Page 66 of Pumpkin
“I need to borrow five hundred dollars,” she said in a rushed hiss.
“What? Why?”
“Dosia,please.” Her voice was frantic, her eyes continuing to glance between the man on stage and the woman in the crowd.
“Yes, yes, of course.” It was how much she’d brought to bid on Pumpkin.
Calliope stood, nearly knocking JJ off of the table. “Five hundred!”
Louisa looked towards the back at where Calliope was. “I’m calling it,” she announced. “Sorry, ladies,” she added with no real apology in her voice to the crowd of young women before the stage, who all were now scowling at her. “Five hundred to the witch in the back! Sold!” As the crowd clapped, Louisa continued, “This concludes our bachelor auction. Thank you to everyone who bid. We will tally up the total and make an announcement in just a few minutes. If you won, please report to Harper in the back to pay. We take cash or checks, and apparently electronic payments…”
Calliope sat down with a heavy sigh as Louisa continued on.
Dosia, though, wasn’t paying attention anymore. “What was that?” she asked her aunt.
“What was what?” Calliope asked back, but Dosia wasn’t fooled in the slightest.
“You said you weren’t bidding.”
Calliope shrugged. “Things change. I’ll pay you back, don’t worry.”
“I’m not,” Dosia said a bit dryly. “I just don’t understand why?—”
“It’s fine, really,” Calliope said hurriedly. “Just… Just don’t tell Mom, okay?”
Dosia’s eyebrows drew down. “Okay…?” It came out more like a question.
“Can Frankie watch the kids a minute? I still need to talk to you.” Calliope pointed over her shoulder.
Dosia looked to Frankie, who nodded. “Sure.” They stood up and headed away from the table. “Is this about what just happened with the auction?”
“No,” Calliope shook her head. “I really didn’t come here for that. I came for you. First, I want to apologize for everything?—”
“Water under the bridge,” Dosia waved off. “Really. I shouldn’t have gotten as angry as I did. I’m sorry for yelling at you and calling you a manipulator.”
“I was,” Calliope admitted. “But with good intentions.”
“I never doubted that,” Dosia stated. “So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“I had a vision this morning while meditating.” Outside Solstice and Marmot’s house was a permanent structure that looked like a domed tepee, but was in truth, a private sweat lodge. Dosia had only been in the place a few times in her life, and it had been an experience each time. Sweat lodges were used for spiritual and purification purposes. Calliope went there often, especially if she was having trouble understanding or deciphering a vision.
Dosia wondered if Calliope was hesitating because of their argument. “It’s okay. Whatever it is, you can tell me.” She paused, “It is about me, right?”
Calliope nodded. “You and Pumpkin, but I’m not sure how you’re going to take the news…”
CHAPTER 12
Something was off with Dosia. Pumpkin couldn’t put his finger on it, nor could he ask her about it with JJ and SJ in the cage. It still went against the grain to have Dosia drive him around, even if their luxury new, armored SUV was the best thing to ever touch his ass. And the massagers and warmers of the captains’ chairs? That alone was worth two hundred and sixty thousand dollars.
At some point, he’d have to clue her in to the fact that there were hidden compartments in the cage with various weapons as well. Only his fingerprints opened those compartments right now, but eventually, he’d add hers too. He wanted to get her some training first, and she needed a carry permit. He had to get a special one just to own this vehicle.
Normally, Darrin would drive them. His grumblings about doing so had stopped when he’d seen the vehicle Pumpkin had bought Dosia. Then he practically begged to be allowed to drive them around. This evening, though, Darrin was at the ol’ ladies’ beck and call to help get the festival cleaned up quickly so Main Street could reopen before church hours started in the morning.
Dosia had gotten good at calling Darrin when she needed something, especially with the kids. Pumpkin did what he could, but he stillwasn’t cleared to lift more than ten fucking pounds. Technically, he wasn’t even supposed to be carrying his own children, but Pumpkin refused to let that stop him. They could take away his driver’s license, but they would not interfere with what he could or could not do with his kids. He’d murder someone first.
Pumpkin was still trying to figure out what was going on with Dosia when she pulled theLexusinto her grandparents’ driveway. He wasn’t positive, but she seemed nervous. Was this about their date? The kiss? He hated doubting himself, but even more, he hated thinking thatshewas doubtinghim. Did she think he’d played her just so she could win the auction for him? That he hadn’t been serious about being with her?
Glancing at the house that had seemed to have become his second home over the past month, Pumpkin thought about all the nights they’d stayed up talking in her bed. How beautiful she was with her hair sprawled out on her pillow as she smiled over at him. How he fuckingachedto crawl on top of her and make love to her like she deserved. How he couldn’t seem to keep himself away from her, even in his sleep. He always woke up with her in his arms, and as fucking perfect as she felt in them, he forced himself to move away so she didn’t think he was trying to push the boundaries she’d clearly set for him.
