6

People in our orbit and our nice customers seemed to be as tired of the bullshit we put up with as much as we were. There had been some pushback and petty people who yelled at us about shutting down the café Sundays and Mondays and a landslide of people who defended us.

I was shocked to see how many called out those people saying they were probably the reason we had done it and the assholes who let their kids use a damn bakery as a jungle gym. There were tons of comments like that and blasting those who gave us shit praising us that I was a responsible owner who protected her people and there should be more bosses like me.

How lovely to be defended like that. Seriously. It helped a lot.

And made me a bit bold.

I sent piles of treats to the asshole who had sent his daughter to be a spy at the factory. He was some big shot at a bakery chain in grocery stores and had paid people to mess with our Valentine's Day orders. To everyone else, it was a bunch of St. Patrick's Day treats and desserts wishing their company luck and leaving the bad blood of the past behind us.

What he would read was a mocking note asking if he planned to do it again for Easter because my bottom line loved it. That I hoped he enjoyed wasting his money in such a fruitless endeavor and to always be such a fool because I could handle whatever he threw at me.

Oh, and he had a tiny, shriveled, ineffective penis. Men always hated being told that, and I wanted to bruise his ego as best as possible.

But really, I wanted him to seem crazy. Only he would see it because of my power, so as he ranted and raved about the message goading him, others would see a kind message saying I hoped we moved forwards into a brighter future where both our companies thrived.

I was tired of letting too much go. I had too many people to protect, and I wasn't going to make the same mistakes I did in the past. If I learned nothing else from the dream I'd had, I was going to learn that.

It must have worked though because Colton said he was ranting and raving to people that I had threatened him and sounded insane to his people. Several had commented that he had lost his mind because people still loved me, and I came out clean no matter what he threw at me. He had laughed for a good ten minutes after I told him what I'd done.

And the man hadn't messed with our St. Patrick's Day orders. We'd been ready and had more than double ready for the pickups, but no funny business had happened.

We sold all the extras, people learning they could get something extra and others asking if they could get anything when they left the movies… But no one demanding they lost their order confirmations.

The plan worked well. Ridiculously well, and people were thrilled that they had more options than downtown Boston.

We did more sales with the very limited special menu than we had for Valentine's Day even with all the crazy from people trying to sabotage us. So yes, we were never going to be a fad, and we needed to keep scaling up to take over the world as the twins kept saying.

Just to be nice, I made sure we had "extras" that Colton could give out to all of his crews and employees since they had done a lot for us. We gave a lot to all of the covens and even the pack. I went around with Hades, and we filled up every vampire location we'd visited and left a note for them to enjoy.

We had plans to speak with more of his covens and meet them. It would be better if we… Not kept tabs on them but showed them that we were being involved again? Were glad they were doing well instead of the crazy cults and bullshit the wolves were doing?

Yes, that. For sure. I said as much to the few ancients we came across while we were leaving treats. They said they would talk to others, but maybe there was someone else who could distribute the treats instead of Hades himself.

Which amused my brother to no end.

I said if I could get a list of addresses, the twins even could with my power, or I could channel Hades to make the treats and we could just send them that way. Some designated spot where people could always have extra food given times were tough and the economy was always hard for those who lived in the shadows.

Not normally the ancients. You didn't live that long and weren't smart, but especially the young ones struggled.

The ancients were amused as a few coven leaders were struggling after having my desserts, outing themselves as not being good people. One started problems that it had all been a trap to get rid of him since they didn't like him and he'd said some unsavory things… Which led to his head being taken before he'd insulted Hades to his face.

My brother was a bit too amused which meant the vampire that had insulted Hades when he'd reached the underworld. I left it alone. It wasn't my domain or issue to manage.

As long as Hades wasn't torturing people for fun or like a junkie wanting a fix, I didn't care. People needed to be punished, and I liked bad people getting theirs as well.

I went over the line too. It was knowing that we all needed to step back over that line that was important.

So Hades and I kept making more treats and spreading happy and karma. We left pallets at hospitals in different parts of the country that hadn't been expecting them and doing some good.

It was nice and for a split second, just a fraction of a moment, I saw that coldness leave his eyes. Maybe I imagined it, but I would swear until my last day that I saw what I did.

And that hope meant everything to me. It was what I needed more than anything and I would cling to it, share it with Poseidon as well.

But because things were going so well, I decided to take a chance and have lunch with Isiah on Tuesday when the bakery was closed. I deep-cleaned it and had piles of everything I needed to do, but I missed him. I had nothing ready, and my house was basically empty but… I just missed him.

And clearly, he missed me as well when he was over two hours early. I heard his truck pull up the driveway and chuckled, using my power to shower myself and change before appearing at the door and opening it.

"I'm early," he acknowledged sheepishly. "I'm stupid early, but it was sit at home being ready early and stare at the clock and sweat too much or just come here and hope that you didn't think that—"

"I've missed you too," I said, giving the man a break.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," I chuckled, stepping out and walking towards him. "Thank you for being so patient. Things… What happened with Colton and the descendants of my priests had nothing to do with you or even the misstep your coven had. I'm sorry it made me push you away again and—I'm sorry. I've been unfair to you. And then when you tried to help with Demarcus…"

He moved closer and brushed his lips against my cheek but very carefully didn't put his hands on me. "I can be patient, give you all the time you need, but I get too anxious and lost when I feel like we might end. I need you, Arabella. I don't want you to pick Jamie over me. I can be what you need too."

I was quiet a few moments which I knew wasn't nice, but I wanted to consider what he'd said like he always did for me. "I don't feel like it's him or you. I want you in my life. It's not fair, but you being a priest is more complicated for me. I've always said that. I've always been honest about that. Yes, the trip up you had opened an old wound, but what happened with Colton…"

"I know. I know. I just need you to not shut me out."

"I'm trying."

"I know. I know, Arabella. I saw how fast you took that card from Demarcus. He did too. We all did. You want to move on. You don't just lash out or blame your reactions on what happened to you or—you warned me from the beginning. Even when you're harsh, you admit it. I'm just telling you where I'm at too."

I stepped back and searched his eyes. "You're saying you need time with me and communication even if it's not intimate?"

He was quiet a moment before nodding. "Yes, that's what I'm saying. I need to feel part of your life and that you want me in your life."

"Done, because I do." I gestured between us and then to his hands. "That helped. Right now, the idea of a priest touching me is too much. It's not fair but—I don't mean to hurt you, but Jamie isn't complicated. He's also not scary. He lets me—you and Colton are commanding. You are leaders. It's all…"

"Whatever helps you and makes sense," he said gently. "I always knew it wasn't only going to be me."

I blew a harsh breath. "I didn't. I'm just trying to stay afloat."

"We all are," he chuckled, but not dismissively.

I took it that way at least.

But I felt better that we talked a bit and that he understood that I did want him in my life. I did. I liked Isiah. It wasn't just his handsome looks or that his coffee eyes made me settle or his voice soothed me. It was the moment I could look past him being a priest his very presence comforted me.

I liked him.

I went to step towards the door, but he hurried towards the passenger's side saying he had a gift for me.

"I went and picked this up Sunday because the place isn't open until like three today and closed Mondays," he said so fast and in his thick Boston accent that I barely kept up with. He lifted out a huge box and kicked the door closed. "And then I couldn't decide what to get that you would like and the answer was you'd want to try all of it and then it was all in my freezer."

I moved in front of him and made him lower the box. My eyes went wide when I saw what was inside. I threw back my head and burst out laughing.

Sundaes. Massive ice cream sundaes with lids and all kinds of crazy toppings.

"I've really missed you," I said and kept laughing. "Only you would love this for a date, be two hours early, and get this two days early so we could have this fun."

"Glad you're happy," he sighed, looking relieved.

Of course, I was. I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek before hurrying him inside and making him explain.

The Scoop ‘N Scootery had a few ice cream shops around Boston and were insanely popular. They had unique flavors and crazy sundaes with all kinds of toppings with even crazier names.

I made my tablet appear and pulled up the website, immediately dying of laughter as I looked over the receipt and matched up what he showed me. Any place that named a sundae a Fat Rabbit… I was in. Even if I wasn't a big butter pecan fan, I was in. I loved the place, and the flavor combinations were delicious.

"Before we get too into everything, they should soften a bit since the toppings all froze too," he told me. "And I don't think we can eat them all since it's breakfast really. Plus, I brought fish. I thought I could maybe give you your first lesson in smoking fish and we could work on some new meat bun ideas."

He seemed so hopeful it was adorable, like if he thought he would be someone I turned to help for work again that I would turn to him again.

"I just wanted to spend time with you, Isiah. You don't have to always be useful," I told him honestly.

"You're too busy to not be useful around," he mumbled, frowning as if worried I didn't like his idea.

"I'd love to learn how to smoke fish," I hurried to say, nervous he thought I didn't like the idea. "I love the smell of it. It would be nice to know."

"Okay, good."

He went back for the three coolers he'd brought, shrugging when I gave him a funny look as he dragged them all inside. Then he showed me some huge smokers that he thought I might like on my tablet.

ExceptI wasn't a fan of my terrace, so I wanted to handle that first. We shared the first sundae as we talked ideas and even extending it maybe. It was supposed to be expensive and fancy, but all it felt was a hodgepodge to me. There were like different types of huge stones and grass growing in between them which was just a hassle.

And then things were uneven and… I probably sounded like a rich whiney person, but it didn't make sense.

"I honestly like when people have sensible, but it looks fancy like stamped concrete with like the mixed-in sparkly shit in it," he said, taking my tablet from me. He pulled up some Google images of what he was talking about, and I adored what he showed me. It was black, but then we found some fancy-looking gray stuff that wouldn't be as hot as black concrete in the summer.

Done and done.

It took a bit of finagling with my power and adjusting, but then I had a terrace I loved. I even made a level appear and checked I'd done it right.

"I'd give you a contractor's license," he praised after seeing it was level in several spots.

I burst out laughing, knowing that wasn't remotely true. But I thanked him for his help and then put in the smoker he liked best after getting the supplies as well. I had to pop over to the place that sold it while cloaked to get a feel for it all, but that had only taken me a minute or two.

It was so nice and normal to listen to him explain to me about seasoning the smoker for an hour or so before we cooked anything like you would a cast iron skillet. I could listen to Isiah talk about cleaning a damn toilet, his voice was so nice.

He wanted to test out ideas for smoked salmon and cream cheese meat buns and maybe like a fish taco one too. I didn't know how that second one would translate, but I was pretty sure smoked salmon and cream cheese would work with anything short of like ice cream.

And maybe even then… No, probably not. Ice cream might be the line.

He laughed when I told him that. We went inside, and I used my power to prepare the fish and wrap them all up so we didn't have to get dirty. I simply shrugged.

"So what do we do with ourselves now?" he asked, flinching when I did, probably hearing the innuendo. "Sorry, I didn't—"

"No, I know what you meant," I hurried to say, wracking my brain for what to answer though. Then it hit me. "Oh, I was going to ask about over here, with the TV mount. And—you seemed—I don't know—the twins always handle that stuff."

"Sure, I could help you get whatever," he said easily, walking over towards the sofa he'd slept on the other night. He turned back to me and looked a bit awkward. "How about a full tour and another sundae?"

"Even better," I agreed. "Sorry, this did get a bit awkward."

"I didn't mean what I said that way."

I shook my head. "No, of course not. It's just I remembered the other night and… Things have just been awkward and—" I shrugged.

The house was so big it took us two sundaes, and both gave me ideas for desserts and so did the first we ate, so by the time we came back to the kitchen, my counter was loaded with treats. I simply shrugged, but he looked thrilled, his goal also hoping to spark my creativity.

"I really don't know what to do with all of this," I admitted, gesturing to the house. "It's too much, and normally the twins handle it all. The apartment above the bakery was the first time I was much of help, and that was about as much as I wanted to handle."

He nodded along and waved me off when I picked up another sundae. "I cannot keep up with you. I have to tap out, but go right ahead."

"Wuss," I teased, smiling when he did.

"I would look at the listing pictures." He shrugged when I glanced at him. "They normally have professionals do the furniture and take the pictures because they want the best shots. But for a fancy home like this, it would be a professional decorator, right? It would be at least something to give you a good baseline. None of them were bad, right?"

He was a brilliant man.

"No, not at all. I loved them, and it was what drew me to the house. I thought it was all a bit light but yes, that makes sense for listing. I immediately thought the twins and I would spill on white couches."

He chuckled. "Your power would fix that right up."

"Yes, but still impractical." But I immediately pulled up the pictures I had saved since the listing was already taken down or I probably could have found it as recently sold. It always made sense to save the pictures.

The twins had taught me that.

We honestly didn't do that much and what we did was pretty funny. It was more fixing what I didn't like. Like the wood in the study was way too dark. I changed that but didn't furnish it. But I did love the rug and dining room chairs in the listing photos… And hated the table. So for now there was a rug and chairs.

Isiah laughed so hard, but I simply shrugged and moved on.

Overall, it was progress but yeah, it was funny. We had fun and were amused.

More desserts were also on the counters when we finished that, and I'd had enough ice cream by then. It was time to get the fish going, so I also made dough appear and had it set up to rise so that was ready. I was a diligent student, loving how animated Isiah became as he talked about taking care with the fish that would feed us.

I thanked him for the lesson and asked if he wanted something to drink… As I almost tripped over my feet to find Jamie and his mother in the kitchen.

"I apologize," Jamie hedged, glancing between us. "You said you had a date, so I thought you'd be out. Mother and I—"

"It's fine," I immediately forgave. "You're living here too."

"It's a Tuesday afternoon that shocked me," Isiah chuckled nervously. "But I saw you at the factory this weekend, so none of us have normal hours." He cleared his throat and shot Mrs. Kraft a look.

She cleared her throat as well and was the adult in the room and decided to simply handle the awkward. She walked right up to Isiah and extended her hand. "We haven't been officially introduced. Patricia Kraft, Jamie's mom. Most call me Patti."

"Isiah Chase, it's a pleasure to meet you, Patti," he greeted, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I was giving Arabella her first lesson in smoking fish as she was making some changes to the house. You're both more than welcome to join us."

"That's very kind of you, but I'm here to show support for Jamie and Colton's spirit shop," she explained. "The opening weekend is after Easter."

"I saw the sign go up," Isiah said. "The name is great."

"It was Arabella's idea," Jamie praised. "New Experiences since it's alcohol from all over the world and recommends pairings not just picking up a bottle or defaulting to your regular tastes."

I smiled at him. "Plus, it's you and Colton branching out into something new that hopefully will take off. Even the way your sommelier will receive bonuses for tastings, not selling expensive bottles—all of it. It's a testament to doing things differently."

"Yes, I agree," Mrs. Kraft said, clearing her throat and giving me a worried look. "I apologize for not calling first or—"

"It's fine. Really." I gestured between us. "This is fine. In front of others and with your husband being…"

"I let too much go," she accepted, looking regretful. "Sometimes you just drop an argument because you're tired and have a newborn or can't keep having the same fight. Then it happens again." She let out a shaky breath and turned away, wiping under her eyes. "Then you blink and too much is a mess and you're embarrassed how you allowed your husband to treat you."

"I know that feeling well except it was my brother," I comforted. "His wife and others, my own priests. I kept thinking if I was strong and let them see how silly they were behaving, sanity would return to them. They'd see what I was seeing and they'd understand soon without my having to be the one to cause the fight."

She gave me a look of pity, fully understanding my pain. "But it was too late by then. I'm so sorry you know that pain and you suffered so much."

"Me too. For you. Hopefully, there is still time for both of us."

She reached over and took Jamie's hand, giving him a smile when he accepted the gesture. "I'm glad we can fix our relationship." She smiled at me. "And I'm grateful for what you said to him. You were absolutely right."

"I'm sorry, but I'm a bit behind here," Isiah interjected, looking confused.

"I talked to Arabella that I didn't think my mom was being fair about my starting ‘trouble' and wanting to leave my family company," Jamie summed up about our conversation when we'd gone to visit the vineyards. "Arabella said it wasn't that my mom didn't want to support me, but she was too overwhelmed as a mother. Barb was a mess and she'd miss too much."

"It was completely true," Patti accepted. "I knew Barb was a spoiled brat, but to see how far she'd—threatening teenagers at your bakery and signing you and Colton up for a charity auction. There was more and then Jamie's miserable, and my husband is making even more messes. I lost it and yelled at Jamie. None of it was his fault, but I couldn't fail anymore."

"I've been there," I assured her. "When the twins were younger and I was struggling with a curse I didn't even know I had. Parenting isn't easy. Having family isn't easy. Sometimes we need to be smacked back into place as well. As long as we're willing to listen."

"I was, and I thank you for telling Jamie to do that. Truly."

I was glad to hear it and that the relationship could be saved… Because I had a feeling Jamie's relationship with his father wouldn't be.

Nor Patti's with her husband from the sad look in her eyes.