Page 61 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
Later that afternoon, I’m in the kitchen baking pies to leave on the buffet when Manorin ducks into the kitchen.
“Hey, Sunshine, I’ve got Alkazar coming in so I can wine and dine him a little bit. Mind if I allow him into the kitchen for a little chat before I take him to dinner?”
My brows travel skyward. “Hadrian Alkazar? He’s here?!”
He grins. “After we got back, I suggested he should come take a peek at Ever. Nice little haven, got a lot of promise. He could be the biggest of stars here versus trying to join a well-established team and maybe being the littlest fish in a new pond.”
I snort out a laugh. “Alkazar’s not going to be the littlest fish anywhere.”
Manorin grins. “Well, he looks to me for guidance. I’m still his coach. And I think Ever could be a good fit based on what’s important to him.” His smile falls a little.
I wonder if he’s thinking what I’m thinking, that Ever would be a good fit for himself too, depending on what thing is most important to him.
I am that thing, but I can’t shake a terrible feeling about him giving up something important. To the point that I’ve wondered if I need to figure out how to dismantle Annabelle and move her. If that’s even possible? I have no idea…but I’m actually considering it.
“Alright,” he says cautiously, “I’m gonna pick him up at the portal station. Then I’ll bring him back here for a quick chat. Need anything while I’m out?”
I shake my head. “All good here, thanks.”
There’s a tense, silent moment between us that threatens to stretch long. But Manorin gives me a final, cautious look, then turns to go. I slump onto one of the bar stools, but no sooner have I sat than Morgan Hector sashays into the kitchen with a wicked smile.
“Oh, Catherine,Catherine. You’re gonna tell me everything, and you’re gonna tell me right now.”
I stare at my young friend. “What are you doing here?”
She points to the back door. “Manorin comm’d me that there’s a tear in the screen from the last time Iggy flew through with the hellhound pups. He asked me to come by and fix that and,” she reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a small slip of paper, “like six other little things? Apparently, they need doing.”
My mouth drops open. He’s fixing things aroundmyinn just because they need to be done? The shutters were enough of a surprise but now this? I’m not even sure how to make sense of the emotions welling inside me.
“Cath?” Morgan’s auburn brows form a vee, and she crosses the kitchen to me. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."
The whole story spills out of me then. How Manorin and I had a wonderful time in Pine Gulch, the conversation with Rip Shorthorn, my desire for him to have what he wants, and my worry that he’ll pick his home haven over me because he reallyshould.
Because that’s really it. I told him in no uncertain terms that I’d never leave Annabelle under any circumstances. I said that before we’d even been on a date.
But now? Now I’m less sure.
She listens in supportive silence until I’m done, and when I am, she smiles at me. “This is all gonna work out, Cath; I’m predicting it now.”
“You don’t have that power,” I say with a sigh. “There’s only one witch I know who does, and she hates your mother-in-law too much to live in the haven system.”
Morgan wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug that steals my breath. “It’s gonna befine, Catherine, better than fine. He’samazing. A smart, driven, thoughtful gentleman, and you seem absolutely besotted with him. I have to believe it’s your time for love, friend.”
“That’s what he says,” I manage. “But if this were Abe, and his dream job was about to be offered to him, would you not feel guilty?”
Morgan steps back and barks out a laugh. “Hell no. He got me. What else could he possibly need?” She winks as I manage a laugh. “Not that we don’t talk about possible jobs, and, anyhow, I wanted to chat with you about that, but we can table that for later.”
Logically everything she’s saying is true, and I know that. I’ve seen this situation in others’ relationships many times over my long life. But I’ve never been in it myself, and it’s terribly discomfiting.
Annabelle slings a bag of chocolate truffles out of the cupboard. The kitty cat timer hops over from the far edge of the island, nudging the bag toward Morgan and me.
When it gets close, she picks it up and examines its corner. “Aww, you’re a little bit bent at the base. Shall I fix you?”
A happy little meow is her “please.”
She closes her eyes, and I watch in amazement as the dingsand dents in the timer’s base pop out and buff away. When she’s done, she sets the cat down, good as new.
“Your magic is a wonder, Morgan.” I smile. “I’d love for you to take care of the list Manorin gave you, if you don’t mind. Also, can I see it?”
