“Yes, exactly. I thought you’d know the kind and size and the right wood.”
“And the making of it will bring back good memories for me and for Finola as well.”
He pulled off his gloves, rubbed his hands together to free them of any stray dirt before he took the wings in their wrapping.
When he left, she took Bollocks inside. Drew a deep breath of whatever Marco had in the oven.
She lit the fire, hung up her new coat, and just sighed.
“You know what, pal? You get a treat after a long journey, and I’m taking a hot shower. Then if we still have the place to ourselves when I’m done, I’m going to squeeze in some writing time.”
She indulged in a long shower, then indulged herself with the lightest of glamours rather than fiddle with makeup. She tied her hair back and considered grooming done.
Downstairs she grabbed a Coke, and since it remained just her and Bollocks, they settled into her office.
“Time for your adventure,” she told him, and booted up her laptop.
She spent the next hour rolling out the scenes she’d written in her head when she’d had time to think in the Capital.
Fun, some drama, a lot of high jinks.
The sound of her phone ringing shot her straight out of the story. For a moment she just stared at it, sitting on its charger—as if it was some strange and foreign device.
It had nearly become one.
She noted the name and number of the display and hesitated a moment longer.
How had she managed to forget she’d sent Carlee the manuscript?
She rubbed the tattoo on her wrist and answered.
“Hello.”
“Breen. It’s Carlee. I’m hoping I caught you after work and before dinner.”
“You actually did.” If she didn’t count the fact she’d intended to work until someone came through the cottage door. “How are you?”
“Great. And I hope you have time to talk aboutMagicks.”
Breen squeezed her eyes shut. “Sure.”
When Marco walked in—strutted would be closer—carrying a box that smelled of sugar and vanilla, she sat at the table, a glass of wine in her hand.
“Hey, girl! Welcome back! Gotta hear all about it. Just let me check my roast. Garlic and rosemary pork roast.”
“There’s a lot of all about it.”
“I bet! Had the best time. Baking party day at Finola’s. Brought you some of Sedric’s lemon biscuits and a whole lot of other goodies. Marg did the magicks so dinner would coast right along, and oh yeah, that looks and smells just right.
“How about I get me a glass of what you have and join you in the living room?”
“How about you do? Marco—”
“Whoa! Where’d you get that coat? Holy crap.” He rushed right over to the peg. “This is what it’s about. This is lit, and lit all the way up. Girl, how’d you know to get this when I wasn’t there to make you?”
“Kiara gave it to me.”
“Sure she did, it’s got her good fashion sense all over it. Get up! Put it on. Let me see.”