Stormy Sky Magic (Familiar Kitten Mysteries Book 9)

certificate, Meri and Reggie were understandably concerned. I explained everything.
“What are you going to do?” Reggie asked.
“I’m going to order a copy online and have it mailed,” I said. “I’m not stepping foot back in that place before I get my magic back.”
“I could go with you,” Meri said. “I think I can still handle that thing.”
“I’ll just order it online,” I said, and that was that.

Chapter Two
No one came into the shop. Not one customer. So, after a while, Reggie and I went upstairs to the apartment and watched a couple of episodes of The Vampire Diaries. She loved that show. I couldn’t really make fun of her, though. I secretly rewatched the Twilight movies when no one was around.
Around lunchtime, we decided to brave the rain and go over to the Brew Station for our free lunch. We ran out to my car, Reggie carried Tangerine like a football and I had Meri tucked in my mostly dried-out bag, and drove around to the other side of the square.
Despite the almost complete lack of customers in the Brew Station, I still didn’t feel right taking Tangerine inside, so Meri got dog-sitting duty. The car had a “dog mode” where I could leave the air conditioner and radio on for them. Meri didn’t want me going in alone, but he could see me from the car, so he eventually relented.
“You came!” Viv exclaimed as we walked through the doors. “I am so glad to see you guys.”
“Slow day, huh?” Reggie said.
“I don’t know what it is about this rain and these storms, but it seems to be freaking everyone out,” Viv said. “Sometimes rain brings everyone in, but it’s really scaring everyone away.”
“Yeah, we haven’t had anybody in the shop, so we’re sort of just closed,” I said. “I doubt we’ll even go back over there and open up again after lunch.”
“I still get paid, right?” Reggie asked.
“Yes, of course,” I answered.
“So, are you ladies ready for a feast?” Viv asked. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just join you.”
“Awesome,” I said. “You want us to come back and help you get everything ready? We can get our own food.”
“Nonsense,” Viv said and waved me off. “You guys pick whichever table you want, and I’ll be right there.”
We took a table away from the window near the counter. Normally, I would have wanted to sit near the window and watch the rain, but I was starting to feel sick of it all. It wasn’t like I was wishing for sunshine or anything, but I would have liked a bit of a letup from the unrelenting showers.
That and I was afraid at any moment, the serious thunder and lightning would start again and scare the pants off me. If it did, I’d have to rush out to the car and bring Meri and Tangerine inside.
As if she could read my mind, Viv appeared from the back with a tray of food. “Radar says there’s another imbedded storm coming. Why don’t you go outside and get those two before it gets here?”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“It’s not like there are any customers in here,” she said and looked around. “But if anyone does come in, they can just deal with it. I don’t want the critters out there alone when this storm kicks off.”
“All right,” I said. “I’ll grab them.”
“I’ll help,” Reggie added. “I’ll grab the doggie.”
We rushed outside and went to either side of the car. Reggie grabbed Tangerine from the passenger side, and I reached in and grabbed Meri from the driver’s side. We dashed back inside where Viv was setting a paper plate with turkey down for Tangerine and a plate with crumbled bacon for Meri. Both animals happily partook of their meal before settling down at our feet for a snooze.
At least, they tried to relax and take a nap. Just as Viv had said, minutes later another storm came in. The lightning continuously lit up the sky like fireworks were going off above the clouds, and thunder shook the coffee shop.
We ate quickly and without saying much. All of the noise made conversation nearly impossible. I was beginning to feel shell-shocked from the constant pounding and booming.
About halfway through our food, and much to our surprise, customers came tumbling into the shop. It was a man and a young boy, and I could tell right away that the boy had been crying. You could have almost written it off as rain on his face, but I could see his eyes were red and irritated.
He smiled a little, and his face lit up, when he saw Tangerine and Meri. “Look, dad, a little dog and a kitten,” he said to his father. “Can I pet them?” He directed his question at me. Someone had taught him well about asking the owner before you approached a strange animal.
“Sure…” I started to say.
“Stay away from those filthy animals,” his father snapped. “What kind of place is this? I should call the police on you and get this restaurant’s food license revoked. Where is the manager?”
The little boy sniffled, and his shoulders fell. He just looked so defeated. I sensed that he hoped the animals would lighten his father’s mood, and they’d had the opposite effect.
“Dad, please don’t,” the boy practically whispered.
“Wouldn’t matter anyway. Her husband is the sheriff,” Reggie snarked at the man, and I watched him bristle.
The little boy’s eyes went wide with a look that combined horror and appreciation. My guess was that not many people in his young life had talked to his father that way, but I was worried she would make it worse for him. After all, once they left the Brew Station, there’d be no one for his father to take his anger out on but the boy.
“Stop, Reggie,” I whispered under my breath. “Just leave it alone.” I nodded my head toward the boy who looked a little terrified.
“Fine,” she said and went back to her soup.
“What can I get