Page 39 of The Magical Bed & Breakfast

“That is…”

“Weird, I know. And after I was locked in the basement as a kid, I tried to explain what I saw. No one, but no one, believed me. Or at least I thought no one did. Now…”

“I believe you.” Kate didn’t know where that admission came from, but when she stopped to analyze it, she realized it was true. Something deep within her knew there was something different about her inn. But a portal to the past?

As if reading her thoughts, Rory said, “I didn’t cross over, I just watched history unfold.” He seemed to bite back what he’d been about to say next, so Kate didn’t push. Instead she reached across the table and took hold of his hand, glancing nervously at the waitress inching closer who was, clearly, trying to hear their conversation.

Chapter Sixteen

Leaving the restaurant,they walked in silence. The dusk had darkened into night. Clouds obscured the moon but wisped high above, alternately revealing then concealing bits of starlight. How much did Kate really know about Rory? Deep down she trusted him. Should she? He hadn’t been upfront about his career to begin with, letting her believe what she wished. Perhaps that was on her. He hadn’t actually lied to her. But this, sharing a part of himself that made him vulnerable, that others refused to believe,thatindicated his trust in her.

Kate shivered in the cooler air and had the distinct feeling of being watched. She stepped next to Rory but glanced about as they walked the diagonal sidewalk through the town green. At the statue she reached for Rory’s hand, needing reassurance somehow that she wasn’t all alone. Somewhere she sensed malevolent eyes on them.

But who?

Everyone in town had been thoughtful, kind, welcoming—except the man who wanted to buy her inn, but even he had been ingratiating. Only one person acted willing to spew venom at her. Was angry blondie spying on them? At the thought Kate almost dropped Rory’s hand, but in defiance she stepped closer until they were shoulder to shoulder, brushing lightly against one another as they stepped around the stone Captain.

“Are you afraid?” Rory asked her, a laugh in his voice. “It’s only Hazard.”

Kate let out a long breath. “I’m a city girl, and it’s almost pitch black, which makes me walk with purpose and keep aware of my surroundings.”

“Ah, you miss the city lights and the noise?”

Kate shook her head.

“I’ve spent some time in the city.”

“You like it?”

“Better than here.”

Kate stopped cold, and they dropped hands. Rory turned back when she was no longer beside him.

“There’s nothing wrong with Hazard. I love it here. And I don’tmissthe city, not even a tiny bit.” She couldn’t quite read Rory’s expression in the dark, but sensed hesitation.

“That’s good, then, for you. I’m…happy for you, that you’ve found your place.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, distancing himself from their earlier closeness.

They walked in silence back to the inn. They entered the front together, and Kate was shutting the door when she spotted, just for an instant, a flash of shiny white pleather under the streetlight. Then it was gone.Wasit the woman who’d accused Kate of lying to her and of trying to keep her away from Rory Rollins? Kate was about to bring up the woman who seemed obsessed with him when Rory spoke.

“You were going to show me something?”

Kate shook off the negative thoughts. “Yes, come out to the back steps.” She motioned him to follow her through the hallway and flicked on the back porchlight. They stepped out together. Kate was about to point out the mouse skeleton when she noticed Rory staring down at the top step.

He tilted his head and pointed at the remains of a tiny, dead bird. A skeleton picked clean.

“Another one!”

“What? Really? You have a collection of bird skeletons?”

“Yes, well, not exactly.” She pointed at the window ledge where she had placed the mouse remains. Stark white bones shone in the porchlight. Rory leaned in close to view it. “This is what you wanted to show me?”

“Yes. It was so strange, I put it up here to preserve it.” Kate dashed inside to grab her dustpan. Together they transferred the bird skeleton to the wide window ledge to keep the mouse skeleton company.

“It’s so odd. I’ve never known a cat to do this.”

Rory nodded. “They usually just leave entrails.”

“Or bite the head off and leave the rest of the carcass.”

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