She scoffs over at the man. “Please tell me he’s not hitting on you, Bizzy.”
“McKenna Harvey!” I howl as I make my way around the counter and pull my old friend into a tight embrace.
Fish, my black and white long-haired tabby whom I’ve grown to love like family, lets out a yowl.
I was about to leap on the man, Bizzy. Fish mewls. I could still give him a nice scratch along the cheek if you like. I don’t like the way he’s looking at you.
Yes, I can read the animal mind, too, and believe me, most of the time, they have more interesting things to say than humans.
Sherlock Bones gives a quick bark. I agree, Bizzy. Sherlock is my fiancé’s dappled red and white mixed mutt. And for reasons I can’t explain, the animals can seem to understand one another. Jasper wouldn’t approve of the way this guy has been sizing you up. I can bite his ankle. Just say the word.
Sherlock barks again as if to back up his potential threat.
Both Fish and Sherlock love to hang out in the foyer of the inn with me, right here at the reception counter. And because of that, they’ve become the official greeters of the Country Cottage Inn. The interior of the inn itself has rustic wood floors, a white marble counter that runs the length of the reception area, and dark wood paneling along the walls. There’s a grand stairway that leads to the second level, where the rooms are located, and on any given day we have hundreds of guests.
I pull back and examine my old friend. McKenna is a sweet girl I went to college with. She still wears her hair in a blonde bob, her eyes still glow a pale shade of green, and her smile looks as if it could restart the sun if it ever went out, it’s just that bright.
“McKenna, you haven’t changed a bit! And does this sweet little angel belong to you?” I give her cat a quick scratch between the ears.
“She sure does. This is my baby, Misty. And please.” She gives my dark locks a tug. “You’re still the blue-eyed cutie you’ve always been. I was so relieved when I called and you said the inn was available to host the wedding. Caleb and I are so excited.”
“Well, it’s just a couple of weeks away.” I give a little hop. “Are you excited or nervous?”
“I’m thrilled.” She grips my arm as if to annunciate her point. “You’re going to love Caleb. We met a couple years back while I was working as a project manager at his construction company. We may have butted heads over that project, but he came around eventually, and now we’re ready to spend the rest of our lives arguing about much more exciting things.” She laughs. “I should ask you the same question. Are you excited? Your wedding is right on the heels of mine.”
It’s true, my fiancé, Jasper, and I are tying the knot the last Saturday of September, right here at the inn, out at the gazebo in front of the majestic Atlantic.
“I don’t know what to feel,” I confess. “I still have a few odds and ends to pull together, but I’m sure it will all work out.”
Fish mewls and it sounds like a laugh. By odds and ends, you mean finding a dress, ordering floral arrangements, and deciding on a menu. Oh dear, Bizzy. Even I’m worried for you, and I never worry about anything.
I shoot the snide kitty a look.
She’s right. There is still so much to do.
A horrible foreboding feeling falls over me, about as welcome as a wet towel, and I can’t seem to shake it. The truth is, I’ve been unsettled the last few days. And I can’t stop thinking that something very, very bad is about to happen.
I land my attention back to my old friend.
“Never mind me, McKenna. You’re my concern. The inn is at your total disposal. Let me know if you need anything at all.”
“Oh, I have it all taken care of. The Country Cottage Café is catering the event. I’ve got the flower shop up the street taking care of the flowers, and you were nice enough to lend us the ballroom for the party Caleb’s friends are throwing us tonight.” She wrinkles her nose. “His friends are sort of a rowdy but entertaining bunch. Speaking of which.” She pulls the man with the bushy brows and naughty thoughts toward us. “I see you’ve met Julian Fletcher. He’s one of Caleb’s old college buddies. He’s the entertainment for tonight and he’s actually officiating the wedding.”
“Mystic and magician.” He holds a hand out my way, and judging by that shifty smile curving on his lips, that white noise taking over his thoughts, I can tell he’s still very much wrapped up with naughty intent.
The white noise is usually the way my powers go about sparing me from prying into the perverse. I learned a long time ago not to judge other people for their inner ramblings, so I won’t hold it against the guy. But trust me, it’s not easy.
“Julian Fletcher,” he continues. “I work down at the Magic Castle in Edison. I’d invite you to come down sometime and see my act, but my psychic powers tell me, we have a date tonight in the ballroom.” He lands a kiss to the back of my hand before I can stop him. “I’ll save a front-row seat for you.” He nods to the two of us. “I’d best supervise the set up of my equipment. I’d hate for any of my stunts to go awry.” He winks my way before heading off.
McKenna giggles. “Ignore him. But come to the show. In fact, open it up to the entire inn. Caleb’s friends are a hoot. And this way you’ll get to meet the rest
