Hannah startled and dropped her cards. They slid off the shimmering tablecloth and all over the floor. “Oh, shit,” Hannah said. “I mean, shoot. Oh, shoot.”
Kate was already bent over picking up the cards. “No worries, swear all you want.” Kate straightened and placed them backon the table. “I’m sorry I startled you. I was wondering if you’d mind helping me put out the food and drinks.”
Hannah hopped up. “Sure! Just tell me what to do.” Kate turned around and headed for the back room, which held the small industrial kitchen she used to make her dog and cat baked goods.
“Wow, this is a nice kitchen!”
“It sold me on the space.”
Hannah nodded, and Kate handed her a platter covered with plastic wrap.
“The silver platters are people food, and the gold platters are pet food.”
“What if someone mixes them up?” Hannah asked with a grin.
“Everything I make is people grade, so it wouldn’t be a problem—but we’ll put the people food on the table, and pet food on the counter. Plus, I have little signs.”
“I can’t imagine sharing a cookie with Smoky.” Hannah scrunched up her pert little nose, and Kate had to stop herself from grabbing Hannah’s face and putting a kiss on it.
“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” Kate joked as she walked out of the kitchen, carrying three platters.
They made a couple more trips, and then Kate brought out the drinks. She had two large drink dispensers. One was labeled apple cider, and the other was harvest sangria.
“That sangria looks amazing, but I’d better not drink and read,” Hannah said.
Kate bit her bottom lip. “You know you’re just reading fortunes for animals, right?”
Hannah rolled her eyes, “I know, but it’s not like their owners won’t be right there listening. It’s really for them. I want to do a good job.”
Kate’s heart ached a little. She was a sucker for earnest people. Hannah was very committed to her work, apparently. “Would it help if you practiced on me?”
Hannah waved her hands. “Oh no. I don’t think I’m ready to read a person. Zaina says I need to work on my delivery. I don’t accent the positive.”
Kate furrowed her brows. “Really? You seem so bubbly.”
Hannah frowned. “Not when I’m doing a reading.”
Kate’s stomach flip-flopped. This was supposed to be a fun night for her customers and encourage them to spend a little money while they were here. She’d spent all week making extra batches of pumpkin cookies for the pets. Was this going to be a disaster? She couldn’t afford that.
Hannah rushed over from where she had been putting signs by each of the platters describing the food. So far, it looked like everything Kate was serving was vegan or vegetarian. She took Kate’s hand in hers. This time there wasn’t a static spark; instead, warmth spread throughout her at Hannah’s touch. “I promise I won’t upset anyone. I’m only doing a one-question, one-card reading, and I can find the good in any card, and that’s what I’ll share.” Hannah released Kate’s hand. Kate didn’t like the lack of contact, so she placed her hand on Hannah’s forearm. “I have faith in you. You got this.”
Hannah blinked quickly and answered quietly as she looked away from Kate. “Thank you,” and then she smiled widely and said, “We are going to have a fang-tastic night!” Kate grinned and shook her head.She is adorable. But maybe too sweet for me.
A chime rang out as the front door opened, and a small ball of tawny fur entered the shop on a retractable leash. The dog was wearing a hot dog costume. A bald man who was about five feet five inches, wearing a mustard bottle costume, was on the other end of the leash.
“Doug, you made it, and in a couples costume!” Kate pulled out a small black pouch and bent down. She shook out a tiny treat in the shape of a crescent moon and held it out for the Pomeranian to sniff. “Thanks for coming into the shop for our spooktastic party, Petey-boy.” She patted the dog’s head and then stood back up.
“Thanks for hosting this party, Kate.” Doug’s eyes darted around the store, taking in the table with slider sandwiches, chips and salsa, and then over to the pet snacks.
Kate followed his eyes. “Those pumpkin cookies Petey loves are on the counter.”
Doug nodded and turned toward Hannah’s table. She smiled widely. “Hi, I’m Maxim, tarot cartologist, and reader of pet fortunes.” Hannah took a crystal from her bag and placed it on the deck. Since the cards had fallen on the floor, she needed to clear the energy before she did a reading. Even though the reading was just for pets, she wanted to be professional. This was her first tarot reading gig. Hannah took her deck and spread it on the table and then flipped it back and forth.
“Very impressive.” Doug smiled.
Kate mouthed, “Maxim?” and gave Hannah a wink.
Hannah shrugged and said, “Would Petey like a reading?”
