Page 100 of Fatal Thrill
Pretty soon it was down to 900, then750.
As she continued to work, Jaya told more stories. Stories about Shelby, a former Miss Oklahoma, and about Jaya’s spa in Good Hope. The counter dropped to 517, 432,301.
“Mother Mary,” his mom said. “They’re going to run out of kits before I finish my popcorn. I better place my ordernow.”
“I brought you one, Mom. Jaya sent it with me. She said to pamper yourself before the wedding. It’s in mytruck.”
She waved a piece of popcorn at the TV. “That girl’s a keeper. I said it all along. I’m glad you two are honoring our traditions nextweek.”
Two houses, a castle, and three weddings—since Jaya’s mom couldn’t travel, they’d had a small ceremony in Good Hope shortly after Trace and Savanna’s wedding. Because Jon wanted an outdoor ceremony with his family, they’d waited until now for the weather to improve. Their third, and hopefully final binding ceremony, would take place next week out on his mother’sland.
Once Jaya completed the first woman’s facial, the host showcased the set again and warned viewers that they had less than fifty left in stock, and then they brought out the next set, a spa kit for the entirebody.
Before the end of Jaya’s time slot, they had sold out of both sets. The host thanked Jaya and invited her to come back. As Jaya left the stage, waving and smiling—a real smile—Jon finallyrelaxed.
“Jaya did good.” His dad smiled. “I’m happy for you,son.”
For the first time in a long time, Jon wastoo.
“I still think you should have been there for her,” his mom said, sharing popcorn with the dogs again. Nyx left the spot at Jon’s feet to make sure she gotsome.
“You shouldn’t give the dogs popcorn, Mom,” Jon chastised. “And Jaya didn’t want me there. Savanna, Parker, and Shelby were all in the audience and they’re taking her out for a lunch celebration and then shopping for the baby. This was her day, and she knows I supporther.”
“Oh, all right. Go get my facial kit,” Violet demanded. “And I’ll take you to meet your newrecruits.”
Outside, the spring air was crisp, the dogs in their kennels barking at him. His cell rang as he opened the cab door, a new, but still familiar ringtone making him smile. Jaya had switched her tone from the Gypsy song to one by Marvin Gaye—Ain’t No Mountain HighEnough.
“You killed it, sweetheart,” he said uponanswering.
Jaya’s voice was happy, breathless. “We soldout!”
“I know, I watched the whole thing. You were anatural.”
“Neptune Starkicked.”
“No way.” He laughed and slapped a hand to his forehead. “While you were onstage?”
“Yep. While she was on live TV. I think your daughter likes thelimelight.”
After reading some tea leaves, Jaya was even more convinced their baby was a girl. Jon wasn’t about to argue. “Speaking of Neptune, I say we visit Castle O’Sullivan after the baby arrives. Sort of a delayed honeymoon.” With everything going on, they hadn’t had a chance to have an officialone.
“That would be awesome,but…”
“I bought the land, J. The whole place, castleincluded.”
Her exclamation made him smile and was loud enough he had to pull the phone away from his ear. “You did not!” shescreamed.
“I did. Percy’s going to look after it for us and he’s lining up some contractors to start fixing the structure. Meantime, Neptune and your family have free access to the place and thegrounds.”
“Jon Wolfe, I loveyou.”
The bright sun filtered down on him and he closed his eyes and breathed in. “I love you too, Jaya. Enjoy your afternoon with the girls. Buy whatever you want for you and thebaby.”
“Are we still on for dinner with your parentstonight?”
“Yep, and Finn should be here by then as well. We’ll go over the expansion plans with him for the kennels. He’s going to enjoy ithere.”
“I can’t believe all of this,” she said, sighing. “It’s too good to betrue.”
