“These.” Belinda touched the sparkling earrings that swung from her earlobes. “I got these!”
“A present.”
“Yes! How did you know? It’s the spirit, isn’t it? He told you!”
In fact, it had been a shotgun statement. Almost every woman had jewellery, Belinda was fixated on money, and she dripped with jewellery.
“I’m seeing someone close to you. A lover?”
“My boyfriend.”
“He gave you the earrings.”
“He’s always giving me things.”
Belinda was proving to be a font of information. A few leading questions and she was already doing the work for Shea, all Shea had to do was build on it.
Pretending to ponder, she nodded. “He gives you big things as well.”
“Big things?”
Tread carefully. “Big can have many meanings depending on what you value.”
“He gave me a car.”
“Spirit’s telling me pink. No.” Shea held up a hand when Belinda opened her mouth. “No, it’s red, I’m definitely being told red.”
“My car is red!”
Seeing as how Shea had noted Belinda pulling up outside the shop, hesitating, and then driving off before parking on the other side of the road while Shea had been cleaning the inside of the window and was well able through the perforated window decal to notice the car, there was no denying the colour of it.
“You’re amazing!”
“It’s not me,” Shea said truthfully, adding the lie, “I only repeat what Spirit tells me.”
Belinda leaned forward eagerly. “The lotto?”
Geez, the woman wore jewellery and clothes worth more than Shea’s car and she was still fixated on money. There was also something extremely interesting peeking out of the bag on her lap. The edge of a gilt card with the first few words clear to see, ‘You are invited to-’. Unfortunately, the rest of the card was hidden from view but it was enough for Shea.
Picking up the watch again, she thoughtfully smoothed her thumb over the face before looking at Belinda’s fascinated expression. “I see an invitation-”
“My party!” Belinda squealed.
Shea almost rolled her eyes. The woman was making this way too easy. She smiled. “Birthday.”
“Yes!”
“Spirit is telling me…” She drew out the suspense, watching through lowered eyelashes as Belinda leaned even further forward, her lips parted and eyes shining. “There’s a surprise for you.”
Belinda clasped her hands in delight.
“A big one.”
Belinda’s eyes got brighter.
“Again, Spirit cautions that big is in the value, not necessarily the size.”
“Yes, yes!” Belinda urged in delighted impatience.
“Something good is coming your way.”
Belinda nodded enthusiastically.
“Spirit says buy a lotto ticket-”
“Yes!”
Oh boy. “But Spirit says…” Frowning, Shea touched the fingertips of one hand to her lips.
Belinda watched eagerly.
“Not everything comes from a ticket.”
“But I’ll win some, right?”
“Not necessarily. Buying a ticket can bring good fortune to others.”
Now Belinda was bewildered.
“Buying a ticket means some of the money goes to organisations that do good for others,” Shea explained. “So you give to others.”
“But I want the money.”
No doubting that. Obviously generosity wasn’t part of her character. “By giving, Spirit says you receive.” At her blank look, Shea added, “Your reward for buying a ticket may not be in cash, but in what you get at the party.”
“Oh.” Belinda looked a little crestfallen, then brightened. “But I might still win money?”
“Always a possibility,” Shea said dryly.
“And I’ll get something from my party?”
“That’s a definite yes.”
“Thank you!”
Shea handed back the watch. “That’s all Spirit has for you today.”
Fastening the watch, Belinda beamed. “That was such a wonderful reading, I’ll come again.”
Just what Shea wanted to hear.
“I’ll also tell my friends about you, they’ll all want to see you.”
Even better.
Standing, Shea crossed to the little basket sitting beside the cash register, took out several cards and gave them to Belinda. “Here.”
“How sweet.” Belinda fingered the tiny sprig of dried flower attached to every card. “What’s this?”
“Dried heather for protection.”
Gushing Shea’s praises, Belinda paid and left, a strong waft of expensive perfume in her wake. Locking the front door, Shea flipped over the ‘closed’ sign.
With a yawn, Red looked up from where he sprawled on a small armchair in the corner of the room.
“Yep, business is looking up on our very first day.” Shea patted the cash register. “Makes for a promising future.”
Red rolled over and flopped with a noisy sigh.
“Glad you’re so excited.” She rubbed his tummy.
Purring, Red stretched out his front legs and started treading the air with his paws.
Carrot bounced around the corner of the room holding a toy mouse in his mouth, which he proceeded to toss into the air and dive after in unbridled delight. Landing on the toy mouse, he hunched over it, eyes darting left and right, tail lashing the air.
“Big hunter,” Shea said. “I’m so awed.”
Ginger chose that moment to wander in, cast a jaundice look around and sit down to commence grooming his back leg.
“You boys are going to have to amuse yourselves.” Picking up Red, she ushered his two brothers through the door at the back of the room and shut it behind them, flicking the lock on there as well. “I’m now officially shut for several hours while I go downtown and do a few things, get the shopping in, do the banking, etc. But I’ll be back in time to make tea for you three and Cole, so don’t fret.”
Placing Red on the sofa where he lolled back indolently, she walked out with Ginger following. Carrot was too busy eyeballing Red over the arm of the sofa. No doubt within seconds he’d be bouncing all over his brother.
In the bathroom she removed the fake eyelashes and washed the makeup off her face, breathing a sigh of relief. The make-up helped with her persona, but she wasn’t fond of it. Before her change of career path - she grinned wryly - a more light lipstick was all she ever wore. Now she enhanced her eyes with eye shadow and eyeliner, thickened her lashes with the aid of falsesies, used dark red lipstick, and dressed to appear as though she’d stepped from another time. All part of the act during work hours.
She swapped the floor-skimming dress similar to the one she’d worn the night of the party for a simple white button-up blouse, jeans and sneakers. Gathering up her hair, she bundled it up in a loose bun before grabbing her shoulder bag. As she drove past the shop, she had to admit the front did look good. The potted plants gave it a more natural appearance while the window decal was eye-catching.
Driving towards the shopping centre, she realised she’d have to rethink her shopping time. She hadn’t expected her first day open to be so busy, but from nine until two she’d had a customer every hour. Every customer had proclaimed themselves happy and had promised to spread the word about her amazing readings to their friends. Originally planning on closing at two on Friday to do shopping and banking and reopen at five, she realised she’d be better to be open all day Friday and use Monday, her one day off, to do her own things including shopping and banking. Bit of a bugger using her time for that but it couldn’t be helped. She could juggle the times around once she had more of a pattern established.
For now it’d be Thursday to Saturday open from nine in the morning until nine at night to catch the evening crowds of people out having dinner, going to the pub, on dates, or simply a girls’ night o
ut - or boys’ night, not all her clients were female. Sunday from ten in the morning until four in the afternoon, Monday closed, Tuesday and Wednesday nine in the morning until six in the evening. And, most importantly, she had to be available for booked readings at places if the wealthy invited her. That was a huge money-maker and a sure way to establish an income, however erratic, to plump up the bank balance.
Pulling into the car park, she went into the shops, grabbed a trolley and did the shopping. She had to laugh at the shopping list. Alongside every healthy item she’d put down Cole had written decidedly junky snacks. She bought a few of those for him but ignored the rest. The cat food was a must, the kitty litter, and enough nutritious food for a growing boy to munch on.
After off-loading it all into the car, she headed for the bank. Coming out of the bank, she looked around as someone called out, “Stella!” Approaching from the direction of the shopping centre were Izzy and Mikki dressed in supermarket uniforms.
Shea couldn’t help it. Putting a hand to her brow, she intoned, “I sense you both work serving customers.”
“Your deductive powers are stunning,” Izzy replied.
“Try something else,” Mikki suggested.
“You’ve both been working hard,” Shea added.
“Very true.”
“But not why we hailed you,” Izzy said.
“Hailed?” Shea grinned. “You make me sound like a driver of a horse and cart.” She pretended to tug on her forelock. “Can I be taking yer ladies somewhere?”
“That’s just creepy,” Mikki said.
“That’s offensive. It’s my best imitation.”
Izzy laughed.
Mikki jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “We’re going to the café for a cuppa and a snack. Thought you might like to join us.”
It was tempting, but… Shea hesitated.
“No,” Mikki drawled, “we’re not going to ask you for a free reading, how you do it or anything else. It’s just three girls going for a cuppa. No strings attached.”
A blush stained Shea’s cheeks. “Oh, I didn’t mean-”
“Yeah, you did, but that’s okay.” Linking her hand through Shea’s elbow, Izzy proceeded to steer her along the footpath, Mikki falling in on her other side. “You’re new in town, we’re great company, and it’s our good deed for the day. Right, Mik?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“So I’m just a good deed?” Shea asked.
“It’s a privilege, right?”
Shea laughed. For the first time in a long time she felt comfortable but there was still a small part of her that remained wary. A lesson learned the hard way wasn’t going to be forgotten. Besides, the two women might be friendly and cheerful but she didn’t know them that well.
The café was cool after the warmth of the sun outside, the chairs and tables neatly placed around the room. It had a quiet, cool atmosphere which was soothing after the bustle of shopping and driving through city traffic.
Picking up a menu, Mikki studied it. “Oohh, cheesecake. I feel like cheesecake.”
Izzy contemplated the second menu. “A Spider. Definitely a Spider.”
“Oh yeah,” Shea agreed. “I could do a Diet Coke Spider.”
“Diet Coke makes the calories of the ice cream null and void.” Izzy handed her the menu. “Making it a healthy choice.”
“I do like your thinking.”
“Then I’ll have Diet Coke with my cheesecake.” Mikki snapped the menu shut.
“That won’t work.”
“What do you mean?”
“A Spider is way different to cheesecake,” Izzy said.
“Huh?”
“True. Ice cream melts, thereby making it a drink that is absorbed by the Diet Coke,” Shea explained. “Cheesecake, on the other hand, has to be chewed, therefore it remains a food that isn’t absorbed by drink.”
“Bullshit.”
“I don’t think that’ll work with drink either, but who am I to judge?”
“You might have to go outside to have your afternoon tea. On your own.”
“What about your good deed?”
“Bugger it. I’m not that desperate.”
Shea and Izzy laughed.
Mikki flipped them both the bird.
A waitress appeared at their table. “Hi, I’m Liz. Hey, Mikki, Izzy.”
“This is Stella,” Izzy introduced Shea.
“Hi.” Shea nodded to Liz.
“Hi back. New to town?”
“Yep.”
“Like it so far?”
“What’s not to like?” Mikki queried. “She’s right beside Wells Security, so she has all these hot men in uniform coming and going.”
Liz grinned. “Lucky girl.”
“Man in uniform,” Izzy said. “What more could you dream of?”
“Does Jason know about that little infatuation of yours?” Mikki queried.
“Sure. You should see the army fatigues I make him dress in.”
Shea’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“No.” Izzy laughed. “Can you imagine his face if I asked him to dress up?”
“She’s not met him,” Mikki reminded her before turning to Shea. “Jason is kind of serious.”
“Not all the time,” Izzy refuted.
“You girls wanting to order anything?” Liz interrupted.
“What? You in a hurry or something?” Mikki queried.
“I have other customers. As entertaining as it is to listen to you two corrupt the poor new girl, my boss will start huffing and puffing if the other waiting customers go elsewhere.”
“Your husband is your boss. Shag him out the back storeroom and he’ll forgive you.”
“Are you kidding me? A shag versus money?”
“Jesus. He pays you for a shag?”
“He’s a tight-arse. Making him part with money involves a crow bar.”
“A crow bar and a tight-arse don’t make for a pleasant picture.”
Liz gave her a dry look.
“Okay, then.” Mikki sat back. “Cheesecake and Diet Coke, please.”
“Diet Coke Spider,” Izzy added. “And could it please have soft serve ice cream instead of the hard stuff?”
Making notations on the small pad she held, Liz nodded.
“I’ll have the same thanks,” Shea said.
“No worries. Be a few minutes.” Liz hurried off.
Leaning back in the chair, Shea looked around. “Nice place.”
“Liz and Frank have had this place since they left high school,” Mikki informed her.
“Old school friends of yours?”
“Yep. They were an item in school, got married at the age of eighteen against all advice-”
“You mean against the tears and threats from their parents,” Izzy put in.
“Oh yeah. Everyone thought they were too young.”
Shea could understand that. The thought of Cole getting married in two years time gave her a mental shudder.
“But they both worked hard, bought this café and have made a go of it. Years passed, they proved everyone wrong by being so happy, and there you go,” Mikki finished. “Not everything predicted comes true.”
Wondering if that was a hint of some kind, Shea slanted her a look.
Mikki slanted her a look back. “Not what you’re thinking.”
Amused, Shea arched an eyebrow.
“If you want to hang around with us, you’re going to have to not be so sensitive.”
“I’m a clairvoyant, I’m supposed to be sensitive.”
“You’re just going to have to put a brake on it, sister.”
Shea laughed.
“Seriously,” Izzy said. “You’re not at work now. This is down time.”
Not to mention unexpected. Seeing the sincerity on their faces, she started to relax.
“So, Stella,” Izzy began.
Okay, relax, but not enough to forget who she was. “Yep?”
“About the ginger cat crossing Aaron’s p
ath…”
“I thought this was down time for me?”
Izzy grinned widely.
Damn it, had she misread the two women? Did they mean to pump her for information after all?
“You got Aaron a good one.” Mikki started laughing.
Unsure just where this was going, Shea studied her.
“Cripes, lady, I saw a ginger cat playing in your front window before you got that fancy sticker thing on it!” Mikki slapped her knee in hilarity. “Oh Lord, I told Luke about it and he cracked up!” At Shea’s wary gaze, she snorted a laugh. “You told Aaron a ginger cat would cross his path. There wasn’t much chance of that not happening, was there?”
Ahh. Now it made sense. Shea grinned. “Guilty as charged.”
“Tell me.” Izzy leaned forward. “Did your cat cross his path yet?”
“As a matter of fact Ginger walked right into his office.”
Izzy grinned widely.
Mikki was agog. “Oh my God! I’d give anything to have seen his face!”
“His expression didn’t really change much, to be honest.”
Izzy laughed as hard as Mikki.
Smiling at their enjoyment, Shea nodded her thanks as Liz set down their order on the table.
“What happened?” Liz queried.
“I might have mentioned Aaron’s facial expression.”
“You mean he has more than one?” Liz shook her head. “Will wonders never cease.”
Shea looked at Izzy who was using the long-handled teaspoon to scoop some ice cream from the tall glass. “I take it Aaron’s poker-face is legendary?”
“Are you kidding me? I’ve only seen his poker-face since I met him.”
“Oh no.” Mikki waved the little fork in the air. “There was that teeny, tiny smile he cracked when Blue tripped over the garden hose and went arse-over-tit.”
“I forgot about that.”
“Blue?” Shea queried.
“Blue’s the baby brother,” Izzy explained. “He’s in the Army, comes home on leave now and again.”
“So the Wells family is large?”
“Nah. There’re three boys - Aaron, Luke and Blue.”
“Three boys would be a handful for any mother.”
“It was their Dad who brought them up.” Mikki forked up some cheesecake. “Their Mum died when they were kids.”
“Sad.” Shea took a sip of the ice cold Spider. “Mr Wells had his hands full, then.”
The Wells Brothers: Aaron Page 9