Renee leaned over to pat Harper's hand. "You are exactly where you need to be, Harper." Her voice held absolute certainty. "This inn has a way of collecting people who belong here."
The words struck a chord in Harper's chest. Despite everything happening at work, she felt more at home here than she ever had in California. Even Reyna, usually so wary of new places, had settled in immediately.
Safe den, her fox agreed, curling up contentedly in her mind.Good pack.
"I can't argue with that." Harper traced the delicate pattern on her teacup. "Though I didn't expect to find such good friends so quickly."
"The right people tend to find each other here." Renee smiled mysteriously. "It's part of the inn's magic."
Harper set her empty teacup on the side table, warmth spreading through her chest that had nothing to do with the tea. "Thank you, Renee. I really needed this. I should let you get back to your evening. I'm feeling much better now."
"Sometimes a good cry and a sympathetic ear are the best medicine." Renee rose gracefully from her chair. "That, and knowing you have people in your corner."
Harper stood as well, touched by the older woman's kindness. The parlor's cozy atmosphere had worked its magic, soothing her frayed nerves. Even Reyna felt more settled, the fox's earlier agitation replaced by calm contentment.
"I'm ready to face whatever comes next," Harper said, squaring her shoulders. "Even if it means finding more cockroaches under my desk." She wrinkled her nose at the memory.
Renee's warm laugh followed her to the door. "That's the spirit. And Harper?" She waited until Harper turned back. "My door is always open if you need another cup of tea."
"Thank you." Harper's voice caught slightly on the words. "For everything."
Harper climbed the stairs to her room, feeling lighter after her talk with Renee. The chamomile tea had worked its magic, soothing her frayed nerves. Even Reyna seemed calmer, no longer bristling with indignation over the day's events.
In her room, Harper changed into her favorite loungewear - soft gray yoga pants and an oversized sweater that hung off one shoulder. She pulled her hair free from its strict work style, letting the red waves tumble down her back. The simple act of removing her work clothes felt like shedding armor, allowing her to breathe easier.
Cozy now, Reyna approved, as Harper slipped her feet into fuzzy slippers.
The inn's lounge welcomed her with its warm lighting and comfortable furniture. A fire crackled in the stone fireplace, though the summer evening hardly warranted it. Something about the dancing flames just made the space feel more homey.
Harper curled up in one of the oversized armchairs near the fireplace, tucking her feet underneath her. Her Kindle powered on, and she pulled up a paranormal cozy mystery novel, the familiar comfort of losing herself in a story beckoning.
Harper had barely settled into the story when her phone chimed. Her heart skipped a beat as Nathan's name lit up the screen.
«How was your day?» his text read.
She groaned, letting her head fall back against the chair. «ugh, don't ask<»
The typing bubbles appeared immediately. «Mean girls again?»
Harper's fingers flew across the keyboard. «Mean girls doesn't even begin to cut it. I've decided to call them the Hostile Harpies»
A moment later, Nathan's response came through - a crying-laughing emoji that made her snort with unexpected laughter. Trust him to find a way to make her smile even after the day she'd had.
«That bad?»he added.
Reyna perked up at Nathan's texts, her happiness warming Harper from within. The fox's enthusiasm for their mate hadn't dimmed one bit since that first meeting.
«Worse ??» Harper typed back. «But just had tea ??with Renee & feeling better. Going to try not to think about work for the rest of the evening.»
Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn't eaten since lunch. After the day she'd had, comfort food seemed in order.
«Also, ordering in pizza ??» She added.
«Good plan. Supreme?»
Harper shuddered. «Fox here. Meat Lovers with extra cheese ??»
Pizza good, Reyna chimed in.
