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enough, maybe she would finally own up and tell us her real name. I knew I would. “Landon will be here, and Aunt Tillie is right, anyone who tries to come into this inn is going to be in for a rude awakening. Why can’t she just stay here?”
    Basil leaned forward, keenly interested as she waited for Chief Terry’s decision.
    “Fine,” he said, rubbing the side of his face. “I know when I’m outnumbered.”
    “Good,” Aunt Tillie said. She turned to Basil. “Are you ready for cake?”
    “You haven’t eaten your dinner yet,” Winnie protested. “Cake is for dessert. Don’t teach her bad habits.”
    Basil’s face fell.
    “Oh, fine,” Winnie said. “I can’t say no to that face. Who else wants cake?”
    “I’m going to really like having you around,” Aunt Tillie said. “We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
    That was … terrifying.

Three
    I stumbled into the dining room the next morning, grumpy. Since Basil had fought me returning to the guesthouse to sleep, I’d reluctantly taken a room upstairs – and shared a bed with a child that didn’t stop tossing and turning the entire night. I’d finally passed out around four, and when I woke up, Basil was gone.
    Bay and Landon were sitting at the table when I entered.
    “You look awesome,” Bay said.
    I looked them up and down. They appeared well rested. Bay’s skin was glowing, and Landon’s smile was lazy and relaxed. It bugged me. “Why are you two so happy? I’m guessing you had the guesthouse to yourself all night.”
    “Clove spent the night out at the Dandridge,” Bay said. “It was like a mini vacation.”
    Winnie appeared from the kitchen with two plates in her hand. She slid them in front of Bay and Landon. For some reason, knowing they’d slept well really irritated me. “And what did you two do on your vacation?” I asked. I knew exactly what they’d done. I also knew Bay would die of embarrassment if her mother asked any pointed questions.
    “What vacation?” Winnie asked. “Your mom is bringing you out some eggs and pancakes in a second, Thistle.”
    “Thistle is just being grumpy,” Bay said, focusing on her plate.
    “I wonder why?” I said, my morning snark hitting high gear. “I had to share a bed with a kid who kicked me so many times my shins are going to be one big bruise. You two spent the night fornicating like teenagers.”
    Winnie pursed her lips. “What did you just say?”
    “They were on vacation,” I replied. “That’s what you do on vacation.”
    Bay’s cheeks were flushed, but Landon didn’t appear to be bothered in the least.
    “Do you think that’s funny?” Winnie asked.
    “I don’t,” I said. “I’m appalled at the lack of morality that occurred under my roof last night. Appalled, I tell you.”
    Landon smirked. “The only thing you’re upset about is that you had to spend the night away from Marcus so you couldn’t do the same thing.”
    Winnie smacked the back of Landon’s head. “That’s enough of that, young man.”
    Landon rubbed the back of his head. “What did I do?”
    “I think she’s sitting next to you,” I said.
    “I’m going to put you on my list with Aunt Tillie,” Landon warned.
    “Go ahead. I’m more afraid of her list than yours.”
    “Well, that’s disappointing,” Landon said, glancing at Bay. “You’re scared to be on my list, aren’t you?”
    Bay shook her head. “You’re a big marshmallow,” she said. “Aunt Tillie is the devil.”
    Landon sighed. “Marshmallow?”
    “I happen to love marshmallows,” Bay said.
    Landon rolled his eyes. “Speaking of Aunt Tillie, where is she?”
    That was a pretty good question.
    “I think she took Basil out to see the greenhouse,” Winnie said. “She’s taken a shine to her, and Basil seems to like her right back.”
    “Well, at least we know she’s safe with Aunt Tillie,” I said. “I keep hoping that, as long as we call her Basil, she’ll find the courage to start talking and tell us what