Page 37 of Stronger Than Blood

So much to think about. I glanced over at Uncle Eddie’s store as I drove the van to the hotel to stuff the cooler with my pies. I didn’t really want to run a distillery.

I didn’t really want to run a restaurant, either, and knew barely enough about that. No, I wanted to do what I was doing now, baking and going to sleep. I chuckled at my thoughts. I was not a lazy person, but I didn’t necessarily like the business side of working for myself either.

I didn’t know Essie, but if Rebecca and Brenda loved her, as they clearly did, I knew I would too. Brenda would never give up her cherished restaurant unless she was convinced that Essie was the right person for the job.

It took a while to fall asleep, and when I did, I had vivid dreams about what it would be like to have the life I’d been presented with. I saw myself baking through the week, helping up front after I put the pies out, then going to sleep and coming back to help out at the distillery.

I saw myself in Rory's arms and us laughing at something Kalinda said. I woke up with something sticking me in the side and reached down to find the little crystal poking me. “Um, I’m sure I put you on the windowsill,” I said and had to push past the feeling of discomfort that came with the unexplained.

Of course, then I just laughed. When had my life become one where crystals moved on their own?

I deliberately ignored the thought that it had begun when I started seeing ghosts.

No, I would give that thought no energy.

Keeping that sucker far from me and my thoughts was the first and most important goal I had in life.

Luckily, I didn’t mind thinking about my sweet friend who’d put me on the path to the lighter side of this supernatural life.

I crawled out of bed, rubbed the little crystal against my cheek before putting it back on the windowsill, then showered and brushed my teeth. I smiled when I saw Rory had texted

Him: Wanna meet me at the hotel? We can discuss yesterday’s progress.

Me: Sure, what time?

Him: Soon, but change of plan, meet me at the restaurant. I’m starving.

Me Nothing new there then.

Him: Not like you can talk. C U in a few?

I chuckled, then texted him back. I didn’t say it was also because I wanted to spend time there thinking about what it might mean if I was part owner of the place.

I got the “thumbs-up” and headed out, pleased when he waved at me from the back.

I sat down, knowing Rory and Kalinda would likely join me soon. When Essie came over and asked if she could join me, I smiled and gestured to the seat across from me.

“How do you feel, um, about this morning?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Surprised, a little overwhelmed, but after sleeping on it, I-I think I’d like to try. You?”

She sighed and looked in the direction of the buffet, which was bustling with customers.

“To be honest, it’s sort of my dream come true, but also, I don’t know you, and you don’t know me.

I-I have years of experience, first in this kitchen, and when I moved to St. Louis to be with a girlfriend I thought would be my forever wife.

That didn’t work out, but I did work in a wonderful soul food restaurant there.

The owner recently passed away, and her children sold the property.

I-I tried to buy it, but they wanted too much, and then some big corporation bought it anyway.

I—” She paused, chewing on her lower lip and then looking at me.

“I’m married now to someone much better than the woman I went to St. Louis to meet.

I’m sorry, I’m rambling… telling you my whole life story, and you didn’t even ask, but I’ve spent the day here, and my mind is spinning.

I shouldn’t be dumping all this on you, though. ”

I chuckled. “I totally understand, but Essie, do you want to do this?” I asked.

Her eyes grew large, but she nodded. “Maybe more than anything I’ve ever wanted before, but not if my wife won’t come with me. I-I will have to tell her.”

“Invite her to come. What does she do?”

Essie smiled at me. “She works in the restaurant industry as well.”

“Cool, would she come work with you here?” I asked.

Essie laughed. “Um, no, she’s trying to become a master distiller. She’s not the flipping burgers kind of gal.”

“Wait, what? Like she makes whiskey and stuff?”

“Yeah, there’s a few new distilleries that serve food in St. Louis. She started as a cook, but she’s been learning the distillery trades.”

I waited a moment to see if maybe she was pulling my leg. When she stared at me, confused at my expression, I just laughed.

“So, your wife wants to become a master distiller, and you were just asked to take over here?” I asked, lowering my voice so the other customers around us wouldn’t hear.

She nodded. “Did Brenda tell you about my other project?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No, she didn’t tell me anything. She just asked me to meet her here this morning.”

“This is too much,” I said. I looked up just as Rory and Kalinda came in. When Essie stood up, I shook my head. “No, you’ll want to meet these people. Trust me,” I said.

Essie gave me a perplexed look, but when Kalinda and Rory walked over, I introduced her. “Essie, have you eaten yet?” I asked.

She shook her head, the perplexed look never leaving her face. “Well, please join us. Like I said, you’re going to want to meet these two.”

She nodded and rushed back to tell Brenda she was going to join us. When Brenda glanced my way, she smiled. “Oh, this is such a setup,” I said, and Kalinda looked at me, then over at Brenda and smiled. I had no doubt she knew exactly what was going on.