“It’ll be a relief to have it gone, one way or another,” he remarks darkly.
We walk up to the front door and Cara opens it when we knock. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week! Come in!” she effuses in high spirits.
Cara appears surprisingly recovered. Her physical injuries from the fae’s attack are healed, her pale skin unmarred from the deep cuts she suffered. Her large hazel eyes look clear and untroubled, no sign in them that less than two weeks ago she experienced significant trauma and lost a dangerous amount of blood. Instead, she looks refreshed. Her outfit, a light pink pointelle knit dress, fits her beautifully, emphasizing her curvy figure that’s looking even more buxom than when she first arrived. Her dark brown wavy hair is piled on top of her head. She looks at ease in Ben’s house where she permanently moved after the fire. I really enjoyed having her live on the property with me. But I couldn’t be happier that she and Ben are embarking on a new life together.
“The star jasmine growing on the ironwork really does look beautiful. And the fragrance! Lovely,” I say to Cara.
“It was all Ben’s idea. Luckily, I made some good memories on Samhain. That was one of them,” she says wistfully. I pull her in for a hug. It was a good night until the end.
The rest of us settle into the living room while Cara opens a bottle of wine in the kitchen. Ben has a record playing, some old human musician who they both like. He shifts forward a large,reinforced bench designed for Clancy from a cleared corner of the room. Ben built it when he moved into this house after his grandparents passed away. Clancy lowers the back of his equine body onto the bespoke bench with practiced ease. I tuck my legs under me on a plush, oversized chair and get comfortable.
Cara comes back with glasses of wine on a tray, passing them around. With her own glass in hand, she sits on the sofa with Ben, who wraps his tail affectionately around her ankle.
“So, is that big blue son-of-a-bitch overstaying his welcome at your house? I told him to keep away from you. Let me know if he breaks his promise to me and Madge about not bothering you. I’ll tell Bran at the inn to clean out a maintenance closet. He can sleep standing up.” Clancy doesn’t pull any punches.
“He seems to think he is now my knight in shining armor. It really puts a burr in my saddle!” Clancy guffaws at my pun. “He gave me pastries and a gift basket yesterday. Nothing too extravagant. But I don’t want anything from him. Cara graciously took the gift basket off my hands.”
“It was nice stuff. I don’t mind wasting that guy’s money,” she quips. “Walt had said at our lunch the other day that you could try to date again. Maybe if he saw proof you’ve moved on, it would help get him off your back?”
“It’s hard to say. I certainly don’t pretend to know what motivates Norrell. Plus, no one in town really interests me in that way. I’m forty-two already. I know I’m not old, but I’m certainly not a young witchling with hearts in my eyes. I doubt I’ll ever find another male who would make me want to try,” I admit.
“I date plenty, so no one would bat an eye if you’re seen on my arm,” Clancy chimes in. “I will sacrifice my allergy to commitment and fake date you for however long you need. Just think about it. We could have fun going out as friends, but withthe right amount of carefully orchestrated public displays of affection we could easily sell it.”
I giggle at his enthusiasm. “We can’t ruin your reputation as a Casanova with the females in town. Ashes, I should have asked Niven when he got here. We get along so well it could have been convincing. But the idea is not worth getting a bee in your bonnet about. The ruse would require too much duplicity to keep going. More than I care to engage in when we have so much else to worry about right now. Norrell is not worth the effort. Plus, I wouldn’t want to embarrass Niven if anyone else noticed.”
“No, that male is far too busy leading the investigation to be courting anyone while he’s here. Though I guess you could stage him sneaking out of your bedroom soJack Frostsees him. Niven would certainly agree to that,” Clancy jokes, no doubt delighting in the notion of sticking it to Norrell.
“I’m not sure I want to add to the tension at the house.” I sigh loudly. “You want to know one of the worst parts about having him under my roof? My cats adore him. They treat me like a stranger nowadays unless it’s mealtime. I guess I’m not good enough company anymore,” I intone sarcastically.
Ben replies matter-of-factly, “Cats are not known as human or Whispered Folk’s best friend for a reason. A dog wouldn’t do that to you.”
“It’s true. I set myself up for this. I should mention, it’s notjustNorrell. They have lit up like never before since everyone arrived. They started scratching at bedroom doors at night wanting to sleep in the guest rooms. But it’s so infuriating that Norrell is their favorite. Aurelia made them sausage this morning, but they still went straight to Norrell. Those traitors constantly weave around his legs or jump on his lap when the opportunity presents itself. Too bad that even if I had my magick, I couldn’t tell them he’s not the prize they seem tobelieve he is. That he’ll leave the moment things get tough,” I gripe, hurt threatening to spill over as tears.
“Those little dinguses are choosing him over you? They need to remember the hand that feeds them.” Clancy snorts in disbelief.
“Oh, the little princes don’t care. They will do as they please,” I say, not without a little resentment.
“Forgive me, Ada. I don’t remember the names of your cats. I only ever saw them in passing. And then with everything that happened...” Her voice trails off.
“The boys are Earl Grey and Vanny, short for Vanilla Paws,” I answer.
Cara’s eyes light up. “You named them Earl Grey and Vanilla Paws?” She scrunches her hands to her heart. “Those sound like the names of cute internet cats!”
“Hon, you really think I don’t watch cute cat videos like everyone else?” I tease.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d get sucked into them like humans do. I don’t know!” She throws her hands up and laughs.
“When the safety council disperses and I get my house back to myself, I will have you over to meet them properly. If you’re okay with coming to the house, that is. I don’t want you to do anything that will make you uncomfortable.”
“I appreciate that. With the carriage house gone, I think I’ll be fine. I can’t let my fear get the better of me,” she says, squeezing Ben’s hand and giving him a tentative smile. He leans in to kiss the top of her head.
“Despite everything, I miss that carriage house. Some days I walk outside and I’m surprised by that big empty space,” I say, grief clawing my chest.
“Do you know if you’re going to rebuild? Come by my office and I’ll help you draw up plans for a new carriage house or guest house when you’re ready. No charge, just helping a friend,” Benoffers. His company, Guardian Construction, has expertise in all types of construction projects.
“Thanks. I haven’t decided yet. Barely had time to think at all, to be honest. But I appreciate it,” I tell him with a melancholy smile.
“Are the guests asking too much of you? Can we take care of anything for you while they are here?” Ben asks, sounding concerned.
