Page 50 of Enchanted Kisses
To be safe, I went inside the house and had just locked the glass patio door when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I shrieked and scrambled to answer the call.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Pixie Sticks.”
“Oh, Dad.” I tried not to sound disappointed. “I thought you were Raysa.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. How’s California and the conference?” He’d texted me he arrived okay when I was in class earlier, but I hadn’t had the chance to text him back.
“It’s good. Learning a lot. You’d like the garden displays. They’re impressive.”
“That’s great.” I was only half-listening, preoccupied with scanning the backyard for snow or Dagan.
“Have you and Raysa come up with anything fun to do?”
“What?”
“You and Raysa. Have you made any plans yet?”
“Oh, um…yes, actually. We’ve been invited to a party, but I don’t think I’m going.”
“What kind of party?”
“Not that kind. But don’t worry, like I said, I’m not going.”
“Do you want to talk about it? Your mother always said I was a great listener.”
Hearing him speak about her now was even more heartbreaking. I plopped down on a barstool at the kitchen counter. My phone beeped with another call.
“Dad, hang on.” I checked the screen, praying it was Raysa.Finally. I brought the phone to my ear. “Can I call you back? It’s Raysa.”
“Sure, sweetheart. Talk to you later.”
I told him I loved him before clicking over. “Rays? Where are you? Why weren’t you in any classes today? Were you at the manor?” I couldn’t bring myself to say “Realm of Life” over the phone. “Have you talked to Caiden?”
“I’ll answer all your questions if you let me inside.”
“Huh?”
“I’m out front, and I can’t open the door.”
“Oh, hang on. I’m coming!” I set the phone on the counter and sprinted to the foyer.
When I yanked the door open, a wobbly mass of piled-high shopping bags greeted me. At the bottom of the large mound was a pair of familiar silver espadrilles.
“Are you in there?” I asked, wondering how she balanced it all.
I grabbed several bags and put them on the floor inside the foyer. At least a dozen covered the floor, and I still couldn’t see Raysa.
“Why didn’t you get me before unloading?” I asked. “I could have helped.”
“I’m fine. Everything is under control. If you open the door wider, I’ll bring it all in.”
“O-kay.” I was doubtful but swung the door wide open. Raysa, or rather, a stack of walking bags, passed me and continued into the house.
I followed, amazed when she didn’t drop a single bag.
