by Robbi McCoy
Sophie and Wren turned to look at one another in amazement. Then they left the clearing, walking hand in hand on a curving path, the lights of the party dimming in the distance. Before leaving the park, they stopped and looked back at the flickering lights, looking not unlike forest sprites.
“This has been a magical night,” Sophie observed.
“Oh,” Wren said, leaning against her, “the magic has just begun!”
Sophie nodded. “‘Lovers to bed; ’tis almost fairy time.’”
Raven and Kyle emerged from the shadows, running after them along the path, their filmy green wings flapping behind them.
“Wait for us!” called Raven. “We’re going home too.”
“And here come the fairies,” Wren observed with a lighthearted laugh.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits, and
Are melted into air, into thin air...
We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
—The Tempest, Act IV, Scene 1
Clustered around a table too small to fit four comfortably, Raven, Kyle, Wren and Sophie shared a piece of blackberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream at Pirandello’s, a casual chic dinner restaurant in downtown Ashland. Every time Sophie glanced at Wren, they both broke into joyful smiles tinged with gratitude. Gratitude extended to one another and to the universe at large for bringing them together. Wren was suffused with happiness.
“If you were going to write about this dessert,” Kyle asked, “what would you say?”
“I’d say,” Wren began, knowing such a review would never be written. She smiled to herself. “Let’s just say it’s yummy and leave it at that.”
Sophie looked fondly at Wren and took another bite, her expression revealing that she was thinking about the previous night, better in many ways than their first night together because neither of them had been holding back this time. Neither of them had been afraid of true feeling creeping into their bed. And true feeling definitely had crept in, adding love to their lovemaking. Wren put her hand over Sophie’s where it lay on the table between them.
The wait staff seemed to be on heightened alert all of a sudden as they set a large table for five in a corner, adding a burgeoning vase of fresh freesias. None of the other tables had flowers, Wren noticed. When the waiter brought their check, she asked, “Who’s that table for?”
“The famous food critic, Eno Threlkeld,” the waiter gushed. “He has a reservation at seven. Very exciting!”
The waiter bared his teeth in a smile, then left.
“Indeed!” Wren said.
“God, this is so confusing,” Sophie said. “That’s the real Eno, right?”
Raven nodded. “Whose real name is apparently Eric.”
Right on time, Eno’s party arrived to the delight of the entire restaurant staff, who greeted him with an overflow of goodwill and led him to his roomy table. Eno wore a sport coat and tan slacks. On his arm was his wife Tammy. His mother, brother Klaus and Dena, wearing a lime green skirt and matching knit jacket, followed him in, all of them smiling and carrying themselves like royalty.
Raven waved at them and they all waved back as they took their chairs.
“What a surprise to run into him after all these years,” Wren said.
“And what a surprise for him to find his mother and brother,” Raven added. “All’s well that ends well, I always say.”
The four of them laughed.
“I think he’s going to enjoy this meal,” Wren suggested, watching a waiter pour Eno’s bottled water into a goblet with a curl of lime zest. Their water, served in tumblers, had been tap water.
“An appetizer to start, sir,” the waiter asked Eno. “On the house. The cold lobster ravioli with saffron cream is an excellent choice.”
Wren sighed and turned back to her companions. “And that’s why I didn’t let them know who I was.”
“How could you resist?” Kyle asked. “They’re going to give that guy the best meal he’s ever had.”
“I hope he enjoys the attention while he can. As soon as Bâtarde’s exposé hits the wire, the mystique of Eno Threlkeld will be over.” Wren looked fondly at Sophie.
“You don’t seem very upset,” Kyle observed.
“The curtain comes down on every show eventually.”
“But you could still write restaurant reviews, couldn’t you?” Kyle asked. “You could find a different name. Annie Laurie, for instance. Or be yourself. Do it out in the open and get treated like that guy wherever you go.” He indicated Eno with a nod of his head.
“You’re right, Kyle. I could. And I may go back to it someday, but for now I feel like embarking on a new path.”
“What path would that be?” Raven asked, licking his spoon.
“Tallulah Rose Creamery,” Sophie said, “could use another hand now that Klaus is going seriously into the baking business.”
“You’re going to milk goats?” Raven asked, incredulous.
“And plant beets and carrots,” Wren added. “Put down a few roots.”
“What did I tell you?” Raven said. “Three weeks and they’re moving in together. Women are just no good at casual sex.”
Wren looked at Sophie and laughed. “What would you say, Sophie?”
“I’d say he’s dead wrong. You were fantastic at it.”
“I’d say the same about you. Mind-blowingly good at casual sex. And equally good at the more serious kind.”
“I think we should celebrate,” Kyle suggested. “Let’s go over to the Stratford Inn and have a bottle of champagne.”
“Good idea,” Raven agreed. “I’m just going to say hey to Eno before we go.” He skipped over to Eno’s table.
“Meet you outside,” Kyle said, scooting his chair back. “Got to use the little boy’s room.”
Sophie leaned her head against Wren’s and wound their arms together. “They’re right, you know. We were no good at casual sex.”
“I know. Honestly, how would we even know that? We were in love before we ever kissed one another.”
“Then spent a lot of time pretending we weren’t.”
Wren turned her head and kissed Sophie’s mouth. “I love you, Sophie Ward.”
“And I love you, Wren Landry.”
Wren and Sophie went outside into the still-light evening. A half a block down the street, in front of Sprouts, stood Cleo, Max, Ellie, Ellie’s father Anthony, and a beautiful young woman Wren didn’t recognize. The young woman was dressed casually in a twill pantsuit. She hung upon Anthony’s arm. No longer an Athenian, he wore a tan sports jacket and navy blue slacks and looked like an unremarkable family man in his fifties.
As they approached, the young woman on Anthony’s arm looked in their direction and suddenly Wren knew she was looking at Cassandra. Wow! she thought, what a transformation! Cassandra’s thick hair, previously so wild and unkempt, was pulled tight into a ponytail. She looked completely different and not the least bit scary.
“I’d forgotten how attractive Cassandra was,” Sophie remarked.
The Marcus family stopped at the corner to wait for a light. Ellie waved toward them. Cassandra’s face lit up at the sight of them. She let go of her father’s arm and came running over.
“Hi,” said Wren. “I guess you’ll be going back on stage now, won’t you? You and your father both. I’m looking forward to seeing you perform.”
Cassandra suddenly transformed her face into the visage Wren had so dreaded during the past three weeks and held her arm out, pointing her index finger. “Beware the ides of March!” she hissed. Then she laughed in sheer delight and ran back to her family as they crossed the street.
“No, no!” Wren objected, stamping her foot. “Shit!”
“Oh, dear.” Sophie reached out and put a comforting arm around her. “Try to forget that,” she advised, “between
now and March.”
Her laughter was interrupted by a clattering, clanging metallic sound in the distance. As they stood on the sidewalk, the sound grew louder. Around the corner came a silver sedan trailing strings of empty cans all banging on the pavement.
Wren peered into the car, seeing a man and woman in the front seat. The car neared and moved slowly past them. On the back was a “Just Married” sign.
“Oh, my God!” yelled Sophie. She took off running toward the car.
Confused, Wren ran after her and caught up at the next stop sign where Sophie was at the passenger side window. As she arrived, Wren realized it was Olivia in the car.
“Mom!” Sophie called. “What are you doing?”
“We got married,” Olivia replied, grinning ear to ear. “What does it look like?”
Dr. Connor sat behind the wheel wearing a blue suit and tie. His eyes twinkled joyfully.
“Just like that?” Sophie asked. “Without saying anything?”
“No time to plan a big to-do,” Olivia explained. “Warren has to leave tomorrow for Zambia and I’m going with him.”
“You’re leaving? For how long?”
“Three months. Maybe longer if he signs up for another tour. Don’t worry, Sophie. You’ll be fine now that you’ve got your pretty little Wren here, won’t you?” Olivia patted Wren’s hand where it rested on the windowsill.
Wren nodded. “Congratulations, you two!”
“I’ll see you at home,” Olivia said. “You can make a toast to us and then I’ve got to pack.”
The car moved off, clanging loudly, rounded a corner and disappeared from view. Wren and Sophie returned to the sidewalk.
Sophie looked stunned. Still staring at the empty street, she said, “I didn’t see that coming.”
“Really?” Wren hugged Sophie’s arm close. “Everybody all paired up and happy? You didn’t see that coming?”
Sophie smiled crookedly, then kissed Wren on the mouth as the clattering of the newlyweds’ car receded into the distance.
Publications from
Bella Books, Inc.
Women. Books. Even Better Together.
P.O. Box 10543
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Phone: 800-729-4992
www.bellabooks.com
CALM BEFORE THE STORM by Peggy J. Herring. Colonel Marcel Robicheaux doesn’t tell and so far no one official has asked, but the amorous pursuit by Jordan McGowen has her worried for both her career and her honor.
978-0-9677753-1-9
THE WILD ONE by Lyn Denison. Rachel Weston is busy keeping home and head together after the death of her husband. Her kids need her and what she doesn’t need is the confusion that Quinn Farrelly creates in her body and heart.
978-0-9677753-4-0
LESSONS IN MURDER by Claire McNab. There’s a corpse in the school with a neat hole in the head and a Black & Decker drill alongside. Which teacher should Inspector Carol Ashton suspect? Unfortunately, the alluring Sybil Quade is at the top of the list. First in this highly lauded series.
978-1-931513-65-4
WHEN AN ECHO RETURNS by Linda Kay Silva. The bayou where Echo Branson found her sanity has been swept clean by a hurricane—or at least they thought. Then an evil washed up by the storm comes looking for them all, one-by-one. Second in series.
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DEADLY INTERSECTIONS by Ann Roberts. Everyone is lying, including her own father and her girlfriend. Leaving matters to the professionals is supposed to be easier! Third in series with PAID IN FULL and WHITE OFFERINGS.
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SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE by Karin Kallmaker. No substitutes, ever again! But then Holly’s heart, body and soul are captured by Reyna... Reyna with no last name and a secret life that hides a terrible bargain, one written in family blood.
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MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME by Karin Kallmaker. Take one Next Home Network Star and add one Little White Lie to equal mayhem in little Mendocino and a recipe for sizzling romance. This lighthearted, steamy story is a feast for the senses in a kitchen that is way too hot.
978-1-931513-61-6
2ND FIDDLE by Kate Calloway. Cassidy James’s first case left her with a broken heart. At least this new case is fighting the good fight, and she can throw all her passion and energy into it. 978-1-59493-200-7
HUNTING THE WITCH by Ellen Hart. The woman she loves — used to love — offers her help, and Jane Lawless finds it hard to say no. She needs TLC for recent injuries and who better than a doctor? But Julia’s jittery demeanor awakens Jane’s curiosity. And Jane has never been able to resist a mystery. #9 in series and Lammy-winner.
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FAÇADES by Alex Marcoux. Everything Anastasia ever wanted — she has it. Sidney is the woman who helped her get it. But keeping it will require a price — the unnamed passion that simmers between them.
978-1-59493-239-7
ELENA UNDONE by Nicole Conn. The risks. The passion. The devastating choices. The ultimate rewards. Nicole Conn rocked the lesbian cinema world with Claire of the Moon and has rocked it again with Elena Undone. This is the book that tells it all…
978-1-59493-254-0
WHISPERS IN THE WIND by Frankie J. Jones. It began as a camping trip, then a simple hike. Dixon Hayes and Elizabeth Colter uncover an intriguing cave on their hike, changing their world, perhaps irrevocably.
978-1-59493-037-9
WEDDING BELL BLUES by Julia Watts. She’ll do anything to save what’s left of her family. Anything. It didn’t seem like a bad plan...at first. Hailed by readers as Lammy-winner Julia Watts’ funniest novel.
978-1-59493-199-4
WILDFIRE by Lynn James. From the moment botanist Devon McKinney meets ranger Elaine Thomas the chemistry is undeniable. Sharing—and protecting—a mountain for the length of their short assignments leads to unexpected passion in this sizzling romance by newcomer Lynn James.
978-1-59493-191-8
LEAVING L.A. by Kate Christie. Eleanor Chapin is on the way to the rest of her life when Tessa Flanagan offers her a lucrative summer job caring for Tessa’s daughter Laya. It’s only temporary and everyone expects Eleanor to be leaving L.A... 978-1-59493-221-2
SOMETHING TO BELIEVE by Robbi McCoy. When Lauren and Cassie meet on a once-in-a-lifetime river journey through China their feelings are innocent…at first. Ten years later, nothing—and everything—has changed. From Golden Crown winner Robbi McCoy.
978-1-59493-214-4
DEVIL’S ROCK by Gerri Hill. Deputy Andrea Sullivan and Agent Cameron Ross vow to bring a killer to justice. The killer has other plans. Gerri Hill pens another intriguing blend of mystery and romance in this page-turning thriller.
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SHADOW POINT by Amy Briant. Madison McPeake has just been not-quite fired, told her brother is dead and discovered she has to pick up a five-year old niece she’s never met. After she makes it to Shadow Point it seems like someone—or something —doesn’t want her to leave. Romance sizzles in this ghost story from Amy Briant.
978-1-59493-216-8
JUKEBOX by Gina Daggett. Debutantes in love. With each other. Two young women chafe at the constraints of parents and society with a friendship that could be more, if they can break free. Gina Daggett is best known as “Lipstick” of the columnist duo Lipstick & Dipstick.
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BLIND BET by Tracey Richardson. The stakes are high when Ellen Turcotte and Courtney Langford meet at the blackjack tables. Lady Luck has been smiling on Courtney but Ellen is a wild card she may not be able to handle.
978-1-59493-211-3
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