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Several people, though, were cold and downright judgmental in their perusal of me. Since I wasn’t planning on sticking around for too long and was tired of being the fish in the fishbowl, I happily flipped off those people who sent me malicious looks. I pegged them for shifters by their beady eyes and the way they were practically frothing at the mouth as they watched me.
“Safe place for shifters, my ass,” I muttered as I continued walking. Ridge could say all he wanted about having a place for shifters, but I knew the score. They weren’t saints, and their demonic ways were bound to escape and harm and maim. It was inevitable.
That’s why it was best for me to keep moving and never form ties. If no one was close to me, then I couldn’t hurt anyone but myself.
The sign for the Bogford Bed & Breakfast swung on its chains. The square where the Ashworths dropped me off yesterday was within view of the place. It was a cute two-story home, the American dream home with a white-picket fence, flower boxes, and flower beds with bright colors springing up everywhere, as well as cheerful blue shutters and the all-American red door. The place’s charm was so sweet, my teeth ached from it, but I had to admit I could go for sweet right now. It got tiresome staying in crappy motels where the sheets were questionable and cockroaches wanted to be your bedmates.
I walked up the path and slowly opened the door. The A/C smacked right against my face, and goosebumps livened up my skin. The cold air felt amazing. The heat had hit, despite the early hour, and walking the miles from Mayor Snoopy’s house meant I had sweat coating my skin—it certainly wasn’t a dewy glow. I was sure my face was red and my hair lank.
A shrewd-faced woman stood behind the front desk, but her smile was bright and kind when I stepped toward her. She had to have been about my mother’s age. Or rather, the age she would have been were she still alive.
“Welcome to Bogford Bed & Breakfast. How may I help you?”
Her motherly voice instantly put me at ease and made me feel I was genuinely being invited into her home. “Hello. I was passing through and was wondering if I could get a room.” I swiped my hair behind my ear, realizing I probably looked a mess. This woman was probably more used to families and newlyweds staying here.
“Most certainly. We have a couple of rooms available. I can get you set up in a jiffy. Do you know how long you’ll be staying?”
I danced my fingers against the counter. “I’m not too sure. Maybe a couple of weeks? I’ll for sure let you know when I know.”
She smiled and asked for my name. I gave her my real first name but a made-up last name.
“What brings you to Blackwood Creek?”
I hated when people asked that question. Why did everyone have to be so nosy about it?
“Personal business that I’d appreciate the town not being privy to. I definitely value my privacy.” I hoped I didn’t come off as snotty, but when telling people you needed them to butt out, you couldn’t be sweet about it.
The woman smiled and handed me a key. “I understand all about wanting privacy. Don’t worry. You’ll get that here at Bogford Bed & Breakfast.” She held out her hand to shake mine. “Diana Bogford, at your service.”
I smiled at her and decided I liked the woman as I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Diana.”
Diana smiled and pointed to the stairs after I declined to have her show me where the room was.
“Say, you wouldn’t happen to know about any temporary job openings in walking distance, would you? I’m a hard worker and happy to do anything.”
I hadn’t had time to grab my laptop before I’d lit out of my last location, which meant I couldn’t do any of my freelance designer jobs. It still killed me that I’d had to leave my computer behind. I’d worked hard to get that thing, but it wasn’t safe for me to track back and get it. The hunters had been closing in, and if I’d gone back, it would’ve tipped them off. My life wasn’t worth the laptop, even though making money made being on the run easier.
“Sorry, hon, I don’t, but you should go ask my daughter Margo. She’d be the best person to help you. She’s a waitress over at the Moonlight Café. She comes across everybody in town and always seems to know what people are looking for.”
“Great, I’ll take a quick shower and head over. Thanks again.”
Diana smiled at me, and I doubled-timed it up the stairs. The sooner I got some money, the sooner I could leave and get myself out of this feeling of debt to the insufferably handsome mayor. I didn’t want to owe him anything, so I wanted to pay for the drink and the shower. Then my conscience would be free and clear.
After taking my second shower of the morning and looking through what little clothing I had, I realized I needed to get to a laundromat and fast. I got directions from Diana on my way out of the B&B, but once I left the building and started walking, I realized it had been unnecessary to ask. Everything was located around the town square.
People still gave me curious looks as I headed in the cafe’s direction, and one couple even glared. By the style of dress and jewels that adorned them, they were inevitably friends of the lovely Greenthornes I’d met last night. I had to hold in my wicked grin at that memory.
Like the tavern, the diner was old-timey but had a ‘50s soda shop feel. It had the customary black-and-white tiled floor, and the decorations were bright and colorful. A well-worn jukebox in the corner played old music.
When I walked up to the counter, it was hard to miss Margo. She was a petite, bubbly ball of energy with the same genuine smile her mom sported. She clapped and hugged me when I came toward her.
“Momma just called and let me know you were on your way. I’m Margo Bogford. It’s so nice to meet you, Tori.”
I laughed at her exuberance, but I couldn’t help but wince at her familiarity.
Before I could begin to panic, Margo carried on, “But I would have known you anywhere, even if my momma hadn’t called. You’re the talk of the town, cutie. The mysterious stranger who waltzed her way into town and caught the eye of our very own single and serious mayor all in one go.”
I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. “Ah...um...” I didn’t know what to say. So much for keeping my head down. It seemed everyone was gossiping about my seductive reputation. So far, my attempts at anonymity weren’t exactly going to plan. A discord with one of the influential families in town, a steamy night with the mayor—who just so happened to be a shifter—and now here in the diner, where it seemed everyone knew my face and everything I’d done since I’d arrived. How many people here were shifters?
