Read Online Spells and Scones by Bailey Cates - Free Book Online Page B

really Mungo?”
    Yip!
    I didn’t know how that was supposed to work, but I was willing to go with it.
    Taking a deep breath, I said, “I got the feeling tonight at the bookstore that you still, um, like Angie.”
    He blinked, as if surprised that I’d even ask that question.
Of course he does.
    â€œShe’s a murder suspect, you know.”
    His lips pulled back to expose his teeth in a fierce look. I knew it wasn’t directed at me. Then he dropped the snarl and gave me a look I knew well.
    I want something, and I want it now. Right now. I need it now.
    Usually that look was about peanut butter or sausage gravy or carrot cake. But this time I knew it was about something else.
    â€œYou want me to help her.”
    Yip!
    I kept the expletive that came to mind to myself.
    Little mind reader that he was, Mungo frowned at me anyway.
    Suddenly the little dog’s ears perked up, and he shot off the couch, skittering across the wooden planks to meet Declan as he came through the door.
    â€œHey!” he greeted the wee beast wiggling at his feet, and reached down to pet him. “Settle down, son. You’re acting like you haven’t see me all day.” He straightened and regarded me. “You look like you could use some TLC.”
    I got off the couch and met him halfway across the room. Folding into his arms, I muttered, “I look that bad, huh.”
    â€œNah. You’re always gorgeous. But I’m right, aren’t I?”
    I nodded into his shoulder, inhaling the smell of the dryer sheets they used at the firehouse and relishing his solid muscles as my form melted into his. My hand moved up to run through his dark curls.
    â€œWater should be ready for the pasta,” I murmured.
    He laughed. “I’ll cook.”
    â€œThat’s not fair. You cooked breakfast.”
    â€œYou cooked all day.”
    We separated and headed toward the kitchen, Mungo practically dancing now that supper would be arriving in his bowl soon.
    â€œI’ll make the salad,” I said. “I harvested a few things from the garden yesterday.”
    â€œDeal.”
    Declan chopped asparagus and sautéed it in butter and olive oil with minced garlic. I rinsed baby spinach and sliced a yellow tomato, scallions, and baby carrots. He zested a lemon and tossed that in the pan, along with lemon juice, mustard, and a bit of cream. I added an avocado to the salad, along with a handful of walnuts and a few sprinkles of blue cheese, then dressed it with a quick vinaigrette of olive oil and vinegar cut with a drizzle of honey, salt, and lots of black pepper. Within fifteen minutes we were taking plates of pasta and salad out to the patio table. Declan carried Mungo’s dish—no salad for him, just a few sliced carrots—and a bottle ofwine under his arm, while I grabbed the wineglasses. He turned the radio in the corner to an oldies station, and soon we were tucking into our repast.
    â€œI hadn’t realized how hungry I was,” I said after plowing through half my meal.
    â€œSure hits the spot.” He sat back with a satisfied sigh and took a sip of wine. Eyed me speculatively. “So Ben told me that Lucy thinks Dr. Dana was poisoned with cyanide.”
    â€œHoney, we’re eating.”
    He shrugged. “I was just wondering.”
    â€œShe said she smelled something like almonds, and she told Quinn.” I paused.
    His eyes narrowed. “And?”
    I sighed. “And a stuffed dragonfly fell on my head right after she told me.”
    One corner of his mouth turned up. “Ah. I see.”
    He took a bite of tomato from the salad and chewed slowly. “Hmm.”
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    â€œI’m just wondering if Dr. Dana was some kind of a witch. She sure seemed to have some of her fans under her spell.”
    â€œDeclan! That wouldn’t be ethical.”
    â€œWell, duh. But neither is stalking your partner.
Radical Trust
.” He