Brida Pact Read Free Page A

someone because
he’s comfortable, Pixie. I want you to have some passion in your life. Are you
passionate about Brian? I know when you first started dating you seemed so
happy and then it seemed as though the more you settled in, the more boring it
got.”
    Poppy sat quietly while waiting for her sister to absorb
what she was saying. Pixie was obviously doing the same thing since there was
silence on her end as well. After a few moments with neither of them talking,
Poppy decided to let it go.
    “I just want you to be happy. And if you love him, then
you’re happy and I’m happy for you.”
    “Great. So let’s all be happy and drop the subject, okay?”
Pixie had apparently had enough of the Brian discussion so Poppy changed it
quickly.
    “So, the big question is…toilet paper at Mega Mart or across
town? The bonus is that I can stop for food across town on the drive back and
not have to eat canned ravioli again.” She pulled on a light jacket. Florida
weather was a little chilly in January so her winter gear consisted of a thin
jacket and a scarf.
    “Well, hell, if we’re basing your decision on a repeat of
canned ravioli then by all means go across town and get alien-napped. Just
don’t call me when they pull out the probes.” Teasing Poppy for her ability to
make decisions based on her stomach, she added, “But I do want you to call me
first thing when you get home. Okay?”
    “Of course, sister dear. Hey, by the way, when are you going
to go back in to work?” Zipping up her jacket, she made sure she had her wallet
in her purse before heading out the door.
    “The restaurant reopened this afternoon with a bare-bones
staff. I’ll need to go in tomorrow and figure out payroll in the morning but
today I’m taking the day off. Brenda is there acting as manager on duty so I
don’t have to worry too much.”
    After scanning the stairwell to make sure everything was
quiet and no little green men were hiding, Poppy jogged down the steps to her
late-model Honda. “Isn’t Brenda the chick who’s been causing problems lately?”
    “Yeah, but it seems we only have issues when she tries to do
paperwork. I swear, I spend more time fixing her fuck-ups than it would have
taken me just to do whatever it is myself to begin with.”
    By this point, Poppy had reached her car and climbed in.
“Okay, Pix, I’m in my car and I’ll call you when I get back.”
    “Gotcha. Drive carefully. Brian said people are still
watching the ships more than the road, so pay attention.”
    Poppy ended the call with their customary air-kissing noises
and started the car.
    “What the fuck ?”
    According to her gauge, someone had managed to steal most of
her once-full tank of gas. Seriously? Poppy couldn’t believe it. Breathe in
and breathe out, Poppy . Fuck breathing! she thought, banging her
hands on her steering wheel. She leaned forward and rested her head against the
car horn. There went fifty dollars and hello, side trip she hadn’t anticipated.
Poppy ran through a list of the gas stations on her route and figured she had
enough to get to one at least.
    What a bunch of assholes.

Chapter Three
     
    Two miles into her drive across town quickly changed Poppy’s
destination. All four lanes of traffic had come to a standstill due to an
accident that had Poppy cursing and smacking her steering wheel. Poppy made a
quick U-turn. Praying she had enough gas to hit the station next to Mega Mart,
she crossed her fingers.
    The gas station was packed with what appeared to be a bunch
of crazy doomsday preppers who seemed intent on emptying the station tanks.
“Who needs ten cans of gasoline?” Talking to herself seemed like better
entertainment than anything since the radio had turned into nothing but more
news. Recognizing the ten-can gasoline man as her gun-toting neighbor made
Poppy flinch.
    “Yeahhhhh… I might want to stay at Pixie’s for a while.”
    Once Poppy had finished as quickly as possible, she headed
for the store. The