“Very new.Since the new moon.”
Roxie didn’t have a clue when that was, but it had to be within the last month.
She concentrated, but she could feel the session winding down.The air had taken on a weird vibration, like it was losing its hold.The incense had turned almost smoky, and she heard the bell over the door to the shop ring.All the outside influences clutched at her attention, drawing her outside the little bubble Ingrid had drawn.
“I can’t think of anyone.”
“It’s another loop, and this person will have a profound impact on your life.”
“Okay, okay.I’ll keep an eye out,” Roxie promised, lying through her teeth.
The Viking queen had had her for a while there.The woman had seen her on the news; it was the logical explanation.That was her job, to be observant.Roxie wasn’t sure quite what had been reported, but Ingrid must have used it as a starting point for some of her assumptions.
Her cat was probably friendly to everyone.
It was time to go.Roxie stood and the white puffball jumped down, walking away without a backwards glance.For some reason, that made her sadder than anything.
Because she believed the part about the cat being a rescue case.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get more,” Ingrid said, standing along with her.
“You gave me plenty,” Roxie replied.At least that was the truth.
The psychic turned up the lights and blew out the incense.They walked back out into the shop area, and Roxie was once again struck by the inconsistencies between the boutique and its owner.Ingrid did a good job of playing up that dichotomy to keep people off-balance.
Well, hooray for her.
Everyone had their little tricks of the trade to keep business coming through the door.She, personally, had big boobs on a billboard and teeny weenies in the kitchen.This woman used curiosity and hopes and dreams.
Roxie had just hoped a little too hard that there might be a grain of truth in the pile of hooey that had just been unloaded upon her.
She sighed as she opened her wallet and paid for the woman’s time.Out of the corner of her eye, she saw another customer crouch down to pet Moonlight.She paused when the cat shied away and hurried towards the window.
Okay, maybe the woman had a dog at home or something.
Roxie turned towards the door, intent on leaving.She was surprised when the white cat leapt off the window seat and tried to follow her.
“Moonlight,” the shop girl chastised.She came over to retrieve the pet but lurched back when it hissed at her.
Roxie felt that weird vibration in the air again, the one that made her heart pound hard.She looked at the cat at her feet and then at Ingrid.The tall blonde watched quietly, focused on what was happening.
Roxie knelt down, fully prepared for a hiss or claws, only the cat moved closer.It circled around her legs and nearly bopped her chin with its tail.Taking a chance, she picked it up.
The shop girl looked on in alarm.
Okay, so that expression wasn’t faked.The cat wasn’t friendly to everyone.
Yet it purred as Roxie held it to her chest.
Probably because it could hear her heart pounding like a big bass drum.She tried to stay impartial as she carried the puffball back to its owner.The cat played nice, licking Ingrid’s chin, but it twisted around again to look at Roxie.
Big blue eyes knowing…
“Someone new,” Ingrid repeated.“They’re important.”
Roxie nodded, her heart in her throat.Okay.Okay.She’d go with that.
She took a baby step back, wanting details, timelines, and a better explanation.
