You've Got Tail (32 page)

I turned my head and kissed the palm of his hand. “You're such a romantic.”

He brushed my hair back from my face. “Damn it, woman. Don't you know by now that I love you? If you don't, then let me say it again. I love you.”

My breath caught in my throat. My heart fluttered.

“Are you going to pass out again?”

“Not this time.”

“Then what's wrong. You look pale.”

I took a deep breath and laughed. “You love me.”

“Yes,” he said. A smile replaced his worry. “I surely do.”

“Good.” I kissed him, enjoying the way his arms felt around me. “I love you too.”

I
t had been a little over a month since Chav's rescue, when we put out our “open for business” sign just in time for Labor Day Weekend. We'd turned the restaurant into a vegetarian deli with a side of palm reading. I wiped the counters and made sure the place looked perfect. Chavvah had healed physically thanks to Billy Bob, though she still woke at night screaming sometimes.

Several people from town helped us to really pull the place together with painting, plumbing, refinishing the floor, and decorating the small bathroom. Even Ruth's son Tyler. He was totally warming up to me. And watching her son Taylor—who was a little thinner and a lot more pleasant than his twin—with Eldin Farraday, I was pretty sure why he hadn't settled down with a woman.

Soon, the whole town, on this holiday weekend, would be traipsing in and out for our very first potluck hosting. I still couldn't believe we'd volunteered. Talk about pressure!

Neville's crimes had rocked the small community, and we would all need time to heal. They voted to bury his head away from his body, along with Sheila, as an eternal punishment. Way harsh, but poetic. Rest in pieces, Neville Lutjen.

The sheriff, through some legwork, found out where the hunters were located. The
Kansas City Star
reported that three business men, John Weatherly, Carl Perkins, and Samuel Wheeldon died in a fire at a private property in Lake Ozarks in early July. Shifter justice had been swift in their case.

Brady Corman checked himself into a rehab center finally. He's getting the help he needs now, and even better, I think he really wants it. Jo Jo's staying with me and Chav at her cabin until Brady comes back home. We manage without getting in each other's way too much. Besides, it's short-term, and I spend most of my nights and mornings at the apartment over the restaurant with Babe.

The bodies, what was left of them, were returned to their families for proper burials or ritual pyres. I tried to attend all the local funerals as a courtesy, but as my psychic ability develops, strong emotions like those nearly put me on my knees.

But today, I told myself, I am going to think happy thoughts. The memorial for the twelve victims is being revealed on the courthouse lawn. It is going to be an event to both celebrate the lives of the hunted therianthropes, and mourn their passing. A way for them to always be remembered. Billy Bob had blessed the groundbreaking.

The memorial, called Twelve Wandering Souls, is beautiful garden set off to the side of the courthouse in a large clearing. It has flower and herb beds surrounded by short marble walls, each dedicated to one of the dead. Jo Jo, Chavvah, Babe, and I all helped with the planting.

The interim mayor, Babel Trimmel, is going to officiate the ceremony. Since he has a college education and a degree in public relations, he was perfect for the job, even if it still bothered me that he might be happier somewhere else.

I felt his presence even before he reached his arms around me and kissed my ear. “You okay?”

“Now I am,” I said, stroking his arms with my fingers.

“Gah!” Chav shouted from the kitchen area. “Get a room, you two.” She'd been happy for Babel and me, but it didn't mean she wanted our hanky-panky thrown in her face.

He just tightened his hold on me and said, “I love you, Sunny Haddock.”

And finally, I believed in a happy ending just for me. “Oh, Babe,” I whispered against his neck. “I love you, too.”

“Jeezus!” Chavvah shouted, throwing a wet kitchen towel at us and turning on the open sign. “Don't make me break out the hose.”

Babel and I smiled at her. My heart wanted to burst from my chest. I was in love with a man who loved me. Only me. I held out my hand to his sister, my best friend, and she took it.

“Okay, girl. Let's get this party started.”

The End

Author's Note

If you enjoyed
You've Got Tail
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Hugs, Renee

 

Renee George is a
USA Today
bestselling author of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, erotic romance, contemporary romance, and romantic comedies that highlight varying themes including traditional, ménage, gay and bisexual relationships. A published author since 2005, she has written and published over 30 books in the past decade. Accolades include: EcataRomance Award for Best Paranormal Erotic Romance and Best Gay Erotic Romance and a Literary Nymph Blush Award for Best Paranormal Romance.

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Other Titles by Renee George

 

Midnight Shifters Series

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Lion Kings Series

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Peculiar Mysteries Series

You've Got Tail

 

The Cocktails Series

The Wallbanger

The Hot Toddy

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The Old Fashioned – Wallbanger 2

The Hurricane – Hot Toddy 2

The Sparkler – Gin Rickey 2

 

The Cull Series

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