Page 44 of Air Of Mystery
“Thanks, Sunny.” I nodded as I gathered any remaining napkins, unused plates and cutlery from the shower.
“Looks like my mom and Luna are taking out the last of the gifts to pack into Brynn’s car,” she said.
“Oh. Good. Thanks.” Taking in the room, I saw that Brynn and Cordelia were deep in conversation with Gabriella Marquette. Kenna was chatting with her extremely pregnant bestie, Angela, and also Amanda Beaumont-Parker and Estella Marquette.
Estella had been polite to me during the shower but had kept her distance. I was more than fine with that.
A second later, I found myself in a one-armed hug from Drusilla Midnight-Rivers.
“Beautiful shower,” she said, “and thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome,” I told her. “Brynn especially asked for you to have a table arrangement to take home.”
Brynn stepped forward. “It’s the least I can do, Dru, considering you’re going to share fall florals from the hotel gardens so I can pump up my wedding centerpieces.”
Drusilla grinned. “I’m not going to lie, I’m excited to help you arrange them. I’ve always wanted to learn more about floral design.”
Camilla Midnight-Ames joined our group. “Dru, you do fine. You’ve already been helping Gabriella with the floral arrangements at the hotel for the past few years...”
“This is different,” Dru argued.
“Never hurts to learn more,” I added.
“Exactly.” Dru nodded at that.
Now Amanda joined us, and I tipped my head toward Angela where she sat. “If your sister makes it another forty-eight hours without going into labor,” I said, “I’ll be shocked.”
Amanda smiled. “I overheard her telling Arianna and Kenna that her back is bothering her.”
“Back labor?” Camilla asked.
“Possibly,” Amanda said. “I’ll go and—”
Before anything else was said, my Grandma Althea was standing over Angela and fussing. “You should be home and off your feet young lady!”
“I’m fine,” Angela told her. “Just uncomfortable.”
My grandmother planted her hands on her hips. “I heard you tell Kenna that you only have two days until your due date.”
Angela sighed. “The doctor says first babies are notoriously slow to make an appearance, and that I should get off the edge of my chair.”
Grandma rolled her eyes. “What do doctors know? That baby is ready and so are you. Go home. Rest.”
“Fine.” Angela hoisted herself to her feet and managed about two steps before she froze. “Oh my goddess,” she said in a shaking voice.
As one, everyone rushed toward her. “What’s wrong?” several people asked.
Angela blushed a bright red. “My water broke.”
***
Shortly after six o’clock, I drove around back of the mansion to park by the carriage house. I knocked on Charlie’s front door and waited. After a moment, the door opened.
To my surprise he looked a bit flustered. “Everything okay?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “You weren’t kidding when you said that Witches can get a little wild at a bridal shower.”
I snorted out a laugh. “Suppose you heard about Angela Desroches going into labor?”
