Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
It had been a week since the time had changed, and Hannah was almost used to it feeling like it was midnight by five thirty.
The store had been busy all day, which was always a relief for Hannah.
She knew that since Zaina had married Jasper, and his beer had been distributed across the country, the store could run at a loss.
But she would feel like a total failure if New Age Stones and Witch Crafts wasn’t profitable.
Someday she hoped to have her own thriving business, and while it might not be a storefront, she still wanted to know all the ins and outs of keeping a small business going.
Most Sundays, Zaina was off or only came in for a few hours.
Hannah loved her boss, who was more family than her family back in Michigan, but she enjoyed having the run of the shop.
The anticipation of having Kate in one of her places instead of her in Kate’s had made the day feel like it was taking a week to get to evening.
Finally, she got a text from Kate. She’d just finished closing Pupcakes and Clawssaints, and she was on her way.
Hannah rose up and down on the balls of her feet with excitement.
She was looking forward to sharing with Kate something she loved.
Hannah was glad that Kate didn’t belittle tarot reading or New Age Stones and Witch Crafts.
She’d met plenty of people who thought it was all woo-woo nonsense and felt like they had to tell her all about how they didn’t believe in any of it.
Hannah went to the back of the store and got a feather duster; she might as well put her anxious energy to use.
It said a lot about how important the store was to her, since she was dusting the shelves instead of checking her makeup while she waited.
Strange as it sounded, she wanted Kate to be impressed with her management of the store.
The door whooshed open, and Hannah looked up from her dusting.
Her heart took flight when she saw Kate’s slim form in a pair of black jeans and a leather jacket.
Hannah wanted to rush up to Kate and throw her arms around her, but she held herself back.
It seemed like a weird thing to do while she was at work, or maybe it was more that she was afraid Kate would think it was a weird thing to do.
So, there she was, standing in front of Kate, clutching the feather duster, and her mouth felt like it was full of cotton balls.
“Hi,” she squeaked.
Kate ran a hand through her hair and said, “Hey, there.” Hannah was mesmerized by the casual grace of Kate.
“I’d kiss you, but I don’t know if that’s okay, since you work here and all.”
Hannah bit her bottom lip. She held up a finger, went over to the front door, and flipped the sign to closed.
Then she turned the deadbolt. Once that was done, she returned to Kate and grabbed her hand.
She led Kate to the events room, and when she got to the doorway she leaned on the inside of the doorframe and propped up her knee against the frame.
Kate stood in front of her. She placed her hand above Hannah’s head.
Hannah’s breathing was shallow. With her other hand, Kate tucked a finger under Hannah’s chin, tilting her head up. “I can’t, I can’t,” Hannah said.
Kate pulled back immediately, “I’m sorry! What’s wrong?”
Hannah grabbed the lapel of her leather jacket. “Nothing’s wrong!” She could feel her cheeks flushing. “I was trying to say I can’t believe we are basically enacting a scene from a romance book.”
Kate put her hand back above Hannah’s head and leaned in and brushed Hannah’s lips with hers, and then, before Hannah could beg for Kate’s lips to return, Kate said, “I know. This is really hot, right?”
“So hot.” Hannah said, and then her lips were on Kate’s and Hannah felt like her world was perfectly aligned.
It was as if she were the embodiment of the Ten of Cups.
They kissed as if they hadn’t given each other so many orgasms only the night before last. When Hannah felt afraid that they were going to wind up ripping each other’s clothes off and having sex on the table where she’d helped little old ladies create gratitude altars this afternoon, she asked Kate if she was ready for a reading.
“I think I have a good question to ask.”
“Let me get my cards. Do you want something to drink?”
“If you have water, that would be great.”
Hannah got the bag with her cards, and then she walked over to the water dispenser next to the tea station.
When Hannah had started working at New Age Stones and Witch Crafts, Zaina had a mini fridge with bottled water.
Then Hannah had suggested switching to a glass water dispenser to avoid the plastic.
Hannah poured water into a glass and put it down next to Kate.
The store used a local potter’s ceramic mugs for their in-store teas and sold the mugs as well, and Hannah had found a small Midwestern glassware company for their glasses.
Knock on wood, they’d had the glasses in stock all year and not one glass had been broken falling off a shelf or by someone using the glass.
Hannah assumed that was due to the good energies in the shop.
Kate sat in the orange chair. Her long legs were crossed, and her head was resting against the back of the upholstered chair.
Her eyes were shut, and Hannah wondered what she was thinking about.
Hannah’s mind was filled with her, the soft feel of Kate’s breasts against her in contrast to her firm lips on Hannah’s soft ones.
But she needed to push that aside and be a professional right now.
Once they were done, she was planning to invite Kate back to her place; maybe this time she’d come over.
She sat down across from Kate and began shuffling her cards. “I’m just going to shuffle the cards for a couple of minutes to clear my mind and let the energy flow.”
“How long have you been doing tarot readings?”
“I didn’t get interested in tarot readings or anything like that before I worked here. A few years ago, I thought they were just silly. But then after I started working here and spending time with Zaina and all the clients of the shop, I saw that tarot has so much to offer.” She kept shuffling.
“What do you mean?” Kate uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, placing her elbows on the ripped knees of her black jeans.
“People come to the shop to get readings, not because they think the cards are going to answer all their questions, but because they can give clarification and help someone find the right path for them.”
“Okay, I guess that makes sense. So, people don’t really make decisions based solely on the cards.”
Hannah stopped shuffling and took a drink of her water. “I think even if they did make a decision based just on what the cards said, then they were already walking in here with a plan to follow whatever the cards told them.”
“And of course, everyone is going to interpret the cards from their own past experiences,” Kate added.
“Totally,” Hannah said. A little smile snuck out onto her face.
She was so pleased that Kate had listened to her and tried to understand why she was drawn to tarot.
She returned to shuffling the cards. “When I came to Marley Creek, my self-confidence was nonexistent. Thank goodness Zaina decided to hire me. Once I was here, she started telling me about the cards, and after a few weeks of working here, I asked for a reading. I just wanted to know if I would be safe in Marley Creek.”
Kate reached out and patted Hannah’s knee. “I’m so sorry you felt like that.”
“Thank you. I began learning tarot as a way to reassure myself when I started to worry. The cards helped me slowly heal and build up trust in myself. I know that if I keep working on it, someday I’ll be able to make my living via the cards.”
“Are the cards a form of therapy for you?”
“Yes.” Hannah nodded. She hadn’t thought of it as therapy before. “It’s also a meditation for me. The shuffling of the cards can be very soothing.”
“Just watching you shuffle is relaxing. If you talked quietly while shuffling, you could make ASMR videos.”
Hannah chuckled. “I’m ready to do your reading whenever you are.”
Kate cracked her knuckles. “Okay, my question is, will I get the money for the down payment in time?”
Hannah chewed on her bottom lip for a few seconds. “What I have found is that questions that are a simple yes or no answer are hard to see in the cards. The cards are going to give you more nuance than a yes or a no. A question that might give you more guidance or clarity would be like—”
“What is my path to buying the building?”
Hannah hit her knee with her palm, “Yes, exactly! That’s a great question!”
Kate’s eyes lit up, and tingles radiated out from Hannah’s chest. She had to restrain herself from putting down the cards and sitting in Kate’s lap. She cleared her throat and repeated the question to herself softly as she did the last shuffle. Then she held the deck out to Kate.
“Split the deck wherever you want. And turn it over to show a card.”
Kate cut the deck, and the top card was the Five of Swords. Hannah placed it on the table and then pulled a second and a third card. She placed those next to the first card.
Hannah tapped the Five of Swords. “This card represents the past, could be the recent past or further back. It may be that your past is holding you back in some ways. This card is about conflict. Like big conflicts that can involve defeat, competition, sneakiness, and even abusive relationships.”
Kate frowned. “You didn’t tell me I’d feel called out by the cards.”
The corners of Hannah’s mouth ticked up. “They call me out all the time. The middle card shows us your current mindset and situation. The Four of Pentacles is upright, and that shows frugality, saving money, and scarcity. The scarcity could be concrete, or it may just be a feeling of scarcity.”
Kate rubbed a hand down her face, “The accuracy of this reading is scary.”
Hannah clapped her hands together, “Should I stop? Are you okay?”
Kate smiled wanly. “I’m not upset. I’m trying to give you a compliment. Sorry it didn’t come out right.”
Hannah sighed. “Phew, I was worried I’d upset you, like that client I told you about, the one I made cry.”
Kate reached over and rubbed Hannah’s knee again. “I’m sure it wasn’t what you said. There had to be something else going on with her that caused the tears. You’re doing great. I can’t wait to hear about the last card.”
“Okay, this card is all about the most likely outcome. It’s upright.”
“That means it’s good, right?”
“It depends on the card. With this one, it is better that it’s upright. And I hope you’ll see that it’s guiding you to the path you are seeking.”
Kate raised an eyebrow, “The path I am seeking. I love it.”
“This card is the Three of Cups. It’s all about three c’s–community, creativity, and collaboration.” Hannah felt her shoulders drop. She always got a little anxious when she gave a reading. It was so important to her that she got the interpretation correct.
Kate nodded, “I like the future card. It gives me hope and something to brainstorm with. You know, it’s actually already happening, since Dr. Echols, she’s a veterinarian, has signed the agreement to lease next door to me—provided I secure the building.”
“Isn’t it funny how things work? Could there be anyone more perfect to have next door?”
“Exactly. And not that it matters, but she’s a lesbian, and that’s a total bonus. Maybe we can do something together for Pride next year.”
“That would be amazing! I can’t believe the lack of queer-focused events and support in this town.” Hannah’s pulse sped up. “Maybe I can help organize something. I know I’m just figuring things out, but I’d love to get to know more people.”
“There’s no rule that says you can’t figure things out with other people.”
This time Hannah got up and sat on Kate’s lap. She kissed her cheek, and Kate pulled her close.
“Speaking of queer community and all that, are you busy the Thursday before Thanksgiving?” Kate asked.
Butterflies fluttered in Hannah’s stomach. Kate had never asked her if she was free for a future date. “N-no, I mean, I usually work on Thursdays, but I could ask Zaina if it would be okay to leave early. What’s up?”
“A group of us have been getting together for Friendsgiving the week before Thanksgiving. It’s mostly local queer folks, but it’s not like exclusively LGBTQIA.”
“I’d love to! Where at? What should I bring?
Is it just casual, or should I dress up?
” Hannah’s pulse beat at her throat; if she’d been sitting anywhere besides Kate’s lap, she’d be dancing around the room.
Finally, Kate was asking her out. They’d be together in public!
And not just for a simple date, but for a holiday celebration.
Sure, it wasn’t the same as Kate inviting her to her family’s place for real Thanksgiving, but Kate wanted to introduce her to her friends.
This was huge! She couldn’t wait to tell Brandee about this.
Kate kissed the hollow of her throat. “Friendsgiving is at Hop’s Heaven. You can bring anything you’d like. It’s a potluck. It’s very casual, so wear whatever you want. You look cute in everything.”
The butterflies had now left Hannah’s stomach, and warmth spread low in her abdomen.
“Why don’t we get out of here and head over to my place?” Kate asked as she slid her hand between Hannah’s thighs.
Her plan to ask Kate to come over to her apartment forgotten, Hannah gasped and said, “Yes, please.”