Page 62 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs
She smiles at me as she sets the slip of paper on the island. That done, she turns toward the back door.
I unfold the paper and recognize Nor’s handwriting. It’s as sharply angled and scribbly as ever. He’s listed a solid six or eight things I’ve been meaning to ask Morgan about, but they were never huge and never seemed to bother Annabelle.
I don’t get time to examine my thoughts about that, though, because a guest appears in the doorway with a question about restaurant recommendations, given the Green Bean’s current wait time.
Half an hour later, I’m running around like a crazy person changing sheets and cleaning. I’ve got four check-outs and five check-ins this afternoon, and I am absolutely bonkers. Morgan called her sisters and their mates, and everyone’s pitching in changing sheets, cleaning bathrooms, washing laundry and all the other myriad things that go into owning a bed and breakfast.
Even Betmal and Amatheia have joined us. Ama’s washing sheets, and she and Betmal are remaking all the beds and helping to clean.
And it is exhausting. For the first time in a long time, I’m not having fun running Annabelle as a business. If I’m honest, I don’t think she’s having that much fun, either. The downstairs pipes over the check-in desk groan loudly every time the front door opens. I make a mental note to revisit temporary housing options with Arkan at my earliest convenience. Annabelle and I can’t keep up with this pace.
When Manorin shows back up with Alkazar, everything stops as the triplets ooh and ahh over him. Manorin takes me tothe side, stroking my cheek as he watches Betmal and Ama haul a pile of sheets upstairs, Wren right behind them with a basket of cleaning supplies.
“I hate that I can’t help you right now.”
“Kitchen’s nice and clean, though,” I say with a wink. “There’s a nice big bowl of apples. Do what you need to do, Nor. I’ve got plenty of help, and we’re nearly done. I do usually manage this on my own, you know.”
He frowns. “But I don’t want you to have to unless you’re thoroughly enjoying yourself.”
I snort out a laugh at that. Fun isn’t what I’d call it.
I push Manorin toward the kitchen, smiling brightly at Alkazar, the handsome star skyball player. “There’s tea and lemonade in the fridge, and I left fresh pie on the countertop. Help yourselves, alright?”
Alkazar smiles, white fangs flashing as he runs a hand tentatively through his dark hair. “Thank you, Miss Catherine. I’ve heard so much about the Annabelle and you over the years. It's lovely to finally meet her in person, and see you again, of course.”
Gods, he’s adorable.
“You too.” I wink at him. “Maybe we’ll see a lot more of you soon!”
He blushes, his cheeks going dark purple as he nods, then turns to follow Manorin to the kitchen.
It takes us another hour to get the inn in shape. The triplets and their mates leave, and it’s finally quiet. I head for the back of the house, forgetting for a moment that Manorin and Alkazar are in the kitchen. Their deep voices stop me, and I halt, not wanting to disturb them.
“It’s a lot to consider, son,” Manorin says in a deep, comforting tone. “Gil’s here, so I imagine you’ll meet up with him too. He’s got talent as a coach, I’ll give him that, but his attitude’s poor, and, ultimately, that’ll reflect in the team’s behavior.You’re a good kid, talented and easy to coach, but part of what you have to decide is if you’re okay being aligned with a coach like that, if you come here, and he’s offered this role. He’s got a reputation now, and it’ll only get worse unless he fundamentally changes.”
“Yeah.” Alkazar sighs. “You know it’s always been my dream to play with the Punishers, but I don’t have a huge desire to work with Rip Shorthorn. I love working with you, but I definitely don’t want to stay at Hearth HQ. It’s too dark and moody for me. I want friendly people, open sky, low-key, even if the skyball’s wild and crazy.”
I should stop listening, I really should, but I’m rapt waiting for Manorin’s answer. Will he tell Alkazar about Rip’s retirement? Somehow, I don’t think he will. It’s not his secret, and he’s a vault when it comes to keeping secrets.
“Follow your heart, son,” he finally says. “Take all the meetings, learn as much as you can, visit every haven that courts you. But make the decision for yourself; don’t let other folks sway you. When I came here, even though we had a scheduled kickoff meeting, I came early and walked around to get a feel for Ever. I formed my opinion before the sales pitch started. Do that and trust your gut. You’ll land where you’re meant to be.”
He pauses, and I hold my breath.
“Things work out exactly as they’re supposed to.”
I release the breath and step into the kitchen with a wave. “Sorry to interrupt, boys, I’m just grabbing something from the fridge, and I’ll be outta your horns.”
Manorin smirks as I cross to the fridge and grab the extra lemonade pitcher for the front buffet. He waves at me as he smiles. “I was just telling Catherine here the very same thing, as a matter of fact.”
Alkazar spins on his seat, his expression earnest as purple eyes flick to mine. “Oh? Are you stuck with a big decision too, then?”
Oh, that bratty minotaur male. I set the lemonade down and give Alkazar an encouraging smile. “Just a matter of the heart. I think we make our fate, but Manorin’s advice still holds true. Your heart will tell you when you’ve found the right place for you.” I flick my gaze to Manorin’s, but I can’t read his expression.
“Well,” Alkazar rises from the barstool and dips his head respectfully at me as he grabs Manorin’s hand to shake, “I’m a little late for a meeting with Gil Stoneswallow, so I’m gonna go do that. See you around, Coach.”
“Have fun, kid.” That’s all Manorin says, and he doesn’t watch as the young skyball prodigy leaves the kitchen.
Silence stretches long between us as I smile at Manorin.
