“Henry won’t approve.”Megan took one look at her face and backpedaled.“Ah, not that he should tell you what to do.”
“Exactly,” London said with a grin.“Megan means we’ll worry about you, given the things that have occurred.”
“I’ll keep the doors locked and have Juno inside.”
“Ring us once you reach your house,” Megan suggested.
“I can do that.”Since she’d been alone for years, having people worry about her was agreeable.“Where will I find Juno?”
“I’ll show you,” London said.
Ten minutes later, she and Juno were on their way.Maia jogged slowly because, despite the hot shower, she sported a few ouchies.Now that it was later, it was a magnificent autumn day with a crisp blue sky overhead.The sun shone warmly on her back, and each breath emerged with a puff of steam.They followed the road, and her steady pace got them to her property faster than she’d envisioned.Her steps slowed when she neared her house, and she carefully scrutinized the vicinity.Nothing appeared out of place.
The big dog whined, its ears pricked.
She glanced at Juno.“I should check around the house before I declare everything normal.”
She backtracked and walked a circuit of her section, pausing frequently to listen.When she saw nothing unusual, heard nothing except a cow mooing and birds tweeting, the tension that had invaded her body eased back.
Maia unlocked the front door and stood aside for Juno to enter.The naked skeleton stood in the kitchen corner, and she scowled since it still wore a clown costume.
“Let’s get you a bowl of water and a treat then I’ll get to work.”She had two hours and fifteen minutes before her appointment with Isabella.Maia powered up her computer and immersed herself in a fae battle in an enchanted kingdom where everything was suspect.
A knock at the door had her head jerking upward.When the knock repeated, Maia cautiously approached her door.She peered outside to see a woman, her face obscured by pink flowers.Maia glanced at Juno, but she didn’t bark or growl.
Maia opened the door.
“You are at home.I wasn’t sure whether to leave the flowers or not.The order didn’t specify.Are you Maia Jacobs?”
“Yes,” Maia said, eyeing the flowers.Samuel had always apologized with flowers, and given that thought, she wondered if Laura was monitoring his whereabouts.She’d told Maia she didn’t think he was responsible for Maia’s problems, but she was keeping tabs on him through her police contacts.
“Then these are for you.”The woman thrust the flowers into Maia’s hands and retreated to her courier van.
A white card nestled amongst the pink flowers and green foliage.Maia marched into the kitchen and deposited the flowers on the table.Juno barked.
“Ah, yes.”Maia returned to lock the door.“Thank you for reminding me.”
With the door bolted, Maia plucked out the card.The flowers were charming, their perfume decadent.They’d look beautiful on the side table, but she wanted to know the sender.Henry struck her as practical.Organizing a courier to a country address would’ve been expensive.
She ripped open the envelope, annoyed to find her hands trembling.Three kisses in bold black writing were on the card.Nothing else.Maia shot the flowers an aggravated look and left them where they sat before returning to work.Unfortunately, her concentration had gone AWOL.
Maia made a cup of coffee and read her emails, answering fan letters before moving to her business email account.She’d underestimated how long these admin duties took and needed to look at hiring outside help, especially since rugby took more of her time.
London was the solution, especially since she already worked for Megan.She’d understand Maia’s needs and require minimal training.Yes.She’d speak to London.Maia dealt with the three remaining emails.
She had time to visit Caroline’s shop.The skeleton caught her eye, and she paused.Yeah, it might be easier if she took the skeleton and explained what she wanted.
“You want to what?”Caroline eyed the skeleton dubiously ten minutes later.
Beside her, Isabella cackled, the blonde personal trainer holding her side as if laughing were hurting her.
“I want you to design outfits for my skeleton.I’m going to stand him outside on my verandah,” Maia said.“It will be a statement.”
Finding Isabella here had been a surprise, but she remembered London or Ambar had told her Isabella helped Caroline during her free time.
“I thought a pink tutu would be fun and maybe a cowboy or no!A Mexican cowboy with a sombrero.A sixties housewife vibe might be fun, too, and I’ll need a Christmas outfit.”
“You’re serious,” Caroline said.
