I can feel his resolve.He won’t sit this one out.I don’t have time to convince him that I will be all right without a security guard.“Fine.But we need to find you some real clothes.”
“If you mean of the human variety, I’ve got it covered.”He shrugs his broad shoulders in a nonchalant fashion.
“Okay.We also need to fix the back door before more wildlife decides to make themselves comfortable.”
“I will take care of it while you dress.”
“What are you going to wear?We need you to blend in, like you’re human.”His long, platinum blond hair and stunning blue eyes are not going to help.
“Not to worry, my suit will handle it.”
“Okay, but we need to leave in ten minutes.If you change your mind, and you can hang out here until I return.”I race up the stairs and head into the room where my suitcase is stored.Tossing the suitcase on the rumpled bed, I grab a pair of jeans and one of the cute tops I packed with a matching bra and panties set, along with a pair of tennis shoes.Dressed, I take my toiletry bag into the bathroom.I don’t have time for makeup, but I do brush my teeth and pull my hair into a high ponytail.
Once I’m put together enough that I won’t give the town gossips any more fodder, I head downstairs.
Rygar and Kiki stand near the front door waiting for me.His gaze lands on me, roving over my body like a caress.Rygar is dressed in dark jeans, a black cotton tee, and black boots.I don’t know where he found those because they definitely don’t belong to Nicholas.Maybe his suit transformed for him.Given the events of the past twenty-four hours, it wouldn’t surprise me.
“We’re ready.”Rygar dips his chin to indicate the mountain lion seated at his feet.
I frown.“Kiki needs to stay here.I can’t have a wild cat in the café.Not unless I want the health inspector to shut us down.”
“She will wait outside in the car.I’ve already talked to her about it.”
“You talked to her?”If anyone heard these conversations, we would both be admitted for psychiatric care.“Okay, fine.”I shake my head.There is a long list of reasons it’s a bad idea to bring a mountain lion into town.I look at Kiki.“You can come.But no eating people or getting out of the van.I’ll roll the windows down while we’re inside, so you don’t overheat in the back seat.”
Grabbing my purse and phone, we head out to my white catering van with the café logo on the sides.I hold the back door open for Kiki to climb in.She hops in like she’s been riding in cars her whole life.“No chewing on stuff, Kiki.”
She huffs at me like a teenager who think’s her mother is an idiot.The cattitude almost makes me laugh.
On the drive into town and the café, I call my dad.He picks up on the first ring.
“Madison, are you all right?Your mother and I have been worried sick about you.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose.The fallout from my stint as a runaway bride continues.I knew I would be forced to answer their questions.I’d been hoping for another few days’ buffer.“Hi Dad.I’m fine.I’m sorry I didn’t call you guys back, I just needed some time.I didn’t mean to worry you and Mom.”
“It’s okay, sweetie.We’re just glad you’re okay.Your mom is on her way to the bakery.What can I do to help?”
“I’m on my way as well.One of the fridges went out last night and ruined all my cookie dough for the festival.Do you think you could grab your tools and see if you can fix it until we can get a new one?”This is why I didn’t really want Rygar, and definitely not Kiki, to come with me.I’m going to be there all afternoon and my parents will be there.I wasn’t expecting to introduce them to my new husband just yet.
“Sure.I’ll grab my tools and see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Dad.See you soon.”I end the call.If he can fix the fridge, Mom and I can focus on making dough.I just hope we have enough inventory to make everything I need.I have a delivery arriving late tomorrow, but that will be cutting it close with the festival on Thursday.When I think about the sheer number of cookies I need to bake over the next three and a half days, it makes me want to curl into the fetal position and cry.
Time to cowgirl up and save the day.We don’t deliver to Riley’s, and we could lose the store.It’s not just my livelihood on the line, but Hannah’s and Emily’s, too.I can’t let them down.I won’t.If I don’t sleep for a few days, then I don’t sleep.If I don’t get to spend the next two days in bed with Rygar?Well, I’ll just have to make it up to him after the festival.
“That was your father?”
“Yes.My mom is going to meet us there, too.They don’t know about us yet, so let me take care of the introductions.”I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I plan to tell them.What can I tell them when I’m not one hundred percent sure about the truth.
Rygar nods in understanding.“Human social interactions are foreign to me.I will allow you to lead in this regard.I know it will make you happy.”
I tear my gaze away from his smoldering intensity.We can have all the hanky-panky we want tonight.His insistence on doing things that make me happy is something I can get used to.
When we reach the café, I pull the van around to the back.The fewer townspeople who see me, the better.I realize people will stare and likely whisper in the café, but it can’t be helped.
Using my telepathic bond with Kiki, I tell her to stay in the van and not to hurt anyone.I promise that if she’s good, I will bring her some bacon.We’ve got pounds of it.
I pray she doesn’t get hungry, or mad, and then destroy the inside of the van.
