Page 86 of Trick or Stalk

I grab my coat.

Penny immediately gets up. I grab her leash and hook it on her collar.

“You want to go see Walter?”

She jumps against my leg.

Margaret and I both laugh.

“Let’s go.”

Five minutes later, we're walking toward Bramble & Bean.

The October air is cold enough that I shove one hand into my coat pocket while holding Penny's leash with the other.

“Coffee and food.”

Penny trots beside me.

“Actual food. Not a pumpkin muffin.”

She looks up.

“Okay. Maybe also a pumpkin muffin.”

Her tail wags.

“You're such an enabler.”

Bramble & Bean is busy when we arrive.

The lunch crowd fills most of the tables, and the scent of coffee hits me the second I open the door.

I move to the back of the line, inhaling cinnamon, something sweet baking, and the faint woodsmoke from the crackling fire.

“Presley!” Gracie waves at me, then immediately bumps her hip against something behind the counter. A metal pitcher of espresso tips. She barely catches it.

“Testing my reflexes.”

I grin. “Excellent reflexes.”

“Thank you.”

I laugh and lead Penny toward the counter when the line moves.

After I order, Gracie comes over and asks, “How’s the new job? Still going well?”

I nod. “I love it.”

Her smile widens. “I knew you would.”

“Don't start sounding like Stella. I can only handle one woman with supernatural employment predictions.”

Gracie laughs. “The Crooked Spine suits you.”

“It really does.” I begin heading toward the pick-up counter to wait for my drink. Penny suddenly stops. I nearly trip over her.

“What—”