Page 54 of Bloody Business

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Julep was feeling alittle frustrated and down.The little girl they were fostering, Noemi, had just lost her mother.It had been inevitable, but the child was heartbroken.Not only had she become understandably clingy, she'd also come down with a nasty cold.

Noemi was home now with the nanny, alternating between napping and restless wakefulness.Julep had taken turns watching the girl, and she seemed to have finally taken a turn for the better.

Julep seized the chance for a much needed break.

Artur owned a tea shop.Decorated in bronze and black, it tended on the side of moody elegance.Potted plants made excellent room dividers and lent a forested air.The dishes were copper and delicate pottery, with a smattering of carved wood.

Not only did they serve a delicious chestnut flavored tea and Goblin coffee, their little sandwiches and desserts were amazing.

Artur had gone with her once and ordered a full size sandwich and a cup of strong goblin coffee.He wasn't one to enjoy fussy little snacks, as he called them, but it was profitable to have a place where ladies could congregate for discussions that didn't involve alcohol.

The rescued girl Era worked there.She was polite to Julep, but had difficulty meeting her eyes.

Julep felt bad for her.Even though she believed Artur that the girl might be up to no good, she thought kindness might change the girl's mind.It was terrible to lose your family, and sorrow could lead to rash decisions.

Hopefully, the girl's resentment would fade with time.After all, she was working in a goblin owned business with no apparent difficulty.Julep would have thought that would be a bigger problem.After all, it was goblins who had destroyed her village.

Despite that, the girl had no issue flirting with Julep’s bodyguard.The Goblin wasn't doing anything to encourage her, since he was on duty, but he glanced her way.

That was an interesting development, Julep thought as she selected a tiny cream puff.It had a crunchy caramel drizzle on top and tasted like pure bliss.

It was too bad she didn't have time to ask In’shi to join her, but this had been a spur of the moment thing.

Besides, In’shi's stomach still hadn't settled down.It might be a while before she would appreciate the tea shop's delicacies.

Maybe she should have invited Gal.Inspiration struck, and she thought about inviting GalandNoemi next time.They were both her nieces, after all.It would be good bonding time.

Clearly coming here had been a good idea.She was new to being an aunt, and she obviously had needed time to think about it.

Eventually, she would get the hang of parenting, but it would have been nice if the kids had come with a manual.It turned out that having been a child herself did not qualify her in any way to raise a young one of her own.

It was sobering to realize that an otherwise competent adult could be stumped by a child.

Maybe in addition to the young nanny, they should hire an older woman to serve in an advisory capacity.

That, or she could visit Aunt Rho.She raised a brow, contemplating it.Did Rho even have children?She would have to ask Artur if he had cousins.

She lingered over her tea, but finally it was time to leave.She headed to the bathroom.

??

Era glanced shyly at the guard as she cleared the table.When he met her eyes, she blushed and offered a little smile.

He watched with interest as she headed toward the kitchen.Since it was just past his post at the bathroom door, it gave her plenty of time to admire him.

In fact, she was paying so much attention to him that she tripped right in front of him.He reached out a hand to steady her and got a face full of burning dust.

Julep had finished up, and she stuck her head out to see what her guard was screaming about.

Era shoved her back into the bathroom and bolted the door.The door shuddered as the extra guard who’d remained outside rammed it.

The door was surprisingly sturdy for a bathroom door.The guard barely budged it.

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