Jillian groaned. “That’s embarrassing. I don’t really need the darn things anymore. They’re more of a comfort item, like an academic security blanket.”

Jillian gestured toward the plush blue wingback chair across from her desk. “So, Lara wasn’t wrong. We do have office space set aside in Building Eleven. I can take you over in a bit.”

Dani shuddered. “Ugh, no, that sounds like hell. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate at all, with this many people and the phones going off and—I would be a complete mess in a few days. I’m much better off working at the house.”

“Fair enough. I’m all for knowing your limits. So, how are you settling in?”

“Better than I expected. I love the house. I don’t think I’ve slept this well in years.”

Jillian smirked. “The swinging bed is pretty comfy, once you get used to the idea. Scenery’s not bad either.”

“Yeah, either Zed’s going to have to finish up my shower quick, or I’m going to jump him and ruin our working relationship.”

“Oh, I meant the view from the bedroom window, but I see your point.” Jillian nodded toward the cup and plate in Dani’s hands. “So did you let Siobhan choose for you, or did you brave potential pie disappointment?”

“I’m sorry what?”

“The to-go order from the pie shop.”

Dani laughed. “Oh, no, the sheriff asked me to drop this off for you. He said it was your ‘mid-morning’ pie? Which would imply there are several pie points throughout the day?”

Jillian chuckled as she took the pie and coffee from Dani’s hands. She unwrapped what looked to be a coconut cream pie and sniffed appreciatively. “Yeah, pie is pretty much an all-day food around here. To balance it out as a complete breakfast, Bathtilda usually serves it with bacon.”

“I think I’m gonna like it here.”

“Was there a reason Bael asked you to deliver this instead of bringing it himself?” Jillian asked.

“Something about the Beasley boys being up to no good again,” said Dani.

Jillian shuddered as she sipped her coffee. “If the bayou had the Dukes of Hazzard, the Beasley boys would be it, only with less folksy charm and way more of a voyeuristic creep factor.”

“I think I might have offended the sheriff in some way during this conversation.”

“Bael? That’s pretty difficult to do. I mean, he has tourists call him an ‘inbred asshole with a badge’ on a regular basis, and it doesn’t even phase him.”

Dani frowned. “I don’t know. We were having a perfectly nice conversation, and then I asked him what sort of shifter he is and he just sort of shut me down.”

The corners of Jillian’s mouth pulled back into a grimace. “Yeah, you’re really not supposed to do that, it’s considered rude in shifter culture.”

“I don’t understand.”