Zed felt a sudden rush of affection for the newcomer. Anyone who could appreciate the otherworldly charms of the maison de fous, without even going inside yet, was a person worth knowing.

Jillian sighed. “You could always stay with us for a night or two.”

“I make it a policy not to draw the attention of law enforcement whenever possible,” said Dani. “That includes sharing a breakfast nook with your sheriff. Besides, this way, I can settle in, be able to concentrate. And that means getting to work that much faster.”

“All right, but if you need anything, call and I will come running. Even if it’s just clean towels.”

Dani held up her fingers in what looked like a Girl Scout salute. “I promise I will.”

“In the meantime, I can take you back to town to get the rest of your things,” Zed offered.

Jillian jabbed a finger towards his chest. “Dani does not need the full Near-Death-Experience-on-the-Back-of-Zed’s-Harley just yet. Besides, don’t you think maybe you should concentrate on fixing the shower?”

“That’s your Springer Soft Tail Classic out front?” Dani asked, delighted.

Jillian muttered, “The one with the extremely unsubtle claw marks painted down the body?”

Zed’s grin ratcheted up even further. “Sure is. You know bikes?”

“Only because a boyfriend in college rode one. He taught me how to drive because I threatened not to give him…”

Zed’s eyebrows rose.

Dani didn’t look remotely embarrassed. She just grinned cheekily and added, “Handshakes anymore. Very firm, loving handshakes.”

Zed smirked at her. “Mmmhmm.”

“Nice save,” Jillian added.

Unabashed, Dani gestured to her shoulder bag. “Besides, there’s no need to run back into town.”

“That’s all you brought?” Zed asked, side-eying her bag.

She jiggled the bag lightly. “Everything I have in the world.”

Zed shuddered. He wasn’t a dragon when it came to hording stuff, but he enjoyed his cave and its creature comforts. He had no desire to live anywhere else. He couldn’t imagine a nomadic life where he could carry everything he owned around in a backpack.

Dani laughed, a rich, bright sound, like thrumming a harp. “I’m just kidding. I have equipment and clothes coming in a few days. It’s being shipped. I like to travel light, but I’m not pathological about it.”

Zed snorted. “Yeah, I had that coming.”

Dani grinned at him, and he went all warm and gooey inside, like he’d just drunk a mug of hot apple cider. He shook his head, as if wiggling his brain back into place. Maybe he did get a concussion from the tub.

Jillian patted his arm, as if she could sense his distraction. “Okay, it’s so hot out I can feel the sweat between my toes, which is not a good look. Zed, how about you focus on fixing the shower and I’ll show Dani around.”