Page 63 of Eye on the Ball

“That’s the story, but none recently. I’m just interested in the topic, because the trials were more about misogyny than about actual witchcraft.”

We talked about that for a while, and I was surprised to learn that Jack had quite a bit of knowledge on the topic, too.

“I know a lot of witches,” he said, when I expressed as much.

We spent an enjoyable hour together, which made me even more optimistic about my new employee. When we were wrapping up, Connor Murphy stopped by our table holding a carry-out bag.

“Hey, guys! Tess, way to go. I don’t think I would have been able to step up like that.”

“Thanks. Connor, this is?—”

“Hi, Tina.” He flashed a huge smile. “So nice to meet you.”

“Hi,” she said shyly.

“Tina is going to be working part time with me at the shop,” I explained.

“Part-time?” He gave her a speculative look that made me nervous. Sure enough, the next words out of his mouth were bad.

For me.

“If you want to pick up some extra work, Tina, I’m going to need some extra help at the pub. Maybe you could pick up a shift or two a week?”

“Stop trying to steal my new employee,” I said sternly, shaking my finger at him.

He laughed, apparently thinking I was kidding.

I wasn’t.

Why didn’t Jack ever growl at people when I needed him to?

Tina’s eyes widened. “I … actually, that might be nice. My textbooks are going to cost more than I expected.”

“Come by anytime and talk to me. I’m always there,” Connor said cheerfully. With one last “way to go” to me, he was gone.

“Are you still up for starting tomorrow?”

Tina nodded. “I am! Oh, thank you again, Tess. I’m so grateful.”

“Please stop thanking me. I’m happy to have you. It’s going to be great.”

Tina excused herself and went home to study. Jack left money on the table for a big tip—Lorraine had insisted our meals were on the house—and we headed for the door, chatting with friends on the way. Just before we got to the door, it swung open, and Mr. Albert and Mr. Henry shuffled into the diner.

And they were carrying the missing softball trophy.

33

Jack

I didn’t bother with hello. “Where did that come from? Is Ace awake?”

One of the two old guys—I still couldn’t tell them apart—frowned at me. “No. He’s still at the clinic, in a coma, from what I understand.”

The other one nodded. “We found this in the woods outside his house.”

I studied them but couldn’t tell from their faces if they were being truthful or not.

Tess’s eyes widened. “You just happened to be hanging out in the woods?”