Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2) by Kristen Painter Page A

the corner. “Miss Frost? I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s a man at the counter who says he needs to speak to you immediately.”
    I started walking. “Upset customer?”
    Kip shook his head. “I don’t think so…”
    Cooper stood by the counter, hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. It was a hot look, especially when you threw in the effect of him in his fireman uniform. Plus, there was something about Cooper angry that made him even prettier. “We need to talk. Now.”

“In my office,” I responded. I had no idea what he wanted to talk about, but discussing my personal business in front of my employees or my customers wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t wait for Cooper to respond, just spun on my heel and stalked toward the warehouse door.
    The thump of his lug-soled work boots on the store’s polished concrete floors told me he’d followed. Then a second or two after the warehouse door shut, he grabbed my arm and turned me around.
    “I get not wanting to talk in the store, but this is far enough. You’ve got to figure out how to stop this magic and now.”
    He was certainly worked up. “What happened? More cats in trees?”
    “No.” His blue eyes clouded with frustration. “But you’re not far off. Engine number one is on top of the fire station. And no one knows how it got there. Except we do.”
    Snowballs . “On top of the building?”
    “Yes. And this isn’t funny anymore. You need to do something about this and fast.”
    “I never thought it was funny, and if I could have done something by now, I would have.”
    He took a breath. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were just letting this happen. I know you’re not. But it’s been a very stressful day.”
    “I can imagine. I’m really sorry about your fire truck. Please tell me the town has another one in case there’s actually a fire before we can get number one down.”
    “We do.” He let out a hard exhale and popped his jaw from side to side. “It feels like these pranks are getting worse.”
    “To me, too. But first thing tomorrow I’m meeting with Francine, so I’m hoping she can shed some light on what this magic is specifically and how to stop it.”
    That seemed to relax him. “Good.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry about the outburst.”
    I shrugged. “I get it. Stress happens.” And he was clearly stressed based on the little shimmers of heat coming off him.
    “Yeah, but I shouldn’t take it out on you.” He shook his head.
    I felt for him. “I bet your chief had a few words to say.”
    Cooper snorted. “Boy, did he.”
    My phone rang. “Hold that thought.” I pulled it out of my back pocket and checked the screen. It was Greyson. I answered. “Hey, can I call you back?”
    “No. We have a problem.”
    I had a pretty good idea I knew what that was. “Is this about the fire truck on top of the station?”
    He hesitated. “How did you—the all-American elf is there, isn’t he?”
    I shifted a little so Cooper couldn’t see my smile. “Yes, and I’ll call you later.”
    “Tell me I can take you to dinner tonight and you won’t have to call me later.”
    I twirled a length of hair around one finger and decided to make him work for it. “I have an early morning.”
    “I could come over. With Salvatore’s.”
    Which was only the best pizza on earth. Clearly, the man knew my weaknesses. “Sold.” So much for making him work for it.
    “Seven?”
    “Perfect.”
    “See you then, Princess.”
    With a smirk, I hung up. “Sorry about that. This whole magic-gone-wrong thing has made me a lot more popular.”
    “I’m sure. Listen, about what I was saying. I really am sorry for taking my stress out on you. How about you let me make it up to you with dinner at Howler’s tonight?”
    I bit my lip. Greyson’s timing was impeccable. “I can’t tonight. I’m having breakfast with Birdie Caruthers at eight A.M. tomorrow—she’s going with me to Francine’s—and besides, I