Page 16 of Sing Sweet Nightingale

Perhaps that’s something I can teach myself to make. I mean, it’s only fish and rice wrapped in seaweed, maybe with some cucumber or avocado. I won’t be able to make the fancy rolls my personal chef would make with all the sauces and things I couldn’t identify, but surely I could manage a basic California roll. Ironic since I ran away from California.

We sit and talk with Dottie as we eat our food, which is, as predicted, amazing. I don’t get to meet the chef, her son, but Dottie promises she'll introduce me properly the next time I come in. I can’t imagine her having a son old enough to be a professional chef.

I devour the perfectly crispy bacon and toasted BLT. I never knew tater tots could be on my list of favorite foods, but they are now. Especially covered in freshly shredded cheese and bacon bits with ranch. Ginger also informs me that I can buy them frozen from the grocery store and just pop them in the oven whenever I want them.

Add to mental shopping list.

Although, I’ll probably accidentally burn down the cabin trying to use the oven. Additional mental note; watch a YouTube video on how to use the oven.

I learn that Ireally likeDottie. She’s loud, colorful, and has all the tea on the entire town. She talks nonstop about this person or that rumor. Most are harmless, and I like this type of gossip about who was recently dumped and which recipe her baking rival will be using for their annual Christmas cookie bake-off. Christmas is still many months away, but I guess it’s a big deal around here.

After an hour spent at Dottie’s eating and chatting, Ginger walks me up and down the streets, pointing out the shops, what’s sold inside, and which are her favorites. There are various types of stores and one or two empty storefronts. Thankfully, they have a coffee shop and a bakery. So, I don’t have to worry about learning how to make the fancy coffees I’ve grown fond of.

I take a few Polaroids. One of Dottie’s from the outside looking in through the window to the now empty booth we were just occupying. Then another of the bookstores,Tall Tail,with its jam-packed shelves, sat on the sidewalk outside the store. There’s also a very inviting secondhand store calledAnother Man’s Junk. It sounds a little pervy at first glance, but the meaning hits me after only a few moments of pondering. It’s a secondhand store filled with antiques and the like.

Sadly, we don’t go inside any today. Ginger seems to be a little antsy as we walk, always looking around as if trying to find someone that she never spots.

We make our way around the circle that makes up the central area of town before heading back to her blue Mini. I make a mental plan to return to the grocery store across the street from the parking lot to stock up my pantry and fridge in my car.

Chapter 5 – Hunter

Something is up with Ginger, and I can’t put my finger on it. Yesterday, she seemed to want to hang around for no reason, and today I haven’t seen her at all. Who I have seen is that annoying elf, Roman.. He’s already passed by city hall twice, making sure I saw him just so he could smirk and wave. Asshole. At least he’s wearing his glamour.

Every day, I walk through town just to check on things. Today was my morning walk. I grabbed my morning espresso atThe Ugly Mugfirst, then checked in atSticky Bunsfor a bagel followed by quick pop intoTall Tail BooksandAnother Man’s Junk, the secondhand store filled with odds and ends of all kinds.

Shanna, the owner, loves to collect things and bring them back here to sell. She’s collectedmany thingsover the years. She keeps everything organized and neat, properly displayed on shelves and in cases. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Mere. They like to collect things and hoard them. Usually, they keep them hidden, their own little treasure trove. But some, like Shanna, have made it their career to collect and share their hoard.

It's only midafternoon, but my day is already getting to me. I don’t know what it is, but it’s like there are ants crawling undermy skin. Every so often, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and I bristle. The urge to shift and run is a constant nagging in the back of my mind.

My brother Ryder shows up for his weekly check-in to review anything of note happening in town. Since the Sheriff’s office is just across the hallway from mine in City Hall, he has a short commute.

Ryder sits in the chair opposite my desk, the same one Ginger sat in yesterday. His posture is far more rigid than her relaxed one. His spine is straight, and both feet are planted firmly on the ground.

Not for the first time, I think how he would have made a much better alpha than me. A much better mayor. He’s the one who’s logical and practical, strong and reliable. Not that I don’t consider myself strong and reliable; he just always seemed the better choice. Traditionally, the position has always fallen to the eldest child, whether male or female, but not this time. This time, it was the middle child, the second son. Because of it, I’ve always felt a step behind where I should be. Second guessing my position and choices. Always trying to prove myself worthy. I only hope I’ve done so.

“Have you spoken to Ginger today? Or yesterday?” I ask as soon as he’s comfortable. Well, as comfortable as he will get.

“No. Why?”

“Something is going on with her, and I can’t figure out what it is.”

Resting my elbows on the desk, I steeple my fingers together in contemplation. I can’t understand my sister on a good day, so trying to figure out her weird behavior now is nearly impossible.

“Did you ask her?” Ryder states plainly.

“Of course I did. She said it was nothing. Which, in female speak, usually means it’s something. But I can’t prove it.”

“I could ask her if you like,” he offers.

Ryder is a great brother, but he’s not the type of person you sit down with and spill all your feelings to hoping for advice. His advice would be practical and blunt. He likes to confront an issue head-on and deal with it logically. You can’t deal with emotions logically, no matter how often he tries. It makes him a great sheriff, though, making sure everyone stays in line and our secrets and families are protected. But he’s not the best emotional companion.

That’s the one thing I’ve always had that he hasn’t, and it could be the reason I became alpha. I have more emotional capacity than he ever has. Taking into consideration people’s feelings in my decisions, not just what’s logical or practical.

“Thanks, but that’s alright. I’m sure she’ll eventually tell us, or whatever it is, will pass.”

“I’m sure you’re right. I can keep an eye on her for the time being. See if she does anything odd.”

I nod in agreement. Maybe he’ll see something I don’t. Maybe she’ll tell him something she wouldn’t tell me.

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