Chapter Twenty-Six #3
She’d taken back what he’d stolen from her. Confidence and the freedom that brought, the relief of feeling safe in her own home, the simple pleasure of a walk in the woods.
She couldn’t and wouldn’t give them up again.
And as Gideon had suggested, she would write it out. When she was ready.
Back in the house, she gave Zorro a treat, then added a log to the living room fire.
“Maybe I should’ve gotten you a party hat. You’d wear it, too. But then I’d wonder about both of us. Here’s what we’re going to do.”
Zorro made his happy noises as she crouched down to rub him head to tail.
“I’m going to go up and deal with some office stuff. I know, I know, we humans always have something. But then, it’s into pj’s. I’m going to make you dinner, and make myself a delicious New Year’s Eve sandwich. We’re going to plop down, snuggle up, and watch movies.”
Since he seemed on board, Arden got to her feet. Her heart lurched when he barked, then raced to the door. Jamming her hand in her pocket, she closed it over her phone. Under the buzzing in her ears, she heard the knock.
And when she looked out the window, saw Jamie.
“You see, you see,” she muttered to herself. “You waste time and energy being afraid of a knock on the door.”
She opened it to Jamie carrying Isis in one arm and a picnic basket on the other.
“Happy New Year’s Eve! I waited until I could be close to positive you’d finished writing for the day.”
“I have. Don’t you have a party to get ready for?”
“Not for hours yet. We’d never get there before nine. And we wanted to spend a little more time this year with you and Zorro.”
“At a picnic?”
“An indulgence picnic. In here I have a thermos of hot chocolate, a container of whipped cream—both made by my own delicate hands. There are petit fours, lighter-than-air macaroons, mini cream puffs, mini cupcakes made by Nick’s baking-god hands. Some lovely dog nibbles as well.”
“That sounds … amazing.”
“Of course. You have a fire going, so perfect.”
He set the basket on the coffee table, opened it. And handed Arden a tiara. “De rigueur for our final indulgence of the year.”
“You brought party hats.”
“Naturally.”
He fixed a tiny and shiny pink hat on Isis, a blue one on Zorro, then put a glittery gold crown on his own head.
Touched, amused, Arden watched him spread a blanket in front of the fire. He took out a container, gave each of the dogs a treat.
“Now sit and be good, and there’ll be more coming. But first.” From the thermos, he poured hot chocolate into oversized cups. “Considering the occasion, there’s a little peppermint schnapps in here.” He added whipped cream, then sprinkled crushed peppermint over it all.
“Well, this is gorgeous.”
“Sit, my queen.”
She sat on the blanket, waited for him to do the same.
“To ending the year with a friend.”
Smiling, he touched his cup to hers. “And to a glorious New Year to come.”
She sipped. Warm, comforting, with a surprising and welcome zip. “Wow, this is just more amazing.”
“I’m hoping the schnapps weakens your resolve so you go up, get your party on, and come with me and Nick tonight.”
“Zorro and I have important plans. Really. We’re going to start with a tearjerker, move to a rom-com, hit it with action, and end, if we last that long, with flat-out comedy. This right here? The perfect party for me.”
He reached in the basket, took out a noisemaker. Blowing it, he made her laugh.
She sampled a petit four, and just closed her eyes. “Honestly, how does he do it?”
Reaching out, Jamie took her hand. “Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room so we can banish it back to the jungle. You hadn’t lost that look in your eyes when you answered the door.”
“I’m doing okay, honestly. No, there’s nothing new. No sign of him, the car, he hasn’t used the credit card again. Gideon thinks he realized his mistake.”
“I’m glad he’s honest with you. I’d hate if Nick placated me.”
“I think he’s stalled—like the story I’m writing. What churns in me, Jamie, is he’ll kill someone else before they stop him.”
“I picture him in a hatchback. I don’t know enough about cars to pick a type, but it’s an ugly poop-brown hatchback. The Hatchback of Destiny. And with him trapped inside, screaming, as it drives off a cliff, where it crashes far below and explodes in a raging inferno of hellfire.”
She sipped some schnapps-infused hot chocolate.
“Wow, that’s some picture.”
“I try not to make enemies. Try not to wish harm on others, even the multitude of assholes who inhabit the world we live in. But let’s be real, he deserves it.”
She leaned over, kissed him. “The Hatchback of Destiny. I’m going to borrow that picture whenever the anxiety hits.”
“It’s all yours.”
“Okay, elephant banished.”
“Good. Now, drink some more adult hot chocolate, because I’m going to ask you for a favor.”
“My prince, you don’t need to ply me with schnapps for me to do you a favor.”
“I want you to pose for me.”
“To—ah…”
“Not a nude.” He waved that away, and gave the dogs another treat.
“This came to me at the last Sunday brunch. Zoey and Boone came, and you, Zoey, and Tessa were standing together, talking. It stuck in my head, how the three of you looked together. Blonde, brunette, redhead, all beautiful and striking in your own ways.”
He offered her a little cupcake. “The Three Fates. I want to paint you as the Three Fates. It’s an entirely new area for me, but I can’t get it out of my head.”
“You mean like in mythology? Greek mythology, right?”
“Exactly. The Moirai, three sisters who spin, measure, and cut the threads of life. I’ve actually done some research on them.
I see Zoey as Clotho—the spinner—you as Lachesis—the allotter—and Tess as Atropos, who cuts the thread.
I’d want you in white, but not like Grecian, not expected.
A modern take. A smart white suit for Zoey, a flowy white dress for you, white jeans and a white denim jacket for Tessa. ”
“You’ve really thought about this.”
Shoulders lifted, he held a hand palm up. “Obsessed with it. I know you’re all busy, and I couldn’t ask you to all be together throughout. If I could do some sketches of each of you, individually and together. Tessa’s on board. I think Zoey will be, especially if you are. So say you are.”
“I have no idea how to pose.”
“It’s my job to help you with that.” Pushing the charm, he smiled. “More hot chocolate?”
She shook her head, laughed. “I’m seriously flattered, Jamie. You know I love your work.” She sipped more hot chocolate. “So, you’ll make me a goddess?”
“Baby doll, you already are.”
“How could I say no?”
He blew the noisemaker again.