Page 26 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

E noch and I spent a few hours with the animals. He healed some and started the healing process with others.

He told me what he was doing, and I made notes so I could send it to Elaine. I pull my scarf up around my throat. It really is cold out here, not that Enoch seems to notice; his coat is hanging open, and his scarf shoved half in his pocket.

I texted Sly to see how he and Xander are. They are at the funfair, playing silly games and eating burgers.

I shake my head. The amount of junk food those two eat is amazing.

Enoch closes the last cage. “I’m finished for now.” He looks at the fox he’s just healed. “You’ll be all better tomorrow, Mrs Fox.”

I send the text to Elaine and then pocket my phone.

“Let’s wash our hands and then go to the bakery for lunch,” I say.

“We can do that. I bet Sly and Xand are having burgers or hot dogs.”

“They are. I thought we could have hot roast rolls,” I suggest, opening the door to the boot room where we both wash our hands.

“Yes, I’m starving. Thank you for bringing me here today. I think I might train as a vet when I’m older. I mean, my magic helps heal animals, and it would be a waste not to help more of them.”

I close the door to the boot room as we leave. “That sounds like a really good idea. We can look at getting you some books on animal anatomy and the like.”

“Thanks. I’ve started reading some online already,” he opens the garden gate for me to walk through, closing it behind us.

“We just need to find Xander’s thing now,” I say with a sigh.

“He’s not sure what he wants to do yet, but he’ll find his thing,” Enoch says, full of confidence.

“He will, because we’ll help him.”

We walk and chat until we reach the baker's. “It always smells amazing in here,” Enoch comments as we walk in.

“It really does,” I agree.

There isn’t a queue, so we’re served straight away.

“It’s Enoch and Ebby, right?” the lady behind the counter asks. “I’m Patty. Congratulations on buying your house.”

“Yes, we are and thanks. I guess news travels fast around here,” I say.

Patty nods. “It does. Adhan used to send a newsletter out, but Ernest got pretty much the whole town in a messaging group, so news really does travel fast. He’ll be adding you and your husband soon, I reckon.”

“I didn’t even know you could have groups that big if the whole town is on it,” I say, because that group must be massive.

“Between you and me, I think Ernest worked his magic on it,” she pauses and looks behind us, a big smile crossing her face.

I turn to see who was there, and the most stunning lady was walking up to us, also beaming.

“I’m not pushing in,” she says to us. “I was just passing and wanted to say hello to my wife.”

I move out of the way. “Help yourself.”

The lady leans over the counter, and Patty meets her halfway, sharing a quick kiss.

They pull back, and Patty laughs. “You can stop by more often. Have you met Ebby and Enoch? This is my wife, Melody. She’s Justice’s doctor partner.”

“Hello, welcome to Cadenbury,” Melody says.

“Thanks. I’m Ebby, and this is my brother Enoch.”

Melody smiles at him. “I would stay and chat, but I’ve patients to see. It was nice to meet you both. See you later, love,” she says, looking at Patty before rushing out.

I hear Patty sigh and turn to look at her. “I’m such a lucky woman,” she gives her head a shake. “Sorry, what can I get for you both?”

“Two hot roast rolls, please, with everything,” I order. “A latte and lemonade as well, thanks.”

“Are you eating in or taking away?”

“We’ll eat in the garden,” Enoch says before I can.

“Really?” I ask because it’s still cold outside.

“Yeah, we’re wearing coats and you have a hot drink, plus the roast is hot,” my brother points out.

I laugh and look at Patty. “We’re eating in the cold, cold garden.”

Patty laughs. “There are space heaters dotted around out there,” she replies, putting our stuffed-to-the-brim rolls on the tray and fixing our drinks and finally adding two large colourful cupcakes. “The cupcakes are my treat.”

“Thank you, Patty,” we both say, as I pay and pick up the tray.

“Space heaters will be your friend,” she says, laughing as we walk away.

“Thanks,” I call back.

The space heaters do help, and we eat our lunch in semi warmth and alone, as no one else is mad enough to be sat out here.

We’re finishing our lovely cupcakes when my phone pings. It’s a message from Sly saying they are back at the B&B and he misses me.

I always feel a flutter in my stomach when he says something like that, the same as when he says he loves me.

“Gah, you have that sappy Sly look on your face,” Enoch huffs out.

“Sorry, I can’t help it. You’ll be the same when you meet your special someone,” I assure him.

“Yay,” he says, totally unenthusiastically.

I laugh and message back that we’d be there soon, and I miss him just as much. Also, that we’d been invited to dinner at the manor and to carve pumpkins.

“Shall we go?” I ask, collecting our things up.

“Yeah, come on. I know if you’re away from Sly for too long, you’ll grump,” my oh so delightful little brother says, jumping up and laughing.

“I don’t grump,” I grump out, picking the tray up.

Enoch just laughs at me.