“Local businessman insults respected and honorable councilwoman while simultaneously offering her a bribe! How dare you, Gangson?”
He grinned and winked at Deryn.
“I wasn’t offering anything for free here, madam. But I can’t resist that charm.” He pulled two brown-paper-wrapped parcels out of the cooler, and Ceridwen slipped him a twenty. Deryn smiled. She knew that no matter how much Greg would try to refuse the money, her sister would insist. Even in the darkestand most difficult year—when Rhiannon left, and it was just Ceridwen with her and Seren—her oldest sister struggled to accept anything she hadn’t earned or paid for.
Waving goodbye to Greg, Deryn unwrapped her sandwich, and her mouth watered. Pastrami.
“So, Deryn the renowned celebrity, who has you brooding? It’s a Seren quality that I am not entirely certain you are pulling off too well. You’re coming off as sad and pitiful instead.”
“Damn, Ceri. Talk about ruining my appetite.” Deryn lowered the sandwich. Then, as seagulls flew a little too close for comfort, she wrapped it back up.
“Nothing ruins Deryn Crowhart’s appetite. Now tell me, or I will resort to the tried and true…” Ceridwen wiggled her long fingers, teasing an upcoming tickling, and Deryn lifted her hands in surrender.
“All right, all right. Damn, woman, you’re relentless.”
“I am when it comes to my sisters. Talk.”
Deryn shooed a seagull who got too close and hunched her shoulders.
“There’s a woman.”
Deryn walked a few more steps before realizing Ceridwen had stopped. She turned and watched her sister’s face undergo a variety of emotions, from what looked like surprise to curiosity to mirth. A fourth something seemed to prevail, and Ceridwen caught up to her and threaded her fingers through the short hair of the smooth undercut at the back of Deryn’s head.
“Finally.”
The word hung in the air between them, and Deryn suddenly felt seen. Almost painfully so.
“You’re not going to laugh?” Deryn asked.
“No.” Ceridwen’s fingers kept playing in Deryn’s hair, undoubtedly messing it up even more. “There were always women. Unlike Seren, you were all about women—tall, short,young, old, blonde, and brunette. And yet, also unlike Seren, you are always the one I worry about when it comes to women.”
“Okay, two questions. You never worried about Seren? She had, like, one half-ass boyfriend and then came out. How come that never concerned you?”
Ceridwen pulled on the pink strand of Deryn’s hair and walked on.
“Because Seren will tumble in seconds and then proceed to lay her life and heart down. We will have to hold her back from scaring that poor woman, whoever she might be. No, Seren won’t have trouble falling in love.”
“And you think I will?” Deryn felt insulted. And strangely worried.
“Yes. Unlike Seren’s heart, which is just waiting for the one, you have busied yours with the wrong ones. I’ve always wondered if you would even recognize the right one amid all the noise you’ve surrounded yourself with. So, have you?”
Deryn took a moment to think about the statement. It wasn’t particularly flattering. She wasn’t even certain it was correct.
Deryn didn’t answer, and Ceridwen didn’t press as they walked hand in hand up the small hill and cove that held the little house. Deryn carried her pastrami sandwich and her silence. She had a lot to think about. Particularly, why she hadn’t sought the courage to tell Ceridwen that yes, she had found her. Her heart, her eyes, her memories recognized her. She didn’t need directions; she didn’t need tells. Deryn knew she had met her mate, her proverbial flame—yes—over real flames. The power inside her sang with more than recognition. Deryn understood there was no fighting it, nor did she want to. Not after the night they shared. If anything, that night solidified their connection; it told Deryn there was no reason to fight it, that she should not be so stupid as to not listen to Fate and Magic. Not that Deryn would have… Well, not for long, anyway.
So yes, Deryn had found her. And Deryn had recognized her. And they matched in more ways than just having met before, lifetimes ago… They were explosive, dangerous, their chemistry scorching like Deryn’s Fire itself.
Deryn, however, didn’t say any of that. Nor did she voice that she would likely need help to find the woman once again, along with her name. As they walked to the house, Deryn gave herself a week before she confessed everything to Ceridwen. Rhiannon would help too, but she’d laugh at her first, and Ceri would laugh less. Sisters could be like that sometimes. Deryn looked up at the sky full of stars as they reached the phthalo door and was, for once, happy to be back.
5
PALOMA, EXES (THAT SHOULD’VE LEFT LONG AGO) & NEW BEGINNINGS
JOHN MOSS LEADING PALOMA ALLENDE IN THE RACE FOR TOWN HALL!
The most recent polls show that the owner of the country club has gained quite a lot of ground in just a week since declaring his intention to take the spot of his friend, former mayor Jedidiah Fowler, in the race for the town hall. Observers attribute his meteoric rise to his familiarity with Crow’s Nest and being one of the “good ole boys.” The residents are claiming that they’d like to have a drink with him, share gossip and chowder. Ms. Allende is respected for her business acumen, impeccable education, and heroics at the site of the Crow & Cat arson. She is, however, still viewed as a newcomer to Crow’s Nest.
Watch this space and watch the race for the town hall.
