Moonlight Masquerade (Edilean 8)

“I don’t know how you give life to people.”

Reede grunted. “This morning I had three cases of hives, one of an ‘itchy place,’ and a pulled muscle. On a daily basis, it’s not exactly an exciting job.”

Sophie couldn’t help frowning. “But the people need you.”

“What they want is my cousin Tristan, who is part therapist.”

“You mean that he listens to them?”

“Yeah,” Reede said. “He listens. Done?”

She wrote ‘Brittany’ into the clay and put the little giraffe on the dashboard so it could begin drying.

The grocery was very high end and she was impressed. “I think I’ll need a place a little more . . . uh, human than this one.”

“Don’t worry, Sara’s mother, Ellie, owns the store and she’ll arrange whatever you need. Hey! I know. I’ll get Sara to send Mr. Lang to you.”

“I thought you liked this girl,” said a pretty, older woman from behind a tall glass deli case. “You can’t sic Mr. Lang on her.”

“Sara will keep him in check, and besides, the old man likes pretty girls.”

“Then he’ll like you,” she said to Sophie and extended her hand over the top of the counter. “I’m Ellie and Mr. Lang is . . . ” She looked at Reede. “How do you describe him?”

“Healthy,” Reede said. “I have thirty-year-olds who aren’t in as good a shape as he is.” He looked at Sophie. “Mr. Lang is over ninety.”

“Must come from a lifetime of driving people crazy.” Ellie didn’t seem to be joking.

“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Sophie said. “He sounds interesting.”

“Whatever he is, he grows the best vegetables in the state. If he likes you he’ll sell them to you directly.” Ellie was straightening the counter as she spoke.

“That sounds like a challenge,” Sophie said. “Any suggestions on how to make him like me?”

“Throw a box over him,” Reede said, and he and Ellie laughed. “I’ll tell you the story later,” he told Sophie.

“So what can I get for you two today?” Ellie asked. “I hear you’re doing soup and sandwiches at your new shop. How about desserts?”

“No thanks. I have too much to do already.” Sophie started to say something about Roan’s ridiculous ad but he was their relative so she didn’t dare.

But Ellie didn’t hesitate. “How are your creative employees doing?”

“I liked the talented aspect,” Reede said. “This morning my whole office was giggling about it. Heather said her best talent was doing a backbend over a picnic table.”

Ellie and Sophie looked at him.

“I don’t think I was supposed to hear that.”

“I think not,” Sophie said.

“So now to get my foot out of my mouth,” Reede said, “we need some butter . . . It’s something orange.”

Ellie looked at Sophie in question.

“Butternut squash,” she said. “He likes that soup.”

“What’s the name of your restaurant?” Ellie asked.

“I haven’t thought of that,” Sophie answered, but lying made her glance away.