Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Kate Sterling’s stomach growled. She realized she hadn’t eaten anything except a bag of fruit snacks hours ago.
She needed to make a plate of the food she was putting out for the guests for herself.
Glancing at the time on her smartphone, she saw an email notification.
Unable to help herself, she opened it. Mrs. Fisher, the landlord of her building, wanted to discuss her lease renewal at Kate’s earliest convenience.
Kate’s shoulders bunched. She had a terrible feeling about the impending conversation.
Mrs. Fisher’s husband had passed away last fall.
Since then, every time Kate had talked to Mrs. Fisher, she’d been sure to mention that she wanted to sell the building and retire to the Florida Keys.
This building wasn’t just where Kate’s business was located.
It was also her home. She lived in the two-bedroom apartment above the two storefronts that made up the first floor of the building.
The upholstery repair shop that leased the other storefront had closed last year, and no one had moved in.
Her stomach clenched. No wonder she hadn’t eaten.
How could she focus on anything when her business and home were on the line?
A soft voice murmuring distracted Kate from her worry spiral.
Kate turned and watched Hannah. She sat at her table shuffling cards.
Her red hair was plaited into a braid that hung down her back between narrow shoulders.
Her small nose couldn’t seem to keep hold of her glasses.
They continued to slide down as she cut the deck in two.
Hannah’s glossy pink lips pursed as she flipped a card over and placed it on the table.
Kate hated to interrupt whatever Hannah was doing, but she could really use help to set up the snacks and drinks for the people and pets before they started arriving.
Kate knew how much her regular patrons, especially the human ones, loved free food samples.
She paused, wanting to watch Hannah for just a moment longer.
This girl was cute. She had seen her around at local business events, but they’d never done much more than nod hello.
Now that she was right here, Kate could appreciate her subtle beauty.
She rubbed her thumb against the fingers that had been shocked when they’d touched Hannah’s.
There was something about Hannah that made Kate want to get to know her better.
She was almost sure she wasn’t misreading the cues Hannah was giving.
Kate shook her head; she didn’t have time to pursue this line of thought.
It was time for the store event that would basically kick off the holiday season.
This was when she made enough money to survive the lean months of January, February, and March.
Squaring her shoulders, she walked over and stood in front of Hannah’s table.
“Do you have a second?”
Hannah startled and dropped her cards. They slid off the shimmering tablecloth and all over the floor. “Oh, shit,” Hannah said. “I mean, shoot. Oh, shoot.”
Kate was already bent over picking up the cards. “No worries, swear all you want.” Kate straightened and placed them back on the table. “I’m sorry I startled you. I was wondering if you’d mind helping me put out the food and drinks.”
Hannah hopped up. “Sure! Just tell me what to do.” Kate turned around and headed for the back room, which held the small industrial kitchen she used to make her dog and cat baked goods.
“Wow, this is a nice kitchen!”
“It sold me on the space.”
Hannah nodded, and Kate handed her a platter covered with plastic wrap.
“The silver platters are people food, and the gold platters are pet food.”
“What if someone mixes them up?” Hannah asked with a grin.
“Everything I make is people grade, so it wouldn’t be a problem—but we’ll put the people food on the table, and pet food on the counter. Plus, I have little signs.”
“I can’t imagine sharing a cookie with Smoky.” Hannah scrunched up her pert little nose, and Kate had to stop herself from grabbing Hannah’s face and putting a kiss on it.
“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” Kate joked as she walked out of the kitchen, carrying three platters.
They made a couple more trips, and then Kate brought out the drinks. She had two large drink dispensers. One was labeled apple cider, and the other was harvest sangria.
“That sangria looks amazing, but I’d better not drink and read,” Hannah said.
Kate bit her bottom lip. “You know you’re just reading fortunes for animals, right?”
Hannah rolled her eyes, “I know, but it’s not like their owners won’t be right there listening. It’s really for them. I want to do a good job.”
Kate’s heart ached a little. She was a sucker for earnest people. Hannah was very committed to her work, apparently. “Would it help if you practiced on me?”
Hannah waved her hands. “Oh no. I don’t think I’m ready to read a person. Zaina says I need to work on my delivery. I don’t accent the positive.”
Kate furrowed her brows. “Really? You seem so bubbly.”
Hannah frowned. “Not when I’m doing a reading.”
Kate’s stomach flip-flopped. This was supposed to be a fun night for her customers and encourage them to spend a little money while they were here. She’d spent all week making extra batches of pumpkin cookies for the pets. Was this going to be a disaster? She couldn’t afford that.
Hannah rushed over from where she had been putting signs by each of the platters describing the food.
So far, it looked like everything Kate was serving was vegan or vegetarian.
She took Kate’s hand in hers. This time there wasn’t a static spark; instead, warmth spread throughout her at Hannah’s touch.
“I promise I won’t upset anyone. I’m only doing a one-question, one-card reading, and I can find the good in any card, and that’s what I’ll share.
” Hannah released Kate’s hand. Kate didn’t like the lack of contact, so she placed her hand on Hannah’s forearm. “I have faith in you. You got this.”
Hannah blinked quickly and answered quietly as she looked away from Kate. “Thank you,” and then she smiled widely and said, “We are going to have a fang-tastic night!” Kate grinned and shook her head. She is adorable. But maybe too sweet for me.
A chime rang out as the front door opened, and a small ball of tawny fur entered the shop on a retractable leash. The dog was wearing a hot dog costume. A bald man who was about five feet five inches, wearing a mustard bottle costume, was on the other end of the leash.
“Doug, you made it, and in a couples costume!” Kate pulled out a small black pouch and bent down.
She shook out a tiny treat in the shape of a crescent moon and held it out for the Pomeranian to sniff.
“Thanks for coming into the shop for our spooktastic party, Petey-boy.” She patted the dog’s head and then stood back up.
“Thanks for hosting this party, Kate.” Doug’s eyes darted around the store, taking in the table with slider sandwiches, chips and salsa, and then over to the pet snacks.
Kate followed his eyes. “Those pumpkin cookies Petey loves are on the counter.”
Doug nodded and turned toward Hannah’s table.
She smiled widely. “Hi, I’m Maxim, tarot cartologist, and reader of pet fortunes.
” Hannah took a crystal from her bag and placed it on the deck.
Since the cards had fallen on the floor, she needed to clear the energy before she did a reading.
Even though the reading was just for pets, she wanted to be professional.
This was her first tarot reading gig. Hannah took her deck and spread it on the table and then flipped it back and forth.
“Very impressive.” Doug smiled.
Kate mouthed, “Maxim?” and gave Hannah a wink.
Hannah shrugged and said, “Would Petey like a reading?”
Doug glanced at the door and then looked back at Kate. “I thought I heard Celeste was going to be here?”
“Kami did say she was bringing Celeste straight from the beauty salon. She should be here soon,” Kate said.
“That will be nice. Petey always likes to see his friend Celeste.”
Kate gave Hannah a look and said, “He sure does.”
Hannah nodded slowly. Kate rocked on her heels. This was going to be a fun night.