Apple of My Eye (Tiger's Eye Mystery #7) - Alyssa Day Page 0,44

not. I would appreciate a ride. You would never two-time Tess with a hussy, would you, Jack?"

His grin widened. "Nope. Never, ever. Not a single hussy. Let's get going."

While they gathered their things, he aimed that gorgeous smile at me. "I'm looking forward to hearing all about this later. I'll be back."

"Nope! I will never reveal my secrets. It's a sacred goat yoga trust." I cracked myself up and fell back on the couch laughing again.

Jack shepherded his tipsy charges out the door and then turned back to me. "Please lock the door behind me, just in case. I'll knock when I get back."

"Okay." I got up and took a few unsteady steps toward the door. "Should really give you a key, if I'm going to start locking doors."

Jack froze, an arrested expression on his face. "You—I—Tess, we—"

"Jack, get your butt out here. You can kiss Tess later," Lorraine bellowed.

I giggled. "Yes, Jack, you should definitely kiss Tess later."

This time, the gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. "That sounds like the best idea you've had all day. I'll be back soon."

I locked the door, brushed my teeth, and eyed the fluffy pillows on my bed. "I'll just wait here."

Lou, who'd escaped the party a while back, stretched out on the end of my bed and then started to purr.

"Yep. Just rest my eyes for a minute."

When I woke up, it was Tuesday morning, I was still wearing my stealth clothes, my head ached like a steel brass band was hammering away in it, and Jack was nowhere to be seen.

There had definitely been no kissing.

12

Lou meowed at me that she wanted her breakfast, and I winced.

"Quietly, please." I carefully made my way to the bathroom for a shower, put on my usual jeans and polo shirt, and then wobbled my way to the kitchen for coffee, Tylenol, and toast.

My head hurt when I bent down to feed my cat.

It hurt even more when I stood back up.

Have I mentioned that I'm not much of a drinker?

"News flash: I am completely and totally out of the stealth-spying and post-mission-margarita business," I told my cat, who didn't have the slightest bit of sympathy for me.

I didn’t have time for sympathy, anyway, because the rescheduled GYST bus was on its way, and I still needed to stop by Mellie's and get donuts. Maybe she'd be back at work today, and I'd avoid special jelly donuts.

I swayed, because even the thought of jelly donuts was making my hangover stomach very unhappy. No donuts for me today at all would probably be a good idea.

Mellie's was less busy today, and the line moved faster, so I had hopes of getting out before my head exploded.

"What the world really needs is headache medicine that works instantly," I muttered glumly.

The guy behind me, wearing a John Deere cap, gave me a funny look but nodded. "Sure wouldn't hurt. Hey, did you hear about that missing woman? Ann Feeney? Do you know her? The Gazette said that Dead End was her last known location."

I winced. "At least for part of her."

"What?" He edged away from me and started talking to the guy behind him. "Hey, did you hear about that missing woman? Ann Feeney? Did you know her?"

I didn't hear what the other guy said, but I really didn't care since it was my turn at the counter.

Vern's smile was still big, but growing ragged at the edges. "Hey, Tess. Glad to see you. Eleanor called in the order yesterday, same two dozen."

I really wasn't in the mood to talk, but ignoring him would be rude. "Are you doing okay, Vern? How's Mellie? Do you think she'll be back at work soon?"

"I really hope so," he said longingly. "This job is not for wimps. Or accountants! Plus, my vacation days are almost up."

"You're doing great," I told him, placing my money on the counter. Vern knew my reasons for being careful not to touch people. "I bet Mellie really appreciates it."

He nodded, distracted, and I moved out of the way so the John Deere guy could place his order.

"Hey, Vern, did you hear about that missing woman? Ann Feeney? Did you know her?"

Vern shook his head, already holding a fresh bag. "Sorry. Six glazed again?"

I waved to Vern, said hello to a few people I knew, and headed out, glad to escape the scent of burnt sugar and coffee—usually aromas I adored, but today was going to be a rough one.

The GYST bus followed me into the parking