When she first moved to Tinseltown, she ran with a group of improv comedians. While she’d not seen any of them in years, this angel bit reeked of their inspiration. Especially Tommy.
He loved social media. Followed everyone from a six-year-old drummer phenom to royal families.
She’d been a bit of an ostrich about social media, but she knew about the viral post from the 4th of July, and the ones of her handing out popcorn with the prince. She’d been more concerned about Matt Biglow trying to seize an opportunity with her being on social media than Improv Tommy.
“What kind of angel are you?” Gemma said. “Guardian? Warrior? Watcher? Bumbling?”
“Bumbling? That’s only in the movies.” Adelaide pulled the stepladder around and took down the box she wanted. “I’m the angel of princesses.”
“Okay, yeah, Tommy sent you, didn’t he? This issohim. Angel of princesses. There’s no such thing.”
This whole scene was definitely a comedy bit. But still, how’d she get in? Did Tommy get Haley and JoJo in on it? Or hire an “angel” who also picked locks?
“Oh for heaven’s sake, girl. The Lord sent me. He hinted I’d have to spell things out, but I believed you’d be a bit sharper.”
“The lord? Is that what Tommy calls himself now? Lord?”
“Forget this Tommy chap. I’m talking the real Lord.” Adelaide handed Gemma the wedding dress box—which consumed most of her tiny frame. “Some folks need revelation like a ton of bricks. Now, are you going to cooperate, or do I have to haunt you?”
“Haunt me? I thought only ghosts haunted people.”
Adelaide looked toward the ceiling. “Can I request a new assignment? Princess duty is exhausting.”
“Princess duty? That’s all you got? Tommy is slacking.” Gemma shoved the box back on its shelf. “Tell him it didn’t work. I’m not falling for it. Sure, I met Prince John, and maybe we kissed—” Just saying the words made her shiver. “But we’re friends. Nothing more. You tell Tommy—”
She was talking to herself. The storeroom was empty. “Adelaide?” Gemma exited the storeroom to the mezzanine. “Hello? What kind of angel deserts a girl when she’s trying to understand?” Figures she’d havethatkind of angel. “Adelaide?”
The mezzanine was flooded with a golden glow and the fragrance of a luscious, spicy oil. Gemma ran downstairs, checking the doors, even the windows. Locked. All of them. The shades were drawn and the Closed sign faced the street.
“Adelaide?”
* * *
Gemma didn’t tell Haley and JoJo about her encounter with Adelaide, the so-called angel, if she was to be believed, who prepared princesses. Or the text with John.
“You’ve been quiet today, Gemstone.” Haley set a cup of coffee on the office desk then sat in the nearest chair with a cup of her own. “Want to talk about it?”
Gemma finished what she was doing with the bank account then took a swallow of coffee. She didn’t want to talk about Adelaide because the more she thought about it, the more she knew Tommy had pranked her. Even the swirling golden light could’ve been him. He moonlighted as a magician now and then. He had tricks. The fragrance was a bit of a mystery, but she’d not put it past him.
If it wasn’t Tommy, then Adelaide was real. And Gemma was not ready to take that leap.
“Just this business with the farm. Can’t sleep at night.”
“Cole and I’ve been talking about it, wondering how we could help. He just finished a remodel on a house we bought to flip. We were going to offer it to you for rent or to buy at cost but Keith Niven had it to list and he sold it before it went officially on the market. You couldn’t have brought the whole herd, but there was enough land for the dogs.”
Gemma’s tears came from gratitude. How humbling to have friends who discussed her life with a view of helping. Her experience in L.A. and Vegas with Matt hardened her. Told her everyone was out for themselves.Get your own. No one will do it for you.
“I appreciate you guys so much. You’ve been more than good to me. But Daddy’s cleaning out two rooms for us. I’ll figure something out.” She forced a big smile and saluted Haley with her coffee.
“You’d tell us if you needed help. JoJo and Buck, Cole and I will do anything we can to—”
“I know and I appreciate it more than you know.”
“What about the prince?”
“What about him?” Gemma turned back to the computer to check the shop email. “He’s home. I’m home. Never the two shall meet.”
“Really? You don’t think—”
