“Fine now, thank you.”
Nathan looked over at her. “No more fiery sneezes?”
“No. I saw Jules before coming up here.” She blushed.
“Why didn’t you bring him to the party?”
“I didn’t know if he was invited.”
“Of course he is.”
“Now, wait a minute, Gwyneth. This is my pad too. Shouldn’t you ask me if I’m okay with him being here first?”
“Oh, fiddlesticks, Chad. What could you possibly object to as far as Jules is concerned?”
“Well, I think you might want to avoid him for a while.”
“Why’s that?”
“He’s dismantling your still as we speak.”
Gwyneth and Morgaine gasped.
“Not the still,” Gwyneth wailed.
Sly had been gazing at the food longingly on the table but whirled around and stared at them. “What about the still?”
Gwyneth collapsed on the sofa and covered her face with her hands. “Chad just said Jules is dismantling it.”
“Shit! Now what are we going to use to preserve the...” He trailed off and gazed at Lily.
Morgaine knew what he was going to say, but he probably didn’t know Lily well enough to trust her with his secret yet.
Suddenly Gwyneth lifted her head. “I know. We can make wine. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that afore. It don’t require no still.”
Lily looked confused. “You have a still? Can’t you afford to buy alcohol when you want some?”
“Um...” Morgaine had to say something before Gwyneth spilled any more beans. “No, not really. Our finances are pretty tight right now.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. I have some money saved...”
“No, please, don’t worry about it. We’ll manage.”
“Are you sure?”
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation.
“Now who could that be?” Gwyneth wondered out loud.
“You might not want to answer it.”
She hesitated, then rolled her eyes. “Pshaw. Don’t be silly, Chad. I can handle Jules.”
“It’s not Jules. It’s Merry, your landlady.”
“Well, why wouldn’t I want to talk to Merry?” She strode to the door and opened it. “Why Merry, what a pleasant surprise. Were we makin’ too much noise? We was just havin’ a little gatherin’…”
“No, not at all,” Merry said. “I’m sorry to bother you—again, but I think I’m in labor for real this time.”
