And Paige learned a little more about the Blackmans. They weren’t awesome people in her book. Not really. But they weren’t the worst, either.
Word spread that Merry had left, though Paige was certain she’d left some spies in place.
Dexx rested Bobby against his shoulder and patted his back. “That was a bit more exciting than anticipated.”
“Understatement of the year.”
“Month. We had a lot going on in one week. I could have a whole new, award winning understatement next month.”
“True enough.” Paige took a sip out of her wine glass and set it back on the dining room table.
Leslie handed Kamden to Tru and retrieved her own glass. “We’re really moving to Portland?”
“Yeah,” Paige said, watching Leah draw in her notepad, bobbing her head to the beat of the music in her earbuds. “I think we have to.”
“To stop Merry?”
“Well, let’s see how bad it is first. The rumors could be exaggerated.”
“I still want out of here.” Leslie propped her feet up in Tru’s lap. “The people here scare me. Not all of them, but it’s hard to figure out who’s okay and who isn’t.”
“But,” Tru said, strapping his son into the bouncy seat beside him, “everyone could have been acting out of character because of a spell.”
“Like the one the Blackmans put on all those people outside the warehouse?” Paige asked. She’d made sure no charges were brought up against them, but she hoped they’d learned firsthand what zealousy did to people.
Leslie shook her head. “No. I still want out. I don’t care.”
“And what are we going to do?” Paige asked. “Where are we going to live? We all need jobs. We need a house. Are we all going to live together again? If so, we need a bigger house. How are we going to afford that? Cost of living is more expensive up there and you get less house for the money anyway. Everything really is bigger in Texas, Les.”
“I have a solution to that, actually.” Tru leaned back and took one of Leslie’s feet, massaging his thumbs into the ball of it. “I have a job offer. Just received it. It’s—” He raised his eyebrows and tipped his head to the side. “It’s good.”
“How good?” Paige asked.
“Let’s just leave it at ‘very’ with an understanding that once we get there, you’ll all have to find a job within a few months.”
“Whoa.” That good?
Dexx narrowed his eyes in thought. “I could open up a PI firm. That could be a good cover.”
“Henry said he could get me a job at the local PD,” Paige offered.
“I’m going to open a wine and soap shop.” Leslie saluted with her wine glass. “I’ve been researching and I make all of our soaps now anyway. That area would be perfect.”
It seemed as though everything was falling into place. Fate?
Or divine assistance?
Ugh. She didn’t want to think of it.
“Rachel.”
“Is being taken care of,” Leslie said with another sip of wine. “Trust me. Nick has been busy.”
“That’s the reason we haven’t seen him?”
“Yes. Just—yes. He’s been busy taking care of Rachel. She won’t be a problem.”
Or she would be, but without any legal backing. That was something Paige could handle.
“Chuck’s moving his pack when we relocate,” Dexx said. “And he’s going to help me with my shift until then.”
“Excellent.” Really, Paige had been surprised Dexx hadn’t had any incidents through everything that had happened. There was only one thing left unsettled, and it ate at Paige. Heather’s killer was still on the loose.
But she couldn’t investigate it. Her team was following up on what they could. The angels were tracking it on their end.
Aside from that, though, her return home hadn’t sucked.
Not at all.
Whiskeys were back together again.
And they were taking the war to the Eastwoods.
SM Blooding is moving to Bozeman, Montana with her husband, Mr. Dork, and his summertime kids, Miss Words and Do-It! Tesla, the ninja cat will also be joining them along with Frankie’s immense collection of yarn. They’re terribly excited about the move and the new life they’re planning to build there.
She’s dated vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, weapons smugglers, US Government assassins, and slingshot welding terrorists. Yes. She has stories.
Find out more about at: www.smblooding.co
A Barrel of Whiskey - (An Urban Fantasy Whiskey Witches Novel) Page 32
