Chapter 25

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  Juliet and Ivy were the first to jump it.

  “Wow ma’am what a home, ma’am the farm would fit in that first level with plenty of room to spare, and it’s bigger inside then outside and wow ma’am”

  “Ivy please, please call me Rose, especially tonight in front of everyone. I’m embarrassed when you call me ma’am. The people from Earth will think I lord it over you. Please I’ve asked you so many times, I’m begging you.”

  “Yes ma ah Rose”

  “Would you like some wine? I've never thrown a big party before and I’m nervous, I think I’d like some wine.”

  “Yes ah Rose.”

  “Thank you Ivy, white or red.”

  “White or red what ma a Rose”

  “Wine, would you like white wine or red.”

  “Red, Rose.”

  Then Lily and Salome arrived with Eldara in tow. Lu and I were passing them glasses of wine when the two Paulas appeared. Talbert struggled to carry a case of wine, which Becker took from her effortlessly. Salome looked a little disappointed that McCracken hadn’t come with Becker. As was I.

  Everyone was admiring the library annex, wondering what it must be like to live with so many books. I pointed out that they weren’t mine, they were Sparky’s but everyone was welcome to any books they wanted. Just talk to Doug and he’ll have copies ready for you before you leave.

  When we went into the dining room the table had morphed from a rectangular table set for twelve to a round table set for 11. I introduced everyone to Doug, Daisy, Eldara and Paula Becker.

  “Eldara, Daisy would like to know how things are at the library?”

  “Boring Daisy, after the excitement you caused. But now I have ghost hunters coming in everyday searching for you.”

  “We’ll have Rose bring us down some day to scare the daylights out of them.”

  “We could have a party for Samhain, I’ll bring the spirits down to entertain the kids.”

  “Me too” said Salome, “and I’ll bring cakes and cookies”

  Eldara said. “That sounds great, Salome. Speaking of kids, Rose, were you able to do anything about the kidnapping?”

  “What kidnapping?” Becker asked.

  “When Daisy still lived at the library, she overheard 4 men plotting to kidnap some girl by a private school in town. I went to the guard, they couldn’t help. I went to the Burgomaster he offered the worst guard I’ve ever met to help me.”

  Lily said. “Rose you’re talking about Dogberry right?”

  “Yep he’s the one, I doubt he’ll help me break into the school, though. There is something going on in there. I just know it.”

  “I’ll break in there Rose. It should be a piece of cake after that museum heist.”

  “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking, I’m offering. Besides, Lu invited me to stay for a few days and this way I could pay you back for the kindness.”

  “She did, ah I didn’t know.”

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  “Not if you don’t want me to.”

  “Of course we want you too.” I so did not want her to.

  “Thank you, like I was telling Lu, ever since we safely made it to England I’ve been bored stiff. That Mexico City heist was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

  Then Salome had to hear all about the heist. Becker was sweet to her in minute detail how she used each baked good that Salome and Lily had provided. Telling her the only thing she hadn’t had to use was the Ghost pie because she ran out of guards to trick. Salome was delighted she proudly pointed out she’d gathered the Ghostapple Skin for the Open Sesame Cookies herself.

  Then Doug said loudly. “Excuse me everyone, Daisy asked me to say a few words that she’s told me in advance. First Eldara, thank you for providing me with a safe and happy home for years. Rose, thank you for giving me a voice and the ability to choose where I live and who I associate with the two Paula’s and Lu, thank you for helping Rose procure the bone that granted my freedom and Me for agreeing not to be a jerk if Rose would help Daisy. To Salome and Lily for providing the magical baked goods that made the heist a success. Thank you one and all.”

  Everybody clapped then Salome said to everyone. “Can I suggest a book for the book club next week?”

  We all agreed.

  “Well then I’d like to suggest we read the Fellowship of the Ring, we can’t visit every location but the ones we can visit will be thrilling.”

  By then it was getting late. Juliet and Ivy came over to me first and Ivy said. “Thank you so much for having me, Rose. I had a wonderful time.”

  “Thank you for coming Ivy, it was lovely to see you as always. Juliet you can’t carry that many books, you can come anytime and get more you know.”

  “I’m just picking up a bunch for the town library. I didn’t realize that Doug can make copies of rare first editions.“

  “Well he is a magical librarian, and a piece of work, but he was on his best behavior tonight. Just bring a list to bookclub next week and we’ll deliver the books to the library.”

  “You’ve come a long way, Rose, from that girl who wanted to live vicariously through me. A long way.”

  “We’ve come a long way together, Juliet, thanks for coming now go before you hurt you back carrying all those books.”

  Eldara came over, “Thank you for having me, this is the best book club meeting I’ve ever been to and we hardly talked about the books. I’m already looking forward to next week’s meeting, you have such interesting friends.”

  “Thanks for coming and keep an eye out for four men plotting together.”

  She laughed. “I will Rose.”

  Lily and Salome said they had such a good time and stayed so late they were skipping the gathering. I thanked them for coming and told them I’d see them tomorrow.

  Salome said. “Bring Becker over for breakfast.”

  “Ok I will.” I looked around for Becker but she was gone and so was Lu. A big pang of jealousy hit. I was going to go look for them when Talbert came over to say goodnight.

  “I’m so jealous of you Rose, you have made yourself a real community. Even my own character would rather live in your world than in mine.”

  “No, I don't believe that Paula. You really put her through the ringer. Betrayed by her own government, the young girl is murdered minutes after talking to her and a desperate escape puts her life and the whole troupe in danger. She just needs to have something to do. She's not the type to just lie on the beach. What about McCracken nothing going on there? I’m still shipping Beckracken.”

  “I don’t know about McCracken, ever since she met you, you're all she talks about.”

  “I don’t know, she and Lu always have their heads together talking over something. They have much more in common. Like you and I do.”

  “Maybe you’re right, anyways I have to go, I need to start writing again.”

  “Me too but I still have a blank outline sometimes it’s just hard to get started. Thanks for coming. See you next week.”

  Then Lu was back, smiling and I knew it right then and there I needed to tell her, even if it made me look like a monster.

  “Lu there’s something I have to tell you”

  “Me too Rose”

  “Let’s go back to our bedroom and talk there.”

  “Ok”

  I sat on the bed sure that Lu was breaking up with me.

  We both said. “One, Two, Three, I’m jealous of you and Becker.”

  “But Lu you two are always talking quietly together, that’s why I’ve been jealous.”

  “Yeah it’s true we are always talking but you know what we’re talking about? You. Question after question all about you.”

  “I’m sorry Lu, it’s not that I don’t trust you, I think it’s just my insecurity. I hated feeling like that, I glad I talked to you about it.”

  “Me too, Rose, it’s just you deserve a woman as accomplished as Becker.”

  “Lu, I love you, as far as accomplishments go you saved my life twice. Becker saved her country, you saved me, besides I’m still shipping Beckracken. Let’s go to bed. I'm exhausted.