Page 35 of His Secret Gift

I’m about to say no when I realize that it won’t hurt. Of course, I also desire more time with her… as much as I don’t want to admit that to myself or anyone else.

“Sure,” I agree.

Kayla grins. “Great.”

I go into my bathroom and get a cup off the counter.

“Is this big enough?” I ask after sitting down at my desk.

“Oh, yeah. You don’t need much.”

She is still standing, and I look up at her slowly. “You’re scaring me a bit, Miss…”

I realize I don’t know her last name.

“Miss—” I prompt her again.

“Allen.”

“Kayla Allen.”Kayla Allen from Aurora, Indiana.It sounds even better this way.

“Indeed. And you’re Jack Shelley.”

“That I am.”

She nods before focusing her attention on the paper cup on the desk. She picks it up after unscrewing the cap and pours a very oddly smelling liquid into it.

I take it into my hands and look inside. “And what is this?”

“Just try it then I’ll tell you.”

I’m skeptical, but I eventually sludge it down my throat. It tastes horrible.

“I know, it’s disgusting. But it works.”

I show her the empty cup. “Will you tell me what it is now?” I then cough and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

She folds her arms and leans against the wall. “A concoction of tart cherry juice, warm milk, and peppermint and chamomile tea.”

Knowing what I drank makes my stomach turn even more. However, the effects are quick. My eyelids are heavier within a few minutes.

I put my arm up and rest my head in my hand.

She chuckles. “Told you. I’ll leave you to sleep, Mr. Shelley.”

I want to tell her not to leave, but I hardly have the energy. Instead, after she walked out and shut the door, I sauntered over to my bed and tipped over.

The next morning,I wake up as refreshed as ever.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” The magic…juicethat Kayla gave me really did the trick. Sitting up, I stretch and yawn before staring at the rushing water from the window.

Then, I hear a few light knocks on the door.

In the hopes that it’s Kayla again, I smooth my hair down and check my breath. It isn’t great. But it will do for now—just so long as she doesn’t get too close.

However, it is Denver who walks in after I say that he can.

“Good morning, sir.”

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