Page 49 of Whispers and Wildfire
The banquet roomat Home Slice was getting full, and I didn’t know who half the people were. Nathan and Sharla were there with the kids, as were another family with kids of similar ages. My parents’ longtime neighbors, Ed and Linda, sat at the long table, chatting with a couple I hadn’t met yet.
Another family with two teenage girls sat at the other end of the table next to Heidi, who worked at the Copper Kettle Diner. I’d heard someone say the woman sitting next to Heidi was a kindergarten teacher, and a guy in scrubs had obviously come straight from work.
Covering my mouth with my hand, I tried to stifle a yawn. Thanks to a particularly vivid nightmare, I hadn’t slept much the previous night.
I moved to stand closer to my brother so he could hear me over the din of conversation. “So, what’s going on? Mom said to come for dinner, but she didn’t tell me it was a party.”
“It’s the annual pizza tasting.”
“What’s the annual pizza tasting?”
Nico ran by, and like the expert dad he was, Nathanslowed him down with a hand on his chest. “Dad likes to keep the menu fresh, so he brings in a bunch of people to taste his new pizza ideas once a year.”
“That’s… cute, actually.”
“Yeah.” He sounded skeptical. “Just be forewarned, it can be a little hit or miss.”
“Uh-oh.”
“The oyster pizza was pretty memorable. And not in a good way.”
I made a face. “Oysters?”
“His attempts at seafood pizzas haven’t been his best. The banana curry was pretty terrible, too.”
“Banana on pizza?”
He shrugged. “Apparently, it’s a thing in some countries.”
“What are we in for tonight?”
“No idea.”
“I don’t have to pretend I like something if it’s terrible, right?”
“Nah, they know who they invited.”
“Good.”
Several more people came in, including a guy around my age. Nathan went over to talk to him, and they shook hands. They clearly knew each other. I might have thought about the fact that he was attractive and wondered who he was, except the next couple who came in captured my full attention.
Paul and Marlene Haven.
My breath caught in my throat. I had yet to see Luke’s parents since I’d moved back to town. I knew my parents were friendly with them. Always had been. The fact that their kids had dated—and broken up—in high school hadn’t changed anything.
That didn’t bother me. The Havens were nice people. But I still felt a twinge of nervousness as they made their way into the banquet room and started chatting with Ed and Linda.
Paul Haven had broad shoulders and a thick beard. There was more salt in his salt-and-pepper hair than I remembered. Marlene still had the same friendly smile and blue-rimmed glasses. Her hair was cut in an above-the-shoulder bob that looked cute on her.
“Auntie Mel, Auntie Mel!” Lucia and Zola collided with me, one on each side. “Do the voice! Do the voice!”
I looked down and gave them my best slow, evil grin, then dropped into my Queen Ione voice. “Who are these little peasants? How dare you touch me. Begone, insolent brats!”
Laughing, they both hugged me.
“We’re not peasants,” Lucia said. “We’re secret princesses!”
I gasped and grabbed them each by the wrist. “Guards! The princesses have infiltrated my stronghold. Take them away!”
