Page 86 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

Milo’s heart gave a painful little squeeze.

“…Poor thing.”

He imagined something no bigger than Marigold wandering through unfamiliar woods, accidentally freezing everything in sight while desperately trying to survive.

As though sensing Milo’s aching heart, Grievance reached across the workbench, resting a warm hand over Milo’s.

“We’ll find it. We’ll get it somewhere safe before anyone hurts it.”

Milo smiled. “I know.”

“Pip will help!” The bright blue spider scurried along one of the exposed ceiling beams overhead. “Pip protect Nestmaker.” His tiny front legs shot into the air dramatically. “In case baby egg animal attack.”

Grievance looked at Milo, who rolled his eyes.

“Thank you, Pip.”

The words left both of them at exactly the same time. They stared at one another, then burst into laughter.

Pip spun in a confused circle. “What funny?”

They laughed harder.

“I no understand joke!” He waved all eight legs frantically. “Explain! Explain! Explain!”

Milo wiped tears from his eyes.

They’d successfully built three traps and were well into the nighttime hours when, without warning, Pip jumped from his place in the ceiling and perched in front of the back door, hissing loudly, his front legs raised and fangs bared.

Milo flinched, heart leaping to his throat.

“Pip, what’s wrong?”

“Intruder!” His hiss echoed through the cottage.

Grievance was already on his feet, crouched. Green light pulsed around the edges of his tattoos, his magic ready to change his shape for a fight. Milo held his breath.

There.

Scratch…

Scratch…

Scratch…

Something scraped insistently against the back door. Marigold was already tucked safely into her barn for the night. It couldn’t be her. Too loud for a field mouse. Too insistent to be an accident.

Breathe Milo. It’s probably not a big deal.

Carefully, Milo crept toward the door. The scratching continued. Grievance positioned himself beside the frame—ready.

Milo slowly unlatched the door. It creaked open, and sitting primly on the porch—wearing an absurdly tiny pointed witch’s hat⁠—

Was a plump little possum.

“Oh.” Milo let out a giggle as relief washed over him. “Hello there.”

The possum blinked up at him before proudly holding out a folded letter clamped in its little mouth.