Page 45 of A Little Luck

“He wanted to get those Sanderson sisters.” Ryan gives the cat a hug. “They’re mean.”

“They’re witches!” Pinky dances around his shoulder, cautiously petting Fudge’s head. “Black cats love witches.”

“Not those witches,” Ryan argues.

“That was a good save, bro.” Aiden has his arms around Britt’s shoulders, like I want to do with Piper.

We’re all standing around, saying goodnight while the kids wind themselves down from a night of overstimulation, and I want to pull her into a hug, my mind drifting to what I hope is coming later at home, behind closed doors.

“Does Edward like cats?” Owen looks up at Britt, whose hand rests on her baby bump.

“I don’t think Edward knows what to make of Fudge, but he doesn’t seem to mind him.”

“Edward knows a good cat when he sees one.” Ryan turns so Fudge is facing Edward, and we all tense.

The bloodhound only turns his head towards the road leading to Aiden’s house.

“Okay, that’s enough excitement for one night.” Piper steps cautiously between the dog and the cat. “I think it’s time we turned in. The humans and the animals are tired.”

I know I’m tired as hell between the jet lag and not sleeping last night, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

“Cats are nocturnal!” Ryan’s voice is still loud.

“I’m afraid my son is nocturnal.” Piper’s worried eyes meet Britt’s. “Want me to take him off your hands?”

“Of course not, but wait… Where are you staying tonight?” Britt straightens, as if she just realized we never solved that problem.

My chest tightens. I’ve given her an open invitation to stay with me, which she hasn’t taken.

I’m about to repeat it, when Piper replies, “Gwen said I could crash at the Star Parlor. She said there’s a cot in the back room.”

My lips part, but Britt is the first to speak. “That old cot she got from the surplus store? It’s canvas stretched over a wooden frame! You can’t sleep on that.”

“You’re welcome to my garage apartment.” Alex is holding Cass’s hand in both of his.

“I thought that was ‘Cass’s room.’” Piper does air quotes while tilting her head in Pinky’s direction.

“Mama Cass sleeps in Daddy’s bed now.” Pinky pets Fudge with more confidence, and his eyes close with each stroke of her hand. “They’re about to be married.”

“We got busted,” Cass explains.

“What about Jemima?” Piper looks around for Cass’s sister.

I’ve never really thought about how big Alex’s house is, but now I’m mentally cursing him for having so many spare bedrooms.

“She’s staying in the guest room down the hall from Pinky.”

“Taylor Swift is staying at my house.” Pinky nods at the boys. “I don’t need a cat.”

We all glance at Alex and Cass, who crashes her head against her palm. “We’re trying to have a baby, not a cat.”

“I’ll be fine.” Piper jumps in to save them. “I don’t really want to be that far from town anyway—in case a story breaks.”

“Oh, sure,” Britt complains. “Eureka’s a hotbed of breaking news.”

“A lot’s been happening lately.” Piper shrugs. “Now we have those wild pigs to worry about.”

“Wild pigs?” Pinky’s eyes widen. “Do they know karate?”

---