“Being shot at will induce immediate action.” Adam glanced around, trying to figure out what he was going to do for another hour. “Do you want to go out to dinner at the Live Oak?” Not that he wanted to dine out, but women liked good food, candles and white tablecloths, and here in Gothic, there was only one place for that. And Elle had said food was important to her.

“No, I’m a little weary. I’d rather go home with you.” She moved closer and said suggestively, “Maybe we could eat and go to bed early.”

“So you can sleep?”

“Sure.” She placed her hand on his chest over his heart and looked up at him with sultry desire. “Afterward.”

If working at Madame Rune’s put her in a sultry mood, he supposed he would put up with it...for the time being.

“Eh!” From the doorway, Rune made a sound like a trainer correcting a dog.

Elle jumped away from Adam.

“None of that in Madame Rune’s Psychic Readings and Bookshop.” Rune waved as if trying to air the room. “The surroundings will absorb the passionate vibrations, and couples who enter will find themselves unwisely entangled!”

Adam gave a disgusted sigh.

“Don’t give me attitude, Adam Ramsdell. I’ve had a stressful day.” Rune sat on a stool, nudged the dragon snow globes aside and put her feet up. And moaned. She looked at Elle. “How did you do?”

“Here’s the day’s total.” She ran a printout and handed it to Rune.

Rune’s painted-on eyebrows shot up. “Wow! You can sell in my shop anytime. Although... I might ask whether you could help tomorrow setting up the festival.” She was looking at Adam rather than Elle.

Elle didn’t wait for Adam to reply. “I’d love to! But what about the shop?”

“I’d only keep you in the morning to run errands for me.”

“I can do that.” Elle put her hand on Adam’s arm. “I’ll drive the ATV.”

“We don’t know if you can drive,” Adam said.

“I’m an American. Of course I can drive.”

“I’ll drive her up,” Adam told Rune.

“If you do that, I’ll put you to work, too.”

Adam put his hand on his arm and whispered piteously, “But my stitches...”

Rune’s expression was horrified. “I’m sorry. I forgot! How are they?”

Elle chuckled. “He’s fine. The man heals very well. I’m taking the stitches out tomorrow night.”

“Not funny, Adam!” Rune put her hand to her back and groaned. “Not when I feel like death on toast.”

“Aren’t we a threesome?” Adam said jokingly.

“I am fine,” Elle said firmly.

Rune looked at her. “She is looking better. Bruises almost gone.”

From outside somewhere, they heard a scream that lifted the hair on Elle’s arms. “What was that?”

Rune groaned again. “She’s starting early.”

“Who?” Elle stared wide-eyed.