Page 120

Another laugh bubbles up from my throat. “As much as I hate to say it, it might be a little early for him to meet my parents.”

But I know it isn’t true. It’s not too early. If Rhett suggested we get married tonight, I might just say yes, not because I’m high off being in love—though I am—but because he sees me, and he accepts me like no one except maybe these two people.

And my friends, Rowe and Coco.

But that’s really it. Those people know me the best, and they love me for who I am, just like Rhett does.

My heart swells with happiness as a knock comes from the connecting door.

“I’ve got to go,” I tell my parents.

“Oh?” Mom quirks a brow. “Do you have a hot date?”

“Maybe.” I try to sound mysterious, but I’m smiling like a fool.

“Well, don’t let us stop you. We can’t wait to meet him.”

“Love you, kid,” Dad says.

“Love to you both.” I blow air-kisses and hang up. “Just a minute,” I say to Rhett.

I slip on the other shoe, throw a pashmina over my bare shoulders, and look around the room. Is there anything I’m missing?

My gaze lands on my rescue inhaler. Instinctively, I grab it, shake it. It’s low and needs to be replaced. I’m about to drop it in my purse but stop myself.

I haven’t needed this in days. Rhett helps me relax—all of me, even my diseased and scarred lungs. Not cured, just calmer, steadier.

I slowly place the inhaler in my purse and turn toward the door, ready for a date with my man.

Chapter 39

Cristina

“Natalie, are you gonna ride the piggycorns all night?” Rowe calls out when we arrive.

Natalie, Pane’s little sister, who has a cloud of red spiral curls circling her head, looks up from where she’s bodysurfing atop a small herd of piggycorns.

“I’m gonna ride all night!” She lifts her fist and shouts, “Onward, ho!”

Rhett and I watch as the piggycorns run toward the meadow. As soon as their little hooves touch the grass, the earth beneath them glows white, spreading out behind them as they run.

Glow grass. Not only is it beautiful, but Coco also used it once in a spell that gave Stone Maddox amnesia.

Now both of them come out of the house, his arm slung over her shoulders, to welcome us.

“Rhett, thanks for coming.” Stone unglues himself from Coco and hugs his cousin. “Cristina, glad you could make it.”

“Is Hercules around?” I ask, referring to Stone’s pet sheepicorn. When Stone first found him, he was small and everyone called the creature a lambicorn. But as things grow, names change.

“Yeah,” he says after giving me a quick hug. “He’s in the pasture. Wait. Didn’t you get a bunnicorn?”

I open my purse and pull out Flame. What? She likes to ride in my purse, and she keeps it clean. She doesn’t go potty in there, so I feel safe allowing her to ride inside.

“She’s adorable,” he says, taking her from me. “Coco, look at the bunnicorn. But you can’t keep it, no matter how much you beg.”

She laughs and gives me a hug. The screen door opens and Pane steps out. “Everyone’s here. Thanks for coming, guys.”

“Thank you for the invitation,” Rhett says for us.