said softly, kissing her forehead, “you look very cute, and I’m the one who dragged you outside without protection.”
“Only after I told you to,” she shot back, but nuzzled into the soft coat. “And thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned her around and put his hands on her shoulders. “Now. Look.”
Bella rolled her eyes. “I feel like we’re having a Mr. Miyagi moment here, or something. You’re always telling me to look, but not telling me what I’m looking for.”
“I’m getting cold, Belle, better figure it out before I take us back inside.”
Bella held back a swoon at his use of her nickname. She absolutely adored it when he called her that. No one else did and for some reason, that made the act more special, more intimate. Forcing her mind to focus, she put her eyes on the side of the house. They were standing at a door. One that led to the hallway with the laundry room, if Bella was remembering correctly. She glanced to her right, noting that the garden shed was just across the lawn. “This is where the door was left open the other day,” she murmured.
“Good,” Henry responded. “Keep going.”
Holding the coat tightly closed, she stepped closer. “A garden rake was also left out around here, but the shed was locked.” She started to walk toward the shed, but Henry made a beeping noise.
“Cold...cold...colder...”
She stopped and turned to look at him incredulously. “Are you playing hot and cold with me? Really? What are we? Five?”
Henry winked at her but said nothing else.
Huffing as dramatically as she could, she turned to the house.
“Warmer...”
Bella shot Hank a look, but his smirk never wavered. Her eyes immediately went to the door, but she couldn’t find anything amiss. She crouched down, shivering slightly despite the borrowed coat, and studied the doorknob. “I don’t see any scratching or anything.” She squinted up at him. “That means no forced entry, right?”
Henry nodded slowly. “A scratched doorknob isn’t the only sign, but yes, there are no signs of forced entry.”
“So what did you find of interest out here?”
“Keep going,” he urged.
Bella pinched her lips together, equal parts frustrated and eager to prove herself. Finally, she dropped her eyes to the ground. The grass was brown and dry, the ground hard with the cold weather, and dark from the moisture in the air. As she looked around the stoop, she noticed something unusual. “Crumbs,” she murmured. Bending down, she picked up a few small brown chunks. They were lighter in color than the dirt, more of a caramel or honey tone, and there were several in a clump at the bottom of the steps. “Crumbs!” she called out to Henry, holding them up. “Our food thief was out here!”
Henry smiled at her, pride shining in his eyes. “Very good, Belle.”
Bella stood up and brushed off her hands. “But what does it mean? We know they came this way, but they didn’t have to force their way into the mansion. Which still means it could possibly be a guest. I mean...they could have stepped outside to eat, then come right back in.”
Henry grunted in a noncommittal fashion, took her sleeve-covered hand, and led her back inside. Once there, he took his coat back and hung it on the rack. “Do you mind if we warm up by the fire?”
Bella shook her head. “No. That’s fine. Would you like some hot chocolate or apple cider?”
“Like I’d ever turn that down,” Henry responded with an easy grin.
“Give me a second.” Bella broke off from his hold and turned to the kitchen instead of the chairs by the roaring fireplace. “Hey, Em...can I get a couple cups of something warm?”
Emory turned around from her gingerbread house. “Sure. Who for?”
Bella tried to hold her grin in check, but she couldn’t. “Henry and myself.”
Emory smiled back. “He’s spending a lot of time here,” she hedged.
“He’s working on a case.”
Emory’s right eyebrow slowly rose. “Is that the only reason he’s here?”
Taking the tray from Emory’s hands, which contained much more than two cups of cocoa, Emory pumped her own eyebrows. “I sure hope not!” She smiled at Emory’s laugh and headed back out the door.
HANK HELD HIS HANDS over the fire. The warmth slowly began to permeate his skin, leaving sparks of pain in its wake. He grinned as he thought of why he was so cold. Seeing Bella in his large coat, dwarfing her like a little child, had been a sight to behold. He had felt something decidedly