Chapter 1 #2
I laughed. “This is precautionary only. It should be a standard part of our training manual, which I’m sure Buzz will get around to writing in his spare time. So that should be done in a decade or so.”
I walked into the diner and she followed.
I recognized most of the crowd. Some of them, like Jame and Fawn (both werewolves and part of the Wolfe family who owned the rock quarry) and Gabriel the locksmith (elf) were regulars from Ordinary. The rest were truckers and travelers who often stopped in.
And of course, there was Than, the god of Death himself. He sat in a booth, his dark gaze locked onto the menu in his hands. He was wearing expensive black slacks and shiny black shoes. His short-sleeved shirt was white with what I wanted to say were sketches of cows in boats.
“Fire extinguishers here by the back door and there, and there, and there.” I pointed. “Couple big ones in the kitchen too.”
“Thanks. I’m up for break now. Can you handle this mob?”
I took another look at the customers. Sure, it was busy, but it wasn’t that busy.
“Totally! Go. Enjoy!”
I stepped into action. Little futures bubbled into my brain and kept me one step ahead of the coffee refills, extra sodas, napkins, and a mop to clean up the mint chocolate milkshake that went whipped-over-cherry onto the floor.
Then I sauntered over to Than. I’d been right. His shirt was covered in bulls standing in boats. It was a bull ship shirt. I wondered if he got the joke.
“What can I get you today?”
He didn’t look up from the menu. “Applesauce.”
I waited a moment. “Just applesauce?”
His gaze ticked up and one eyebrow lifted. “Is it not customary to order this fruit sauce?”
“Oh, no. Lots of people order it. But it usually comes as a side dish with lunch or a dinner or a kid’s meal.” I grinned waiting to see what he would do.
“I will take hot water.”
“Applesauce and hot water. Got it. Anything else?”
“Tell me, is the sauce fresh?”
“Yes.”
“Should it be?”
I laughed. “Yes. We make it here. You’re gonna love it. Do you want to know which apples we use and how it’s made?”
“Shall I then explain to you the tea selection I have prepared to pair with the sauce?” He reached down to the seat next to him and pulled out a wooden box that held dozens of loose-leaf teas.
“Oops! I’m out of time!” I snatched the menu out of his hand. “So busy. Just so busy right now. I’ll bring that applesauce and water right out!”
He didn’t smile—he never smiled. But that glint in his eye held a hint of mischief.
Jean and Delaney strolled through the door. They shared similar face shapes, light freckles and blue eyes, but Delaney was a little taller and her build was more athletic than Jean’s. She also had on her police jacket, which meant she was on duty.
I pointed to an empty booth. “Be right with you.”
Little futures told me Delaney was getting her usual tuna melt, and Jean would finish off a pile of our special garlic tots.
I took care of three other tables, dropped off Than’s applesauce and water, then landed back at the Reed sisters.
“Annnd…what can I get you?”
“Tuna melt for me,” Delaney said.
“I’ll do the garlic tots.” Jean handed me the menus. “Big surprise, right?”
I winked. “Never saw it coming.”
“Thanks for the heads up about the fire,” Delaney said. “We have everyone on alert.”
“Sure. Happy to help. If I see anything else, I’ll let you know.”
I swung back toward the kitchen and slipped my order sheet onto the carousel.
Aggie was back from break, picking up orders on the pass-through. “The police are here now? Should I be worried?”
“Not unless you’re on the run from the law.” I gave her a big grin.
She narrowed her eyes, then forced a laugh. “No, of course not. I just didn’t know if there was something going on.”
“Well, there’s always something going on.” I picked up a blueberry crumble and milkshake. “But everything seems good to me.”
That got a small laugh out of her. “Everything always seems good to you.”
Futures flashed that table three needed ketchup and a man would be coming into the diner and would want to be seated in the back.
Aggie hustled off with her orders. I delivered mine, then grabbed the ketchup and dropped it off at table three who had just patted the bottom of the empty bottle over his hashbrowns.
I tootled to the booth in the back to clear it off, and nearly ran into Aggie.
“Oh,” I said. “Sorry!”
“No,” she said, “it’s fine. I need a quick trip to the ladies room. Cover me?”
“Sure.”
She beelined for the hallway, moving faster than I’d ever see her go.
I put my hands on my hips, checking the room. Nothing seemed amiss. Everyone looked content.
Then the door opened and a man walked through.
His light brown hair was messy like he’d just come from the beach, and even from this distance I could see the warm darkness of his eyes. His mouth was smallish, but when he smiled it was a cupid’s bow that popped dimples.
He wore a trench coat over his button-down white shirt. His tie (blue) was pulled away from his collar, making him look like an unmade bed. A very welcoming unmade bed.
He paused and scanned the diner.
Futures flashed:
Him, arms crossed over his chest, a storm thrashing the sky behind him.
Him, leaning toward me, hand on my cheek, as if to kiss me.
Him, lying dead on the cold, dark ground.