Yule Be Magical (Familiar Kitten Mysteries Book 8) by Sara Bourgeois (top 100 novels .txt) 📕

said. “I really hope that’s not going to be a problem, because I missed working at the shop more than admitted even to myself.”

“I want you to be happy, Kinsley. If running your shop is going to make you happy, then I support you. You might need to figure something out for right after the baby is born, though. We don’t need the money, and I can’t see you staying on your feet all day immediately after. Plus, and I know there’s a good chance the baby will be a witch too, there’s still a chance you might have some sleepless nights. I’ll help out as much as I can, though,” he said.

“I get it,” I said softly. “You’re the town sheriff, and I’m going to have to take most of the late-night baby duty.”

“I’ll try to get as much leave as I can, and I am at yours and the little peanut’s disposal on my days off. You have my word on that,” Thorn said and winked at me.

“Well, if it’s between you taking vacation to help me with the baby late at night and taking vacation for us to take an actual vacation, then I’d rather… you know what, I’ll have to get back to you on that one,” I said. “While I’d like to not have to get up every time, I’d also like to see a beach sometime in the near future.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and we’ll get an easy baby,” Thorn said.

“I wouldn’t count on it, but perhaps. We’ll also have Meri if she wakes up and just doesn’t want to be alone,” I said and felt a familiar pain in my chest.

“What is it, Kinsley? What’s wrong?” Thorn asked as he reached across the table and took my hand.

“It’s just that when I was born, Meri almost immediately went from being Mom’s familiar to mine. He just sort of abandoned her and was attached to me at the hip until.. until I left. I know it sounds selfish, but… never mind, I don’t want to say it,” I said.

“You want Meri to stay with you, but you don’t want to say anything like that because you’d give our baby the world,” Thorn said. “I get it.”

“I think I’m going to do a spell when the time gets closer. It’s a spell to draw in a familiar. Maybe the right one is out there for her, and maybe Meri will still be the right one for me,” I said and pushed down my anxiety about the matter.

A short time later, our food arrived, and right behind it was trouble. The couple that the hostess brought in and sat near us looked unassuming.

In fact, they appeared to just be a young couple out on a romantic date, but the whispering that started around them as they sat down told a different story. I tried to just enjoy my food, but I could not ignore that people around us were staring and murmuring about the two people sitting at a table so close to us.

“What’s going on?” I finally whispered to Thorn so that the couple wouldn’t hear me. It wasn’t lost on me that I had joined the quiet commotion around us.

“That’s the man that Pepper was seeing,” Thorn leaned across the table and whispered back to me. “That’s Tucker Garrison out with a woman who obviously isn’t Pepper.”

“Oh, I see why everyone is carrying on now,” I said. “It seems a little soon after her death, but maybe they are just friends or something.”

“Could be. Either way, it seems that people are not going to give them a moment’s peace here,” Thorn said. “It’s too bad. Tucker doesn’t even seem to notice, but she looks mortified.”

Before I could answer, a woman walked up to their table and stood over the couple. Tucker’s date shrank back as though she knew she was about to be slapped, and Tucker finally looked up from his menu and noticed things weren’t going so well for them.

“Can I help you?” Tucker asked the woman leering down at them.

“I can’t believe the gall of some people,” the woman practically spat. “You’re girlfriend’s body isn’t even cold yet, and you’re already out with another… hussy!”

“Excuse you,” Tucker said and stood up. “You know nothing about me or Pepper. I’d advise you to mind your own business.”

“I’d advise you to grow some class and take your little slut somewhere else. Nobody wants you here,” the woman said.

“I should say something,” Thorn said and started to stand up.

“Thorn…” I started to say that perhaps he should just leave it alone until there was a real problem. Maybe let the manager handle it.

I didn’t get the chance. Tucker’s date stood up. She was crying, and black mascara ran down her cheeks. “Please, let’s just go,” she begged him. “Please.”

“Fine,” he said and threw his red cloth napkin down on the table. “This place sucks anyway.”

After he was gone, the restaurant quieted down again. The waitresses all looked relieved, and Thorn and I were able to enjoy the rest of our dinner.

“He has a temper,” I said before taking the last bite of my buttery lobster.

“Kinsley…” Thorn said with a warning smirk.

“What?” I asked.

“Let’s just enjoy the rest of our dinner and then go home, my love. I’m sure we can think of better things to do tonight than worry about the case,” Thorn said with a smile that made me blush. “We can pick it back up tomorrow if you’re so inclined.”

The next morning when I woke up, Thorn was already gone for work. Tangerine’s leash was on the kitchen table, though, so I assumed he’d made good on his promise to take her running.

There was also a note that told me he loved me and he couldn’t wait to see his wife again. It said that he knew we both had to work, but if he could find a way to see me during the day, he would. If not, he’d see me