The Gypsy Ribbon. Shannon MacLeod

counter behind it with a resonating bang.

      “All right in there?” James called out.

      “Yup, it’s all good, thanks,” Beth yelled then dropped her voice down to a whisper. “Goddess help me, I’m a mess,” she muttered, adding “Hi, Lily.”

      “Hi, yourself. What kind of mess?” Lily laughed.

      Beth glanced back into the living room where James was on hands and knees browsing the stacks of books piled on the floor. “I kinda have company. I’ll call you later.”

      Lily gasped. “Is James there? What are you two doing?”

      “In all his glory,” Beth whispered before breaking into a nervous giggle. “I’ll call you later. Witch’s honor.” Ignoring Lily’s gleeful outburst she hung up and returned to the living room with two sodas. “Oh, you said you didn’t want one,” she said in dismay.

      James took the can from her. “I suddenly find myself thirsty, so yes, thank you. Now how about you take a deep breath and just relax.” Taking her hand, he sat down on the couch and pulled her down to sit with him. It wasn’t long before the two of them were chattering away like old friends.

      When James finally looked down at his watch again, it was late in the afternoon. “I’ve taken up your whole day, I’m afraid, but I’m going to have to get back,” he sighed. “I’m having dinner with Sean, Ian and Dan tonight, and sharp as that lot is they’d probably notice if I wasn’t there.”

      “Bachelor party?” Beth said, her eyebrows flying up in mock surprise.

      James chuckled. “Ah no, nothing like that. Just dinner and a few drinks after, reminiscing, that sort of thing. They’re very faithful to their women, as they should be.” He smiled.

      There was an awful lot in that statement that wasn’t being said aloud, she decided, tucking it away for further deliberation. They stood and she walked with him to the door.

      “I really did enjoy your company today,” he said, “Thank you for agreeing to go.” He nodded his head with mock solemnity. “You’re a brave lady, Miss Beth.”

      “Brave is as brave does, sir, but I enjoyed it too. Thank you for asking,” she said, equally as somber.

      He laughed. “I, oh…is that a squirrel?” he suddenly asked, glancing toward the window. Beth turned to look and when she did, James stepped in closer and his lips softly grazed her cheek.

      She gasped in surprise. With a deep, satisfied chuckle he stepped back, his gaze dancing as he appraised her. “Excellent, you survived. There’s a good start. I’ll give you fair warning, though,” he promised, raising his hand to gently brush his fingertips over her lips, “the next time I kiss you, you’ll see it coming.”

      Beth shivered from the soles of her feet all the way up to the roots of her hair at his softly spoken words. With a jaunty wave, he turned and bounded down the stairs. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, hand to her flaming cheek. She reached into her pocket for her cell phone and called Lily back. “He just left,” she said, sounding out of breath.

      Lily squealed. “He’s been there all this time? Well?”

      “Well what?” Beth asked.

      “Did you…you know,” she hedged.

      “Oh, yes,” she lied smoothly. “A couple dozen times. It was great. The earth moved and everything. He’s going to write a song about it, he said. Maybe two. Of course I didn’t sleep with him, you nitwit, I just met the man yesterday.” She giggled. “Although I have to say he’s just about too pretty for his own good and he’s a whole lot nicer than I expected him to be. He’s incredibly smart and….and he makes me laugh and…”

      “You liked him.” Lily’s voice held the slightest touch of smug satisfaction.

      “Of course I liked him. Handsome, funny, and sweet enough to make cookies out of. What’s not to like?”

      “You liked him,” Lily insisted.

      “Fine,” Beth snapped. “I liked him. And when the wedding’s over and he’s flying back to wherever it is in the world he’s going, I’ll tuck that memory away to treasure because that’ll be the end of it.” There was a long silence then Beth heard the distinct sound of cards being shuffled. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

      “I asked what was on the horizon for you and it came up Nine of Cups, so I wouldn’t be too sure of that, Miss Know-it-all,” Lily said primly. “After all, things have been known to change, haven’t they?”