“Um, before you go, I have a confession.” Her mother pursed her lips. “I accidentally broke your cookie jar.”
Not the bear?
Rosalie hugged herself and slid her hands down her arms. “I was putting away laundry, and I saw it on your dresser, and I felt bad for telling you it was ugly when you liked it so much. This is your house, too. I carried it into the kitchen to put it on the counter, and I dropped it. I’m sorry.”
The bear had been her sole link to the visions.
It’s all right. Accidents happen. But of all things to break, why did it have to be the bear?
“I’ll replace the cookie jar. Pick one out. I’ll pay for it.”
She couldn’t just go to Walmart and get another one. The bear was vintage. They didn’t make them anymore. But her mother looked so contrite, she couldn’t be mad. Don’t worry about it.
Chapter Seven
After taking Cassie home, Psy returned to Lavender Bliss Farm to clean up the gazebo. Night had settled, and he flipped on the electric lights to stare at the bucket of melted ice, the dirty dishes, and the flies sitting on the drying food, the candles he’d never gotten a chance to light.
What a mess. The picnic, the least of it.
He cleared away the detritus, recorking the wine, emptying the ice bucket and their glasses over the side of the gazebo, and scraping leftovers into a plastic bag. At the sound of a footfall, he turned to see Chameleon and Kevanne. In his natural Xeno form, Chameleon lumbered up the steps, lifting his tail to avoid dragging it. Under the gazebo lights, his scales shimmered, appearing deep blue.
“We spotted the lights from the house,” Chameleon said. “We figured it was you, but thought we ought to check.”
Kevanne grinned. “How did the big date go?” Then she caught a glimpse of his face, and her smile died. “Oh, no! What happened?”
“She got mad at me.” He stowed the used plates, glasses, and flatware in the plastic storage box and snapped on the lid.
“Why?” Chameleon said.
“She thought I would like her better if she could speak.”
“Why did she think that?” Kevanne asked.
“I suggested she get her voice reevaluated.”
“She’s probably gone through many ups and downs and had her hopes dashed over and over,” Kevanne said.
“I think she’s my genmate,” he said glumly.
“Congratulations! That’s wonderful.”
“She told me to go away and never come back.” How could this have happened?
Chameleon squinted at him, eyeing his neck. “Your mating glands don’t look swollen.”
“They’re not. But that doesn’t always happen with Veritals.” He didn’t need mating glands to tell him he and Cassie were meant for each other. The hunch settled in every cell of his being—except, ironically, in his mating glands. “What do I do? She won’t talk to me.”
“You have to fix it,” Kevanne said.
“How?”
“Start with flowers.”
“I gave her a lavender sprig.”
“Well, lavender is a good choice.” She grinned. “But this situation calls for roses. She works at Timeless Treasures, right? Send her a dozen roses. Better yet—deliver them in person.” She touched his shoulder. “Every couple has ups and downs. If you’re genmates, it will work out.”
“I hope you’re right.” He shifted his gaze to Chameleon. “Would the med pod work on a human?”
“You’re thinking of using it to repair her voice?”
“It couldn’t hurt to try.”
“Yes, it could!” Kevanne huffed and planted her hands on her hips. “I can’t believe you! You just said she reacted badly to the idea that she needed to be fixed!”
“Despite what she says, I know she desperately wishes she could talk. She dislikes writing and hates when people shout at her because they assume because she can’t speak she can’t hear. I don’t care if she never utters a word, but, if she wants to speak, then I want it for her.
“I wouldn’t broach the subject with her now,” he said. “She would have to be receptive to the idea, which she isn’t. And, I’d need to find out if the med pod would work on a human.” He shook his head. “Nature played a dirty trick on her like the Xenos did to us.”
A master species, Xeno Consortium had created the ’Topians. They collected DNA from across the galaxy then diced and spliced, mixed and matched the genetic material in laboratories to create life, which they implanted on terraformed planets. Not all the combinations benefited the organisms. Chameleon, a former member of the High Council, a rare Xeno with a conscience, had confirmed what they had suspected: the consortium programmed hardships and defects into their creations.
Some of the most intelligent beings had the shortest lifespans, while some who lived the longest had been afflicted with painful physical ailments. Vaporians died if they didn’t mate soon after adulthood. And to reproduce, all ’Topians had to find and bond with a genmate.
The Xeno Consortium hadn’t anticipated they would evolve and advance at lightning speed and develop scientific technology to counteract many of the congenital afflictions. The med pod could cure almost any disease or injury befalling them.
Whether it could cure a human remained the big question. Humans and ’Topians did share some of the same DNA. Would it be enough? And if not, could the med pod be calibrated for a human?
“Your heart is in the right place,” Kevanne said. “But you need to give her time to cool off. Then you have to mend fences, and, from there, take it slow for a while. Don’t say anything about the med pod! Get to know her better; let her get to know you.”
The picnic items had been stowed away, and, after Chameleon dragged a cart to the gazebo, Psy helped him load the plastic tote boxes. “Thank you both for all your help setting this up. Even though it didn’t end the way I’d hoped—”
His phone booped with a text.
I’m sorry. I overreacted. I hope I didn’t ruin things.
He broke into a wide grin of elation and relief.
“Cassie?” Kevanne asked.
“Yes.” He nodded as his thumbs flew over the mini keyboard. It was my fault. Nothing ruined! I’d like to see you again.
I would like that, she replied immediately, punctuating her text with a big smiling emoji.
Tomorrow night? I’ll pick you up.
After long seconds, she answered. Perfect. But, pick me up at work? I get off at 6 p.m.
OK! I can’t wait to see you.
Me, too. Again, I’m so sorry for acting like an idiot.
They exchanged a few more comments before signing off.
“All is well?” Chameleon asked.
“All is well. We have another date tomorrow night. I’ll meet her at the antique store.”
“You still need to send flowers to the shop. She can put them on display so the customers can see them.”
With Kevanne’s help, he ordered a huge bouquet of red roses and had them scheduled for delivery the next day.
* * * *
“Good morning!” Psy boomed as he bounded into the kitchen. He had a date with Cassie, and he’d awakened this morning to the best omen ever. Today was going to be a great day!