Page 77 of Patio Lanterns

Mrs. C scowled.

Robin shrugged. “Okay, so I won’t.”

Seemingly out of thin air, Mrs. C pulled out the tarot deck again and placed it in front of Robin. “This time, you shuffle while you think of a question.”

“I really should get back to my work,” Robin said, checking the time on her phone. “It’s getting late, and the delivery truck is—”

“Shuffle,” Mrs. C commanded.

Robin picked up the deck, concentrating on the feel of the cards as they slid between her fingers and came to rest against her palm. Her mind was in a much calmer state since she’d last touched the deck, and this time, only one question surfaced. She placed the cards on the table and closed her eyes. When she felt an inclination, she cut a small stack of cards off the top and flipped them over.

The Fool. “Again?” Robin whined.

Mrs. C’s eyes widened. “I’ve never seen anyone draw the same card twice in a row,” she said. “But look. This time, the Fool is upright.”

“Yeah, but a fool is still a fool, though, isn’t it? The guy’s still about to pull a Thelma and Louise and take a header over the side of that cliff.”

She shook her head. “Upright cards do not mean the same as reverse cards. And in this case, it’s a good thing. It shows you’ve been more deliberate in your choices.”

“I think so. I mean. Kinda.”

“This time, the Fool says not to bend or conform to other’s expectations. It goes out and takes the risk, explores the unknowns, embraces the adventure.”

Robin rolled her eyes. “But no matter what I do, I’m still a fool.”

“Taking risks is what fools do,” Mrs. C said. “Haven’t you heard the saying ‘it takes courage to make a fool of yourself?’ It means don’t be afraid to fail. Have the guts to go for it.”

“Have the guts to go for it,” Robin echoed. “Sort of like my great-grandmother?”

“Now you get it.” Mrs. C smiled. “You come from a long line of fools, child. Audacity is in your blood.”

Just then, the front bell dinged, summoning Mrs. C to the register. “You’ll be fine. I look at this card and see protection and help around you,” she said. “And that there will be a reward for your loyalty.”

“My loyalty?” Robin questioned. “Loyalty to what? To whom? And what kind of reward, exactly? Any chance you can see if it’s about an inheritance?”

Mrs. C slowly rose to her feet and gave Robin a cryptic smile. “All in good time, child. All in good time.”

25

Robin

It was nearly a quarter to six, and still no delivery truck in sight.

“Where are all the supplies you ordered for tonight, Rob?” Dove looked panicked as she

carried Nova through the living room. “People are bound to be showing up soon, and we still have nothing. No drinks or ice or decorations.”

“It’s coming. They probably just hit heavy lake traffic driving up here on a Friday afternoon,” Robin said, trying to keep her composure despite internally exploding with panic. And speaking of exploding…

“Can you please deal with this?” Dove plopped Nova into her arms and immediately, the stench of a full poopy diaper hit Robin’s nostrils. “It’s definitely your turn.”

“Oh, great. Thanks a lot.”

Dove walked off. “If you need me, I’ll be outside with Lark rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”

Robin scowled at the stinky problem in her arms. “I thought we made a deal, kid. I’m the fun auntie, remember? No poop.”

“Poop, Bobbin!” Laughing, Nova placed her hands on either side of Robin’s face and squeezed her cheeks. Robin marched upstairs to the master bedroom. Lark had taken up residence in there that week and had converted it into a nursery with a portable play pen. Mutt jumped off the bunk in Robin’s room and trotted across the hall to supervise.

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