Page 25 of A Seer and Present Danger

“…the dead man at the diner…”

“Murder!” Xtelle piped in gleefully.

“…and the upcoming Boast of the Coast is going to attract a lot of people. Especially the award ceremony announcing the winning town this weekend.”

“…boring! No, wait. Big crowds mean there could be so many more people for Pandora’s curse to curse! Delightful!”

“How is that delightful?” Delta demanded, exasperated.

“It entertains me!”

Dusi snapped her fingers. “Fawn. Does Joanie need anything? Help cleaning up maybe?”

I snapped and pointed at her. “We could all go help!”

Jules snapped more. “Let’s have a potluck! Who wants to sign up for bringing pizza?”

“What are we doing?” Xtelle snapped, louder and longer than any of us. “Why are we talking about pizza?”

Fawn ignored her. “Joanie said she has it covered. She doesn’t need help.”

I snapped, for real, because I had an idea. “If anyone is free for the next hour, we could use a hand sorting donations at the community center.”

“I have time,” Jules said. “Easy. Who else has time?” She snapped some more, her bracelets chiming.

Xtelle narrowed her eyes. “Oh yeah? We’re snapping? I can snap!” She snapped with both her front and back hooves, loudly. Since she didn’t even have fingers, it was quite a trick.

“Xtelle!” I said, “Are you going to volunteer to help sort? How generous!”

“Me?” She tossed her head, mane glittering. “Do something for nothing in return?” She laughed and kept on laughing.

At least she wasn’t talking about disasters anymore.

A few of the book club members exchanged knowing glances with us, and I almost, almost thought Than lifted his tea in the tiniest “well done” toast.

People stood.

“Do you need a ride to the community center?” I asked Jules. “I can drop you back off here on my way to work.”

“That would be great. All in favor of the book club being over?” Jules raised her hand.

The Ayes outnumbered Xtelle’s single Nay vote (which was followed by several more snaps).

Dusi stayed behind to hang more art. Jules followed me to the car.

We got in and she buckled her seatbelt then patted my leg. “Thank you for the ride. I was thinking of putting together little good-luck worry stones for the kids.”

“Great idea! How many do you want to donate?”

“I could get several dozen, if Bertie wants them.”

“Well, for the kids she’ll want at least a dozen. But for the competition?” I eased the car forward. It was still a little tricky to drive the twisty road, but we had already talked about pothole repair. “She’s going to want as many as you can make.” I gave her a grin.

“Typical Bertie!” she laughed.

I nodded. Small futures flashed. I knew Jules wanted to ask me about Jean’s future.

“Go ahead,” I said. “You can ask.”