Chapter 77

I arrived exactly at seven at Adalind's condo and pressed the doorbell button. Shortly afterward the door opened and Adalind was all smiles.

"So glad you could make it!" she beamed brightly in her artificial way. Was she ever genuine? "Won't you come in?" she asked as I stepped into her home.

To my right was a very elegant living room, if you could call it that. Much like Adalind, her place wasn't genuine either. It looked more like a model home instead of one that was actually lived in. I wasn't getting a homey feel at all. There was a touch of personality with a black bookcase in the far corner which displayed a few photos and mementos. The top shelf had butterflies in a frame. Wait, were those actually real butterflies? Oh, they were. Creepy.

As I stepped further inside, four women emerged from the kitchen area. One of them I already knew. Nurse Wretched. Oh, wow. Hopefully the others didn't have the same personality. I noted the time on my watch. Was I late?

Adalind noticed me checking the time. "Renée, you're fine. They just arrived early," she assured me as she motioned me forward. Introductions were made, but Nurse Wretched (whose name was Tabitha) gave a strained smile. That smile probably took quite a bit of effort on her part.

Adalind looked at me, then to Tabitha. "Do you two know each other?"

"Yeah, we met in the ER recently," I replied.

"Oh. Small world."

The other three ladies gave quick nods in my direction at their introductions, ignoring my outstretched hand. More women who didn't believe in handshakes. Nice. I slowly dropped my hand to my side, smoothing down my skirt. Maybe it was a west coast thing. In Kentucky everyone shook hands while some even hugged. There was no southern hospitality here today.

Two of the ladies were co-workers of Adalind's from her firm, and the third was an advertising executive. I was surrounded by forced smiles. I sighed to myself. Making friends in Portland was going to be hard.

"There's wine and appetizers in the kitchen," Adalind said sweetly as she pointed to the room behind me.

I nodded and made my way toward the kitchen.

Wow, another perfect, model room. The kitchen looked like it was used less than my own. There was an open cabinet with glass canisters on display, filled with things that didn't look like your typical sugar and flour. Below that a few black plates and cups were perfectly arranged. Glass cupboards set on both sides of the cabinet, showcasing more dishes like they were works of art. There were a few high-end appliances on the tiled counter space, but again, they looked mostly for decoration, not for real use. And this kitchen was beyond clean. Now, there was meticulously clean, like Monroe's, but then there was this… Sterile. For someone who loved to bake, it clearly wasn't shown in here.

On the kitchen island were an assortment of hors d'oeuvres and a few bottles of wine. She had a veggie platter amongst the other food. Thank goodness I could stick with my vegetarian ways. There was no telling what was in some of those tea sandwiches and pinwheels.

Back in the living room faint whispers of conversation caught my ears. I closed my eyes to hear it better.

"She really came," one of her co-workers commented in a hushed tone to Adalind.

"I told you she would," she replied quietly.

"How do you stop yourself?" another whispered.

Adalind said something else about plans, but I was interrupted by one of the lawyers.

"You all right?" she asked as my eyes snapped open.

"Sorry, fine," I replied, feigning a smile. I added a few veggies to my plate as the lawyer talked about a new spa she was trying out.

"Not that you would need it," she said with a bit of disdain in her voice. "You have such beautiful skin tone." She leaned in a bit. "What is your secret?"

"Just good genes," I replied with a shrug.

"Yeah. Lucky you," she scowled slightly as she disappeared back into the living room.

I closed my eyes again once the lawyer was gone, but no one else was whispering. Should I be flattered or concerned about what I'd heard? I shook off my insecurities, took a glass, and filled it with a pinot noir. 2005. Good year. She had great taste in wine. But if she was anything like my mother, she excelled at hosting. Libras were top notch when it came to parties.

While I was munching on a carrot, Adalind approached and moved toward the oven. She lifted out a round, white platter filled with what looked like mini apple pies the size of cookies, complete with tiny lattice tops. There had to be a dozen at least.

"These should be cool by now," she said with a smile. "They're apple tarts. It's an old family recipe. Please, try one."

"Yes, thank you." I lifted the tart to my lips, taking in the sweet scent of cinnamon, and sampled a small bite. It was just as I'd feared… They were delicious. "So, is this what you made from your purchases at the spice shop the other day?"

She nodded with a large grin. "Sure is. Please have as many as you'd like." She nudged the platter in my direction as I finished off the first tart. Easy for her to say. She probably had a metabolism like my mom. If I ate all those, I'd have to run three times around the woods just to work them off.

"One is plenty, but they're amazing," I replied politely, waving off the platter.

"Oh, now I made these special for you." She could do puppy dog eyes as well as Monroe could.

"Okay, one more, but that's my limit," I allowed, taking another and giving her a smile. Maybe I could get in a morning Pilates workout with Monroe to work it off.

"I'm going to set these right here in case you change your mind," Adalind said as she placed the tarts next to me on the counter. Too close in my opinion.

I nibbled on the second tart as she walked off and put the other half in my napkin. Willpower. At least this way I wouldn't hurt her feelings. None of the other ladies had any of her apple tarts as they came through the kitchen. If I didn't watch it, I would eat them all to spare her feelings. Oh, twist my arm!

I moved back into the non-lived-in living room, so the temptations would be out of sight and out of mind. Besides, I wanted to mingle.

I steered clear of Nurse Wretched and instead, chatted with a co-worker of Adalind's, who was about as interesting as a sack of potatoes. I excused myself to refill my wine glass.

The ad executive was hovering around the veggie platter when I entered the kitchen. She spilled ranch dip on her blouse and gasped as she had a woge into a Hexenbiest. There was distance between us, and I remained as cool as the cucumber on my plate. She quickly retracted and looked franticly in my direction, but I ignored the look. Something wasn't right. She wanted to make sure I hadn't seen her, but I was well aware of my practiced calm. I kept my face smooth as I smiled at her. Fortunately, the Hexenbiest seemed satisfied that I didn't notice.

Was she the only one? What if they all were Hexenbiests? Witches liked covens, and Hexenbiests fell under that same category. I could just touch them and know immediately with that cold chill radar. But how? We were past introductions. I should've shook hands in the beginning. Now it would seem rude to just walk around and randomly touch people. I didn't want to seem weird. Maybe that's why they didn't offer their hands to begin with. No, that was silly. How would they possibly know what I was?

I'd already had a paranoid moment at work when I tried to shake hands with one of my trainees, and she had jerked back in fear. Finally, I'd reached over and touched her arm. She wasn't a Hexenbiest, but I found out from another trainee she was a germophobe. The poor woman had spent fifteen minutes in the ladies room, washing her arm from where I'd 'assulted' her. I shook my head. No, I was being paranoid.

If only I had Monroe's nose right now. But could he smell a Hexenbiest? They weren't exactly animal Wesen. I was close to calling him; perhaps I could fake a dead car battery or something…

"Everything okay?" Adalind asked and reached for my shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.

I turned quickly. She'd touched me and I hadn't felt anything. Oh, but there was cloth between us. Didn't my uncle say it had to be physical contact? Ugh…

"Yeah, sorry," I replied while shaking my head. "I have work on the brain."

"Well, put those work thoughts aside and enjoy yourself. Another tart?" she asked, holding up the platter. Now she was carrying it around. Adalind was determined I was going eat those decadent things.

"Sure," I replied while brushing my fingers over her hand as I took one more. Nothing. Not even a shiver. Her eyes met mine as she smiled wider. Yeah, definitely paranoid.

"I'm so glad you like them," she replied as I took a bite.

"Your friends aren't fans of apple tarts?" I asked. She hadn't been offering them to anyone else.

"Most of them eat like birds, so it's not worth the bother to ask." She rolled her eyes slightly. "Too bad they're going to go to waste."

I shook my head. "Their loss. You're an excellent baker." I took another large bite to keep her happy. I needed to pick up another napkin. I couldn't eat another whole one, guilt trip or not.

Adalind walked off and I was able to discard the rest of the tart discreetly.

I kept a watchful eye for any changes to the other ladies. Paranoia aside, I still needed to be careful. If only there was a better way to tell if they were Wesen without having to touch them. The way my grandmother could know with one look would be a handy skill to have.

One of the lawyers dropped her napkin, and we both bent down to retrieve it.

"Thanks," she replied as I took the opportunity to touch her arm.

Nothing. Warm as a normal person ought to be. Two down two to go.

I nodded slowly as briefs and trials were discussed at length by the lawyers. The ad executive discussed a client she'd recently landed for one of the newer, upscale restaurants near the Pearl District. I fiddled with the hem of my skirt while trying to focus, but I was bored, bored, bored.

I glanced over at Nurse Wretched beside me, and even she was stifling a yawn. She was wearing a watch, so I feigned interest and reached for her wrist as I admired it. Warm. Too bad she hadn't been that warm when she had her hands and her stethoscope up my back that night in the ER. The only one left was the second lawyer, but she was giving me no opportunities to cop a feel. I waited to see if she would show me her 'true colors,' but she remained perfectly human the rest of the night. Maybe it was just the ad executive after all.

It was getting late and I didn't fit in here. These ladies we're not going to become bosom buddies of mine, especially the Hexenbiest.

"I should probably go, I have an early meeting tomorrow," I said to Adalind, inching toward my coat on the rack.

"Oh, I wish you didn't have to go so soon," she said with a small pout. "At least take the apple tarts home with you."

"Won't you eat them?" If they went home with me I'd eat them all without a second thought.

"Too many carbs," she sighed. "So if you'd take them I would really appreciate it. I just hate for them to go to waste," she said again.

Yeah, but it was okay if they went to my waist. She stacked the tarts in a Ziploc bag and held them out to me before I could protest.

"Thank you, Adalind." I took the bag from her hand. "They really are quite delicious."

"No, thank you, Renée. I'm so glad you could join us tonight." She pointed at the Ziploc. "Now don't go sharing those, or I might have to bake more for your friends."

I laughed. "I'll keep them from knocking down your door."

"Actually, your boyfriend might enjoy them," she grinned.

Monroe probably wouldn't unless the apples were organic and the sweetener was something chemical-free. It was rude to grill Adalind about ingredients, so I'd just hold on to them instead. Oh, darn.

I said my goodbyes to Adalind and the rest of the group as I left her house with the bag of ooey, gooey, calorie-laden apple tarts in my hand. I could just toss them, but they were really tasty. I already wanted another. No, I could hold on to them at least until I got home. Maybe.

A/N: Okay, so Renée has had a taste of Adalind's baking... Hmm... No cold chills either? Double Hmm...

Stay Tuned... (;