The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2 by Elizabeth Pantley (best books under 200 pages .txt) 📗

the brilliant white of Chanel, the magnificent Persian, and the little spot of black fuzz tucked between them. I reached over for my phone and snapped a picture. I snuck out of bed very quietly, because, well, they had a busy day ahead. All those important meetings to attend today, right? Okay, not meetings. Snacks, catnip, and naps. Even so, one does not disturb sleeping babies, cats, or dogs, am I right?

Why do people tiptoe? It really does not make you any quieter. I made my way across the room to peek into my yoga room (nope, nothing in the mirror this morning) and then to my bathroom to get ready for my breakfast with Axel and Jaxson.

It was still early and the mystery box beckoned. With a half-hour before I needed to meet up with the guys, I had time to start looking through the mess of documents. I shoved aside the pile of clothes covering the box and opened it up.

At first glance, it appeared that someone had upended an entire file cabinet into the box. Papers, files, and notecards were heaped in random order. An assortment of paper clips, pens, rubber bands, loose change, and postage stamps was shoved in between the other things.

What would probably make the most sense would be to sort through the items and put similar things together. I could sort the paperwork and files and place everything right-side up. Then I would get a better sense of what I was looking at. Not enough time to start that now.

As I closed the box and piled my laundry over the top of it, something dawned on me. Olivia had said that Nakita was friends with Kerbie. Shrek, and Gronk. Then why did she act so anxious when she saw the mechanics walk into the café? If they were friends, why the cause for concern? Maybe something in this box would provide clues. It would have to wait for later, though, since it was time to meet up with Axel and Jax.

I left the kitty-pile still sweetly asleep on my bed and slipped out into the hallway. There it was, right across from my room, in its usual morning spot. The anthropomorphized traveling window seat enjoying the early morning sunshine for its own snooze. I noticed the bookshelf was rearranged and now also contained several vases of fresh flowers set between the books for a very pretty effect. I’d need to check it out later to determine if any new books were added. The window seat library yielded some very enlightening books about Destiny Falls and the Caldwell family. It would also be helpful as I tackled putting together the Destiny Falls online newspaper. Add those things to my growing list of to-dos.

As always, I didn’t rush my way through the house. I savored the experience. It seems the wood railings had been polished because they had a more vivid shine than usual. And that’s saying a lot. The beautiful woods throughout this home were obviously well-maintained by someone. Who, I didn’t know, as the household staff must do their work while I was gone or sleeping? Or . . . wait. Did the house maintain itself? That would be very possible. A self-cleaning house. Oh yeah. Package that and you could make a million. Or ten.

I met Axel downstairs in the foyer. My spirits lightened the minute I saw my brother’s smiling face. At that moment, our father Leonard came around the corner from the kitchen.

“Good morning, guys,” he said, looking quite pleased to be able to say that.

How nice it felt to hear my father say ‘guys’ and have it mean me and my brother. I bet he felt great joy in that. After a lifetime of having his children separated, to have us all three together was a blessing.

“Hayden, do you have time later this afternoon to go to the newspaper office with me and start your new adventure?”

“Yes! I would love that.” I was excited to see what secrets the office might hold. We set a plan to meet up later.

Axel chose a table by the window and we settled into the pink booth. The flowing lines of pink butterflies were not decorating the walls today. Instead, the walls were frosted with climbing bougainvillea plants bursting with pink blossoms. The front door was decorated with a white, arched arbor covered with the same plant, plus small, pink, fairy lights. Oh, wait! The butterflies were here! They were just tucked in between the flowers. I could see their gently fluttering wings peeking out here and there. The overall effect was captivating.

“Good morning, friends!” Vessie walked up to our table, drying her hands on a pink towel. I stood up for our requisite hug. I was getting accustomed to the easy affection here. More than that, to be honest. I was enjoying the warm displays that seemed so normal to the people I’d met here.

Today Vessie was dressed in white flowing trousers and a colorful, embroidered peasant top. Her charming attire blended perfectly with today’s décor. “Will it be just the two of you?” she asked.

“Jaxson will be joining us,” said Axel.

“Oh, wonderful!” She smiled brightly. “Something to drink while you’re waiting?”

“Tea for me, please,” I said. Axel ordered a latte and Vessie went off to the counter for our drinks.

Axel looked over my shoulder and his face burst into a smile and he waved. I knew Jaxson had entered the building. They’d been friends since college, but even beyond that, there was something magnetic about Jax. He glowed with personality. His three-day stubble and just-a-bit-too-long hair gave a relaxed vibe that balanced with his strong, muscular body. When he saw me, he bestowed me with that Matthew McConaughey smile, dimples and all, that made me weak. The way he looked at me spoke volumes. It brought back my vision from the falls and my suspicion that he might be the man of my future.

Jaxson sat down next