Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 599(@200wpm)___ 479(@250wpm)___ 399(@300wpm)
She doesn’t see how very thorny the situation can be.
“I think this is a fantastic love story,” says Aggie. Dottie says nothing, but she looks as unsure as I feel.
I shake my head. “He’s just learning the language from me. Nothing else.”
“Uh huh,” says Aggie. I glance at Dottie and Rabbit, and it doesn’t seem as if anyone believes my answer.
“We’re packing,” I say determinedly, “not grilling me about my private life.”
“So you admit there’s a private life?” Dottie chimes in.
There’s a pillow in my hands, and right now I want to put it over someone’s face and smother them with it. “Stop it already.”
“It’s okay, Mom,” Rabbit says. “We all know Murr likes you. It’s sweet.”
“It’s sweet right now, but I can’t forget that he’s a dragon. I’m not sure if it’s safe for him to be around all the time.”
This elicits a response from Aggie and Dottie both. Dottie gestures at him. “He’s a dragon! This is the safest place to be.”
“Yes, well, what if he asks for more than just a kiss?”
“Who’s he asking?” Aggie counters. “I’d say yes.”
Dottie snorts and nudges her buddy. “Thanks for that mental image, Aggie. No one thinks he’s gonna be asking you.”
“Just volunteering,” Aggie replies cheerfully.
I’m torn between laughing at their banter and wanting to shake them for not seeing how serious this is. Rabbit’s watching me carefully and I shake my head. “I’m not saying that Murr is a bad guy, but kisses can lead to other expectations. Powerful men in charge that give their protection in exchange for a woman’s body doesn’t make things safe for us.”
Dottie looks chagrined. “You have a very good point.”
Rabbit moves to my side, touching my arm. She looks almost offended I would say such a thing. “Murr is a good guy. He’s different from the others. You know he wouldn’t do that, Mom.”
I want to believe her. I do. But I’ve seen how much “good guys” change their tune once they get a bit of power. “We need to get to know him better. That’s all.”
“Then we’ll keep teaching him words.” My daughter is determined. “And he can tell us exactly what he thinks of everything.”
That’s the hope.
CHAPTER 32
DAKOTA
As we tie pillows onto my backpack, there’s a rustle in the bushes. I look up just in time to see a trio of deer bounding away.
Aggie immediately points at them. “Look, Murr! Big meat!”
It’s like he’s been waiting for this moment. With a growl low in his throat, Murr flings himself bodily into the air. A split second later, he’s switched to his dragon form and pushes off the hood of a nearby car with massive claws. He’s in the air and chasing after the deer before I even have time to breathe.
We all stare up at the big golden dragon in the sky, and Aggie laughs with delight. “Well damn, that’s impressive.”
Dottie just huffs, the sound one of amusement as she folds an old sweatshirt. “You just wanted to see him drop his kilt again.”
Oh dear. I don’t know whether to laugh or be alarmed at how randy Aggie is. My grandmother was never like this, and I suspect Rabbit’s wasn’t either. Aggie seems to be her own person for sure.
“Are we taking this?” Rabbit asks, holding up a styrofoam mannequin head. Atop it is a long wig with flowing blonde curls.
“That one is Shakira,” Aggie says. “We don’t leave her behind. She’s for when I’m feeling frisky.”
“When are you not feeling frisky?” Dottie retorts. “And we don’t need Shakira. You haven’t worn her once.”
“But I like the thought of wearing her,” Aggie says. “You never know.”
“I know.”
There’s a lot more crap in the van than I’d expected. The women made it sound as if they were staying there temporarily, but there’s more blankets and pillows and clothing (and wigs) than can fit in our backpacks. I’m contemplating how we’re going to take it all back with us. “I’m not sure this is all going to make it in one trip,” I say. “Maybe we should just get the necessities today and come back some other time for the rest.”
“How did you guys get this all here anyhow?” Rabbit asks, handing the wig over to Aggie.
“Couple of trunks with wheels and some creative rope work,” Dottie says. “At one point we had our bikes practically set up like rickshaws. You can carry a lot like that.”
“Where are they now?” I ask.
“They broke. I think there’s one over on the far side of the parking lot,” Aggie says with a wave of her hand. “Wheels went flat.”
If it rolls, we might still be able to use it, though. I set down my overloaded pack and head off in the direction Aggie gestured, looking for something that resembles a wheeled cart. I pass by Murr’s discarded kilt and pick it up, smiling as I do. He sure loves to feed us. Straightening, I put my hand to my brow and scan the skies for the big dragon. I see his big form in the distance, dipping low over the area where the bookstore is. He might be feeding the cats before he returns to us, or maybe the deer gave him more of a chase than I realized.