Page 100 of Shattering Dawn

“Luckily I’m a fast learner. And what I’ve learned is that using my abilities to help other people get justice, or maybe just the answers they need, is what I want to do with my life.”

“Uh, this is probably not a good time to make a major career decision,” Gideon said. “It’s been a stressful few days.”

“Wrong. This is the perfect time. Don’t you see? I’ve finally figured out why I’ve been so obsessed with photography all these years even though I’m not that great at it. I knew intuitively that there was something about the process that helped me focus my other vision. But I kept trying to make it work in the wrong lane.”

“You’re losing me here,” Gideon said.

“I’ve been using photography in the wrong way,” she explained. “I never found my lane. I am, however, very good at reading auras and energy prints and I’m getting better by the day.”

“Do you, uh, have some idea of how you can make a career out of energy reading?”

“Yep.” She chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going into the psychic demonstration business. Aunt Cybil discouraged me from doing that. She said it wasn’t the most satisfying way to use my talent because most people see psychics as entertainers. The truth is, she’s in that line because of the free cruise travel and the romance.”

“The romance of the sea?”

“Well, that, too, but she means the men. You’d be amazed how many are attracted to psychics.”

Gideon watched her with a mix of fascination and dread. “Is that right?”

“Not that you could prove it by me. My dating life for the past seven months has been a rolling disaster. Aunt Cybil says my problem is that I haven’t added the element of glamour or mystique. I’m sure she’s right, but in my own defense, I have been a little busy lately. But now I’ve got a plan.”

“How nice for you. I’m so thoroughly confused I might have a nervous breakdown. What, exactly, are you going to do?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s clear to me that I was born to be a psychic private investigator. You know, like you.”

Gideon’s expression metamorphosed from fascination and dread to full-on deer in the headlights.

“I don’t think you understand what you’re getting into,” he said carefully.

“Of course I do. I’ve been watching you work for the past few days, remember? Also, you could say I’ve been training to do this since we started the podcast. For the first time in my life I have a clear-cut goal. It feels great. I’ll bet this is how you felt when you finally opened your own agency.”

“Amelia, I’ve been working investigations for a while now, and I’m here to tell you, hanging out a sign that saysPsychic Detectiveis a great way to attract a lot of weird clients.”

“I know. The podcast attracts more than its share, believe me.”

“This business can also get dangerous.” He gestured toward the cane.

“Gee. Who knew? Gideon, in the past few days I’ve been shot at,drugged, kidnapped, and used as a hostage by an unstable psychic who almost murdered his own daughter.”

Gideon’s jaw clenched. “Don’t remind me. All right, point taken. But I strongly suggest that you wait to make such a big decision. Give yourself some time to get past the trauma of the last few days.”

“Blah, blah, blah. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I have a strategy.”

“That’s what worries me.”

She ignored him. “You’ll be my first client, of course. Eventually I’ll be able to make the connections necessary to grow my business.”

“Let me get this straight. You expect me to hire you as a consultant?”

“Admit it, Gideon, you need me.”

Without warning his eyes heated.

“Yes,” he said. “I do need you.”

She caught her breath. “For my psychic talents?”

“I need you because I can’t envision my life without you in it. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say I don’t want to think about my life without you in it.”

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