Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

“I’m not dating Matt. You can ask him. He’d tell you.” She had no idea what she was doing with Matt, but it definitely wasn’t dating. “We’re not talking about this,” she told Abby.

Abby huffed. “We never talk about the good stuff.”

“Yeah, that’s because there isn’t any. You don’t have a love life and I am a serial first dater.”

“True.” Abby smiled, her eyes gentle with compassion. “What are you going to do about your mum?”

“I’m thinking of hiding from her until she goes back to America. That’s the tactic I’m using with Frank. It’s a one-size-fits-all plan.”

Matt saved her from Abby’s lecture by sauntering into the room. “Josh has been duly warned. I told him your mother isn’t hard to miss—she looks like a blonde version of Chrissie Hynde. What’s with all that eyeliner, anyway?”

Jena ignored him. Not that he was expecting an answer. Her mother was forgotten now he had the rest of the scones in front of him.

“What do you need my input on, then?” he asked Abby as he filled his plate.

Abby looked at Katy nervously. The little girl was busy making a picture with crayons and glitter. She didn’t care what the grown-ups were talking about.

“I think someone’s been messing with things around the property.”

Matt was instantly alert. The food was forgotten. “Messed with in what way?”

Abby shrugged, but it was clearly forced. “It’s probably nothing. Things aren’t where I put them. Some things have gone completely missing.” She picked at a speck on the tablecloth. “I hear noises in the back of the mine, behind the mushroom farm. It was closed up when we moved in here—there shouldn’t be anything in there to make a noise.”

“When you say things are being moved, what do you mean?” Matt studied her intently.

Abby waved a hand as she gave a little laugh. “Katy’s bike was outside the back door, and then I found it down by the stream. The boxes I put out for recycling disappeared. I can’t find them anywhere. Things like that. Silly things.” Her grey eyes blinked at Matt. “I’m worried I’m moving things and can’t remember. I get tired. Although I can’t figure out why I’d take Katy’s bike down to the stream. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

Matt’s eyes were sharp. “Do you have an alarm for this place?”

Abby nodded. “David had one put in

shortly before his illness.”

“I’ll get Lake out to check on it. It wouldn’t hurt to have him look over your house. Make sure everything’s being done to make it secure.”

“I’m probably making a fuss about nothing. I mean, why would anyone move Katy’s bike?” She nodded as though coming to a decision. “I’m sorry I called you, Matt. I’m sure this is just my imagination and bad memory.”

“Better safe than sorry, Abby. Trust me, talking to you about your worries beats dealing with Morag’s missing cat.” He smiled at her. Jena knew it was supposed to be reassuring, but his eyes showed concern. “What about your employees? Would any of them play around like this?”

Abby shook her head. “You know the people who work for me. I have three retirement-age worker who come in part-time to help with the mushrooms. I don’t see them moving my things. They’re more interested in gossiping and swapping mushroom recipes.”

“I’ll have a chat with them anyway. We’ll get Magenta in to look at the mine as well.”

“Didn’t you do that already?” Jena said.

Abby gave her a sheepish look. “I meant to. I forgot.”

More like she didn’t want to bother Magenta with her worries.

“Now,” Matt said, “enough of this. We’ll sort it out. You got any more scones? Or is this it? I’ll just make a call to Lake while you’re getting the food. Coffee would be great too. I don’t do tea in fancy wee cups.” He disappeared outside the back door again.

“I dare you to give him coffee in a fancy wee cup,” Jena said as she watched him go.

“You are bad, Jena Morgan.” Abby reached into the cupboard. “I have just the thing, though.” She held up a tiny espresso cup and matching saucer. It was delicate, pale purple and covered in daisies. Abby gave her an innocent look. “It is an actual coffee cup, after all.”

“I like how you think.” Jena laughed. “But don’t put the pot within his reach. He’ll take one look at the cup and just drink from the pot.”

Abby was laughing when she turned back to the counter.