Steeping Brew Tea: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Cat Cafe Magical Mystery Book 3) by Rosie Reed

Author:Rosie Reed [Reed, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rosie Reed
Published: 2024-07-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Fuzzball was clearly smarter than the average dog. His lead was draped over the back of Alex’s chair so, in the swirling tension, he trotted over and nosed it, woofing gently.

Did I detect the word walkies in there?

I shot to my feet. “Good idea, Fuzzball. Let’s all go for a nice walk!”

I grabbed Marmalade Sandwich’s bag to see if he’d like to come, but he and Trixie were curled up in the shade washing each other. Aw, I was glad they were friends.

The afternoon sun was beating down, so Evelyn suggested a stroll in the shady woods for a pleasant look at a crime scene. It was cool under the green canopy. Evelyn explained that this woodland had once been part of a sprawling ancient forest that had stretched across all of England.

I inhaled the musty smell, absorbing the timeless nature from each towering tree. Some of them looked hundreds of years old and, with any luck, they’d still be here long after me. It was humbling and grounding all at once. I touched a gnarly trunk, thanking the tree for this beautiful perspective. How calmly it stood there, watching the seasons come and go. Tree-pace was slow and steady. We could learn a lot from these patient plants.

There were signs of modernity in the wood too. Wide wood-chipped footpaths protected walkers from the leaf-litter and mud. And the tarmacked lanes gave motorists the chance to grab a quick fix of nature in their lunch break. Forest-bathing was so much better than mindless scrolling!

Evelyn linked her arm through Alex’s, letting Fuzzball direct them. They chatted and laughed so naturally together that I almost envied how close they were. I suddenly felt a bit awkward with David.

He halted. “Amber?”

Oh yikes, was I in trouble again? “Yes?”

The sun shone through the gaps in the lush canopy, dancing on his face. “Um. Good work with the Enhancer spell.”

“Thank you.” I remained tense, sensing he had more to say.

“Also...” David fiddled with his tie. “I’m sorry for asking you to lie to Alex – to lie to the police again. But he was asking too many questions. He’s a bloody good detective, and I’m sure he won’t let this go.”

I winced. “I’m sure you’re right.”

“If he discovers anything, I’ll take the blame entirely. I’ll say I coerced you into lying to Fletcher back then.” David studied my face. “I never should’ve involved you in the first place and I’m sorry. If only you hadn’t walked into that blasted garage when you had.”

I smiled lightly. “But then we never would’ve met.”

“I disagree.” His brown eyes flashed sapphire. “I believe we were always going to meet, one way or another.”

Oh fudge cakes, despite this lovely woodland and handsome vampire, I suddenly felt all squashy and squirmy from his flattering words. He probably just meant ‘as friends’, but he’d struck my heart a-quiver and I wanted to snog him more than ever.

As an urgent intervention to get my nerves back on track, I rummaged in my handbag and pulled out the coat of arms badge – holding it between us like a shield.

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