Page 29 of Lost in the Fog

Ira got the pitcher of lemonade and glasses. Pandora went for the cookies and found a tray on the counter addressed to her. She grinned and said, “Mom said you were going to need more snacks for a serious discussion.”

“Sliders?”

“Yeah. The ones with blue toothpicks are spicy the way you like it.” Ira smiled. “So, the houses are close?”

“Yeah, I think we can probably bring a portal up and anchor it if you need a place to get some air when the new ones are here.” She smiled. “Or you can ride a bike or horse there in about ten minutes.”

“Nice. I am really excited. I get the feeling that this place is going to feel very different with ladies in it.”

“And some of them won’t want to be here.”

“Oh, right. Why?”

“They were offered free power, and power that isn’t earned by focus and hardship isn’t respected. Power that is backed up by the weak or greedy is worse. It lacks direction and control.”

“Which is why control and growing into power is important.”

“Correct.” She carried the tray of lemonade, and Ida brought the sliders.

The group was sitting in one of the cozy areas, and the guys had seriously concerned expressions. Regis finished, and they nodded before looking at her. Pandora smiled. “That isn’t suspicious at all.”

The guys had removed their suit coats and were rolling up their shirt sleeves.

Regis grinned. “I gave them some details of what is going to happen and why they need to be waiting to make you safe after the fact. It is going to make for a very rapid closing, so you had better pick the house tonight and call the realtor.”

Ira carefully slid the platter onto the table. “Pandora said I can help choose. I know her best.”

Pandora sat, and Ira sat between her and Regis. Pandora poured for everyone and blinked as she was suddenly pressed against Knur.

Regis chuckled. “He’s subtle but persistent.”

“Yeah, I am catching on to that.”

Knur said, “It is just so we can all look over our favourite aspects of the houses.”

“Uh-huh.”

Ira grinned and ran into the house, returning with her notepad. “You need this one.”

She flipped open her sketchbook and slid the pages over.

Pandora looked at the different images and compared them to photos she had taken of the yards and interior fireplaces. “You are really good, bug.”

“Thank you. Your lessons on perspective were helpful.”

Zhin looked through the images. “These are wonderful. You have a lot of talent.”

Pandora found an image that matched the pond and the creek. Zhin found one on his phone that matched the living room and fireplace, while Knur found one that matched the gardens.

“So, it was house number three, after all.”

Regis smiled. “Was it dessert?”

Knur nodded. “It was.”

“Dessert is always the best.” Regis grinned.

Ira smirked. “And it’s close, so I can just go over.”

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