Page 94 of A Seer and Present Danger

“I will take you both up on that,” I said. “Buzz and I will need to go over the expenses to see if we can hire more people, but with Aggie gone, and me covering the cooking part time, I think it’s going to be a busy couple of months until we get enough hands on deck to really get the Blue Owl running smoothly.”

“Thank you,” Jules said. “I thought for sure you were going to tell me you could handle it all on your own.”

I laughed. “Sounds like me. Like the old me. But friends look out for each other and make each other stronger.”

“Yes, we do.” Dusi held her hand out for me and I took it. “Friends,” she said.

I squeezed her hand and took Jules’ hand. “Friends,” I agreed.

Jules grinned. “I know we can get a lot done on our own,” she said, “but Ordinary better look out for what we are going to get done together!”

I laughed and didn’t have to look into any future or past to know how right she was.

* * *

“It is not often I give praise.” Bertie’s voice was strong, larger than you’d expect out of such a petite person. Of course, the acoustics of the stage helped her voice carry. As did her being a Valkyrie. “And yet this charity drive was the best we have ever seen. We absolutely trounced Tillamook and Waldport.”

The room filled with cheers.

“Of course,” she went on, “that means it was good for all of the towns since the boxes were distributed to as many people as wanted one.

“I will thank our community businesses later today, but I called you all here to thank you. Every one of you who stepped up for your neighbors.

“You have made not only our town and two other towns better places, you have changed the lives of so many children. You have given of your time and of your heart. Well done, Ordinarians!”

This time the applause and cheers thundered.

But Bertie had that look in her eye.

“And while you enjoy the pizza and desserts I brought in for this event, I will turn your attention to the signup sheet for volunteers for our upcoming festival. I expect to see many familiar faces at our next meeting.”

It was an invitation, yes, but we also knew it was a little bit of a threat.

Okay, a big bit.

I giggled and took my place in line with the other people, most of whom were smiling. I could think of worse things to do in the future.

Another festival or charity drive or heck, solving a murder if it happened along, sounded pretty good to me.

It was just after dark by the time I slipped away from the pizza party that was still going strong. Someone had found a karaoke machine and stage lights.

I was feeling good. Things had been hard the last few days, but I’d made it through, using my brain and abilities to make the world better.

There was a whole new life for me to build at the Blue Owl, a whole new joy to explore with my yarn shop.

Both businesses were ways I could reach out and help my neighbors. Even if it was nothing more than filling a cup of coffee before they knew they needed it, or holding a class to share the joy that a couple knitting needles and yarn could bring into their lives.

And my friends had more than shown how much they liked this life we were all building together, side-by-side.

Power was one thing, and seeing the future wasn’t something I would ever take for granted. As often as I could, I would use that gift to help others.

But just being alive and being myself and making my life a happy place for me, for my cat, for my friends, was more satisfying than I’d ever imagined.

I unlocked my car and got in.

Futures kindled and flashed:

Vandre knocking on the passenger window and ducking into my car