Battle of the Hexes by Jane Hinchey

Author:Jane Hinchey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Baywolf Press

Chapter Eleven

It was quiet in River’s, what with the Keen Agers meeting taking place and the lunch rush over. River was behind the counter and didn’t look up when I entered. Rather than taking a seat, I headed straight to the counter.

“Hi, River, how’s it going?”

She glanced up from where she was icing a cake. “Oh, hi, Holly. All good. You?”

“Yep, can’t complain.”

“Where’s Doris?”

“Keen Agers meeting.”

“Oooh, right.” She flashed a smile. “I’d heard she was going ahead with that. Good on her. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have one of those cupcakes and a cappuccino, please. And I just wanted to apologize again for Flynn’s unexpected entrance yesterday. The last thing I want is for you to be in hot water with the mayor.”

River returned to icing the cake, muttering, “That woman has been making my life difficult enough as it is. I’d hate to give her ammunition.”

That caught my attention. Leaning my elbows on the counter, I leaned forward. “Oh? Do tell. I was just in a meeting with her. She was trying to wriggle out of approving my building permit.”

Putting down the icing bag, River glanced around to make sure we wouldn’t be overheard. No chance of that. I was the only customer in the café.

“Apparently, Kerris has a cousin who wants to set up shop here in Gravestone,” River confided.

“And?”

“And they don’t want any competition. This cousin plans on opening a bakery and wants my menu changed so I can’t sell baked goods.”

I barked out an astonished laugh. “They can’t do that.”

“Nope, they can’t. But Kerris can put the pressure on. She’s issuing fictitious infringement notices that result in numerous code violations that result in the health inspector being here on an almost weekly basis. He, of course, ticks off on his report that everything is fine…”

“But you don’t want to give her any ammunition. I understand. And don’t worry, it won’t happen again. I’ll talk to Flynn and explain the situation.” I wondered if Doris knew about the trouble River was having with Kerris. I made a mental note to ask her.

“You’ll talk to Flynn?” She paused, staring at me as if I’d lost my mind.

“Well, yeah?” I shrugged, hoping to look nonchalant, not one hundred percent sure I pulled it off. “Doesn’t everyone talk to their pets? I swear he understands me. At least I think he does. He nods a lot.”

River chuckled. “You’re right, pretty much everyone I know who has a pet talks to it. Take a seat. I’ll bring your order over shortly.”

I was heading toward the table Doris and I usually sat at when something had me changing direction. Instead of choosing my usual table, I took a seat by the front window, where I had a view of the street. My sixth sense paid off, for I’d just finished the most delicious melt-in-your-mouth cupcake and was on my last mouthful of coffee when I spied Kerris Jones outside.

Not that her presence was a newsworthy event by any means, but what piqued my interest was the furtive way she was walking.

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