Read Fairytale Ambrosia (The Knead to Know Series Book 2) for Free Online

called the police. They were up to no good. No good at all.”
    She nodded. “Did they disturb anything?”
    “Me,” he said, and I stifled a giggle. “I didn’t like the looks of them. They aren’t the first people like that I have seen. Mark my words. Trouble is coming.”
    “That may be,” Megan said, “but we can’t stop people from being in the neighborhood. However, everyone should keep an eye out for these men. Can you give us any further description?”
    He shook his head. “It was too dark.”
    “Okay, then we should all watch for anyone suspicious. Did anyone see anything strange over the last month, or do you have anything to report?”
    The rest of the meeting was pretty boring, compared to the beginning. When Megan finally adjourned, Mr. Court was the first one out the door, whacking his cane against the sidewalk as he went. The Lawrences’ helped Emily home, while Megan and Stephanie stayed behind to help me straighten up.
    “I can get this,” I said. “I’m sure you guys are anxious to get home.”
    “No, no. We’re grateful you volunteered. It’s the first time we haven’t had to meet in our store, and we really don’t have room for a table and chairs. Obviously, business has been good, but how’s everything else? Are you settling in? Getting a feel for the neighborhood?” Stephanie asked.
    “More importantly, how do you not look tired? You have to be exhausted. When we opened, I thought I could sleep for a week. You look fresh as morning dew. You’re like Wonder Woman,” Megan said, handing me a stack of plates.
    I took them, my smile freezing on my face. How was I supposed to make myself look more tired? I hadn’t even considered that. “Makeup and I think I’m still running on pure excitement. The high of living my lifelong dream hadn’t faded. I wake up every morning excited to come to work. I’ve always wanted to own a bakery. It will all catch up with me eventually, no doubt.”
    “And when it does, we have wine. Stop by any time,” Stephanie said as I went into the kitchen. “Actually, you’re welcome to come over now. You haven’t seen the store yet.”
    “Yes,” Megan chimed. “We want to hear all about you.”
    Talking about myself and my lack of a life was getting to be its own sort of hell. It was like everyone I met was the terrible relative at a family reunion, who asked if you were married yet and when you were going to have kids. I tried not to make a face as I pushed the door open, shaking my head. “I would, but I’m supposed to meet a friend. Next time. We definitely need to hang out.”
    “Yes, definitely.” Stephanie glanced around the café one more time. “I just love what you did with this place and so fast, too. I don’t even miss the pizza.”
    I laughed. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    When they were finally gone, I started toward Callaghan’s, tucking my hands inside my jacket pockets. Two strange men in the neighborhood. Call me crazy, but I believed Mr. Court. After all, the man in the shop today said Valefor had been looking for me. Whoever that was. Crap. I needed to talk to Holden. Maybe he’d recognize the name. My nose scrunched at the thought. Or maybe I’d talk to Phoenix instead. He was the next best thing, plus he wouldn’t rat me out to Holden, if I’d accidentally done something wrong and pissed this Valefor guy off, because he owed me. That was a much happier decision.
    I opened the glossy wooden door to what used to be my and Izzy’s favorite hangout. It was close to the building we both used to live, before I became a monster. A stream of longing for those simpler times ran through me. Izzy was at our regular table, but she didn’t look like herself. Her usually round face was thinner, and her mouth was settled into a frown as she stared into her glass.
    “Sorry, I’m late,” I said. “What happened? What’s wrong?”
    She pressed her lips together, eyes liquefying. “I had a fight with Kyle.”
    “What