Page 203 of The Seven Rings
Clover went obvious with Bachman-Turner Overdrive and “Takin’ Care of Business.”
And made Maddy laugh. “Okay, that’s a good one. My kids have been at me about my out-of-date website. So I will think about it. Meanwhile, I’m going to order this fabric, and I’ll let you know when it’s time for us to pick up the sofa and chairs. This has been a pleasure.” She glanced toward the tablet. “And an experience. I do enjoy an experience.”
When she rose, they rose with her.
“I’ll do my best to get them done by the first week in December, but that’s going to depend on how soon I can get the materials.”
“We won’t hold you to that date. But I’m going to get to work on the rest of the room so we’re ready for you when you’re done. We’ll help you carry all this back out.”
“I appreciate it. You’ve got a really special home here. I like knowing some of my work’s going into it.”
After they’d waved her off, they stood together in the breeze while Pye and Yoda wandered.
“Here’s something I never thought I’d say. Cleo, we’re going to have a purple couch.”
“I love it. And I think I’m a little in love with Maddy.”
“She worked in a haunted Scottish castle in her twenties, and in a haunted Irish pub.”
“Now I know I’m a little in love. Oh, Son, look at our tree. It’s that gorgeous golden orange, nearly at peak. This weekend, next week for sure, I’ll start painting it in its fall colors.”
“And tomorrow, I’m going to help you hang your first show in Poole’s Bay. It won’t be the last, but this is the first.”
She wrapped an arm around Cleo’s waist.
The window of the Gold Room shot open with a boom like thunder. Sonya shoved a hand in her pocket, closed it over the stone.
What flew out wasn’t the huge bird, but a bolt of lightning, blackas midnight, that shot like an arrow into the ground, where it snapped and sizzled. For a moment, the world shook.
And the air turned fetid with the stench of sulfur.
“Jesus.” Now Sonya gripped Cleo’s hand. “That’s new.”
“She could’ve hit the pets.”
“But she didn’t. They’re right here with us.” But shaken, Sonya reached down to pick up Yoda as Cleo did the same with Pyewacket.
“She’s just evil, Sonya. Just fucking evil.”
“Evil, but limited. Look over there. Where that bolt hit? The grass should be scorched. At the very least. But it’s not. She wants to scare us, and good job there. But she can’t scare us off.”
Lowering her head, Sonya kissed Yoda’s nose. “And we’ll all be here, Cleo, after she’s gone. Whatever it takes.”
“You’re goddamn right. I’ve been working on something in the studio. I’d like you to come up and see it. I think it’s finished.”
“Your secret project? You understand my exceptional willpower? I haven’t even snuck a peek all this time.”
“I count on that.” After giving the cat a snuggle, Cleo put her down. “So let’s go have a reveal.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The minute they closed the door behind them, the doorbell bonged. After one quick jolt, Sonya just rolled her eyes.
“That’s what they call weak sauce. Anyway, is this painting going in your show?”
“No. Not for sale.”
“Now I’m even more curious.”
