We read through it, and it was a list of how Roger had been acting strangely. Fidgety. And he’d mentioned to her that he thought someone had been following him. “That’s it?” Deva asked. “That’s all she’s going off of?”
I shrugged. “Well, if my partner told me someone was following him and then he turned up dead the next day or a few days later, I’d be pretty freaked, too.”
Deva nodded thoughtfully. “Well, we’re not regular investigators, are we? Maybe if we go to the place where Roger’s business partner was last seen we can pick something up.”
“Good thinking.” I gulped down my tea and pushed to my feet. “Let’s go.”
Deva laughed as she looked up at me like I was a crazy person. “I can’t go now! I’ve got a dinner shift to prep. Meet me here at nine, the dinner rush will be over, and I can slip away.”
I sighed. She was right, of course, but I was impatient. “Okay, what about Carol?”
Deva pursed her lips. “Let’s get her to hang out with Beth. Just in case Tiffany was right about Beth being in danger. I don’t want to risk Beth’s life just because her sister’s a jerk ninety percent of the time.”
“Good plan.” I bent over and pulled her into a quick hug. “I knew you’d have my back.”
With my belly full of amazing food and my nerves calmed by Deva’s magic, I headed home. In the back of my mind, a tiny thought whispered that I should still tell Beth, but then I pictured the way she carried everything she’d been through with such grace.
No, she didn’t need any of this. I didn’t need to use Karma’s magic to give someone the karma they deserved. And tonight, Beth deserved to be having fun with her friend. Not worrying that she might be in danger. I’d take this on myself for as long as I could, protecting her in a way that her parents, sibling, and partner had failed to do.
I just hoped I was making the right decision.
7
Emma
I sighed and leaned back,burying my toes under Henry’s thigh. “This is the life,” I mused as Ginger and Fred danced across the TV screen.
This was how Henry and I spent many a night growing up, watching old movies, and eating terrible food. One of the hard things about having an autistic brother was that he wasn’t big on affection, or compliments, and sometimes his directness could hurt my feelings. But one of the wonderful things about having an autistic brother was that, when we could share a passion, like movies, it was incredible. He knew so much about everything we watched and noticed things in the films that escaped me. As a kid, I was so excited to watch movies with him, because he was nearly as exciting as the movie itself.
I’d missed it more than I realized. I’d missedhimmore than I realized.
Over the years we’d grown apart, and some of it was Rick’s fault, but a lot of it was just because I wasn’t there. Relationships can only stand so much silence and between Rick, having a child, and building our business, the silence had stretched awfully thin between us. Now the silence was gone, and we were rebuilding though. It made me almost grateful for everything that happened.
Henry gave a small smile, his gaze on the screen. “This was nominated for the best foreign film in 1986.”
I smiled. “I can see why.” The way Fred and Ginger were looking at each other as they twirled across the floor, her dress flying around her, the feathers that adorned it making it look like she was flying, reminded me of something that I wanted to ask. “How are you and Alice?”
Something shifted in his expression, though I couldn’t say what, showing me how happy he was when he thought of his girlfriend. “Good. We’re playing video games after our movie time. Our online tribe has a plan to finally take on this castle that we haven’t been able to beat.”
Man, Alice and Henry were seriously perfect for each other. I might not completely understand their relationship, but it worked for them, and it made them happy. That was all that really mattered.
“And does Alice ever want to move in here? What does she think about kids?”
His gaze never left the screen. “She likes her house. Her parents do her laundry and cook. She says kids are fine. Messy and loud. But fine.”
That wasn’t really what I meant, but it sort of answered my question. I didn’t need to be an aunt, as long as they were happy. Some people never had or wanted kids, and that was totally okay. Honestly, waiting and not jumping into things right away might have saved me a lot of heartache, not that I’d ever change having Travis, but I could understand the hesitation.
“And have you been staying away from gambling?” My gut twisted as I asked the question and I forced myself not to hold my breath as I waited for his answer.
His gaze finally left the screen, and a flash of guilt came and went from his face in an instant. “I only gamble online now, not with anyone in town.”
Well, at least he wouldn’t tick off the shifters or run into the sirens again. I hoped.
The movie kept playing, and I glanced out the big picture window, watching the waves roll over the white sand beaches. Had I really left this place for a guy? Mystic Hollow was idyllic in some ways. From the beaches to the cute little local businesses, to the bed and breakfasts that dotted the outskirts of town. Add in my family and friends living here and how friendly everyone was, except for some grumpy shifters, and I was surprised that this place wasn’t overrun by tourists. I wondered if there was some magic at play there, keeping them from staying too long or coming too close.
I knew that technically when I left it had been for college, but I’d always imagined coming back until I met Rick. What was it about love that made people stupid? I supposed there were stupider things I could have done for love, but still.
Despite my best intentions, my thoughts went to Daniel. Would I be crazy to fall for the big shifter? Right now, probably, but for some reason, I felt like I wouldn’t have to give up important parts of myself to keep him happy like I had with Rick. I wouldn’t need to change myself.
