Page 112 of A Light in the Dark
“It’s true,” Calden’s father admitted with the kind of grin that warned me I’d be waging war with him over it formonths to come. “With your new work, you wouldn’t have the time to fuss with doing the renovations yourself. Humphrey arranged for members of your flutter to handle the actual work. That gave them something to do rather than worry about Joel.”
My boss chose that moment to make his appearance, and he waved at me. “We also took the liberty of finding more rose species for your enjoyment. Your rare varieties and your Joseph’s Coats are in the basement, that way they can be light and temperature controlled. The plant lights are already set up on their timers appropriate for the species, and we have the care sheets for how much to water and when. You are going to have to control access because every luna moth in the flutter is going to be begging for rights to sniff the roses in your basement.”
“They’re going to have to convince me to release my hostage first,” I muttered.
He chuckled, and while shaking his head, he introduced me to my unexpected guests, which ranged from Coraline’s mother, father, and brother, her best friend, who led a faction in Moonriver, several Hunters, Roger, and a pair of mouthy parrots who greeted me with a volley of curses.
Then, because things could get stranger, there was a male peacock in my kitchen fanning his feathers for a peahen and a pair of baby bunnies in a cage on my counter with a bow on top. Someone had placed a towel under the cage to protect the counter, and according to the label attached to the edge, it would contain any pet messes using magic.
If I ever got a pet, I would be investing in similar towels.
“What is even going on here?”
“The peacock and peahen are revenge.” Calden laughed,crouched down next to the birds, and was promptly cuddled into submission. “They came from Earth, and Coraline’s parents went out of their way to find the nicest peacock and peahen that wasn’t related to their peacock and peahen, gifting them to us. I value my life, so I’m in on it. Fortunately for my sanity, unlike Lucky the Doom Bird, this fellow is quiet for a peacock.”
“He usually only screams and heralds in the armageddon when someone is late with lunch,” Coraline’s mother said with a smile. “The two bunnies are additions to her bunny family. As I do love my daughter and don’t want her to suffer too terribly, they’re both girls. They’re actually a gift from one of her co-workers, who bred them. Coraline saw these specific two and fell head over heels.”
One of my guests, a gorgeous woman with a ready smile, waved at me.
“I thank you for that every day.” Calden picked up the peacock and carried the bird tucked under his arm, heading for the door. “Want to grab the hen, Dad?”
The Stephans men headed for my front door, and I realized they meant to ambush poor Coraline with birds.
“Asshole!” one of the parrots screamed.
“But why are there cursing parrots?” I asked, staring at the caged birds with wide eyes.
“They become despondent if their beloved caretaker leaves them alone for the weekends. They are being moved into their home permanently,” my boss explained, grinning at the colorful avians. “When they arrived from Earth, they had no idea these birds tended to form emotional bonds with their caretaker. That’s Coraline. They’ll end up carting their parrots to and from work. Some of the Hunters are attheir home now setting up their permanent habitat. Coraline adores them, so honestly, while she’ll love her other feathered friends, the parrots becoming officially hers is the true gift.”
“And the bunnies?”
“Calden is determined to overwhelm his wife with cuteness, and he already had to tell her no about them once.”
The woman snickered. “What they aren’t telling you is that I’m Calden’s ex, and that I asked Calden to help trick Coraline so I could surprise her with her babies for her birthday. They just weaned, so she won’t expect it. In her head, the baby bunnies don’t wean for another month or two.”
Calden and his father set the peacock and peahen on the floor in the entry, and after a few minutes, Coraline opened the door.
Before anyone had a chance to even try to shout ‘happy birthday’ at her, the peacock fanned his feathers, posed, and screamed his head off at the woman, who gaped at the greeting.
After a few moments, she heaved a sigh. “Again?”
Calden grinned. “Happy birthday. Your parents have brought you a gift. His name is Peace, and her name is Quiet, as we’re getting neither of those ever again. I hope you’re happy with yourself. You are the reason they picked revenge in the form of a peacock and a peahen, and as it’s your birthday present, you can’t refuse.”
“Happy birthday!” Coraline’s parents chorused, and they waved at their daughter.
“Bananas!!!!” the parrots screamed.
“You brought the parrots?” Coraline bent over and pettedboth the peacock and the peahen, and after some cajoling, managed to get both birds to move. “You brought those menaces to Stonecreek? I can see my mom and dad getting revenge for all the birds over the years, but the parrots?”
“They’re going home with us permanently,” Calden said, and the tenderness of his smile caught me by surprise. “We’ll have to haul them to work, but they have a habitat at our house that’s better than what’s in the office. We’re giving them the second spare room, and I’m having everything else moved into the basement while we’re gone. I needed you to drive Valerie and Joel home so we could do the work. There are also two more presents in the kitchen.”
I pointed Coraline in the right direction, grinning as she hurried to see what else awaited her.
The peacock and peahen followed her as though she were the pied piper of birds.
“This is so strange,” I whispered to Joel.
“Bunnies!” Coraline squealed.
