Mandy gasped as the house came into view. The home, done in the old Spanish style, sprawled across its hilltop perch, its cream-colored walls glowing warmly in the late afternoon light. Red clay roof tiles caught the sun's rays, and a meticulously maintained desert garden flanked either side of the front walkway. Barrel cacti stood like rotund guardians among flowing masses of lantana and yellow bells, their bright blooms drawing the eye toward massive wooden doors.
Mandy shook her head in wonder as she took in the sprawling Spanish-style home. "The pictures on the Airbnb website didn't even begin to do this justice," she murmured, drinking in every detail of the desert landscaping and architectural features. Her heart swelled with an emotion she couldn't quite name - something between joy and longing. This home was beautiful, something she'd have yearned to have, in her younger life.
Conscious of the driver's presence up front, Mandy lowered her voice. "This is exactly the kind of home I was telling you and Jacinth about," she whispered to Kieran, her words barely audible. "The one I described with the swimming pool..." She trailed off, remembering their conversation about her dream house.
The limo rolled to a graceful stop in front of the sweeping walkway. Mandy's heart fluttered as she took in the magnificent wooden doors up close, their carved surfaces rich with detail.
"I'll get Bach's carrier if you'll take Mozart," Mandy offered, reaching back into the vehicle. Bach gave her his most dignified look through the carrier's mesh front as she lifted him carefully.
Kieran retrieved Mozart's carrier with effortless ease. The uniformed driver began efficiently unloading her luggage from the trunk.
Mandy shifted Bach's carrier to her left hand, freeing her right to punch in the security code she'd received via email. The keypad's soft beep was followed by a solid click as the lock disengaged.
"Here we go," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else, as she reached for the ornate handle. The massive wooden door swung open smoothly, revealing the entrance to her home for the next month.
Mandy stepped into the entry hall, her breath catching at the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. The cream-colored walls stretched upward to the high ceiling, while terra cotta floor tiles in that distinctive southwestern red created a warm welcome. Wrought iron sconces promised to cast a gentle glow against the walls at night time, their craftsmanship speaking to the home's heritage.
The entry hall opened into a spacious living room, where wide windows overlooked a small courtyard. Beyond that were the shimmering waters of the swimming pool, and in thedistance, the silhouette of downtown Tucson. Late morning sunlight streamed through the glass, painting golden patterns across the tiles.
The house wrapped around in a U-shape; to her left an open doorway led to the wing with the dining room and kitchen, and to the right a hallway led to what she assumed were the bedrooms. The courtyard nestled between the wings, creating a private outdoor sanctuary.
"This is perfect," she whispered, drinking in the architectural details - the carved wooden beams crossing the ceiling, the arched doorways, the built-in niches waiting to display artwork or treasures, the way the layout flowed, each room leading naturally into the next in that graceful way of older homes.. Every element spoke of careful maintenance while preserving the home's original character.
Bach meowed impatiently from his carrier, reminding Mandy that her cats would need to inspect their temporary domain. She knelt beside the carriers, her fingers working the latches with practiced ease. "Okay, your majesties, freedom awaits."
Bach emerged first, his dignified strut suggesting he'd merely been humoring her with his confinement. Mozart bounded out next, immediately darting toward the nearest doorway to begin his inspection of their temporary kingdom.
The uniformed driver appeared with the first load of cat supplies, setting them carefully in the entry hall. "Where would you like these, Miss?"
"Oh! I'll take care of those," Mandy said, gathering the bags of cat food and dishes. She followed Bach's meandering path toward the kitchen. The space was a perfect blend of modern amenities and old-world charm, with gleaming appliances nestled among traditional Spanish tile work. A small alcove near the back door seemed perfect for the cats' dining area.
The litter box proved more challenging. She explored the laundry room off the kitchen, considering the space. "What do you think, Bach?" she asked as he wound around her ankles. "Private enough for your refined sensibilities?"
Bach's indifferent swish of his tail amused her. She positioned the litter box carefully, making sure it was easily accessible but out of the way.
The driver made several more trips, efficiently transferring her luggage from the limo to the entry hall. Kieran observed the process with his usual quiet intensity, his tall form somehow making the spacious entry seem more intimate.
"That will be all," Kieran dismissed the driver with a subtle gesture.
"Yes, thank you so much," Mandy said to him, wondering if she should be tipping him. Before she could reach for her purse, the limo driver nodded respectfully and departed, closing the massive wooden door behind him with a gentle click.
Mozart reappeared from his exploration, weaving between Kieran's legs as if the ancient Djinn prince was simply another piece of furniture. Mandy had to bite back a smile as she watched.
"I'll leave you to settle in," Kieran said, his deep voice filling the entry hall, resonating through her bones like distant thunder. His cool blue eyes seemed to warm as they lingered on her face a moment longer than strictly necessary. "If you need me, simply touch the pendant and say my name, and I will come." The words held both reassurance and command, reminding her of the ancient power contained in his elegant form.
Before Mandy could respond, he vanished with that distinctive magical zing that still made her skin tingle, leaving her to stare at the space where he'd stood moments before.
Mandy shook herself from her contemplation of Kieran's dramatic exit and headed out to her car, which sat exactly where she'd expected to find it in the curved driveway. She surveyed it warily, but it didn't seem to have come to any harm from its magical travels. She popped the trunk, revealing the carefully packed box of kitchen essentials she'd brought from home.
Her beloved Mr Coffee Iced Tea Maker sat right on top - there was no way she could survive a month without fresh-brewed iced tea. Beside it, her trusty George Foreman grill nestled in its original box. She'd learned long ago that having familiar cooking equipment made any temporary living situation feel more like home.
She was able to lift the box easily in her arms. No careful positioning, no bracing against her spine - just a simple, fluid movement that still amazed her with its effortlessness.
Bach leapt onto the kitchen counter to supervise as she unpacked the box, his orange tail swishing with casual interest. She found the perfect spot near the refrigerator for her iced tea maker and Foreman grill.
Mandy filled the tea maker with fresh water and measured out her favorite loose-leaf black tea leaves. The familiar routine grounded her as she got everything set up just right, and soon the gentle burble of brewing tea filled the kitchen.
Her collection of essential spices came next - the drawers with carefully labeled containers that would ensure her food tasted like home, no matter where she cooked. She placed them within easy reach, arranging everything just so.
