The Skye Trilogy: Isle of Skye, Isle of Night, and Isle of Dawn. * Bonus: Scrumptious Skye Confections Cookbook* (24 page)

I slipped on my new dress from Desiree’s Dress shop in town. It was a sexy strapless black silk dress that hugged my curves. It featured a slit up my left thigh, and tiny little white and red flowers embroidered into the waist. I strapped on my black stilettos and hurried up the stairs.

My guests all seemed to come at the same time, first up was my family, Cecily, Cormac, Winifred, Cuddy, Jeremiah, Oliver and Rhoswen all arrived with smiles and small gifts. I ushered them in and gave my Uncle Cuddy a quick thanks when he positioned himself behind the small bar I had set up in the living room.

Next to arrive was Leo and his wife Elsa, who presented me with a bottle of wine and a huge poinsettia plant.

“Awww, thank you so much, you didn’t have to bring me anything.” I said as I gestured for them to come inside the house.

“Nonsense, we are so happy to be included, thank you for asking us.” Elsa said, her dark eyes twinkling.

A few other of my new friends arrived all in good cheer, Mary from the kitchen store, Susan, who owned Some Enchanted Florist, which was located directly across from the bakery. Lavinia and her husband Louis who ran The Tattered Covered Bookshop right next to me also joined our party.

I had just finished hanging up everyone’s coats when the doorbell rang again. I opened the door and was just about to greet my two new partners in crime, Serena and Riah, when he picked me up in his arms and walked down the walkway with me laughing and protesting.

“Put me down you idiot! What are you doing?” I asked giggling

“Happy Christmas and happy new home!" said Serena as she held out a box towards me. “Put her down Riah. You are enjoying this entirely too much, scoundrel.”

Riah grinned wolfishly at me and winked before he set me down on the walkway.

“What’s going on you two?” I asked

“Open your present first.” Serena demanded.

I ripped the paper off the small box and opened the lid. I saw a bright silver key lying on a black velvet lining. I held it up high and looked at them questionably.

“Ta da.” Serena sang as she flung her arms out towards the driveway.

There sat a big, black golf cart on steroids.

“You got me my own golf cart?” I asked confused

“That is not a golf cart. In fact, that’s an insult, that my dear friend is a Street Legal 48v Black stealth Club Car Precedent.” Riah corrected

“That’s a fierce looking ride, I’ll give you that, but it’s too much. I can't accept this.”

“Of course you can. I’m tired of being your beck and call girl. Besides it’s already paid for and been put in your name." Serena smiled

“You may not realize this Willa, but I’m loaded, this was a drop in the bucket.” Riah whispered

“You guys are crazy. I love it. Thank you so much." I said as I hugged Serena.

“Do I get a kiss?" asked Riah.

“Oh all right,” I said, pretending to be put out by his request, I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Hey, I was hoping for a least a little tongue.” he joked

“Eww,” Serena and I both said.

“What’s this?” my father asked coming out of the house.

“A little gift for Willa from Serena and me, we were getting sick and tired of hauling her ass around all week so we thought we would give her own wheels.” Riah answered.

“Nice.” my father said appreciatively before he began to fire questions at Riah.

While everyone had gathered outside to take a look at my gift for a few minutes, I grabbed my mother, and we both went inside to start setting up. I had decided to forgo the traditional sit down dinner and served it all buffet style on the dining room table. When my guests had come back in I was pleased to see everyone take a plate and pile it with food. The informal setting made the atmosphere relaxed and jovial.

I had sampled everything a dozen times throughout the day, so I wasn’t hungry. I instead sat back and watched with pleasure as everyone ate and complimented the food. I heard the doorbell rang and jumped up out of the chair. My stomach went into overdrive as I opened the door but instead of Mathias it was Frank.

I hid my disappointment and gave him a small hug and invited him inside the house. “I’m so glad you came, Frank."

“Sorry, I’m late. We had a little issue with some exiled Fae and a few Rau trying to break through the protective barriers,” he said as he entered the living room.

“Is everything ok?" Winifred asked with concern.

“Everything is fine your Majesty, just the usual hijinks we get during the Holidays. Apparently they think we might be too busy to keep the spells up,” he answered. “Mathias is handling the problem. He wanted me to let you know he may not make it, but sends his regards.”

“Frank, please grab some food and a drink, I made more than enough.” I offered.

I was trying to ignore the stab of disappointment I felt when I learned that Mathias would not be attending.

The rest of the night went on without a hitch. When the desserts came out, I was rewarded with a round of applause and oh’s and ah’s which was the best gift I could ask for to top off my night. The evening winded down around ten o’clock, and everyone started to leave. My Uncle Cuddy came up to me and gave me one of his Cuddy hugs and then handed me a gift bag.

“I forget I had these. Thought you would enjoy them more than anyone. They’re your grandfather’s cookbooks,” he said gruffly

“Uncle Cuddy, thank you, I will treasure them.” I said running my hands reverently over the spines of the old journals.

“Your Aunt Gussie got a bee in her bonnet one day to try a few recipes out. The only she made was a big mess in John’s kitchen,” he said fondly

“I’m sure she and Archie would have loved for Willa to have them." Winifred said nicely

“I thought I should give them back to you Winnie but Willa and Cecily are the ones who would appreciate them the most,” he said

“Thank you Cuddy.” Cecily said.

“Well, Happy Christmas and all that junk. What do you say we go home Jeremiah and tie one on?" Cuddy asked

“I think that’s a great idea,” my father said

“Sounds good to me,” Jeremiah agreed. “Bye Willa. Thanks for a truly wonderful evening, Happy Christmas."

Everyone put on their coats and left with hugs and kisses. I finally closed the door, after shooing Riah and Serena out and peeled off my shoes before I tackled what was left to clean up in the kitchen. When I was done, I grabbed a glass of wine and sat down to reflect on the evening. I spied the bag of books and my attention was quickly diverted as I began to pour through the handwritten recipes and notes scribbled in the margins by my grandfather.

A soft knock on my front door broke through my reverie. I glanced up at the clock and saw it was almost eleven. Someone must have forgotten something I thought to myself as I went to open the door.

Standing on my doorstep, looking tired and uncharacteristically disheveled, was Mathias.

“Hey,” I said softly, crossing my arms and leaning against the door jamb. My heart began to speed up just at the sight of him.

"Hey,” he replied with a small smile. “Christmas present?" he gestured towards the driveway.

“Do you like my kick ass golf cart?” I asked with a grin

“It is pretty kick ass,” he agreed. “Did Cormac decide it was safe enough to let you loose on the streets of the island with your own transportation?"

“No, Riah and Serena, I think they were getting tired of being Willa’s taxi service."

"I’m sure Riah was more than happy to be your chauffeur."

I shook my head and decided to ignore his little comment. Although part of me took a small amount of pleasure in his apparent jealousy.

“You look beat Guardian Worthing.” I observed

“It’s been a hell of a week. I wanted to drop by real quick to say I’m sorry for missing your party.”

“It’s ok,” I shrugged. I looked down and noticed a beautiful gray Weimaraner dog sitting still by Mathias’s feet, “Who’s this?"

“This is Oscar." Mathias said patting the dog’s head.

“Why Guardian Worthing, you're a dog person, how unexpected." I said cheekily

“Oscar and I go way back. I found him abandoned in a London alley over fifty years ago."

“Fifty? Dog years you mean?"

“No, fifty years ago, human years.” he answered

“Is he a ...vampire dog?" I asked perplexed

"There’s no such thing." Mathias scoffed. “The Fae have an animal version of fairy nectar. A couple of drops a year extends their lives almost indefinitely, a bit of a commitment, but well worth it."

“That’s amazing." I said in wonderment. “Funny, I always wanted a dog, but my parents never let me have one. I guess it was because they never knew when they might have to leave unexpectedly.”

“Well, tonight all your dreams will come true." Mathias smiled as he put his fingers in his mouth and whistled.

“What do you mean?" I asked suspiciously. At the end of my driveway I saw a large, dark shape appear

“Oh no, you didn’t. Mathias it’s ok. I mean I just moved here. I’m trying to find my groove. I don’t have time for a dog.” Exasperated I turned away into the foyer.

“You haven’t even met him yet." Mathias said

“I don’t need to meet him. I’m sure the Rottweiler, Pit Bull or German Shepard you picked out is a very friendly animal, but I don’t need a killer attack dog. That’s your job."

“Come on Willa, turn around, and meet Cupcake.” Mathias persuaded

“Oh for goodness sakes,” I muttered as I turned around rolling my eyes. What stood right in front of me was not a sleek guard dog. Nope, in front of me was a large brown and white spotted St. Bernard with his giant pink tongue hanging out of his mouth.

“You got me a St. Bernard...and named him Cupcake?” I said in disbelief

“Yeah.” he replied nodding his eyes. “Handsome isn’t he? Only eight months old.”

“He’s not even full grown?" I groaned as I rubbed my forehead.

“No, but he’s housebroken.” Mathias grinned. “He’s a good pup. He sleeps a lot, but don’t let that fool you, he’s strong and can do some damage."

“I’m going to open a bakery Mathias. I’m gone all day. Who’s going to let him out? Who’s going to make sure he gets plenty of exercise?"

“He’ll go with you to the bakery. He’ll be happy as a pig in shit to lie in the corner and take a snooze while you work and at night he will keep guard."

“Snooze in the corner of my new bakery? I think that may be a health code violation. You know no farm animals inside a place that serves food? Jesus, Mary and Joseph, he’s the size of a pony."

“You wouldn’t have known it a few months ago. When I went to meet him at the Vet, who had taken him in, he showed me pictures of him from when he arrived. He had been abused since he was born and hardly fed or taken care of at all. He went to a couple of different foster homes, but neither of the couples had the room for him.” Mathias explained as he knelt down by Cupcake and stroked his back.

I chuckled and looked away. “Can you pull at my heartstrings anymore?"

Then I looked down at him. Cupcake’s big, brown, sad eyes penetrated my own and all of sudden visions of him small and scared cowering in a corner flashed in my head. I knelt down and petted him under the chin.