He splayed fingers on his chest. “I didn’t know we were taking our relationship to that level,” he said. “Warn a guy next time. How did it go? I see neither of you are dead, which is good.”
“We got one coin.” I walked into the guest room and dug through the dresser for sweats that would fit Card.
“Are you okay?” Val asked.
“So far. Did you think of anyone who might help us?”
“Lula Gauge,” he said. “She’s got her finger on the magical item black market trade. She might know if someone’s trying to sell a coin.”
I stacked the sweats and shirt in my arms. “Not a bad idea.”
“Plus, it will give me a chance to try calling them again.”
“To bother them.”
“Well, yes. Tea first?”
“Give me a minute.”
I knocked on the bathroom door. “Clothes!” I opened the door and set them on the counter without looking at the shower. Warm, soap-scented fog filled the room.
“You still awake?”
“Mostly,” came a mumbled reply. “Almost done.”
I shut the door and headed to my bedroom. After locking the door, I went into my bathroom, stripped, and started the shower.
The Crossroads was old, but I’d done a lot of upgrades. Running two showers at the same time didn’t steal pressure or heat from either bathroom, something I was grateful for at the moment.
I left my clothes on the floor and stepped into the warm spray.
I groaned in relief and just stood there for a couple minutes, letting the water pound the ache out of my shoulders and back. Little stings from bites and cuts bloomed as I rubbed tea tree soap over my skin. I kept lathering up and rinsing until I could no longer smell the swamp, and the cuts and bites and itching had gone numb.
“He could just find the other two coins on his own,” I said, as water poured over my face. “I could still kick him out. Go back to my life. Build my shop.”
But even as I said it, I knew the words were hollow. I wanted more than just his tree to make it through this encounter with Fate. I wanted him to make it too.
The image of him shouting and happy after he’d made the tree walk made me chuckle.
“You, Cardamom Oak, are delightfully mad. I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I’m glad you came back.”
I wanted to linger, but it was getting late, and I was very aware of time slipping away.
I dried, dressed in comfortable jeans and a tank with a light shirt. I didn’t know when I’d have to move and move fast, so I wasn’t going to put on my pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
I shook my fingers through my hair, then stopped in my room long enough to grab socks and a pair of running shoes.
By the time I made it downstairs, Card was already in the kitchen and the smell of melted cheese, butter, and something sharp like vinegar hit my nose.
“All good?” he said without looking away from the griddle. “I thought I’d put together some sandwiches. Hope you still like Rubens.”
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll make tea.”
“Already done.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Kettle was hot when I got here. Tea’s on the table. Sit if you want. These are almost ready.”
I sat at the table in the center of the room and poured myself tea from the pot he’d left steeping. He’d also cut tomato wedges and sliced cucumber. I forked the veggies onto my plate. I was hungry. I was tired. And not having to make my own dinner was heaven.
“Tea strong enough?” he asked, turning off the burner and moving the griddle to the side.
