“I guess I was more of an irritation than a distraction,” he grumbled, staying by my side.
Despite my need to see Nana to quell my churning anxieties, I did appreciate finding out more about Dash. “Hmm, let’s call you an irritating diversion,” I joked.
“I can take that.”
We ran out of pleasantries for light banter, and any other topic that interested me would be far too heavy for tonight.
Dash didn’t follow me up the porch steps but waited for me to go inside. When I pulled open the screened door, I turned to thank him.
He held up a hand as if to dismiss my gratitude. “I know it’s hard for you to believe, but your grandmother is going to be okay.”
“Here you go again, being a soothsayer.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “How do you know that’s going to happen?”
Dash’s teeth beamed again as he grinned wide. “Because you Goodwin women are tougher than anything I’ve ever encountered. More stubborn, too.”
His faith in Nana charmed me, but doubt still clung to my heart. “I wish I could believe like you do.”
“Then I’ll believe enough for the both of us,” he promised. “Night, Charli.”
With a small wave, he left the illumination from the house lights and disappeared into the shadows of the night. The lack of thundering motorcycle sounds meant Dash must have come on foot. I paused before heading inside, my mind racing with thoughts of his life and mine. And how much more complicated life had become for both of us.
Chapter Ten
Ada kicked me out the morning of the town hall meeting, promising to get in touch if anything changed. With Nana unable to attend, Matt and I agreed we should represent the Goodwin side of the council, even in an unofficial capacity.
“You should go home and try to catch a nap first,” my brother advised.
I snorted, “You first.”
Both of us could pack for a week’s vacation using the bags under our eyes. But I felt worse for Matt since he also had a full-time job he was trying to balance with caring for Nana plus a baby.
“How’s Bea working out for you?” I asked.
For the first time in two days, he perked up. “I’m so glad we found her. She’s a natural, and I’m pretty sure Rayline is absolutely smitten. If we didn’t have Bea, I don’t know how I’d keep even a shred of sanity right now.”
My heart warmed for the brownie. She’d moved into Matt’s guest room, quickly entrenching herself as one of the family.
“I’m glad you’re happy with her. Tell her I miss having her around and that she’s welcome to come visit whenever she wants.”
“You just miss having Bea’s help when the three pixies get a little out of hand,” Matt accused with a raised eyebrow.
My brother knew me too well. The brownie had been helpful in wrangling Mug, Nug, and Bug and keeping them from breaking too many of my things.
“That reminds me, I need to let Blythe know I have room for a new resident. At least our spell phones still work if we’re calling someone in Honeysuckle proper.” I pulled mine out of my pocket and stared at it.
“I’m glad you found a way to talk to Mason,” Matt said. “Is he coming back?”
I winced at the reminder of my conversation with the detective over the mirror last night. “He doesn’t know yet. When he tried to bring up the status of the case to Detective Clarkson, things didn’t go well. I think he wants to return but doesn’t know what to do.”
Matt thought for a moment. “Maybe I can get Big Willie to call up to the other detective’s boss and tell him that Mason’s needed back here.”
My eyes widened. “Do you think the sheriff would do that? It would mean lying to the higher-ups in a much bigger city.”
“Pfft,” my brother dismissed. “Willie doesn’t give two hoots and a holler about anyone who would try and make it seem like he’s something less than them just because he works here. Plus, there are definitely some weird things going on around here. Like the spell phone issue.”
“And today’s town hall meeting. I mean, why is it permanent residents only? That’s kind of unraveling all the goodwill we built up at the potluck.” We both knew the real reason behind the segregation, but after our talk the other night, I didn’t want to bring up the issue of our aunt again.
“Maybe the council wants to present the welcoming committee’s findings and talk about next steps?” Matt suggested. “Whatever the topic is, I’ll meet you there later. But seriously, try to get a little rest. And a shower to boot.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Dad.”
Instead of teasing me further or ruffling my hair, my brother pulled me in for a tight hug. “Someone’s gotta take care of you.”
Before he could make me cry yet again, I patted him on the back and pulled myself away. “See you later.”
Once I got back to my house, I ignored the sounds of high-pitched bickering erupting from the kitchen and dragged my tired soul upstairs to my room. Picking up Peaches from the exact middle of my bed, I flopped down and curled up around my little kitty. Her buzzy purrs drowned out my worries and lulled me to sleep.
A loud thud interrupted my rest, and I sat up in bed, disoriented. I’d forgotten to set an alarm, but a quick glance at my spell phone relieved my initial panic. With a yawn, I trudged out into the hallway to find out who’d done what and where.
Grumbling and more crashes emanated from Beau’s room, and I followed the tumult to find my roommate knee-deep in a mess of his things.
“What are you doing?”
Beau whipped around, his mouth drawn down in a pouty frown. “I’ve been invited on a trip.”
His reaction befuddled me. “Okay, usually people are happy and excited when they say those words.”
Beau shook his head, the little wisps of hair
