Chapter 3
Dawn Forest happily hummed to herself as she weeded her garden. She and Luca were lucky enough to have found a cute little house just outside San Juan. It was made of cinder blocks, surrounded by a cinder-block wall, and in the front, an iron gate was the only opening. Not the most attractive look, but practical…especially during hurricanes. She sensed someone coming toward her and looked up. When she saw her beloved Luca, she broke into a grin. “Hi, hon!”
“Hi, babe. How’s it going?”
“It’s getting there. The garden was neglected for a long time, and I’m not sure I have a green enough thumb for this. Did you come out to tell me about a new job for us?”
“No new business today. I thought I’d just come out and gaze at my beautiful fiancée.”
Dawn laid down her gardening tools, rose, and slipped her arms around Luca’s waist. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I don’t know. Good karma, I guess.” He grinned.
Before they could kiss, a whirlwind spiraled up right next to them, and Mother Nature appeared.
“Gaia!” Luca instinctively stood between the powerful goddess and Dawn. “What do you want? Are you here to punish me for telling my future wife about my paranormal abilities?”
Dawn put her hands on Luca’s shoulders and peeked around him. “I’d never tell anyone about paranormal abilities. I have my own freaky secrets.”
“Words. Just words,” Gaia said as she crossed her arms. “How do I know you mean them?”
“I know how people react to my psychic abilities,” Dawn said. “I’d never want anyone I love to be feared or mocked for being different.”
Mother Nature nodded. “Good. But that’s not why I’m here. Are you two going to give me a chance to talk?”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry for babbling,” Luca said.
“I’m here to speak to your wife.”
“Me?” Dawn said.
“You are his wife, right?”
“I will be. We’re getting married in a few weeks.”
“Oh. Time is fairly fluid for me. Congratulations. Now I’d like to speak to you alone.”
Luca kept a protective arm around her. “I don’t want to leave. How do I know she’ll be safe?”
Mother Nature’s jaw dropped. “Of course she’ll be safe! All I do is look out for my children. How could you even ask that?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve just heard rumors you can be…um…tough.”
She waved away the comment. “You shouldn’t listen to rumors. I don’t have to carry out my threats very often.”
“Threats?” Dawn’s eyes widened.
“Nothing to worry about. I’m not threatening either of you. Actually, I have a job offer for you, Dawn.”
“Seriously?”
“No, I came all this way and exposed myself to a human because I’m kidding.”
Luca mumbled under his breath, “I guess the rumors of her sarcasm are true.”
“I heard that, Fierro. Now run along so I can talk to your soon-to-be wife.”
Luca nodded, then kissed Dawn’s cheek and whispered, “Yell if you need me,” subsequently withdrawing into the house.
