Page 191 of Magical Mission
Wearing a cloak far too dramatic for the situation and standing next to my dad, who looked like he’d been recently bribed with bacon to behave.
My stomach dropped. “No.”
Twobble grinned. “What? We came for the snack event. It smelled festive!”
“No,” I repeated, stepping forward.
Keegan tipped his head, saw my daughter, andwinced. “Uh-oh.”
“Yup.”
“What?” Twobble asked, marching forward.
My dad gave an approving snort and tried to follow.
I practically lunged, wedging myself between Twobble and the doorway.
“No magical creatures inside! Not today!” I hissed.
From behind me, Celeste’s voice drifted out, full of curiosity. “Mom? Is that a dog?”
Skye added, “Why does it sound like he’s trying to speak?”
Oh, great. They think Twobble is the dog speaking.
“He’s just snuffly,” I called back. “Old rescue. Very… expressive.”
Twobble tugged on Keegan’s sleeve. “You’re going to have to carry me in a blanket or a basket or something. Pretend I’m a therapy cat. Or one of those really small, angry grandmas, but I’m not standing on the porch all day.”
“Absolutely not,” I whispered, panicked.
Keegan pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly regretting all of his life choices that led to this moment.
“Why don’t I just tell them you’re my oddly shaped uncle who prefers crawling and smells faintly of moss?”
“Flattering,” Twobble said. “Also, not untrue.”
“Back,” I said, trying to push them both off the porch.
“Maeve,” Skye called, laughing, “are you body-checking someone out there?”
“Maybe.”
“Are youblushing?” Celeste called.
“No!” I said far too loudly.
Keegan smirked. “You are alittlepink.”
I shot him a glare and hissed, “You can flirt later. Get them out of here before Twobble starts reenactingLes Misor my dad starts sniffing his behind.”
“I’ll take him around the back,” Keegan offered. “Maybe sneak Twobble into the shed. You know, for safety.”
“Iam notbeing stashed in a shed like a rogue raccoon!” Twobble protested.
Keegan already had my dad’s collar in one hand and Twobble under the arm like a struggling cabbage.
“Play along,” Keegan said. “Just until it’s safe.”
