Page 32 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs (Haven Ever After #8)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CATHERINE

L ater that afternoon, I’m in the kitchen baking pies to leave on the buffet when Manorin ducks into the kitchen.

“Hey, Sunshine, I’ve got Alkazar coming in so I can wine and dine him a little bit. Mind if I allow him into the kitchen for a little chat before I take him to dinner?”

My brows travel skyward. “Hadrian Alkazar? He’s here?!”

He grins. “After we got back, I suggested he should come take a peek at Ever. Nice little haven, got a lot of promise. He could be the biggest of stars here versus trying to join a well-established team and maybe being the littlest fish in a new pond.”

I snort out a laugh. “Alkazar’s not going to be the littlest fish anywhere.”

Manorin grins. “Well, he looks to me for guidance. I’m still his coach. And I think Ever could be a good fit based on what’s important to him.” His smile falls a little.

I wonder if he’s thinking what I’m thinking, that Ever would be a good fit for himself too, depending on what thing is most important to him .

I am that thing, but I can’t shake a terrible feeling about him giving up something important. To the point that I’ve wondered if I need to figure out how to dismantle Annabelle and move her. If that’s even possible? I have no idea…but I’m actually considering it.

“Alright,” he says cautiously, “I’m gonna pick him up at the portal station. Then I’ll bring him back here for a quick chat. Need anything while I’m out?”

I shake my head. “All good here, thanks.”

There’s a tense, silent moment between us that threatens to stretch long. But Manorin gives me a final, cautious look, then turns to go. I slump onto one of the bar stools, but no sooner have I sat than Morgan Hector sashays into the kitchen with a wicked smile.

“Oh, Catherine, Catherine . You’re gonna tell me everything, and you’re gonna tell me right now.”

I stare at my young friend. “What are you doing here?”

She points to the back door. “Manorin comm’d me that there’s a tear in the screen from the last time Iggy flew through with the hellhound pups.

He asked me to come by and fix that and,” she reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a small slip of paper, “like six other little things? Apparently, they need doing.”

My mouth drops open. He’s fixing things around my inn just because they need to be done? The shutters were enough of a surprise but now this? I’m not even sure how to make sense of the emotions welling inside me.

“Cath?” Morgan’s auburn brows form a vee, and she crosses the kitchen to me. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

The whole story spills out of me then. How Manorin and I had a wonderful time in Pine Gulch, the conversation with Rip Shorthorn, my desire for him to have what he wants, and my worry that he’ll pick his home haven over me because he really should .

Because that’s really it. I told him in no uncertain terms that I’d never leave Annabelle under any circumstances. I said that before we’d even been on a date.

But now? Now I’m less sure.

She listens in supportive silence until I’m done, and when I am, she smiles at me. “This is all gonna work out, Cath; I’m predicting it now.”

“You don’t have that power,” I say with a sigh. “There’s only one witch I know who does, and she hates your mother-in-law too much to live in the haven system.”

Morgan wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug that steals my breath. “It’s gonna be fine , Catherine, better than fine. He’s amazing . A smart, driven, thoughtful gentleman, and you seem absolutely besotted with him. I have to believe it’s your time for love, friend.”

“That’s what he says,” I manage. “But if this were Abe, and his dream job was about to be offered to him, would you not feel guilty?”

Morgan steps back and barks out a laugh. “Hell no. He got me. What else could he possibly need?” She winks as I manage a laugh. “Not that we don’t talk about possible jobs, and, anyhow, I wanted to chat with you about that, but we can table that for later.”

Logically everything she’s saying is true, and I know that. I’ve seen this situation in others’ relationships many times over my long life. But I’ve never been in it myself, and it’s terribly discomfiting.

Annabelle slings a bag of chocolate truffles out of the cupboard. The kitty cat timer hops over from the far edge of the island, nudging the bag toward Morgan and me.

When it gets close, she picks it up and examines its corner. “Aww, you’re a little bit bent at the base. Shall I fix you?”

A happy little meow is her “please.”

She closes her eyes, and I watch in amazement as the dings and dents in the timer’s base pop out and buff away. When she’s done, she sets the cat down, good as new.

“Your magic is a wonder, Morgan.” I smile. “I’d love for you to take care of the list Manorin gave you, if you don’t mind. Also, can I see it?”

She smiles at me as she sets the slip of paper on the island. That done, she turns toward the back door.

I unfold the paper and recognize Nor’s handwriting. It’s as sharply angled and scribbly as ever. He’s listed a solid six or eight things I’ve been meaning to ask Morgan about, but they were never huge and never seemed to bother Annabelle.

I don’t get time to examine my thoughts about that, though, because a guest appears in the doorway with a question about restaurant recommendations, given the Green Bean’s current wait time.

Half an hour later, I’m running around like a crazy person changing sheets and cleaning.

I’ve got four check-outs and five check-ins this afternoon, and I am absolutely bonkers.

Morgan called her sisters and their mates, and everyone’s pitching in changing sheets, cleaning bathrooms, washing laundry and all the other myriad things that go into owning a bed and breakfast.

Even Betmal and Amatheia have joined us. Ama’s washing sheets, and she and Betmal are remaking all the beds and helping to clean.

And it is exhausting. For the first time in a long time, I’m not having fun running Annabelle as a business.

If I’m honest, I don’t think she’s having that much fun, either.

The downstairs pipes over the check-in desk groan loudly every time the front door opens.

I make a mental note to revisit temporary housing options with Arkan at my earliest convenience.

Annabelle and I can’t keep up with this pace.

When Manorin shows back up with Alkazar, everything stops as the triplets ooh and ahh over him. Manorin takes me to the side, stroking my cheek as he watches Betmal and Ama haul a pile of sheets upstairs, Wren right behind them with a basket of cleaning supplies.

“I hate that I can’t help you right now.”

“Kitchen’s nice and clean, though,” I say with a wink. “There’s a nice big bowl of apples. Do what you need to do, Nor. I’ve got plenty of help, and we’re nearly done. I do usually manage this on my own, you know.”

He frowns. “But I don’t want you to have to unless you’re thoroughly enjoying yourself.”

I snort out a laugh at that. Fun isn’t what I’d call it.

I push Manorin toward the kitchen, smiling brightly at Alkazar, the handsome star skyball player. “There’s tea and lemonade in the fridge, and I left fresh pie on the countertop. Help yourselves, alright?”

Alkazar smiles, white fangs flashing as he runs a hand tentatively through his dark hair. “Thank you, Miss Catherine. I’ve heard so much about the Annabelle and you over the years. It's lovely to finally meet her in person, and see you again, of course.”

Gods, he’s adorable.

“You too.” I wink at him. “Maybe we’ll see a lot more of you soon!”

He blushes, his cheeks going dark purple as he nods, then turns to follow Manorin to the kitchen.

It takes us another hour to get the inn in shape. The triplets and their mates leave, and it’s finally quiet. I head for the back of the house, forgetting for a moment that Manorin and Alkazar are in the kitchen. Their deep voices stop me, and I halt, not wanting to disturb them.

“It’s a lot to consider, son,” Manorin says in a deep, comforting tone.

“Gil’s here, so I imagine you’ll meet up with him too.

He’s got talent as a coach, I’ll give him that, but his attitude’s poor, and, ultimately, that’ll reflect in the team’s behavior.

You’re a good kid, talented and easy to coach, but part of what you have to decide is if you’re okay being aligned with a coach like that, if you come here, and he’s offered this role.

He’s got a reputation now, and it’ll only get worse unless he fundamentally changes. ”

“Yeah.” Alkazar sighs. “You know it’s always been my dream to play with the Punishers, but I don’t have a huge desire to work with Rip Shorthorn.

I love working with you, but I definitely don’t want to stay at Hearth HQ.

It’s too dark and moody for me. I want friendly people, open sky, low-key, even if the skyball’s wild and crazy. ”

I should stop listening, I really should, but I’m rapt waiting for Manorin’s answer. Will he tell Alkazar about Rip’s retirement? Somehow, I don’t think he will. It’s not his secret, and he’s a vault when it comes to keeping secrets.

“Follow your heart, son,” he finally says.

“Take all the meetings, learn as much as you can, visit every haven that courts you. But make the decision for yourself; don’t let other folks sway you.

When I came here, even though we had a scheduled kickoff meeting, I came early and walked around to get a feel for Ever.

I formed my opinion before the sales pitch started.

Do that and trust your gut. You’ll land where you’re meant to be. ”

He pauses, and I hold my breath.

“Things work out exactly as they’re supposed to.”

I release the breath and step into the kitchen with a wave. “Sorry to interrupt, boys, I’m just grabbing something from the fridge, and I’ll be outta your horns.”

Manorin smirks as I cross to the fridge and grab the extra lemonade pitcher for the front buffet. He waves at me as he smiles. “I was just telling Catherine here the very same thing, as a matter of fact.”

Alkazar spins on his seat, his expression earnest as purple eyes flick to mine. “Oh? Are you stuck with a big decision too, then? ”

Oh, that bratty minotaur male. I set the lemonade down and give Alkazar an encouraging smile.

“Just a matter of the heart. I think we make our fate, but Manorin’s advice still holds true.

Your heart will tell you when you’ve found the right place for you.

” I flick my gaze to Manorin’s, but I can’t read his expression.

“Well,” Alkazar rises from the barstool and dips his head respectfully at me as he grabs Manorin’s hand to shake, “I’m a little late for a meeting with Gil Stoneswallow, so I’m gonna go do that. See you around, Coach.”

“Have fun, kid.” That’s all Manorin says, and he doesn’t watch as the young skyball prodigy leaves the kitchen.

Silence stretches long between us as I smile at Manorin.

He rises from the barstool and rounds the island to lean against it.

Putting a finger under my chin, he pushes up until I’m staring straight into those beautiful, dark eyes.

The moments grow into a full minute, maybe two, maybe forty for all I know.

I can’t tell anymore because there’s just Manorin’s quiet dominance.

After an eternity passes, he glances at the front of the inn, then back to me.

“Cath, there’s something between us, something momentous.

I know it. You know it. We admitted as much in Pine Gulch.

But you’ve also got walls up around your heart because of my love for the Gulch.

I’d never blame you for that, but are you gonna let them down and let me in?

Because we both know you haven’t done that, not really, not yet. ”

His words hurt, but he’s not wrong.

“I want us to have our cake and eat it too,” I admit.

He snorts and pulls me into his arms, grabbing my ass with both big hands. “I’ve got the cake, Cath, and I love eating it.” He jerks his head toward the front of the house. “Let me take you to bed, pretty girl. Let me do something about that worried wrinkle between your beautiful brows.”

When he puts it that way, I can’t deny him. Calling my power, I tug at his agency, leeching it from him as his gaze goes hazy.

He rumbles happily. “That’s it, Sunshine. Take what you want…”

I slip from his embrace and grab his hand, pulling him up off the barstool. “As you wish, Mister Longhorn.”

As he throws me over his shoulder and I command him to take me to my room, I realize I didn’t really answer his question. I’m not even sure how to. I don’t want him to feel like he’s settling.

I just don’t know what, exactly, to do about it.