Page 81 of Hot Zone

It had actually been a fun day. I’d enjoyed Samuel’s reaction when he first entered the store. I don’t think most people knew what to expect when they came here. They heard metaphysical and thought it was going to be nothing but crystals and tarot cards and incense. And don’t get me wrong, I had plenty of those, but that wasn’t all my shop was. I also had Roxy’s crocheted animals, Tara Carrington’s macrame, and Jose Garza’s woodwork.

Then, once he got settled in at the table, I’d really gotten a kick out of watching him interact with everyone. I’d been concerned that it might make him uncomfortable since woo-woo wasn’t exactly his thing, and most of my customers were pretty much all in. I shouldn’t have been worried, though, because he was fitting right in.

And just as I decided it had actually turned out to be a good day, the universe had to toss me a curve ball.

“Marsy-pan, where are you?”

“Ugh,” I groaned, covering my face with my hands. Of all the days for my mother to show up, it had to be today.

But Samuel, of course, was right on it. “Dahlia, good to see you. It’s been what, ten years?”

“Since the boys’ graduation, yes, about that.”

“What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were planning to come to town today.” I wasn’t trying to be mean, but she never came to town without letting me know she was coming in case I needed something from the ranch.

“Well, it was an unplanned trip, but I couldn’t come to Vesper and not stop in and see how things were going. Plus, I wanted to make sure you were planning to attend our Festival of Plenty.”

“Festival of Plenty?” I asked. I had no idea what she was talking about, which wasn’t uncommon. She had a habit of acting like she’d already told me about things she’d never mentioned.

“Yes. It’s something new at the ranch this year. See, we have a new family, and they really wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving, and we found a compromise. We’re going to start having the Festival of Plenty at the ranch.”

“I already have plans for Thanksgiving, Dahlia. You never celebrate it, so I’m spending the day with Samuel and his family, so I won’t be able to attend, sorry.”

“Of course, you’d be welcome to join us,” Samuel said. He stepped up beside me, slipped his arm around me, then placed a kiss on the side of my head.

My mother stiffened slightly. “Oh, well, I see I’ve missed a little something here. I didn’t realize you staying with Samuel wasn’t just about the fire at your place. No wonder you wouldn’t come stay at the ranch.”

“Me not staying at the Wildflower Ranch had nothing to do with Samuel and everything to do with the fact that I don’t want to stay at the ranch.”

“I don’t know why not, Mars. It’s such a peaceful place—”

“Where you can spend time with nature and yourself.” I finished her favorite little tagline for the ranch. “I know, Mom, and I love the ranch for you. I’m so happy for you that you’re in a place that fits you and that you love. But it just isn’t for me.”

I don’t know if it was because I called her mom—even though she was the one who wanted to be called by her name—or because I acknowledged her love of the ranch, but her face softened, and she smiled at me.

“I know it isn’t, sweetie. I just wish you were there. I miss seeing your smiling face every day.” She took in a deep breath. “Well, tell me you’ll both be there for the solstice celebration at least.”

Samuel gave me a questioning look, and I nodded. “Yes, we’ll both be there.”

“Well, good. Now, do you need more logs and mistletoe for the yule log classes? Joel will be making a trip to town later this week, and I can send them with him if you need them. Also, while I’m here, I should take stock of your teas. I could send those with him as well.” She started to flit around the store dramatically, kind of like a manic pixie, which was actually a very fitting image of my hippy mother in her bright, flowy clothes and jingly jewelry.

To anyone who didn’t know her, this sudden change from concerned mother to more practical matters might seem odd, but not to me. This was typical of Dahlia. I’d decided years ago that this was who she was. She was about energy work and a collective consciousness, but she didn’t do well with deep, personal, emotional connections.

I think that was why she did so well in an environment like the Wildflower Ranch. People came and stayed for a time, but once they’d received what they came for, they moved on. That had always been hard for me as a kid, but it never seemed to bother her at all. She would just smile at me and say that was the way of things. People come into your life for a season, not a lifetime.

I glanced over at Samuel. Yeah, I didn’t want a season. I wanted so much more. I wanted forever.

Chapter 24

Samuel

I’d spent most of my time the last couple of days at Mars’s shop. But today, I was sitting in my office across from Hawk. Fox had been giving me daily updates from the law enforcement end, but today, Hawk was here to tell me what his team had found, which wasn’t much.

“So there’s just no sign of him?” I asked. It had been three days since Don had taken off, and so far, no one had seen hide nor hair of him.

“Nothing so far.”

“Maybe he left town. I would have if I knew half the city was looking for me.”