Page 55 of When the Angel Falls First

“Hey, Josie.” I waited to see her state of mind. She hadn’t been the same since the shock of the landlord removing her cats yesterday morning , and I’d been working around the clock ever since to fix it.

“Hey, Caleb. Are you coming by today?” Her voice was quiet. I could tell she needed company.

“Yep. I’m almost done with my plan for the cats. How is operation fix-up-the-taxes going?”

Her voice broke as she said, “It’s not.”

I letthe door handle go and leaned my back against the glass window instead. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I don’t understand any of this. The filing is complicated, the forms are ninety million miles long, and I don’t even know how much I need to pay! How can I fix what I don’t understand?”

“There has to be someone who can help you with it.”

“I called the small-business support line, but they are all booked up and can’t help until next week. By next week, Caleb, the Bookish Cat will only be an empty shell!”

I sucked in a breath, knowing that I had to be careful with my next words. “Desperate times call for desperate measures. And things are desperate, Josie.”

“Are you going to suggest again that I contact my family? Because I thought I made it very clear that?—”

“I can feel your frustration from here.” Literally. I was so attuned to her aura that I could pick it up from anywhere on this continent. Her frustration and despair were a thick, dark cloud. “Only your family gets youthatlevel of twisted up, but this has to be about the bigger picture. I hope you’ll at least consider calling one of them.”

“They told me I’d never make the Bookish Cat work. I’m not about to prove them right.”

I rubbed the spot between my eyebrows, unsure how much to meddle and how much to listen. Being a good angelic friend was hard sometimes. “What about Fred?”

“WhataboutFred?”

“Remember what he said at Nana Geraldine’s party? He was warming up to the idea of the shop and even said he might want to stop by. He’salsoa CPA. Maybe you call him and just ask if he’s familiar with the form and can give you some tips. You don’t actually have to tell him the problem, if you don’tfeel like he’ll be understanding. But there was improvement, an olive branch between you two at the party. Maybe calling and asking for his help could be another one.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that.” I could hear the uncertainty, and it broke my heart. No matter how much encouragement I gave her, though, she had to be the one to make the choice. The choice to reach out, to open up.

“You don’t have to. It’s just an option. If that one doesn’t work for you, you’ll find one that will.”

“Right, of course. I should probably let you get to your appointment. I’m making you late.”

“I’ve always got time for you, Josie. Late or no.”

“You’re sweet. Go. I’ll figure this out.”

I smiled at the determination in her voice. That was my girl. She never gave up, no matter the odds. It was part of what had drawn me to Josie in the first place. She hadspunk.

“Yes, you will. Talk soon.”

“Bye.”

I hustled into the office and gave the receptionist my name. She was petite, the tips of her ears barely pointed—a fact that was hidden in plain sight by a cleverly placed piercing—and her eyes were a deep purple, but there was no hint of the green skin that most goblins had.

“Dr. Elwyn will be with you shortly. If you’ll just take a seat.” She smiled and pointed me to the waiting area.

Dr. Elwyn didn’t keep me waiting long. She called me back herself, wearing a white coat and purple patterned scrubs. I followed her to the end of a long hallway, to the very last patient-treatment room.

“So, Mr. Starr, what can I help you with?” She tilted her head to the side. “I get the feeling you’re not here for my Western medicinal services. Though, frankly, I’m not sure whatI can offer that you couldn’t do for yourself.” She propped one hip on the small counter and cocked an eyebrow at me in question.

“You’re correct. I’m not personally in need of your services. I’m wondering if you can help someone else for me, though. And I’m open to your preferred method of help, Western orotherwise.” She smiled at that, a sparkle of her inherent magic playing over her skin before she quickly reined it back in. “He’s proven a tough nut to crack, and I think you’re the one for the job.”

“Why can’t you help him?”

“Well, for starters, I’m not an allergist. He’s got a pretty severe cat allergy, but…”

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