Mozart wandered in from his travels to inspect her progress, winding between her legs as she worked. The pendant's warmth seemed to pulse in harmony with her contentment as she created this small corner of familiarity in her temporary paradise.
Done with that, the tea still brewing, Mandy began exploring the house more thoroughly. The master bedroom suite occupied the far end of the right wing, offering stunning views of the mountains through wide windows.
She took the time to unpack her clothes into the spacious walk-in closet, the only other blouse she'd bought that morning hanging in lonely splendor, making her laugh. The vast empty space beckoned with possibility - she could hardly wait to fill these racks with clothes that actually fit, clothes that would complement her restored form. For the first time in decades, shopping would be a pleasure rather than an ordeal.
Bach had followed her, and made himself comfortable on the king-sized bed, his orange fur contrasting beautifully with the duvet done in attractive southwestern patterns. Mozart was nowhere to be seen, no doubt conducting his own thorough inspection of their new domain.
As she wandered through the house, each room revealed new delights. But when she opened the double doors to what she assumed was the study mentioned on the website, her breath caught. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined three walls, their dark wood gleaming in the late afternoon light. A massive stone fireplace dominated the fourth wall, its rustic elegance perfectly complementing the room's scholarly atmosphere.
Mandy crossed to the windows. The view stopped her in her tracks. The Catalina Mountains rose majestically before her, their rugged peaks catching the sun's rays. The perfect writer's retreat.
Her laptop would look right at home on the massive desk positioned to take advantage of both the mountain view and the fireplace's warmth. She could already picture herself working here, drawing inspiration from the dramatic landscape.
"Well," she announced to Mozart, who had materialized on the window seat, "I think we've found our workspace."
Mandy retrieved her laptop from her luggage, marveling at how easily she could bend and lift without calculating every movement. She set up her workspace in the library with precise attention to detail, creating her perfect writing sanctuary.
Back in the kitchen, she opened cupboards and the refrigerator, mentally cataloging what she'd need. She pulled out her phone and opened up OneNote to start a shopping list.
"Okay," she murmured to Bach, who'd followed her into the kitchen. "Let's be smart about this."
Mandy had no intention of repeating the mistakes of her younger years, but at the same time, she wasn't going to restrict herself to a particular diet, and set herself up for failure. She needed to be conscientious about her food choices, and intentional.
But tonight... tonight called for celebration. Her mouth watered at the thought of a special dinner - she'd splurge and get some salmon.
"What do you think?" she asked Mozart, who'd materialized on the kitchen counter. "Want to share some salmon with me? Should we add some fresh herbs too?" He meowed at her, which she took as assent, and added that to her list, along with ingredients for a fabulous salad. The list grew longer as she considered her needs: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic. She wanted to stock this kitchen properly, create meals that would nourish this gift she'd been given.
Deep in contemplation of her grocery list, Mandy turned and let out a startled yelp. Jacinth stood there, her dark eyes scanning Mandy's transformed appearance with obvious interest. The Djinn's sudden appearances never failed to startle her, no matter how many times it happened. She pressed a hand to her racing heart, willing it to slow down.
"You could warn a person," Mandy gave Jacinth a stern look, then glanced at Mozart, still perched on the counter, who merelyyawned at Jacinth's sudden appearance. "I'm starting to think cats can sense magic better than humans. Neither of them seems surprised when you or Kieran pop in."
Jacinth laughed, the sound like silver bells. "Of course they can. Cats have always walked between worlds." She circled Mandy with a critical eye, nodding approvingly. "The magic worked perfectly. Your body remembers its younger form, but keeps the wisdom of your years. Exactly as it should be."
"It's incredible." Mandy couldn't keep the wonder from her voice. "I keep doing things without thinking - bending over, reaching up, walking normally - and only then realizing what I've done. No pain, no careful planning, no mental calculations of cost versus benefit." She gestured at her slender curves. "And this! I mean, I knew the magic would change me, but I never expected..."
"To look exactly as you did before the pain began stealing pieces of you?" Jacinth's dark eyes softened with understanding. "That was the point. The magic didn't make you younger - it simply restored your body to what it would have been, absent the pain. Your essence remains unchanged."
"Yes!" Mandy beamed at her. "That's it, exactly."
Bach chose that moment to assert himself, and wound between their legs. Jacinth bent to pet him, her silky black hair falling forward like a curtain. She straightened, her dark eyes twinkling. "So, what comes next?"
"Shopping," Mandy said decisively. "I need a whole new wardrobe. This and one other blouse are literally all I have that fits now…. and I bought these last night at WalMart."
Jacinth's face lit up as she rose from petting Bach. "Shopping? Oh, I love shopping!" She practically bounced on her toes, reminding Mandy that despite being centuries old, the Djinn woman often displayed an infectious enthusiasm for life's simple pleasures. "Can I come with you? Please?"
"I'd love the company," Mandy said, touched by the offer. "Though I should warn you, I'm completely out of practice at this. The last time I really went clothes shopping, Clinton was president."
"Perfect!" Jacinth clapped her hands together. "That means you need everything. Absolutely everything!" Her dark eyes sparkled with mischief. "We can start fresh, build you a whole new wardrobe. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
The sun paintedthe western sky in brilliant shades of orange and purple as Mandy staggered through the front door, her arms laden with shopping bags. She dropped them unceremoniously in the entryway and made her way to the nearest sofa, collapsing onto its soft cushions with a dramatic groan.
"You," she pointed an accusing finger at Jacinth, "are a slave driver. I haven't walked this much since I was in Cairo - and that was when I was in my twenties!"
Jacinth's musical laughter filled the room as she followed Mandy inside, somehow managing to look graceful despite carrying twice as many bags. "But look at everything we found! And besides, now you can walk as far as you want, for as long as you want - isn't it wonderful?"
"Wonderful wasn't exactly the word I was thinking of," Mandy muttered, but she couldn't keep the smile from her face. Her feet might be tired, but there was no pain in her back or knees - just the pleasant exhaustion of a productive shopping expedition.
Jacinth settled beside her on the sofa, the shopping bags rustling as she set them down. With an elegant wave of her hand, two tall glasses materialized on the coffee table, filledwith lemonade. Condensation beaded on the crystal surfaces, promising sweet relief from the Arizona heat.
