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

had Luna as a partner on this. She was brilliant at organization. Not to mention, I missed the heck out of her. I was still holding onto the hope that the oval mirror was a way to connect with her and my family.

I felt like I had a plan now. Once I got the ball rolling, it should be straightforward. I stood at the door, ready to leave, and scanned my new domain. I felt a tingle of excitement that I couldn’t contain. My squeal of delight burst out into the quiet space. I was glad I didn’t have an audience for that. This was going to be a fantastic opportunity; I could feel it.

17

Family dinner night around here is either a stuffy, boring event or a three-ring circus. I didn’t know which this evening would hold. I had been told that we’d be in the dining room, which was nice. I loved the outdoor events just as much, but I enjoyed the warmth and intimacy of the grand dining space in the home. You wouldn’t normally use both grand and intimate at the same time to describe a place, but that was true here. The ski lodge/cabin décor was warm and inviting, but the size of the space was vast. There were sparkling chandeliers dropping from incredibly high ceilings, set off by the tallest rock fireplace that soared all the way up. There was a unique combination of magnificent yet homey here at Caldwell Crest.

I’d been planning to tell the family about Lola tonight, and hopefully, they’d welcome the kitten into the family. She had quickly found her way into my heart. Clearly, Latifa and Chanel had already bonded with her and had morphed right into the motherhood role.

The minute I stepped into the dining room, it was clear I needn’t have worried. There was an enormous banner slung across the back wall that said ‘Welcome Lola!’ There were balloons and streamers all around. They were covered with sparkles, so I had a feeling Cleobella (the queen of sparkles) was behind the decorations.

The dining room table was enormous today. The size changed depending on the number of guests, and a quick count showed about a dozen places set at the table. I guess welcoming a new kitten was a reason to gather. This family never ceased to amaze me. They’d seem all stuffy and formal and then turn around and put on a party for a little, black, fluff ball.

I looked up to see my sister Indigo coming into the dining room. Her husband, Omar, and his brother, Dante, along with their two kids were right behind her. The kids were wearing headbands with cat ears, and they were each carrying a small gift, wrapped in paper covered with colorful cats.

I walked over to say hello and leaned down to kid-level. “Hi guys. I love your ears! Did you bring presents for Lola?”

They both nodded. Ian seemed to be more comfortable around me, and that brought out his chatterbox side, “We have cat toys for the kitty! Where’s the kitty, Hayden?”

“I don’t know, Ian. We must watch for her. She’s really little, so if you see her you tell me, okay?”

He said okay, and then he and Tiana ran off and began looking around the room for the kitten.

“They’re going to love the kitten,” I said to the adults.

“Yeah, and so will we,” said Indigo. “I understand you’re the one that found her?”

“Actually, it was Hercules who found her. I was at Olivia’s at the time. The kitten was orphaned and hiding in a bush. She was so tiny and alone, I just had to bring her home.”

“Good for you,” said Omar. “Abandoned kittens deserve a safe place, and a pet can always brighten a home.”

Well, I’ll be darned! Omar was an animal lover! And he was conversing with me. He’d always been so quiet and stiff before. It was so nice that both he and Ian seemed to be warming up to me. That made me happy. I was feeling more like family all the time.

I was chatting with the group when Sapphire and Axel came in. I was absolutely delighted to see that each of them was bearing a gift for the kitten. Sapphire had a small package, but I could barely see Axel’s head behind the rather large cat pillow he was carrying. Watching him struggle with the huge, soft pillow caused the conversation to pause while we all laughed. No one offered to help, as it was just too entertaining. Following the new trend of each cat having a pillow to match their eyes, this one was emerald green. Axel placed it down near the fireplace and turned around to show off his pride by flexing his biceps, which just reignited more laughter. He came over to join our conversation. He stood next to me and leaned his elbow on my shoulder in an affectionate brother-sister pose. If I haven’t said it enough already, I love having this brother!

If I thought the pillow was a surprise, I looked up to see my father and grandfather carrying in a four-foot-tall cat condo with a scratching post, several hideouts, and a couple of built-in toys. One look at this kitty mansion and I knew Latifa would be green with envy. I’d have to remind her that she got an entire cat alcove when she moved into the house, complete with everything she needed to make her happy, and then some. She didn’t get a sparkly banner, though, so I was sure I’d hear about that oversight.

I was soaking up the camaraderie of my new family when the matriarch entered the room. Everyone snapped to attention and minded their manners as soon as Eleanor was around. My grandmother was a force to be reckoned with. She was fully aware of her effect on people, and I suspect she relished having that. She wasn’t the least bit afraid to use that power either.

She looked over at