by Cindy Stark
She shook her head. “No.”
Unseen fingers of his attraction reached out to her. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
She sent him an overly-friendly smile. “Not likely. I live here in Stonebridge, but you don’t. Where are you from?”
“Near Spring Pond.”
She stuck her hand out toward him. “Hazel Hardy. I own the teashop in town.”
He wrapped his fingers around her in a warm grip. “Brandon Wagner. My friends call me Bran.”
Bran. BW.
She blinked her lashes flirtatiously and slowly slid her hand from his. The energy radiating from him was slick and dirty. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.”
Creep.
In the back of her mind, that’s all she could think about him. He was a low-life, scum-sucking cheater at the least. At the worst, he might be Valerie’s murderer.
“Next time you’re in town, you should stop by my teashop,” she offered.
He smiled but shook his head. “I might stop to see you, but I’m not much of a tea drinker.”
From the corner of her eye, Hazel noticed his wife approaching, and she sat straighter on the hay bale.
“Brandon?” his wife said with more than a little ire in her voice. “What in the hell are you doing?”
He shot to his feet. “Just waiting for you.”
The anger coming from his wife nearly manifested in physical form. She jabbed a finger into his chest. “It hasn’t even been a month since you promised you wouldn’t lie to me again, Brandon.”
He widened his eyes. “We were just talking about the kids, Amanda. Don’t freak out.”
She punched him solidly in the chest, enough that he should have reacted, but he just took it. “Let me be clear. If you ever so much as look at another woman again, I’ll kill you in your sleep.”
He cast a quick glance at Hazel, then took Amanda’s elbow and led her away.
When they were out of sight, Hazel inhaled a deep breath and let it slide out of her lungs. “Holy crackers,” she muttered.
She pulled the phone from her pocket, dialed Peter’s number, and stepped away from the noise.
He answered with a smile in his voice. “I thought you were going to the festival with Katelyn.”
Her heart warmed every time he spoke. “I did, but she left early. I think it was too much for her.”
“That’s too bad.”
As much as she loved chatting with him, she had no time for niceties now. “I need to see you. Can you come to the festival?”
“Uh…”
Hazel heard a shuffling of papers.
“Will you still be there in a half hour, or should I come to your house?”
She thought of the blanket in her trunk, and the show that would just be starting. “I’ll stay here. They’re playing a movie near the church. You can find me there, okay?”
“Be there in thirty or less, Miss Hardy.”
She tapped to end the call and smiled. She really did have the best guy in the world.
She retrieved the quilt from her car, purchased drinks and popcorn, and camped out along the back edge of people watching the movie. True to his word, Peter arrived twenty-five minutes after her call. He settled in behind her and tugged her until her back was against his chest.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Hey there, Chief.”
He kissed below her ear. “Hey there, beautiful lady. I missed you.”
His words warmed her. “Missed you, too.”
He rested his chin on her shoulder. “I love this movie.”
His admission made her chuckle. “I didn’t know you liked sci-fi.”
He hugged her tighter. “Huge junkie. What are your thoughts about spending an entire day in bed watching old sci-fi flicks?”
She giggled. “I have a feeling the happiness in our marriage depends on how I answer.”
“You know it.”
She sighed and leaned against him. “In that case, Chief Parrish, science fiction movies are some of my favorite. I’ll agree to your proposition if we can throw in a romantic comedy or action flick from time to time.”
He chuckled, his breath warm in her ear. “Deal.”
“Shh!” Someone whispered, annoyance heavy in his voice.
She and Peter snickered.
Hazel pulled from his embrace and gestured with her head that he should follow her. They left the quilt and snacks and walked far enough from the crowd that they wouldn’t be overhead.
“Oops,” Hazel said with a laugh when they were a safe enough distance away.
“You know it’s a small town when someone chastises the chief of police.”
“Right?” She snuggled into his arms to ward off the chill of the night. She should have grabbed her sweater from the car, too. “Sorry to make you step away from the movie for a minute, but I need to tell you what I’ve learned.”
He shook his head, not seeming surprised at all. “Out sleuthing, even at the festival, huh?”
She snorted. “Of course. Big group of people. It’s a great time to investigate, and you’ll never guess who showed up.”
“Karl?”
She scrunched her features. “Why would you guess him?”
“He came to the station earlier today, said you’d practically accused him of stealing his own dog, and he wanted to make a formal statement on how Scooter came back to him.”
That surprised her. “So, if he announces to the police he has her dog then that clears him of suspicion?”
“Sounds like that’s what he thinks.”
Interesting. “Hmm. Well, that’s not who I’m talking about. Earlier, Katelyn pointed out the elusive Bran to me. After she left, I followed him and had a friendly conversation while his wife was shopping.”
Peter frowned. “Let me guess, he hit on you.”
She lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “Eh…not so much. He might have if given enough time, but his wife busted him talking to me. Let me tell you, she was not very happy.”
“I’m sure she wasn’t.”
“She’d mentioned that less than a month ago, he’d promised to never lie to her again, and she also threatened to kill him if she caught him looking at another woman. Definitely within the timeframe of Valerie’s murder.”
He shook his head in amazement. “Man, I’d really like to interview both of them. It sounds like she might be aware of his affair. If not with Valerie, then with someone else. I don’t suppose you discovered any information that might help me find him.”
She grinned. “What do you think I am? An amateur? Brandon Wagner from Spring Pond.”
He placed his hands on both sides of her face and gave her a loud kiss on her lips. “I’m learning never to doubt you.”
She kissed him back and then whispered against his mouth. “Ever.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll have my men visit them tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll tell you that we’ve cleared Bob. A couple of guys he fishes with gave him a rock-solid alibi. Plus, he has a receipt for a coffee purchase that backs it up.”
“Which leaves us with who? Karl? Brandon or Amanda Wagner? What about Liesl? Anything new on her?”
Peter paused to nod at two people walking by. He waited until they were out of earshot to continue. “Other than Cora’s and your statements, we haven’t been able to come up with anything that makes her look suspicious.”
Hazel growled. “She’s hiding something. I know it. I saw her the day before with her mouse brown roots showing. She was obviously due for a color. The next day, it was bright red. I’m not wrong about this.”
He nodded, but she could tell by the look in his eyes that her information didn’t help and that frustrated her to no end. There had to be some way to prove she and Cora weren’t—
“Oh, my gosh. What color were her roots when you talked with her?”
He lifted his brows, confused. “Her roots?”
“Yes. If she hadn’
t colored her hair, her roots would still be showing. If she’d dyed it red and then brown, she’d have no roots.”
Peter released her and scrubbed his face with a hand. “That’s still not going to prove she did it.”
“No, but it would prove she’s lying about having her hair done.”
“Even so, she could have had someone else do it.”
She snorted her frustration. “Cora said Liesl and most of the town have been going to Valerie for years. Years. If people find a stylist they love, they don’t change. Not unless they have to.”
He remained silent.
“Never mind. I’ll investigate it. You obviously don’t understand.”
He wrapped her in his embrace and stroked her back. “I understand. But I’m looking for solid facts, not speculation.”
She shook her head in disappointment. “If she lies about one thing, she’ll lie about others.”
He conceded with a nod. “Okay, okay. If you find out she’s dyed her roots, I’ll bring her in for questioning again and put a little pressure on her.”
His offer soothed her irritation. “That sounds like a good plan. Thank you.”
He placed a long, slow kiss on her lips. “I love you.”
She shook her head in admonishment. “Is that why you’re interviewing her?”
“No. You’re right to question her honesty. I just wanted you to know I love you.”
She chuckled and snuggled close to him. “I love you, too. Want to finish the movie?”
“Cuddle with you beneath the stars? Heck, yeah.”
He took her hand and led her back toward the quilt.
“Hey,” she whispered before they sat. “You might want to get on your men about Valerie’s German Shepherd. He caused quite the commotion at the festival tonight and stole the brat right off my plate.”
Peter chuckled. “Your brat? Not a Bart’s brat, I hope.”
She lowered her brows into a serious look. “Oh, yeah. That’s exactly right.”
“That’s a felony offense, for sure.”
She grinned. “I trust that you’ll do something about that, Chief Parrish.”
He rolled his eyes. “You sound just like Mrs. Lemmon. She’s furious because the dog urinated on her favorite begonias.”
“Rightfully, so, Chief. We can’t allow riff-raff to run around our town unchecked.”
She sat cuddled in front of him again on the quilt, and he placed his mouth close to her ear. “I’ll get right on that, Miss Hardy.”
Fifteen
The closer Hazel drew to the library, the more anxious she became. She played and replayed what she might do once she took over as temporary librarian. She’d tucked her supplies in a large handbag, and no one would know the inconspicuous purse carried items capable of witchcraft.
Timothy, who was safely out of town at his mother’s, would freak out if he knew what Hazel had planned for his precious space, and she found that rather funny. He could try as hard as he liked, but Stonebridge would never be rid of its witches. They were as much a part of this town as the cobblestone sidewalks.
Ever since she’d learned of the library’s special books, she’d desperately wanted to see what Timothy kept under lock and key, but the idea of breaking into his personal space sent her pulse racing.
But she could do this. Would do it. And he’d never be the wiser.
If Clarabelle had been strong enough to bear her burdens, Hazel could surely pick a lock and sneak a peek at some old tomes.
She parked in the small parking lot behind the building and made her way around front. The gorgeous old structure had witnessed many things during its life. If only the worn gray stones could talk. What stories she’d hear.
Hazel hefted the bag that hid her magical tools and stepped inside the library. She allowed the smells of leather, paper, and time to filter through her senses. Something about a building packed with information and pages full of adventurous tales always made her eager to fill her mind with everything possible.
Krissy Farmer stood at the counter where Hazel usually spied Timothy. She gave Hazel a grateful smile.
The very pregnant woman rested a hand on the back of her hip, causing her rounded belly to protrude even farther. “Oh, good. You’re here.”
Hazel took in the fatigue on her face and stance of her body. “Are you okay, Krissy?”
“Oh, sure. When I first volunteered for a shift, I thought it would be easy. I didn’t realize how much I’d be on my feet or how heavy this baby is when I’m standing so much. I’ll be glad to get home and rest.”
Hazel reached out with empathetic feelers and tried to infuse some of her energy into the poor, pregnant mom. “I’m so sorry. I wished I would have known. I could have come much sooner.”
Krissy chuckled. “It’s okay. Maybe gravity pulled the baby farther down, and I’ll go into labor early.”
Hazel took in the size of her belly and wondered if she should be away from home at all. “When are you due?”
She sighed. “Not for another two and a half weeks. But, I’d be okay if this little one came early. I don’t know about him, but I’m done.”
Hazel had no idea what it was like to carry a baby, but she couldn’t imagine it would be much fun. Not with a belly so big. “How are you getting home? Do you need to call someone?”
“My car is out there, and I’ll be fine to get home on my own. I’m still capable, even if my feet are the size of an elephant’s.”
Hazel chuckled and glanced at her swollen ankles. “Better go home and put up those feet.”
“I intend to. Right now, in fact.” Krissy glanced about the counter. “You’ve checked out items before, right? You know the process for customers?”
“I do, and I’ll be fine. If I don’t know something, I’ll wing it. How much trouble can a person get into in a library, right?”
Krissy gave her a relieved smile, and Hazel knew she was glad she didn’t have to stick around for any on-the-spot training. “Sounds good. Go ahead and put your bag in Timothy’s office. The phone is back there, too. You can call me if you run into problems, but it’s been quiet today. I think you’ll be fine. Someone will be here at nine to lock the doors for you.”
“Perfect. Now, you get yourself home.”
Krissy said her goodbyes and waddled out of the library, leaving her alone at the counter.
She waited until she felt Krissy had had enough time to reach her car, and then she stepped from behind the counter and wandered into the library. One by one, she checked the aisles to ensure no one else was inside.
She found two younger boys reading in the back corner, but they seemed engrossed in their books. Even if they caught her snooping into something she shouldn’t, they wouldn’t realize it.
With quiet footsteps so that she wouldn’t disturb the kids, she made her way back to the front.
The first thing she did was head toward the bookcase that usually held the town’s rarest books, hoping beyond hope that Timothy had left them in the locked case. But, when she peered inside, she found it empty.
Darn.
Really, though, she hadn’t expected it to be easy.
She entered Timothy’s office with the pretense of putting her purse inside. The moment she crossed the threshold, something seemed off. But, she couldn’t put her finger on what.
Perhaps her nerves had been in overdrive for too long. She exhaled and tried to relax her senses. She would work better and find more that way.
If she was Timothy, where would she hide things?
Nowhere obvious, for sure. He was a smart guy but seemed to have a sense of adventure. He would choose a place no one would suspect.
She glanced at the bookcase in his office, but it only held fifteen volumes of old encyclopedias and an interesting collection of science fiction books. As a teenager, she’d loved to lose herself in a fantastic sci-fi. The weirder, the better.
She imagined Peter would love to get his hands on the old sci-fi books, too.<
br />
The desk, a couple of filing cabinets and a small table that held an old dot-matrix printer was all the room would hold. Nothing here big enough to hide a decent-sized collection of old books.
She plopped down on his desk chair and sighed. She really hoped she hadn’t volunteered for nothing.
The ringing bell at the front desk startled her, and she jumped to her feet. The two boys, one blond and the other with midnight dark hair both looked up at her like she ruled the world. No wonder Timothy loved this job so much.
“How can I help you, boys?”
They each piled a stack of picture books onto the counter.
“You’d like to check these out?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” the blond one answered. The other only nodded.
She eyed them carefully. “Does Mr. Franklin let you check out this many books at a time?”
“We can each have ten,” the dark-haired boy answered.
She counted both stacks. “Ten each. That’s perfect. Do you have your library cards?”
They dug in their pockets, produced well-worn cards, and handed them to her.
She made a show of marking who took the books and stamped the due date on blue cards before tucking them in the pockets at the back of the books. “You make sure to take good care of them and have them back on time.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the blond kid answered.
Hazel fixed her gaze on the other one and gave him a questioning look.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.
She slid their books toward them, and they snatched them up. “Have a good day,” she called.
They talked excitedly as they exited the library and left her all alone. She did another quick sweep of the building to make sure no one had snuck in when she hadn’t noticed, and then she raced back to Timothy’s office.
If anything was in the building, it would be in his office where he could best keep an eye on it.
When she re-entered the room, she experienced the odd sensation again.
A half-second later, she stopped dead in her tracks.
“Son of a crunchy biscuit.” She opened her senses further. “He’s placed a spell on this room.”
The idea caught her so off-guard that she stood dumbfounded for a full minute.
