Lost in Las Vegas

by Kristen Painter

  “Lila, small pinch now,” I heard Dr. Brewer say from the other side of the bed.

  There was no response from Lila. Not a moan, not a sigh, nothing.

  I kept my eyes closed. If this didn’t work, I was going to cry like a baby. Snowballs. I was probably going to cry regardless.

  Sin laid his hand over mine. I was afraid to move too much with the needle in my arm, but I was glad for the contact. Then I felt his hair against my fingers, and I realized he must have kneeled beside the bed and was now resting his head near my hand.

  His closeness was comforting but also a reminder of how desperate the situation was. I tried not to think about whether or not I could feel the blood leaving my body, but I couldn’t stop myself.

  I really could feel it. Sort of.

  A soft gasp beside me ended that line of thought.

  “Lila, can you hear me?” Dr. Brewer asked. “It’s all right. I’m giving you a blood transfusion.”

  “Cold,” Lila whispered.

  I opened my eyes. “That’s my fault. It’s my blood.”

  “It’s okay,” Dr. Brewer reassured me. “It’s not just you.”

  What did that mean? Was Lila close to death? I couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears slipped down my temples, dampening my hair. “Is she…?”

  Sin kissed my fingers, then pressed them to his cheek.

  Dr. Brewer glanced over at me, a stethoscope in her ears. She nodded as she took the end of the stethoscope off of Lila’s chest. “I believe it’s working. I’m just not sure she’s going to be a zombie anymore.”

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Sinclair

  The two most important women in my life were currently asleep, but they were also healthy. Nothing else mattered. Jayne had saved my mother’s life, and while my mom still had some recovering to do, Dr. Brewer felt certain she’d be fine.

  And after a few minutes, Dr. Brewer decided my mother probably would remain a zombie, but thanks to Jayne’s powerfully magic blood, Dr. Brewer thought my mom might not look quite so much like a zombie as she once had.

  I was pretty sure my mom would be okay with that.

  Dr. Brewer had left once my mother had fallen asleep with the command that we call her if any issues arose, although she doubted they would. Besides rest and pain meds if needed, Dr. Brewer said getting my mom back on her moisturizing and vitamin routines should have her up and around shortly.

  I knew my dad was still worried about her. And although he hadn’t said it, probably worried about the show. Tomorrow night would be the third night dark. Gabrielle was going to get what she’d been after all along.

  They’d officially be in breach of contract. That had to be weighing on him, but I also knew my mother’s health was the only thing that really mattered.

  The show would find a new home. Maybe not at a place quite as prestigious as the Oasis, but right now, who cared? I glanced down at my wedding ring. Family was what mattered most. Being together.

  And my parents had that again.

  Aunt Zinnia set the casserole on the table. Birdie had roused a few minutes ago to join Jack, my dad and me at the table.

  “That looks wonderful, Zinnia,” Birdie said.

  “Thank you.” Aunt Z took a seat near my father.

  Birdie inhaled, nodding. “Food is very important for a shifter’s recovery.”

  “So is sugar.”

  We all turned to see Jayne shuffling toward us, a smile on her face.

  I got up from my chair. “You should be resting.”

  She slanted her eyes at me with the kind of long-suffering look I’d grown accustomed to. “I gave blood, not a kidney. I’m fine. Actually, I’m starving, and I need to eat something.”

  “Then you should eat.” After what she’d done, I’d go out and buy her doughnuts if that’s what she wanted.

  “Oh, I’m gonna.” She took the seat next to me, looking up at me expectantly.

  There was no plate. Grinning at her, I kissed the top of her head and went to get a setting for her. When I came back with the plate and utensils, I put the fork and knife down but filled her plate with a good helping of chicken and rice casserole, a spoonful of green beans with bacon, and a biscuit. “There you go.”

  After a few bites, Jayne gave Aunt Zinnia a nod. “You’re a fantastic cook. This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

  “She’s right,” Birdie said. “Your biscuits are pretty impressive for someone who’s not a Southerner.”

  Aunt Z grinned. “I appreciate that.”

  Jack sipped his iced tea. “I’m kind of surprised you’re not married with this kind of ability.”

  Aunt Z laughed. “I’ve had offers. But I’m a very particular woman.”

  Jayne glanced at me while she buttered the other half of her biscuit. “How’s your mom doing?”

  “She’s still sleeping.”

  “Good.”

  My dad put his fork down. “I should go check on her.”

  “No need, sweetheart. I’m right here.”

  A collective gasp came up from everyone. My dad got to his feet and rushed to my mother’s side.

  “Are you okay? I’m not sure you should be up.”

  I understood his concern, but she looked radiant. There was no other word for it. If someone told me she’d just gotten back from a week at the best spa the desert could offer, I’d have believed them. There were no visible spots of flaking skin, and the normal dark shadows under her eyes and in the hollows of her cheeks seemed a lot less than usual. “You look pretty great, mom. Especially considering how you were before.”

  “See? Listen to your son.” She gave my father a sharp but loving poke in the ribs. “Now don’t start babying me. I feel good. A little weak. And also very hungry. Like my daughter-in-law.”

  Jayne smiled. “Probably a side effect of having winter elf blood in your veins.”

  With tears in her eyes, my mother walked over to Jayne. “You saved my life.”

  Jayne stood. “I did what anyone else would have done.”

  My mom pulled her into a hug. “Thank you.” She held on to Jayne, eyes closed, arms tight around her. “I can’t say it enough. Thank you.”

  Jayne just hugged her back, nodding and looking weepy.

  After a few more moments, my mom let her go, pulling back so she could look Jayne in the face. “Your blood must be pretty amazing, because I feel stronger than I have in a long time. And I looked in the mirror. None of my moisturizers or vitamins has ever made me look this good. Maybe it’ll wear off in few days, maybe it won’t, but I don’t care. You did a wonderful thing for me.”

  Jayne sniffed. “I was happy to do it.”

  “I know you were,” my mom said. “Because you are the best daughter-in-law a mother could ever hope for.” She smiled brightly. “Now, I am going to eat.”

  She did too. We all did. Having my mom back and in such amazing shape after everything she’d been through was the only seasoning the meal needed.

  Aunt Zinnia had made enough for an army, but we went through the food on the table like locusts. At one point, she even floated the idea of making another tray of biscuits.

  Jayne put an end to that by reminding everyone that there was still chocolate cherry cobbler to be had.

  My father upped the ante with an announcement there was more than enough French vanilla ice cream to go with it.

  So by the time dessert rolled around, we had groaning stomachs and high spirits. Laughter and merriment filled the house. Even Spider and Sugar joined us, sitting on the stools at the kitchen counter so they could be at eye level with us.

  A few bits of chicken and bacon might have gotten tossed their way, too.

  We all retold our stories from the rescue. How Buck held my dad and Jayne at gunpoint in the barn. How Birdie got shot saving Tony. How my dad slipped away with my mom to keep her secret safe. And how Birdie smoothed everything over by befriending the coyote-shifter police officer.

  When the mea
l was done, Aunt Z served up the still-warm cobbler, and then my dad added a scoop of ice cream to each dish.

  As we tucked in, making all the appropriate happy noises to such a delicious finish to a great meal, my mother raised her water glass. “Thank you all for what you did to help me. If I spent the rest of my life trying, I couldn’t repay you.”

  “Hear! Hear!” my father said, raising his glass as well.

  We all put our glasses in the air and clinked them together.

  My mom took a sip, then put her glass down and smiled at my dad. “I can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow.”

  His brows bent, and he smiled at her like she’d lost her mind. “Sweetheart, that is not going to happen. You need to rest.”

  “Anson.” That tone was the same one that had stopped me in my tracks many times as a child. “I am doing that show with or without you tomorrow. We cannot go dark a third night in a row. You know that.”

  “Lila, you need to—”

  “We’re not discussing it,” my mom said. “The show is happening. End of the conversation.”

  Aunt Zinnia stared over my mother’s head. “Um…why is it snowing in the living room?”

  “Babe,” I said to Jayne. “What’s up with the flurries?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not me.”

  Spider and Sugar jumped down to chase the drifting flakes.

  “Mama,” Spider said. “Snow fun.”

  Sugar caught one and ate it. “Cold treats.”

  Everyone looked at Jayne as the snow continued to fall.

  “It’s not me,” she said. “But…” With a curious grin, she turned to look at my mom. “It might be Lila.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Jayne

  “That’s close. You’ve almost got it,” I told Lila. The men were cleaning up the kitchen after dinner while Zinnia and Birdie were relaxing on the back deck, having a glass of wine.

  Lila and I had retreated to the smaller sitting room because I needed to get Lila comfortable with her new skill before it went sideways.

  She groaned. “I don’t feel like I’m getting it at all.”

  “Think soft thoughts. I know that sounds weird. Like what’s a soft thought? But I promise, that’s how my dad taught me.”

  Her expression darkened a little. “It was easier when I wasn’t thinking about it.”

  I could tell she was getting frustrated with the repeated attempts to master her new winter elf magic, but she was so close, I didn’t want to call it quits just yet. Not when she was picking it up this quickly. “I understand, but that was an emotional reaction. That’s not a good way to use a skill like this. You don’t want to be out shopping, find the perfect little black dress and suddenly there’s a blizzard in the mall, right?”

  She rolled her eyes, sighing. “Nope, definitely don’t want that.”

  I put my hands on my hips and gave her my best encouraging look. “Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’ve just inherited these skills, and in such a short time of having them, you’re doing fantastic.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do say so. And as the first winter zombie, you’re doing an incredible job.”

  She was smiling now. “Okay, here goes again.”

  A couple of seconds ticked by, and then small, delicate snowflakes began to fall in the sitting room. I watched as the first few reached the terracotta tiles. They touched down and vanished without a trace of dampness left behind.

  I pressed my hands together in front of my chest. “You did it!”

  “I did?”

  I nodded. “Yes, that was perfect. Wow, you’re a fast learner. That was amazing.”

  I never anticipated that my donation of blood to save Lila’s life would result in her receiving some of my shimmer powers. So far, making it snow and creating small objects from ice seemed to be the extent of it. I was glad about that. I wasn’t sure how my uncle would feel if someone outside the immediate family could do his slide.

  Lila raised her hands in the air. “Yes!” She clapped, giving herself a little applause. New snow started to fall. “Thank you for your patience.” Then she glanced up. “Oh. I guess I don’t have that great a handle on it as I thought.”

  “That just proves that even though you’re handling these new skills so well, you need to keep practicing. A strong burst of emotion still catches me off guard every once in a while. Promise me you’ll practice.”

  “I will. Trust me, if there’s anything I understand, it’s how necessary practice is for perfecting a skill. Especially one with a magical side.”

  I nodded. “I have no doubt that’s true. It’s probably that familiarity that’s helping you get the hang of this so quickly.” She still looked phenomenal. The transfusion had done wonders for her. But that was all on the outside. “How are you feeling?

  “Good. The weakness is already less than it was when I first got up.”

  I had one more question I had to ask. “Are you nervous about tomorrow’s show?”

  She hesitated. “A little. After all, the last time I went through that tunnel, things didn’t go so well. I think I’m going to ask Anson about putting a stagehand back there. Just to make sure things run smoothly.”

  “A stagehand you trust,” I said.

  “Yes. One we hired. We sort of inherited Buck with the location. But there’s a man named Dex that’s worked with us for a long time. He’ll be perfect.”

  “Good. I think that’s a smart plan. Even if it’s mostly for peace of mind.”

  She nodded. “That’s exactly what I need too, peace of mind.” She smiled again. “How about we go join Birdie and Zinnia for a glass of wine? I think we’ve both earned that. And I promise to practice more tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good to me. But I might have a Dr Pepper instead.”

  She laughed and hooked her arm through mine. “I’m sorry you and Sin are leaving in a few days. It’s so nice to have you here. Nice to have the cats around too. They’re such good company.”

  “They are. And I’m sorry we have to go, too. But it’s our job now.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s a lot of fun traveling in that coach. And I am not a girl who likes camping.”

  “Me either,” she said. “And not just because the last thing anyone wants to see is a zombie walking through the woods toward them.”

  I laughed as we strolled into the kitchen. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

  She waved her fingers at Anson. He was wiping down the counters. “We’d like a glass of pinot noir and a Dr Pepper on the deck.”

  He snorted. “Oh, I see how it is.”

  “Well,” she said, her tone light and playful. “I’m in recovery. And wine is very restful. Come on, Jayne. Let’s go wait for our beverages.”

  I shot Sin an amused look. And not just because he was up to his elbows in suds at the kitchen sink. I wiggled my index finger at him as we walked away. “That’s very sexy, by the way.”

  He rolled his eyes, smirked at me, and went back to his chores.

  It really was sexy. Which was a little surprising. Who knew a man washing dishes in a T-shirt and jeans could be so hot? Or maybe the hotness came from him already being my husband and already being pretty smoking. Whatever the reason, it reminded me what a lucky, lucky girl I was.

  Lila and I went outside, and I was a little surprised to see Spider and Sugar out there, lounging on the deck. They had their collars on, but there was nothing to keep them from wandering. No leashes, no fence. Just the pool and then wide-open yard beyond that.

  “Spider,” I said. “What are you doing out here?”

  He barely glanced over his shoulder at me. “Spider knows, Mama. No running off.”

  Well, at least he remembered that. Although he was starting to remind me of a slightly petulant teenager.

  Sugar looked at me, too. “We know, Momlady. No running off.”

  “Good. You’d better not.” I hoped they really understood t
hat. Maybe a little extra deterrent would help. “Or coyotes might eat you.”

  Sugar sat up. “Coyote?”

  I sat next to Birdie. “It’s like a wild dog.”

  A rather concerned expression took over Sugar’s furry white face. “Sugar don’t like that.”

  Birdie snorted, then lightly slapped my arm. “You’re scaring the babies. Stop that.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry, Sugar, honey. No coyotes will come around here as long as they smell wolf. Aunt Birdie will protect you.”

  Sugar walked over to Birdie, jumped up on her lap, and stared me down as she settled in. “Sugar like Aunt Birdie.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said.

  Birdie laughed as she petted Sugar. “That’s what you get for being a meanie.”

  Before I could protest, Anson came out with our drinks. “Is the kitchen help allowed to join you when our chores are done?”

  Zinnia held up her nearly empty glass. “Only after refills.”

  He laughed. “Okay, on it.”

  In a few minutes and after a round of refills, the men joined us. Sin sat on the deck by my feet, leaning back against my chair. He, Anson, and Jack all brought beers out with them.

  The sky was turning the most amazing colors thanks to the setting sun, and the air had the loveliest hint of coolness to it without a trace of humidity.

  “This is nice,” Anson said. “We never get to do this because of the show every night. But it’s really beautiful out here this time of the evening.”

  “It is,” Lila said. She’d given him her chair only to settle in his lap. He had one arm around her, and I was glad things had resolved with such a happy ending. They were a remarkable couple. A lot like my parents in many ways.

  Lila looked at him. “Doesn’t mean I won’t be happy to get back to work tomorrow.”

  Jack was standing behind Birdie, one hand on her shoulder. She reached up and laid her hand over his. “We’re going to head out in the morning. Off to see the Grand Canyon, then one more overnight before we fly home.”

  “By plane,” Jack said. “Just in case you were wondering.”