He laughs and wipes his eyes with his sleeve. “Yeah, we do. Forever and always.”
I pat his hand and straighten. “And now you will have these two little dudes to keep you company. They’re likely missing their mommy and the other dogs, so will need extra love while they settle into our new home.”
Asher takes another look at the sweet pups blinking up at him with bulbous brown eyes. He scoops both of them out of the box and cuddles them against his chest, dropping his head so they can rub noses. “We can do that, can’t we, buddies? Look how cute you are.”
Nobuddy wriggles, squirming to lick both Asher and Somebuddy. “Is she your girlfriend or your sister, bud?”
Nobuddy’s tail is wagging so hard Asher has to put them down. The pups scramble around, circling Asher’s feet a couple of times.
“See, they already love you,” I say, relieved.
“And we love you, too,” Asher says in that silly voice that people use when talking with babies and animals. “Yeah, we do. We love our little puppers.”
I chuckle at all the puppy cuteness. “I picked out a rhinestone collar and a hot pink leash for her, and a black, studded manly number for him, but you can get them something different, if you want. I also brought a little tupper of bones from Pete’s butcher counter for them to enjoy as part of the birthday celebration.”
Asher blinks at me as his expression lights up. “We can get more than their food on their tab?”
I nod. “You can get food, treats, beds, toys, anything you want, and it’ll all be covered by Lizzy’s estate. I figure if Lizzie is watching over them—and now that I’m a spirit witch I’m sure that’s a possibility—she will be thrilled to know we’re putting their inheritance to good use.”
Asher closes the distance between us and hugs me, spinning me in his arms, and making me squeal. “Thank you, Poppy. I love them. We will give them the best home evah!”
Asher’s joy is all the thanks I need.
After losing his parents when he was a little boy, part of Asher’s soul got stuck being a kid. Now, even while I’m gone, he won’t be alone.
“Long live the gathering of the lost and abandoned.”
He eases back from our hug and presses a fist to the center of his chest. “This is the way.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
After getting Asher and the pups settled, we go over everything that needs to be handled while I’m away. He’ll follow up with Miss Edna and Mayor Declan about who handled the placement of my sisters and how we can track them down. Also, if S’Nark ever shows up, he might be interested to know what I’ve been dealing with.
While I have no idea of the job criteria of being a witch’s familiar, I can safely say S’Nark sucks ass.
I sling the strap of my duffle bag over my shoulder and step out onto the wide, covered porch.
It’s Laurel who stands at the railing and turns to greet me as I exit. I hesitate mid-step. “Oh, hell no.”
The woman turns to me, but other than an elegant arch to her silver brow, shows no sign of offense. If things had been different, I could see how the witches of the coven would admire her. She’s majestic with long silver hair, gray eyes, and wearing a Bohemian peasant skirt that has airy layers that flow in the late October breeze.
But thingshavebeen different, and my instinct of self-preservation surges. Laurel is very powerful, and my instincts are screaming to get away from her and to protect myself.
“Hello, Poppy. Thank you for seeing reason and for agreeing to do the right thing.” Laurel’s voice is warm and melodic, and when she speaks, the chaos buzzing inside my cells settles a little.
With a deep breath, I stand straight and meet her assessing gaze. “I didn’t realize it would be you coming to escort me. I’m sure you’ll understand when I refuse to go anywhere with you.”
She tilts her head to one side, her owl earrings swaying over her shoulder. “You have the same disrespect of authority as your mother. I had hoped you might be more reasonable.”
I scoff. “You separated me from my sisters and knowingly removed me from my life. You dropped me into a strange city, unconscious and vulnerable. Excuse me for not being willing to give you that opportunity a second time.”
“The past can’t be changed.”
“No, but amends could be made. You could tell me what the fuck you were thinking. You could give me back my memories. You could tell me where my sisters are so I can bring them home where they belong.”
“That is not meant to be.”
“Why? Because it would make you look bad? Do the other members of the coven know the lengths you took to destroy the lives of one of the Elite families?”
