Our new friend squints at us. “I don’t usually do single card pulls, but we can try it for fun.”
She gathers the cards again, giving them a shuffle before holding the deck out to Haddy first, who pulls a card, then it’s my turn.
I study the ornate deck with its beautiful drawings and shimmering accents. I know it’s only a deck of cards, ink on paper, nothing more. Still, my chest is tight. With trembling fingers, I reach out and pull a card from the center.
“Haddy can go first,” Heather says. “Let’s see it.”
Haddy turns the card over, and it’s two men holding cups under what looks like the medical symbol of snakes on a staff.
“Two of Cups!” Heather’s voice is high, and she exhales a laugh. “This is good for marriage. It signifies an emotional connection, a partnership. Both parties are equally valued.It transforms any previous conflict into a commitment built on mutual trust.”
“It’s so true…” Haddy’s blue eyes mist. “We did have conflict in the beginning, but I trust Gavin now as much as any of you, my family.”
I quickly grab a tissue from the snack cart. “Don’t cry! It’s perfect.”
She sniffs, taking the napkin and dabbing her eyes. “It is perfect.”
Now I’mreallynervous. “You’re batting three for three. Can we possibly get a straight line of good readings?”
Heather meets my gaze. “Let me see your card, and I won’t tell you if we don’t. We’ll just put it back in the deck.”
“Deal,” I say, handing the stiff card to her.
She turns it over, and her brows tighten. My stomach dips when I see a man standing confused in what looks like a cage of tall sticks.
“It’s bad…” I start, but Heather holds up her hand.
“No, it’s a message. The Nine of Wands is about resilience. You’ve been hurt, but you’re close to a victory.” She looks up, sliding her fingers over her eyes. “Grandma Gwen said once this card is courage wrapped in exhaustion. Move slow, be cautious, but let hope walk beside your fear.”
My stomach tightens, and I swallow the lump in my throat.
Heather doesn’t know anything about my past, so it’s impossible she made this up to fit me. Our eyes hold, and she smiles, studying my face.
“Does that mean something to you?” she asks.
I start to tell her it does, when all at once, Kim’s, Haddy’s, and my phone all light up. Kim’s makes a sound like bells, but Haddy’s and mine only buzz.
Miss Gina holds up her hands. “My goodness! What’s happening?”
“It’s a text from Maverick,” Kim says, before bursting into laughter. “Oh, no! Your dads are giving Gavin the traditional bachelor-party lap dance!”
“What does that mean?” Heather’s eyes widen, and we all crowd around our phones to see the video.
“I want to see!” Maddie bounces on her toes, but Heather touches her shoulder.
“When you’re older.”
“This is one of those times I wish I wasn’t an old blind lady,” Miss Gina grouses, and Maddie walks over to lean on the side of the old woman’s legs.
“Don’t worry, Miss Gigi,” she says. “I never get to do the fun stuff either.”
“Madison Stone, you get to do all kinds of fun stuff,” Heather fusses. “Just not everything.”
Haddy puts a hand over her mouth, laughing as Gavin is seated in a chair, his hands tied behind his back with a satin ribbon. The music changes, and our dads and Uncle Craig dance out in black satin hot pants and blond wigs.
Uncle Hendrix dances right in front of Gav, turning to touch his toes and smile up at him through his legs. It only lasts a moment before Uncle Craig drapes a white feather boa around his neck and starts pulling it back and forth quickly.
Gavin sneezes, and Haddy snorts through her hand. “Poor Gavin! This is so wrong.”
