Page 6 of Midlife Shifter Unexpected

Mae smiled warmly at me. “You know, I thought that it really sucked when Sheriff Ted pulled me over when I first got to town, but it was like destiny because I got to meet you that night with your glittering fingernails and red curly hair and you’ve got so much energy and spunk. I don’t even know how you do it.”

“I don’t know how I do it either,” I said. “And you want to know the truth? I’m really exhausted.”

“Can you take a few days off?” Mae asked.

“I probably haven’t had a day off in four years. The hardest thing is the doggy daycare.”

Trina arrived, carrying a large tray full of tons of goodies that she sat down in the middle of the couch table. “Why don’t we get Hilda to stop by? She’s got workers that come and help her at the nursery. Maybe they can give you a hand?”

Mae’s head twisted towards Trina, her eyes wide in surprise. I couldn’t say that I blamed her. I was surprised too. Hilda was the garden store owner who I’d seen at The Estate the other night.

“Are we going to be friends?” I asked Trina.

“I think we’re old enough now. The question is, are we mature enough?” Trina laughed.

“Oh, there is some dirt I am missing here,” Mae said, grabbing one of the cups of tea from the tray and taking a sip. “Lemon and Ceylon black tea, my favorite.”

I sniffed my tea. “Mine smells like it’s got vodka in it.”

Trina laughed. “No, it’s not vodka, but you were going to O’Halloran’s, so I thought you might like something a little tipsy.”

“I’d like it a lot tipsy,” I said with a giggle, taking a big sip of the tea. It tasted like warm elderberries and white lightning.

“I think I just lost all the hairs in my nose,” I said. The warmth of the liquor moved down to the depths of my stomach and, oh my gosh, it felt so good. It felt as though every part of me was waking up and feeling alive.

“Wow, that feels really good,” I said, immediately taking another drag from the cup.

“How come I’m not having what she’s having?” Mae asked.

“There’s a certain drink for everyone and that’s not your drink,” Trina said. “Witches Brew is special. It’s unique. You don’t want to just have what everyone else is having. You need to have something that’s attuned to your body.”

"I still want what she’s having,” Mae said with a smirk.

“No, you don’t,” Trina insisted. “What I made you is perfect for you, Mae.”

I looked back and forth between the two. They were funny as though there was a power struggle between them.

“So come on, tell me what went on between you two.” Mae nudged my elbow, deflecting any questions I was thinking.

I felt really cozy . My whole-body sizzled with energy and a mellow heat radiated from my center.

“Trina stole my boyfriend in high school.” I drained my cup.

“That’s not true. He broke up with you and went out with Hannah,” Trina said. “And then I went out with him afterward.”

“You still shouldn’t have gone out with him. You and I were friends.” I shrugged, putting my cup down on the table with a much louder thud than I had expected.

“You two are seriously arguing over a boy in high school from when you were seventeen?” Mae asked.

“Fourteen and fifteen, because she’s older than me,” I said with a smirk.

“Very funny. I’m only older by three months.” Trina pointed out, refilling my cup.

“It’s amazing how much people know about each other in small towns,” Mae said laughing. “Whatever happened to the guy?”

“Josh? Who knows? He moved out of town to Eugene. Maybe Portland. He may have left the state. He was a nice kid.” I looked at Trina not sure if she knew something more than I did.

“He was a good kisser,” Trina said.

---