"Almost there," Wade said after what felt like hours.
We emerged from the woods, the faint lights of town offering a beacon of safety in the distance. Our steps quickened, energized by the sight of home and the hope that the unicorn could still be saved. With every step, Daniel bore not just the wounded creature, but our collective resolve.
"Home stretch, everyone," I announced, my heart lifting. We'd done what we could out here. Now it was up to Wade to heal the poor unicorn. And to us, to catch whoever did this.
THIRTEEN
Emma
The clatter of pans and the rich aroma of sizzling bacon filled the air as I slid into a booth in the back of Deva's Delights, alongside Carol. It’s not exactly a quiet corner, since it’s near the kitchen, but it gives a good view of the whole place. The lunch rush had already died down. We were there at the perfect time between lunch and dinner, when the diner only had a scattering of patrons. It was the time we typically planned meetings with Deva, because she could actually take a break from the kitchen and come out and hang out with us.
Carol was already cradling a steaming mug of tea between her colorful, ring-laden fingers. Her shoulder-length light brown hair had been left a little wavy today, and I liked the look on her.
She grinned as we made eye contact. "Morning.”
Rose, a waitress we knew from last year's chaos, darted past us with a tray balanced expertly on one hand, while Michael, the line cook, shot her a playful wink that she returned with a teasing smile.
"Morning." I reached for a menu.
Even though I felt a little guilty about it, I was only half paying attention to what I’d be ordering. My gaze was following Rose around until she came back behind the counter and stood on her tiptoes to better see Michael through the pass-through. He was there in an instant, except that the tall wolf shifter had to lean down to see her. They started talking, and everything about their body language said that they were interested in each other. I was guessing that Michael had finally convinced the fairy to take a chance on him, and I was glad.
Daniel went up to see the wolf shifters at least once a week. They were taking care of their property. They’d stopped havingquiteas many wild parties. Everyone in the pack over the age of eighteen was required to have a job or be in school. Nathan, the young alpha, had really turned things around. I wanted the best for those boys, and I felt like Rose would be perfect for Michael. He’d be the ying to her yang.
Carol turned and followed my gaze. "Young love, huh?”
"You know all about that,” I said.
A blush stained her cheeks. "Bryan and I are hardly young.”
"I think you’re plenty young,” I tell her. "How’s he doing, by the way?”
She smiled. "He was a little worried about getting the town to give his law practice a chance after his uncle died, but seeing how there are no other lawyers in town, people took to him right away. He loves being back in Mystic Hollow and loves helping the people here.”
"You got a good one there,” I said. "And how’s your… romantic life?”
The blush was back. "Honestly? Amazing. I worried that with two inexperienced people we wouldn’t know what we were doing, but everything just… works well. We can’t keep our hands off of each other.”
"I’m so glad.”
She nodded. "He’s even started talking about getting married and living together. He says there’s no rush, but we kept talking about it. I know we don’t need to rush anything, but it’s kind of amazing knowing that’s where this is headed.”
"That’s amazing!” Bryan deserved good things after being Turned against his will into a vampire, and Carol was obviously one of my favorite people in this world.
Rose was suddenly at our table. "What can I get for you?”
I knew what I wanted. I don’t know why I always look at the menu. "Coffee and water to drink, please, and fried chicken with mashed potatoes.”
"Oh, good choice!” The fairy said happily. "And for you?”
Carol smiled. "The cob salad with chicken, please.”
"Perfect.”
Then, unable to help myself, I asked, "How’s Michael doing?”
Her face went crimson. "Fine.” Then, she hurried away.
Carol and I exchanged a look and burst out laughing. Seriously, I felt bad. I knew she was shy but expected a different response and felt bad for embarrassing her. She was just so dang cute though, it made my heart squeeze.
