all the curiosity reserved for an outsider, and I suppose I was. I’d been gone for over a decade. But just like that, her expression changed.
“Anything else?” she asked, handing me the steaming cup. I shook my head and plunked on a lid. “Do I know you?”
“I don’t think so. I’m just visiting.” I glanced over at the food case. “On second thought, can I take one of those ham and egg sandwiches?” Maybe Fernando would share it with me, and I could get away with skipping the pet store.
“Sure.” The barista placed one in the warmer. “You here for the festival this weekend?”
Festival? “No.”
“Seems a strange time to visit, then. Most people aren’t here in the winter unless they hav
e to be.”
“I don’t plan on staying long.” I resisted the urge to peek inside my bag to check on Fernando. How would I explain a frog leaping out? The fewer questions, the better.
“Do you have family here?”
All right. Enough with the third degree from the peanut gallery. I drummed my fingers on the counter. “Just passing through, is all.” It came out with more bite than I’d intended. I took a large mouthful of coffee, composing myself. I was overreacting, getting annoyed for no reason. The girl was probably just bored out of her skull, making conversation with the only customer in the place. As a rule, people in this town were chatty and friendly; she likely couldn’t help it.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I guess I’m just a little cranky this morning.” I lifted my cup and took a sip. “This is my first coffee of the day.”
She handed me my sandwich with a smile. “No problem. I understand how that goes.”
Did she? At her age, I only understood milk and cookies. “Thanks. I’m just going to run to the restroom, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
I went into the bathroom with my coffee and sandwich, which of course didn’t look the least bit odd. I had to try feeding Fernando, and I didn’t want to go back to Violet’s to do it in case I had to swing by the pet store afterward.
Once inside, I made sure the door was locked, then set my cup on the corner table next to the hand lotion and extra roll of toilet paper. I unzipped my purse and was relieved to find my little guy blinking up at me safe and sound.
I tore off a small piece of ham and waved it by his mouth. Nothing. Then I placed it on the scarf in front of him, hoping his tongue would dart out and snatch it.
“Come on, Fernando. You have to eat something.”
I tried again with a bit of egg and got the same results. My meat-loving fiancé wanted nothing to do with either. Now what? I gave it a few minutes while I looked away in case he suffered from stage fright. Maybe he was embarrassed to eat in front of me in this body.
When I turned back, the grub was still untouched, and now my purse smelled like a fast-food joint. I sighed and tossed the pieces in the trash. Next up on the menu: frog chow.
