Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Liora
It wasn’t Loren Brae I’d hated, specifically, that had sent me running.
The wee town set on the rocky shores of Loch Mirren came into view as I crested the hill in my ancient Fiat, and I couldn’t help but smile at the postcard picture it made.
Colorful buildings toppled over each other, the loch spread out at their feet, with a charming castle tucked in the hills in the backdrop.
Clouds bunched together on the horizon, the sun spearing through the gaps, highlighting the perfectly round island centered in the middle of the loch.
I shivered when I looked at the island. It had always given me the heebie-jeebies, and much like my ability to screw up my life, nothing had changed.
Awareness prickled over my skin as I tore my glance away from the island and kept my eyes on the road, following the instructions my sister had given me.
She lived smack dab in the middle of the wee downtown, in a ground-floor flat that we were most definitely not going to share for any longer than necessary.
In fact, Zara already had a line on a place for me to stay and given my budget constraints, which were heavy, I’d be happy to take anything at this point.
Somehow I needed to figure out how to make money.
I suspected my old fallback, waitressing, was about to come firmly back into my life.
If I wanted to get back on my feet and figure out what I wanted out of my future, I needed some space to deal with the basics first. A place to live, enough money to pay my bills, and only after that would I be able to deal with the heartbreak of having to accept that my astrology career had finally spiraled and crashed in flames.
I’d once thought I’d have my very own shop, pretty shelves lined in crystals and tarot decks, a cozy room for private readings, and a function space to host classes.
I truly believed, down to my pink sparkly painted toes—though the paint was well-chipped now—that everyone could benefit from learning more about their birth chart.
It was self-help in its most elemental form, a tool that could be used to understand oneself more deeply, and a way to help center a decision-making process.
And yet.
Here I was, blinking back tears of frustration, as I shifted into park and heaved in a deep breath, and then another, as I stared at my sister’s front door.
Painted a bright red with a scruffy pad to wipe muddy boots at its foot, it was both serviceable and welcoming.
Just like Zara. My no-nonsense sister always seemed to have the answers to everything, and she navigated the world in almost total darkness.
It was hard living up to her expectations at times.
Still. I would get through this. As I had every other speed bump in the past. Taking another deep breath, I pulled from my endless well of optimism that had fueled me through many a crisis in the past.
“It’s just a new adventure. You’ll maybe even meet some new friends. Z says she loves her new boss.” I quietly cheered myself up as I unbuckled my seat belt and got out of my car. “Plus, you get to see Mitch.”
My sister’s guide dog was a bouncy golden retriever that adored cuddles when he wasn’t working. I was much the same.
Heaving my backpack out of the back seat, I left the other luggage in the boot and went to knock at the door. Barking sounded, and Zara’s stern voice admonished Mitch, before the door swung open.
“Z!” I beamed at my petite sister and drew her in for a hug.
We rocked back and forth like a metronome, and I breathed in her scent.
She’d worn the same perfume forever, a spicy mix of anise and cocoa, and it instantly soothed me.
Being back with Zara meant everything was going to be just fine.
We were a team against the world, not that I particularly enjoyed depending on her to solve my problems, but somehow things always seemed less complicated when I was with her.
Which, admittedly, was at times annoying.
I didn’t want to lean on her as my crutch through every big disaster in my life.
Hopefully, this time, I wouldn’t need to ask too much of her.
Mitch bounded around our feet, clearly not in work mode, and Zara sighed and pulled back.
“Mitch. Sit.”
Mitch sat, instantly, though his bum wriggled in excitement at seeing me. His mouth lolled in a doggy smile, and his eyes were alert as he looked up at me.
“Free for a cuddle?” I asked Z, waiting for her permission.
“Aye, he’s off work.” Zara smiled gently as I dropped to my knees and wrapped my arms around a delighted Mitch, who dragged his tongue across my face as his whole body vibrated in excitement. He was a great dog and he’d made an enormous difference to my sister’s mobility and independence.
“Cuppa tea?” Zara asked, moving confidently through her space, which was set up to her own exacting standards. I’d learned long ago to keep things neat and tidy when I was with her, lest she inadvertently trip over something I’d carelessly left out.
“Please, thanks.” I stood and crossed the room—an open-style lounge and kitchen space—and put my bag on the couch and off the floor. “I’m just putting my backpack on the couch and then I’ll deal with the rest of the luggage later.”
“I’ve already got your place lined up.” Zara filled the kettle and clicked it on, pulled out two sage green mugs, and a box of Twinings.
Her movements were methodical and precise, much like her personality, and I smiled.
Being with her was like the cup of tea she was making for me—warm and soothing.
“That’s shockingly fast. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to swing anything in my budget,” I said, raising an eyebrow. Of course she’d already sorted out my accommodation.
“Loren Brae has had some struggles the last few years, it seems. There are a lot of people heading out to the cities. But I managed to find something serviceable enough. It’s small, but clean and warm.
It’s just a wing of a house, and you’ll have to share the kitchen, I’m told, but you’ll get your own bedroom and lounge room.
Faelan said her client’s friend is renting the space for a little extra income.
He’s watching after the property for his mum who has moved into assisted care and could use the extra money. Parkinson’s, I believe. Such a shame.”
“That’s … a lot of information,” I said, instantly being reminded what living in a small town is like. “I guess that will work. I don’t really cook much anyway, so I’m sure the shared kitchen won’t be a bother.”
“I don’t know the lad, but he’s coming by with keys tomorrow. I paid the security deposit and first month’s rent for you.” Zara’s tone was as measured as the water she poured into the mug, and my stomach twisted.
“Z. You didn’t have to do that. I have savings. Not much. But some.”
“An early Christmas present,” Zara said, turning to me with a small smile. “You know I hate frivolous gifts. It makes me feel good to be able to help, and I know you can use the help. Win-win.”
“Only if you’re certain.” I crossed the room and took my mug from her, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “Love you, Z.”
“You too, L.”
Mitch sat hopefully at the counter, his eyes going from us to a cabinet door.
“Does Mitch want a treat?”
“Mitch lives for treats.” Z’s smile tugged up the corners of her lips. “But go on, he can have one.”
“Yay!” Digging into the cabinet, I found a bone for him, and retreated to the couch, mug and treat in hand. Mitch followed closely and then sat, his eyes staring at my hand.
“Who is the best boy in all the land?” I asked, and Mitch wiggled, but stayed in place. “You are!”
I handed him his bone, and he took it gently, then dropped to the floor to chew happily, clearly agreeing with my assessment.
“I’ve got work in the morning, so you’ll have to meet the landlord, but I figured you’d be fine with that since you’ll be living there.” Zara settled onto a lounge chair with a side table next to it. “You know I’d have you here but…”
“I’d clutter up your space, make you break a hip, and you don’t like sharing your bed,” I deadpanned and Zara laughed, shaking her brown hair back from her shoulders.
“You’re not wrong. But I am so happy you’re back here. I’ve missed you. I mean, I don’t want to live with you, but I have missed having you around.”
“The feeling is mutual. You’re far too uptight for me,” I said, blowing on my tea and taking a sip. Easing back into the cushions, I crossed my legs and grinned as my sister made a rude gesture at me.
“Try navigating the world in darkness and see how you feel about rules,” Zara said.
“Ugh, playing the blind card once again,” I murmured and she laughed.
“Only with you because you’re a pain in the arse,” Zara said.
“But I’m your favorite pain in the arse, aren’t I? Admit it.”
“Aye, my bubbly, sunshiny, chaotic, messy whirlwind of a sister. You are my favorite pain in the arse. Though I certainly have some opinions on your latest snafu. Have you heard what they’re saying about you on TikTok?” Zara shook her head, pursing her lips.
“Och, you have to ignore them.” I’d removed the app from my phone to avoid hearing hurtful things. Denial is thy name and all that.
“I try, but my algorithm keeps serving it up. Don’t you think it’s … it’s time?” Concern flooded Zara’s pretty face.
“I mean, I’m not going to give up on astrology. I love it, Z. You know that. But I do need to figure out why I just can’t seem to make it work. Clearly something’s off if I keep giving bad readings, well at least what people feel like, are bad readings.”
“I mean, there’s a common denominator here.” Zara raised an eyebrow and sipped her tea.
“Bitch,” I gasped, holding a hand to my chest. “Betrayed by my own sister.”
“Never, but I’m also not going to sugarcoat things for you.”
“Och, that much I know.” Sugar and Zara were not friends.