The Bee's Knees

Chapter 25

"Girls, get behind Bertrand!" Anna's grandpa yelled. A low growl rumbled out of the bulky black bear as he trotted over to them, his half-eaten cup of pecans forgotten.

Anna and Taylor rushed behind her grandpa's companion. If anyone could protect them, it was Bertrand. "What's going on?" Anna asked.

Her grandpa looked through the ice cream shop's front window, his forehead wrinkled with concentration. "Something that's attracting quite a crowd. Can't see through all the people."

Onlookers clustered outside the bakery across the street, pushing and shoving as they struggled to get a good view of whatever they were looking at. This was no mere lunchtime rush. No, this was a mob.

"They're by Cake Kingdom, aren't they?" There was no worry in the employee's voice, only tired resignation. Her pigeon cooed as it swiveled its head to join everyone in staring out the window.

"Does this happen often?" Anna's grandpa stood on his tiptoes as he tried to get a glimpse of what had folks so worked up.

"Often enough that it costs us a lot of customers." The employee rummaged behind the counter before pulling out a tranquilizer gun. The long, bright orange weapon lacked the bulkiness and dark colors of a regular gun but could just as easily subdue large companions. "I need to put the store on lockdown in case people's companions get too riled up. Sorry, but you've gotta either leave or be stuck in here for however long it takes folks to settle down."

"We'd better get to the truck." Anna's grandpa put a firm hand on Bertrand's shoulder. The bear stopped growling but stayed firmly planted between the kids and the commotion outside. "Thanks for the lovely ice cream. I hope business improves so more people get the chance to try it."

They left the store with Bertrand standing between them and the increasingly large crowd outside. Onlookers turned to stare at the bear, with some backing away before realizing he wasn't acting agitated and returning their attention to the scene outside Cake Kingdom.

Mr. Voorhees blocked the entrance with his arms crossed and his fox lashing its tail. "Sir, as I've already told you, you'll have to pay full price for the cake pops or leave."

"I called to confirm how much they cost yesterday, but you raised the price on me." Anna could see the customer now. His frame matched his wolf's, all lean muscle with fierce brown eyes to match. Yet, despite his intimidating appearance, his voice was more firm than angry. "I was going to get some for my daughter's birthday."

"Yes, well, when more people want something, it usually gets more expensive. That's how supply and demand work." Mr. Voorhees's fox parted its jaws in an easy grin. While the wolf kept its teeth carefully concealed, the other canine had no qualms about displaying its fangs.

"So you raised the price to take advantage of me?" The customer's voice was sharp, but there was something hiding beneath his anger. Something as bitter as dark chocolate.

Murmuring broke out among the watching crowd.

"He's got a point. That doesn't sound fair."

"This place is always so busy. I'm surprised they didn't raise the prices sooner."

"I swear carnivore owners will fight over the silliest things."

The muttering rose in volume as more and more people debated who was in the right. That agitation spread through everyone's companions until a chorus of stamping, snorting, and snarling nearly drowned out the confrontation at the forefront of it all.