Page 77 of Cursed By Fate

As much as I wanted to keep puzzling this out, I knew he was right. My body and brain were screaming at me not to do too much too soon.

He supported me to his golf cart and drove me to the cottage. I accepted his offer to help me up the steps to the front porch where an anxious Jinx awaited me. The cat darted back and forth, meowing incessantly.

“Someone’s happy to see you,” Dr. Adam said.

I opened the front door. “I’m late for mealtime. She’s probably hungry.”

Jinx wasn’t alone, however. A familiar figure stood in the kitchen holding a can of wet cat food.

“How did you get in my house?” I demanded.

As calm as you please, Penny emptied the contents of the can into Jinx’s bowl. “Security has a skeleton key, remember?”

Her pin didn’t glow or transform. She was telling the truth.

“You’re not supposed to use it on staff residences.”

Her face melted into disappointment. “I’m sorry. I was trying to be helpful.”

“By breaking into my house?”

No wonder Jinx had been pacing the length of the porch. The cat didn’t like a stranger infiltrating her safe space.

“I heard you were hurt. I came by to stock your fridge with a casserole and feed Jinx.”

“That was thoughtful of you, Penny,” Dr. Adam said.

She batted her eyelashes. “Not at all. Maya would do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

“Sure.” Good thing I wasn’t wearing the star pin.

They helped me to the sofa, which I loathed with every step. I felt like an invalid.

“I’m fine,” I insisted, shaking them off.

I really didn’t want Penny in my cottage, but I couldn’t think of a reason to keep her outside without seeming like an ungrateful crazy person.

“How long have you had a cat?” Penny asked.

“I don’t have a cat.”

Penny frowned at the creature now seated on the sofa, licking her paws. “Are you sure about that?”

“Jinx is a frequent visitor.”

“How frequent?”

“Monday through Friday. Some weekends. Or maybe all the weekends. I don’t know. I barely keep track.”

Penny snorted. “What’s wrong with having a cat?”

“Nothing.”

Her gaze wandered away from the interloper to take in the rest of the living room and kitchen. “This place is cuter than mine. Do you think I’ll get a cottage?”

“I’m sure you can, as soon as one opens up.”

“This isn’t God’s waiting room, Maya. It’s an island of supernaturals. I could end up waiting a long time for something to open up.”