leave them by the front door or drop them at Founder’s Park in the morning.”
* * *
Although it was only the thirtieth, and a Sunday, there were still a lot of activities going on for Halloween. From what I’d heard, the carnival and ball had been a huge success. Mystique Island was ready to welcome Misty Haven Resort with open arms.
Driving through Storm Cove, I saw the occasional Halloween home haunt. These days, so many people putting up spook alleys in their own homes. It was a fun idea, if one had the time and energy to do it.
I thought about stopping at Ripper Pies for a quick bite to eat before going home, but then I saw the big sign in front of the Bayside Grill.
Chili & Skeleton Bones Halloween Special
No doubt there would be plenty of chili at the pumpkin walk tomorrow, but I wanted some now.
As soon as I stepped inside the Grill, I picked up on the cozy atmosphere. They had a nice blaze going in the huge rock fireplace and the air was filled with the spicy scent of chili, which sent my stomach into a growling fit.
All the employees were dressed in costumes.
One thing was certain; Mystique Island did take Halloween seriously.
From out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone waving at me. It was Elias, sitting in one of the booths closest to the fire.
Apparently, he wanted me to come and sit with him.
I had planned on having dinner while going over the case files I had tucked under my arm, but Elias did have a good spot, and I was anxious to do some catching up with him. I hadn’t talked with Elias since before the ball.
Making my way through the diners, I stopped at his table. “You’ve been in town a lot lately. Did you finally decide to drop your vendetta against Storm Cove?”
“Not a chance.” He smiled widely. “But I would like you to join me for dinner … unless you’re here to meet with someone else.”
I shook my head. “Nope, just taking a dinner break … and thanks. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
As soon as I slid into the booth, he half stood and leaned over the table to place a quick peck on my cheek. It wasn’t exactly the most romantic kiss I’d ever gotten, but that was Elias for you.
“How did the ball go?” he asked.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the mayor … and also one of the ride attendants.”
Elias nodded.
Before he could say anything, one of the waitresses stopped by our table. According to the sticky tag on her dress, the new waitress’s name was Sarah. I hadn’t been coming to the Grill as much, therefore hadn’t kept up on the new waitresses.
Sarah was dressed like a rag doll, with a bright red dress and matching wig of yarn. There was a splatter of brown, painted on freckles, dotting her face.
Smiling, she pulled out an order pad from a pocket in her dress. “What can I get you tonight?”
“I’ll just have your special, and a cup of coffee.”
“Okay. Coming right up.”
When she was gone, I noticed Elias was eating a hamburger instead of chili.
“Where’s your holiday spirit? You should be having chili.” I pointed out.
“I’ve eaten so much chili this weekend, I had to come here to get away from it. Every lady in Roseland has a pot of chili brewing.”
“At least it is chili instead of witch’s brew,” I said, thinking that I’d almost prefer to deal with a pack of werewolves than the Black Moon witches.
“I take it you are having some witch trouble.”
I lifted both shoulders. “I don’t know. Annabelle is getting way too involved with those witches at the Dell. She is supposed to be initiated into their coven tomorrow night.”
“Can’t you talk her out of it?”
“I’ve tried. She isn’t listening.”
Sarah was back with a big bowl of steaming hot chili and a plate of fresh baked skeleton bones.
“Thanks.” I smiled.
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Your sister is a smart woman. I’m sure if there is anything really bad going on, she’ll catch onto it.”
* * *
Although it was only the thirtieth, and a Sunday, there were still a lot of activities going on for Halloween. From what I’d heard, the carnival and ball had been a huge success. Mystique Island was ready to welcome Misty Haven Resort with open arms.
Driving through Storm Cove, I saw the occasional Halloween home haunt. These days, so many people putting up spook alleys in their own homes. It was a fun idea, if one had the time and energy to do it.
I thought about stopping at Ripper Pies for a quick bite to eat before going home, but then I saw the big sign in front of the Bayside Grill.
Chili & Skeleton Bones Halloween Special
No doubt there would be plenty of chili at the pumpkin walk tomorrow, but I wanted some now.
As soon as I stepped inside the Grill, I picked up on the cozy atmosphere. They had a nice blaze going in the huge rock fireplace and the air was filled with the spicy scent of chili, which sent my stomach into a growling fit.
All the employees were dressed in costumes.
One thing was certain; Mystique Island did take Halloween seriously.
From out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone waving at me. It was Elias, sitting in one of the booths closest to the fire.
Apparently, he wanted me to come and sit with him.
I had planned on having dinner while going over the case files I had tucked under my arm, but Elias did have a good spot, and I was anxious to do some catching up with him. I hadn’t talked with Elias since before the ball.
Making my way through the diners, I stopped at his table. “You’ve been in town a lot lately. Did you finally decide to drop your vendetta against Storm Cove?”
“Not a chance.” He smiled widely. “But I would like you to join me for dinner … unless you’re here to meet with someone else.”
I shook my head. “Nope, just taking a dinner break … and thanks. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
As soon as I slid into the booth, he half stood and leaned over the table to place a quick peck on my cheek. It wasn’t exactly the most romantic kiss I’d ever gotten, but that was Elias for you.
“How did the ball go?” he asked.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the mayor … and also one of the ride attendants.”
Elias nodded.
Before he could say anything, one of the waitresses stopped by our table. According to the sticky tag on her dress, the new waitress’s name was Sarah. I hadn’t been coming to the Grill as much, therefore hadn’t kept up on the new waitresses.
Sarah was dressed like a rag doll, with a bright red dress and matching wig of yarn. There was a splatter of brown, painted on freckles, dotting her face.
Smiling, she pulled out an order pad from a pocket in her dress. “What can I get you tonight?”
“I’ll just have your special, and a cup of coffee.”
“Okay. Coming right up.”
When she was gone, I noticed Elias was eating a hamburger instead of chili.
“Where’s your holiday spirit? You should be having chili.” I pointed out.
“I’ve eaten so much chili this weekend, I had to come here to get away from it. Every lady in Roseland has a pot of chili brewing.”
“At least it is chili instead of witch’s brew,” I said, thinking that I’d almost prefer to deal with a pack of werewolves than the Black Moon witches.
“I take it you are having some witch trouble.”
I lifted both shoulders. “I don’t know. Annabelle is getting way too involved with those witches at the Dell. She is supposed to be initiated into their coven tomorrow night.”
“Can’t you talk her out of it?”
“I’ve tried. She isn’t listening.”
Sarah was back with a big bowl of steaming hot chili and a plate of fresh baked skeleton bones.
“Thanks.” I smiled.
“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Your sister is a smart woman. I’m sure if there is anything really bad going on, she’ll catch onto it.”
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