We all laughed.
I reached over to rest my hand on Birdie’s arm. “I’m so glad you were both here. You’re the best, Birdie. You really are.”
“Happy to help, Princess. How long are you two staying?”
I sighed. “My dad texted earlier to say he’d call in the morning with our next destination, so I imagine we’ll be leaving tomorrow too.”
Lila’s smile grew a little sadder. “It’s going to be quiet around here without all of you.”
“About that,” Zinnia said. “I’ve decided Canyon Meadows is too boring for me to keep living there. I’m going to move.”
Lila perked up. “Are you going to take the guest house like we offered?”
Zinnia shrugged. “That depends.”
“On what?” Anson said.
“I want us to have a family meal at least once a week.”
Lila nodded. “We can absolutely do that. Anything else?”
Zinnia’s mouth set with new determination. “I want a cat.”
Anson and Lila both smiled and looked at each other. Anson nodded. “I don’t see a problem with that.”
“All right then,” Zinnia said. “I’ll move in.”
Sin sat up a little. “That’s great, Aunt Z. How long will it take you to sell your place at Canyon Meadows, do you think?”
She gave him a sly look. “It sold last week.”
He chuckled. “Then maybe I should be asking how long it’ll take to get the moving trucks here.”
“Thursday,” she answered without a beat. “And I have an appointment to adopt at least one cat at a local rescue the following Saturday.”
“Hold on,” Anson said. “At least one cat? That’s not what you said a second ago.”
“Don’t try me, Anson.” Zinnia arched her brows. “The more you fuss, the more cats I will bring home.”
As we all laughed, I savored the happiness of the moment and gazed at my husband in complete admiration. Not only had I married well, because Sin was such an amazing guy, but how incredible was it to end up with a family like his to boot? They were wonderful, welcoming people.
Getting Lila home would forever be one of the great accomplishments of my life. My heart was full, my soul was light, and I’d never been more in love.
I’d also never been more curious as to where our next adventure would take us.
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About the Author
USA Today Best Selling Author Kristen Painter is a little obsessed with cats, books, chocolate, and shoes. It’s a healthy mix. She loves to entertain her readers with interesting twists and unforgettable characters. She currently writes two best-selling paranormal romance series: Nocturne Falls and Shadowvale. She also writes the spin off cozy mystery series, Jayne Frost. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram
Other Books by Kristen Painter
COZY MYSTERY:
Jayne Frost series:
Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Ices the Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Saves the Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Cracks a Caper: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
When Birdie Babysat Spider: A Jayne Frost Short
Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Happily Everlasting Series:
Witchful Thinking
PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FICTION:
First Fangs Club series:
Sucks to Be Me
Suck it up, Buttercup
Sucker Punch
PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Nocturne Falls series:
The Werewolf Meets His Match
The Gargoyle Gets His Girl
The Professor Woos the Witch
The Witch’s Halloween Hero – short story
The Werewolf’s Christmas Wish – short story
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée
The Vampire’s Valentine Surprise – short story
The Shifter Romances the Writer
The Vampire’s True Love Trials – short story
The Vampire’s Accidental Wife
The Reaper Rescues the Genie
The Detective Wins the Witch
The Vampire’s Priceless Treasure
Shadowvale series:
The Trouble With Witches
The Vampire’s Cursed Kiss
The Forgettable Miss French
Moody and The Beast
Sin City Collectors series:
Queen of Hearts
Dead Man’s Hand
Double or Nothing
Standalone Paranormal Romance:
Dark Kiss of the Reaper
Recipe for Magic
Miss Bramble and the Leviathan
URBAN FANTASY:
The House of Comarré series:
Forbidden Blood
Blood Rights
Flesh and Blood
Bad Blood
Out for Blood
Last Blood
The Crescent City series:
House of the Rising Sun
City of Eternal Night
Garden of Dreams and Desires
Nothing is completed without an amazing team.
Many thanks to:
Cover design: MiblArt
Interior formatting: Author E.M.S
Editor/copyedits/proofs: Chris Kridler