“Really?” Perking up at the idea, we made plans for me to grab my things while she made the trek to Joanie’s, something she was planning on doing anyway, and see about the tablet and Joanie helping her get a copy of the door key for me.
With a plan to divide and conquer, we ate lunch, she brought the sandwiches and I provided the potatoes we cut into French fries and deep fried in animal fat, and then we were on our way, each our own mission.
Dace left her key with me so I could access her hut. We’d meet up here so I’d drop my things off here and hang out with her fur buddies until she returned.
Dace had a small library of books at her place she’d said I could borrow whenever I wanted, so there was that.
Feeling more settled than I had since being dragged into this world, I set out.
Going through my things, I figured I should probably load up all of the things from Dorothy and drop them off to her and Bia’s key to his hut along with it.
I had no idea where Mina lived and didn’t know if she’d already heard of my friendship with Dace, how well that may or may not go over with her and her males.
One trip. That’s all it took to gather my stuff and walk it to Dace’s. One measly trip.
Dace had already helped me put together a makeshift bed. It was more like a pallet sort of deal on the floor, a large rectangular blanket she’d sewn shut stuffed with straw. It worked until we could find enough supplies to improve upon a straw filled mattress.
Dace was being pretty cool about all of this. I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. I truly appreciated everything she was doing for me.
Putting everything left from the supplies Dorothy had given me together, the clothes she’d let me have freshly washed and folded, everything I hadn’t used up neatly rewrapped, I loaded it all up and hefted the basket over my arm.
Stepping out and locking the door, I started down the way Dorothy had mentioned she lived with her mates. A large house on the end, I believe she’d said.
Like fate just needed to tempt me, a small but determined looking slip of a woman saw me, turned to do a doubletake, then said good-bye to the silver haired woman she was chatting with to come running up to me like her butt was on fire.
“Oh! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” By the time she reached me she was breathless, pausing to bend at the waist, hands on her knees, and catch her breath.
Not sure what to say to that, it took everything in me not to scowl down at the complete and total stranger talking to me like I should know who the heck she is.
Then it clicked.
“Daisy,” she gasped out, right as I thought of the woman Dorothy had mentioned.
“Are you alright?” I asked as she fought to catch her breath.
“Been meaning to talk to you but you’re hard to get ahold of,” she muttered as she straightened.
I couldn’t rightly say why this whole encounter made me wonder if she was going to pitch something to me, a used car, about a warranty that’s nearly up. The whole thing hit my funny bone.
Daisy’s next words did not.
“I heard all about you and I just had to come and find you!”
She did, did she? Arching an eyebrow at her, resisting the urge to leave her gaping after me because I knew what was coming next, I waited. I nearly bit my tongue off doing so but I did it. It was a gold star day in not just saying the thing for me today.
“Kehlor told me all about your situation and I just have to tell you-”
“My situation?” I didn’t mean to snap at her but what was it that was my business that Kehlor had thought to tell her.
Daisy nodded, smile faltering as she got a look at my displeased mug. Fidgeting a little in place, she cleared her throat and began softly, “It’s really important to set off on the right foot around here, you know?”
My expression didn’t change, but I was starting to see why she was likened to a bunny as she bounced in place, from foot to foot, with nervous energy.
“What situation?” I repeated.
Daisy paused in her bunny imitation to stare up at me. “Kehlor sent me to help you, to get you going in the right direction for village life, introduce you to the right kind of people.” She had large eyes like Dace, she was blonde like Dace, she even squeaked like Dace did when she was nervous, but the woman in front of me didn’t have the warmth of presence I felt in Dace’s company, like I was greeting an old friend, that instant kinship.
If anything, this Daisy grated on my nerves.
