by Nell DuVall
“It is, Tula’s been looking for another waitress. Some days she and Kinesha can’t keep up.”
Just then, the bead curtain parted, and Tula returned with four cups, a large red pot of tea, and three servings of apple flan with plenty of whipped cream on top. She poured cups of tea for each of them.
Eying the fourth cup, Cassie gave Tula a quizzical look. “Are you expecting someone else?”
“Let’s just say we’re wrapping up loose ends.” Tula’s eyes had a mischievous glint.
Ian sniffed his steaming tea. “Mint and ... cloves?”
Tula nodded and grinned. “My own blend. You can’t buy it anywhere else.”
Cassie watched Ian anxiously as he sipped his tea. He wore a thoughtful look on his face. She wanted him to like the tea. He rolled it around in his mouth and then sipped again.
“Very different and very good.”
“I think so.” Tula grinned. “Now, tell me how it all worked out about the rabbit.”
Ian patted Cassie’s hand. “This is one cool lady under fire. You can count on her in a crisis. She’s not afraid of anything.”
“Ian, that’s not so. I was afraid of the rabbit.”
“The rabbit maybe, but not Brad Harrison.”
“He was different. I could outsmart him. He never got the better of me or at least not for long.”
Cassie turned to her friend. “Tula, I want to thank you for the loan of your pendant and return it to you.” She lifted Tula’s sun pendant over her head and passed it to Tula. “Now the rabbit, that is, now that Brad Harrison is dead, I don’t need it.”
Tula nodded as she studied Cassie and Ian. “No, with the man of your dreams, I guess you don’t.” She accepted the pendant and slid it over her head. “I missed it, but you needed it more.” She centered the pendant and leaned back.
Finishing her flan, Cassie licked her lips. “That was so good. You know, I’m still angry that Brad Harrison had the nerve to impersonate a Greenpeace volunteer.”
“So that’s how he got to you?” Ian laughed. “Didn’t I tell you to be careful?”
“You told me to lock my car, and I did.” She sniffed.
“You’re too trusting, Cassie.”
Tula laughed and tapped Ian’s hand. “That’s why she needs you. Cassie I understand, but how did Bradford Harrison get to work for you, Ian?”
He looked pained. “He impersonated another young man, Justin Lord. We think Harrison killed Justin.”
Tula shook her head. “How sad. I told Cassie the person the rabbit represented must be immoral. It sounds like he was. The dream rabbit’s characteristics reflected those of the real person.”
Ian chewed that over. “It’s an interesting theory and fits many of the things we know about Brad. Somehow, I didn’t see Justin like that. He didn’t have friends. I guess that should have told me something.”
A dark haired woman in a long skirt approached Tula. Cassie thought she recognized her as the Tarot card reader from Tula’s party. Tula must have asked her to come.
“Tula, it’s good to see you,” the woman said as she reached the table. “May the light always shine upon you.”
“And on you. Leah Chernowski, you know Cassie Blake, but I don’t think you’ve met Ian McLeod. Ian, Leah. Stay for a bit.”
Cassie gave Tula a puzzled look, but Tula just smiled back and reached for the extra cup.
After shaking hands, Leah took the empty chair. “Well, Cassie, did you find your true love?”
“I certainly did.” Cassie linked arms with Ian.
Leah’s smile lit her whole face. “Obviously, you’ve overcome your hidden enemy.”
“He’s dead, and he can’t hurt anyone anymore. Leah, I’m sorry I doubted you, but my dreams had been so worrisome, and you seemed to know about them. Most people doubt them.” Cassie looked down at her hands and then back to Leah. “To be honest, you frightened me.”
Leah waved it away. “Don’t feel bad. A lot of other people feel the same way. Besides the cards don’t foretell the future. They only help you to identify your choices. I’m glad to see you’ve found happiness.”
Squeezing Cassie’s hand, Ian looked at Leah and Tula. “I doubted her dreams, but not now. They saved my life and brought us together. I have a lot to thank them for.”
Cassie smiled up at him, happy in the love she read in his gaze. “So do I.”
“My grandmother always told me, ‘listen to your heart.’ Now I have.” Ian’s smile said it all.
“A toast.” Tula raised her cup. “To Ian and Cassie, may the light always shine upon you both”
“To Ian and Cassie,” Leah echoed, “the lovers I saw in the cards.”
His eyes aglow with tenderness, Ian looked at Cassie and lifted his cup. “To the woman of my heart.”
Cassie, her eyes brimming, smiled back at him and raised her own cup. “To the man of my dreams, for now and always.
About the Author
Nell DuVall aka Mel Jacob lives in southern Ohio with two cats, plenty of wild birds, rabbits, and squirrels. A world traveler, she has written a variety of books including time travel romance, romantic suspense, speculative fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. She reviews for two websites covering speculative fiction, including fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction. She is also active in the Internet Writing Workshop and on Facebook.com.
Mel Jacob ([email protected]) — Mystery, romance, and beyond
www.Nellduvall.com
Other Works by the Author with Melange
Corpulent Chiropteran in Curious Hearts Anthology
Saving Marta in Christmas Wishes 2012 Anthology
Saving Christmas in Warm Christmas Wishes Anthology
The Three Gifts of Christmas, Holiday Hopes Anthology
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