Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans Read Online Free PDF Page B

steps.
    “That’s got to be one of the mangiest dogs I’ve ever seen,” the deputy said in a disgusted tone. “Are you sure she’s caught up on her shots?”
    Mason’s back stiffened. “Deputy Hoffstetter, do you have a purpose for being here other than to insult our family pet?” He sounded furious, and I felt like cheering.
    The deputy’s face reddened, and she shot me a glare before muttering something too low for me to hear. If it was an apology, it was a poor one.
    Mason nodded, then shot me a sympathetic look. “Rose, this should only take a minute.”
    “Okay,” I grumbled, irritated that Deputy Crankypants had successfully ruined my quality time with Mason. I took Muffy inside and peered through the curtains. I watched them for several moments, although there wasn’t much to see. Mason leaned with his forearm across the top of the open car door, and the deputy stood next to him talking. Finally, the deputy nodded at something Mason said and moved to get into the car.
    I dropped the edge of the curtain and ran into the kitchen to grab a bowl for the tortilla chips the restaurant had given me. Muffy stopped next to her dog bowl and started crunching her dry dog food.
    Moments later, Mason came up behind me and grabbed my hips as his mouth lowered to my earlobe. “Have you added lip reading to your list of skills?”
    I froze, my hand in mid-air, before I recovered and pulled the bowl down from the shelf. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    He turned me around, a sly grin lighting up his eyes. “I know you better than you think I do, Rose Gardner.”
    With everything I’d been up to lately, I sure hoped not.
    “We could save a lot of time and effort if you would just tell me what you were talking about.” I lifted my eyebrows as encouragement.
    He laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. Not this time.”
    “But you tell me everything.”
    He gave me a kiss. “Not this time.”
    I wasn’t sure what to think about that. I knew that Mason dealt with official, confidential Fenton County business all the time, and usually I didn’t care. But I had a gut feeling that this mystery news somehow involved me. Or rather the Lady in Black. “Is it about that big auction on Thanksgiving Day?”
    He cocked his head with an ornery grin. “Good try.” He slid his hand around my back and pulled me to his chest. “Where were we when we got interrupted?”
    Mason was doing a good job of reminding me when Muffy started barking again.
    “Hello!” Maeve called out from the living room. “Is anyone home?”
    “Your momma’s here,” I said, breathless as I pushed him away and straightened my shirt. “She’s early.”
    Mason groaned. “The universe is conspiring against me.”
    It was conspiring against both of us.
    We found Maeve in the living room squatted down next to her overnight bag so she could pet Muffy. She smiled at us. “I wondered where you two were hidden.” Picking up on the teasing tone in her voice, I blushed.
    “You’re here early, Mom,” Mason said, putting his arm around my back.
    “The movers finished a couple hours ahead of schedule.”
    “Well, we’re so glad you’re here!” I said. “You must be exhausted.” I pulled her into a hug, then steered her toward the sofa in the living room so she could take a seat. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. I have dinner taken care of.”
    Maeve’s eyes lit up. “You can go back to the Piggly Wiggly now?”
    I heaved out a sigh of frustration. “No. Mason’s still working on that.”
    Mason laughed. “It’s taken some impressive negotiating on my part, but I think we’re close to an agreement.” His face lit up with a mischievous gleam. “Did you get Neely Kate to go shopping for you?”
    I put my hands on my hips and scowled. “No. I picked up enchiladas from the new Mexican restaurant—Buenaza Zarigüeya—on the way home.”
    His eyes widened. “I’m having a hard time trusting food from a restaurant whose