Glimmer of Christmas: An Urban Fantasy Holiday Novella by Heather G. Harris

Author:Heather G. Harris [Harris, Heather G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heather G. Harris
Published: 2022-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Jade let out a happy scream as soon as she saw the sack in my hands. ‘You found it!’ She gave an ear-piercing shriek, jumped up and down on the spot, and I hastily handed it to her before she bowled me over.

She cuddled the hessian sack to her chest as she tore into the lounge where Leanne and Jasmine were waiting. ‘She found it! Look, she found it!’ She threw herself into Leanne and Jasmine’s open arms and they had a family cuddle that brought a lump to my throat. Jade might not be quite there yet, but she was getting closer to accepting Leanne and Jasmine as her new family. I waited patiently for them to have their moment.

Jade stepped away from Leanne and Jasmine and barrelled towards me. I had a second to interpret her intentions before she jumped into my arms. Luckily I was prepared to catch her and accept her enthusiastic hug. It was rare for someone to hug me except for Lucy, so I held on tight. Even I needed a hug now and again.

‘You’re the best detective ever.’

I thought about explaining that I was a private investigator and not a detective, but I thought the nuance would be lost on her. ‘Thanks,’ I said instead. ‘I’m happy to have helped. Why don’t you see me and Gato to the lift?’

She started to lead me out, still carrying the Christmas sack.

‘Perhaps you’d better leave the sack at home? We really don’t want to lose it again.’

‘Good thinking,’ she asserted. She took it back to the cupboard where it belonged and put it safely away.

When we were outside of the apartment, I tugged Jade to a stop. ‘I have a serious question for you and it needs a serious answer.’ She nodded solemnly. ‘If you could see your parents again, even knowing that you have to leave them and come back here, would you do it?’

‘Yes,’ she said simply. ‘Of course.’

‘You’d have to say goodbye to them all over again.’

‘At least I’d get to say goodbye. Can you do it? What kind of magic do you have?’ she asked in wonder. ‘Please do it. Don’t tease me. Can you do it?’

‘Not me. Him.’ I pointed to Gato. ‘Take us to the Third, pup, to her parents, before I change my mind.’ I reached out and held Jade’s hand tightly as Gato leapt towards my forehead.

‘Nothing has happened.’ Disappointment laced her tone.

‘Just wait. Where did you used to live?’ I hoped to hell she knew her old apartment number.

‘Next to Leanne and Jasmine. This way.’ Looking at me with suspicion that you shouldn’t see in a seven-year-old’s eyes, she pulled me forward. She was old before her age and I could see disappointment in the curve of her shoulders. She thought it was a hoax. If it had been, it would have been of the cruellest type.

She knocked once on her old front door and strode in without waiting for an answer. She was halfway into the hallway when she froze abruptly.

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