Page 77 of Myths and Shifts

“I think that’s a good plan.” At the moment they were all in boxes and it was making me twitch every time I thought about it. “Maybe some shelves in the living room for rotating them in and out? Like the Christmas village?”

“I think that’s a good idea.” Sitting up just enough to rest his head on his hands, he frowned. “There’s a word for a shelf that goes around the top of the wall near the ceiling. I need to look up what that is, but we could do it wide enough to put your houses on there.”

He was the best mate ever.

“You take very good care of me.” Giving him a kiss as he blushed, I ran a hand over his head. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Daddy.” Kissing my cheek, he seemed to be doing his best to ignore his blush. “I’m amazing and sticky, though.”

And a master at changing the subject.

“I can help with that.”

We were both amazing mates.

Chapter 22

Merritt

“I didn’t pick the spot. Honest.” I just hadn’t told them no. “I’ll keep it short and meet you over at the council’s office if you’d like that better.”

Daddy raised one eyebrow, making his views on that clear. “You think I’d leave you alone in the diner?”

No.

What had I been thinking?

“I wanted to make sure you knew you had the option, but I know my Daddy.” Looking appropriately skeptical, I rolled my eyes. “I was being polite, but I knew you wouldn’t leave me.”

Keeping my fingers crossed I hadn’t gotten myself in enough trouble that he’d pay attention to what I wanted for breakfast, I looked both ways and started us across the street. “Do you have something to keep you busy? You’re not good bored.”

And he sighed.

“Yes. I have a few things to research. I’m looking at our options for the drive down and I’m putting together a list of places we could live.” His slightly frustrated expression said it wasn’t going well. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Thank you.” Kissing his cheek, I ignored the sigh from the little old lady who passed us because I was pretty sure she was one of the ladies who’d tried to poison Daddy. “I know you’ll figure out wonderful options for us.”

He’d stay busy trying, at the very least.

“You’re sweet.” Kissing my head, Daddy made a thinking sound. “There are a lot of options, though.”

There were.

“I think that’s part of the fun.” And part of his process too. “I still think we should ask Florida Man what he thinks of Orlando. I’ve never been to any of the parks down there.”

I managed not to laugh as he groaned, but it was painfully hard.

“Don’t try to give me a heart attack. It’s just not nice.” Daddy let out a few more dramatic sounds and sighs as we finally approached the diner. “Especially not before we go in here. I’m sure there’s something going on.”

He was probably right, but I hadn’t been looking for it before.

“I think part of the problem is that no one is searching for a spell like that when they come here.” And with magic, intent was a huge part of it. “I’m paying attention now, though.”

Mostly because I didn’t want to accidentally overshare and give Daddy a heart attack. Saying he didn’t like sharing would’ve been a massive understatement.

“Thank you. I know you’ll figure it out.” Letting out a deep breath, Daddy reached for the door. “It’ll be fine.”

He didn’t sound believable at all, but I liked how he worried about me. Telling him that wouldn’t help the situation, though, so I stayed quiet as he held the door open for me. “Thank you.”

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