Shep made sure I was taken to the hospital, even though I promised him I was fine. The hospital staff agreed and gave me the all-clear to come home.
And right now I’m snuggling on my sofa with a bag of ice sitting on my head while Tilly flips out over a baking competition on TV.
Tilly groans. “If they don’t cut that girl who put mayo in her cake, I’m going to stage a protest even if it means having to fly to England to do it.”
“That does sound pretty gross.”
“It should be illegal,” she muses as she shoves another taco into her mouth.
Both Tilly and Opal stocked up on all the tacos they could lay their hands on in the name of helping out a sick friend—that sick friend being me.
Opal comes out of the bedroom and shakes her head my way.
“Oh, poor Bowie. I had no idea you were such a pauper. I’m devastated to see what a hovel you’re living in. Tilly, we really do need to be more mindful regarding the peasants among us.”
Tilly blinks back. “And where exactly do you think I live?”
A knock at the door interrupts the concerning conversation.
The door opens a notch and Shep gives a quick wave.
“Can I come in?” he asks with a bow of his head.
Opal sighs. “Only if you’ve brought money.”
“I brought another treasure.” Shep steps in with a furry pink cat in his arms.
“Pixie!” I hold out my hands just as a tiny meow comes from around his feet and in strolls King, the spotted Bengal, right along with them.
“Oh goodness.” Opal swoops over and picks King up before giving Pixie a pat on the head. “Fine. You can stay.” She kisses the tiny pink cat. “But my King needs to be home minding the manor.”
A laugh gets caught in my throat as the room grows dim and I get the old familiar warm, fuzzy feeling.
A vision enters my mind. It’s Shep and me outside the manor and it’s dark, save for the stars, and a full moon hangs overhead.
“There’s something I need you to know, Bowie.” He hitches the hair behind my ear and steps in close. His serious eyes penetrate mine and the tension between us is palpable. “This is important and it concerns us.” He leans in, bringing his mouth ever so close, and I think I know what happens next. Or at least I hope I do.
Just like that, the vision up and disappears.
“Bowie?” Tilly gives me a shake.
“Oh”—Tilly groans—“she’s having another one.”
Both Tilly and Opal zoom in close.
Shep cranes his neck over to the two of them. “Having another what? Bowie, are you all right? Do you need me to call an ambulance?”
“No!” I’m quick to protest as I give both Opal and Tilly a look that says spill the supernatural beans and risk the safety of your tacos.
“Come, come”—Opal links arms with Tilly as she pulls her away—“let’s get back to the café. These tacos won’t sell themselves.”
“Opal,” I say. “You can’t sell those.”
“You’re so right.” She waves it off. “I’ll have Regina do it for me.”
Tilly hops up before leaning in. “Have fun with Sexy Wexy. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“You would do everything,” I say.
“That’s the point.” She winks before knocking her hip to Shep’s, and soon enough both she and Opal are out the door.
“Thank you,” I whisper as Shep lands Pixie in my lap.
“How are you doing?” he asks as he takes a seat next to me.
“Better now that you’re here.” And after I saw that vision. Clearly, Sexy Wexy is about to plant a wet one on me. Well, most likely not now, but soon. “So tell me what went down after I conked out.”
“I made sure you were okay. Nora arrested both Lloyd and Kadie.”
“Good—I think.” I make a face. “I do feel bad for Kadie. She really does love her girls. I guess when you play with matches, you run the risk of getting burned.”
He gives a solemn nod as he examines me with a touch of sadness in his eyes.
“Oh right.” A dull laugh lives and dies in my chest. “I almost forgot I’m the queen of lighting myself on fire.” I give a little shrug as I look to the TV. “I bet my dad talked to my Uncle Vinnie and told him I was fine. I hope he did at least. It’s no fun to burn your life down. And it’s even less fun knowing your family is worrying about you.”
“I’m sorry, Bowie.” He gives Pixie a scratch as I pull the sweet kitty closer to my neck.
“Don’t be. I’m the one that decided to drive on the rickety bridge of my ex’s bad ideas. It’s my fault I ended up in a vat of hot water.” I bite down on my lip as I look to this arrestingly handsome man before me. “And you know what?” I boldly reach over and take up his hand. “If I could go back and change things, I don’t know that I would.”
A trace of a smile curves his lips. “We can’t go back. That’s both the beauty and the curse of life. But we can make the most of things going forward.”
I nod, hypnotized by those brilliant blue eyes, that dark hair, that devilish smile blooming just for me.
“Onward and forward,” I whisper.
Shep and I eat our fill of tacos and snuggle with Pixie while watching TV.
My bad luck may have burned down my old life, but this new version of me sure feels lucky.
Mother’s Day is finally here. I wished my own mom a happy Mother’s Day while blowing a kiss to the sky. That’s about as close to saying it to her in person as I’ll get for a while.
It’s the night of the big dance and we’re still selling tickets at the door for thirty bucks a pop. Of course, most of the proceeds will help cover food and vet bills
