Catnip Charms: A Nine Lives Magic Mystery by Danielle Garrett

Author:Danielle Garrett [Garrett, Danielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Roots & Wings Press
Published: 2023-09-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

As I stepped onto the deck and joined the rest of the party, I gave the manicured shrubs and planter boxes a cautious glance, looking for any sign of bright blue eyes. It was shaping up to be a beautiful afternoon, warm and sunny, but milder than the height of summer the month prior. Golden pools of sunlight danced on the rippling waters, mere yards from the edge of the lodge’s grounds. The river was slower here, and a dock protruded out into the water, serving as a convenient push-off point for the lodge’s guests.

Laughter and chatter filled the air, mixing with the clinking of glasses from the open bar. After the stuffy, almost claustrophobic brunch, the casual vibe was a welcome relief. I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders as I wove through the clusters of guests on my way to join Clint at the bar.

A large striped umbrella cast a ring of shade over a few small bistro tables. I noted Leanna and Dean sitting at one of them, chatting excitedly over a pair of cocktails.

“I’d say we picked the perfect weekend,” Clint said at my approach. Smiling, he handed me a glass of iced tea. His dark hair resisted the breeze, not a strand out of place. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather!”

“Cheers to us.” I smiled and raised my glass to his before taking a sip of the refreshing drink.

“You want to take one of the kayaks out onto the water?” Clint asked, setting his drink down on the roughly hewn bar.

Before I could reply, Naomi sashayed onto the deck, wearing a barely-there bikini in an orange so bright, she could sit on the highway and direct traffic around a construction zone.

Or, more likely, stop traffic altogether.

“Oh, there you are!” Naomi called out, beaming as she made a beeline toward Clint, with the grace and power of a supermodel walking a runway. “They didn’t have my brand here, so I had to go to the closest market,” she explained with a flickering roll of her eyes as she set a six-pack of hard seltzer onto the bar. “What did I miss?”

Clint turned on his barstool, positioning himself so he was facing the deck instead of me. “Cora was thinking about taking a kayak out. There’s plenty of time before the barbecue dinner tonight.”

Naomi tore her intense gaze away from Clint to give me the barest of glances, a wicked smile curving her lips. “That sounds fun. Don’t worry, dear, I can keep Clint company while you’re gone.”

My mouth parted, though I utterly failed to produce so much as a sound of indignation.

Naomi tore a can free of the plastic rings and held it out toward Clint. “Would you mind getting this for me? I don’t want to chip my polish.”

I rolled my eyes. So much for her newfound manners.

Clint, ever the gentleman, opened the can for her, his face betraying no sign of annoyance.

“You know, I have time scheduled tomorrow for an early morning paddle,” I said, leaning closer to Clint.

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