2
The young woman looked shell-shocked by Tania’s insistence that there were available rooms. Maybe she’d been expecting the B&B to be full up. Not that there were any other hotels in town to compete.
“There’s a room at the top of the stairs, number 2. You can leave your bags up there,” Tania said, gesturing to the staircase.
“I’m not sure I caught your name,” I said as the young woman stepped over the threshold and into the front hall, bag gripped tight in her fingers.
“Vera. Vera Chase,” she answered without making eye contact.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Darcy. I’m also staying here,” I said and held out a hand for her to shake. She didn’t respond, instead she scurried up the stairs out of sight. I retreated to the kitchen to find Tania tending to the pot on the stove. I inhaled and cau
