Purrfect Roast: A Dragon Cozy Mystery by Verena DeLuca (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📗

"Splendid news!" I said with fake enthusiasm. "You've landed the lead role in the next slasher movie."

Aubrey and Jess only laughed harder. I turned to get out of the car, but Jess was still crouched down, blocking my way. I rested my feet on the step and put my elbows on my knees to stare down at her as she struggled with laughing and trying to talk.

"I'm not helping you if you choke on that laughter," I said.

"Totally agree," Skylar said, poking her head between the seats of the SUV. "That was unsettling, to say the least. It's like midnight, don't you have kids?"

"No kidding," I said. "And didn't you open at six this morning? Don't tell me you've been waiting for us all evening."

"Yes, yes, no" Jess croaked out. She coughed and cleared her throat, then stood up and wiped her eyes. "Oh gosh, that was good. I needed that laugh."

I looked back at Aubrey to find she was doing the same. "Y'all ain't right." I got out of the car and started unloading luggage.

"I saw her coming," Aubrey said. "It's not my fault you were in la-la land."

"Har, har." I stuck my tongue out at her then turned to Jess. "But how did you know we'd be here?"

"I texted her as you drove," Aubrey said.

"Of course, you did." I laughed. "Y'all must fit in perfectly at the PTA meetings."

Aubrey giggled and got out of the car to help unload.

"I beat y'all here by about five minutes," Jess said. "Popped inside to warm up the espresso machine for you."

"For that," I said. "I will forgive you."

"And me?" Aubrey said.

"That's still up for debate," I said.

Between the four of us, we were able to get Aubrey's SUV unpacked, with my stuff at the base of the stairs, and Skylar's packed into her El Camino. All within thirty minutes. Meanwhile, Aubrey filled Jess in on everything that happened at the cat show. Jess oohed and ahhed at all the right places, making her the perfect audience for Aubrey's lingering excitement.

Thankfully, I did not have to be the one telling the story. It was hard enough to keep the dragon aspects separate on a normal day, much less when I was sleep-deprived and ready for bed. Jess's excitement over Azure winning gold gave me a renewed rush.

Once we unpacked, the girls sat at the bar and I went behind the counter to make a few Aconite Affogatos—espressos: vanilla bean ice cream, topped with chai spice. Azure and Shadow took up residence on the chairs by the front doors.

"I just can't get over how much happened today," Aubrey said, staring off into space.

"Totally," Skylar said. "Crazy to think that could be our last experience at a cat show."

"What!" Jess said. "Y'all aren't going next year? How can you not defend your title?"

"It was a bit over the top for my blood," I said with a laugh, and handed her the first mug.

"But don't you have to?" Aubrey said.

"Can't believe I missed it," Jess said. "Last time I miss a girl's trip."

She pointed her spoon at me with a smirk, then took a bite of ice cream. I laughed her off and focused on making the next espresso. Just what I needed, two non-protectors following us around on our protector adventures.

"I mean, it's not a requirement per se," I glanced to Skylar.

"Yeah," she said. "It's been nice to get out of town, and do something that Shadow enjoys, but it's becoming more hassle than it's worth."

"But aren't you members of that group?" Aubrey asked. "The Aristocats or whatever? Won't they be upset if y'all don't go? They seemed pretty bent on attending."

"I inherited the group from Tona," I said. "I'm okay with them using the cafe for their meetings, but I'm not sure how involved I'm going to stay yet."

"Is it that bad?" Jess asked.

"It's drama," Skylar said, as I handed her the next mug.

"That's an understatement. It's been great for Azure, pulled him out of his funk after losing Tona. But, there is enjoying cats and enjoying cats. Those ladies enjoy their cats," I said, emphasizing the word enjoy more with each iteration.

We all laughed.

"Why do you guys keep going?" Jess asked.

"After my G.G. passed away," Skylar said. "I couldn't get Shadow to eat for days. It wasn't until her funeral, when the ladies from the group approached me, that he perked up. They saved my sanity during those first few months. I totally thought I was looking at vet bills and pet therapy."

"I know what you mean," I said. "I never knew cats bonded so deeply to their owners, always thought it was a dog thing."

"And you say you have a problem keeping the dragon secrets," Azure transmitted.

"Shh it, mister," I transmitted.

Aubrey gave me a heartfelt smile, and I passed her a mug and started my own. Using the espresso machine would never not remind me of Tona. It was her favorite piece of equipment. With all the happenings this weekend, I felt closer to her than I ever thought I could. There was so much she had not shared with me. I understood the need for secrecy, it just would have been great to transfer Azure while we were both still alive and could talk about the ins and outs of protectors.

I worked in silence as the girls ate their ice cream until my last shot finished, then I joined them at the bar. Listening to their chatter about the weekend and upcoming week warmed my heart. These ladies were all that I needed. My genuine family. I had some of the deepest personal connections of all the people I knew. Deep down, I was beyond happy with the way life panned out for me and my little tribe. I needed to start living, and stop worrying about everything from the future to the stressors out of my control. The universe would provide all that I needed. I just needed to take