“You’re saying... ,” I ventured, “I’mnothis only child? You’re saying I have asibling?”
“I thought he was dead. We all did. But lately there have been some signs.... Anyway, it’s possible he’s coming to San Francisco. Lucky we’re here, right? Let’s get going,m’ija. We should consult with the coven about this.”
I mulled over this disturbing revelation while I loaded the boxes of leftovers, plus Graciela and Oscar, into the car, and ran back to Aunt Cora’s Closet to grab my bag and coat and lock up.
As I grabbed my keys, I felt a shiver of premonition, the bell over the door tinkled, and I turned around to see Sailor stride into the store.
I blasted him with a wall of energy, and he hit the wall with a loud grunt.
“Ow,”he said as he straightened, rubbing hisshoulder. “Ireallydislike it when you do that. I hope you don’t plan on resorting to violence after we’re married.”
“Sailor?I’m so sorry!” I threw myself into his arms. “It’s you!”
“Of course it’s me.” He chuckled and hugged me. “What is going on?”
“How did you get out? Are you off the hook?”
“I don’t know if it was Carlos, the cupcakes, or what, but apparently they figured they didn’t have enough to make the charges stick. Since Dupree died of poisoning, and they couldn’t find any blood evidence to link me to the beating, they’re dropping the complaint. Also, now they’ve got some guy in custody who claims he was responsible...?”
I hugged him again. “Oh, I can’t believe you’re here. I want to introduce you to my grandmother. She’s waiting in the car. Can you come to Bolinas with us?”
“Why not? I’m free as the proverbial bird.”
We went around the corner to the car.
“Abuelita, this is Sailor. Sailor, this is my grandmother Graciela.”
Sailor took her hand in his, and they stared at each other for a long while. Finally, Sailor said, “Nice jacket.”
“It’s new. I like how it sparkles.”
“It suits you.”
Graciela stuck her chin out, and nodded. “He’ll do. It’ll be a challenge, but he’ll do.”
One side of Sailor’s mouth kicked up in a crooked smile. “I’ll take that. And I guess I’ll just climb on in the back with the pig, unless you want me to drive.”
I smiled. “I’ve got this. You just relax. We’re going to drive our convertible over the Golden Gate Bridge, like— Was it Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn?”
“One of those,” said Graciela with a wave of her hand. “I looked just like one of them when I was your age. Especially in a classy getup like this one.”
Chapter 30
Calypso’s house, as predicted, was full of laughter and lively discussion about everything from the proper way to brew lavender lemonade to the best order in which to plant the “three sisters”: maize, beans, and squash.
Sailor, as the only male on the premises besides Oscar, held up well under the ardent grilling of Graciela, my mother, and the other coven sisters. It got so intense that Calypso stepped in to help him out from time to time, but I figured he could hold his own.
Just watching him sitting there, patiently answering questions, cracking the occasional joke, and sending me steamy looks across the room, made me feel flushed all over.
Sailor was out of jail. Exonerated. And he would be in my bed tonight.
Okay, Aidan was right: Sailor and I should probably talk and get a few important things worked out prior to the handfasting. We had some time—not very much, but a little—before we got married. And I didn’t wantto put off the ceremony, among other reasons, because I could notwaitfor the honeymoon.
The only thing that worried me now was Oscar. He was decidedly mopey. Oscar wasn’t one to hide his feelings.
I called him outside, and we walked along a path into the redwoods so he could change into his natural form. I took a seat on a fallen log and patted the space next to me. He sat.
“What’s up, little guy?” I asked him, nudging him with my elbow.
