Amber Dan-Dwayne Spencer (romantic books to read .txt) 📖

of Uriel and it should lead us to the talisman Phoenix mentioned in his poem. According to the information we have, I would say it’s hidden right here in the commune.”

He sounded convincing, so I thought he knew what he was talking about.

Roger lied, “This hippy haven was named ‘Happy Hollow’ because of Flower’s beaming smile and how her gaze makes people feel happy.”

I glanced over at Flower. She looked more confused than I did.

“Go on…this is getting good,” Jimmy responded.

Letting what Jimmy said soak in, Roger paused. “Tomorrow is Sunday. Flower and the rest of the Commune will look for the talisman while me, Arland, and you, Jimmy… go to town to buy asbestos to cover the photovoltaic collectors. Flower can’t leave anytime soon because her patients took a turn for the worse while we were away. It seems, being away from the healer today has compounded their problem.” He gave Jimmy a sideways glance. “I’m sure the hippies will find the book while we’re gone.”

My jaw went slack. What was Roger up to? All I could figure was Roger played up the idea of the three of us going to town, so Jimmy would decide for himself to stay behind, but would he take the bait? If he did, then we could leave and find the book without him or Calypso being the wiser.

Jimmy gave what Roger said some thought, then barked, “Hell no. I’m going to stay and help find the book. You and Loveless can buy the asbestos. You don’t need my help. I’ll be of more use here.”

“You know Flower and Rose will be tending to the patients in the clinic and they will be busy all day. You probably won’t see your sweet Rose till late tomorrow evening.”

“Oh, my.” Jimmy rolled his eyes. “How will I survive without her clinging to me all the time?”

Flower whispered something to Rose. She scurried through the door and out to the commune.

Jimmy’s brow furrowed. He suspected every whisper.

“If you insist on staying, you can, but you can go with us if you want,” Roger offered.

Jimmy straightened in his chair and asked, “How will you two get to town to buy asbestos? Roger, you can’t drive.”

“No, but Arland can. Remember, he was going to drive for you.” Roger gave him a convincing smile, “Arland can drive the VW van.” He gave me a get with the program glare. “Right Arland?”

“Oh right, Roger. I’ll drive the VW van tomorrow.” I sounded less convincing than Roger did. “We’ll get the asbestos and show the sheriff they can’t destroy the solar collectors.”

With a knock on the makeshift door to the Roundhouse, in walked gray-headed, ponytailed Paul, and Rose trailed close behind him.

Flower said, “Everyone this is Paul Heiliger. Paul is going to head the search for The Book of Uriel. Of course, Rose and I will take care of the clinic while Roger and Arland are in town.”

Flower was a terrible liar. She gave Jimmy an awkward open hand wave that reminded me of a flopping fish.

“Jimmy,”—Flower pointed her finger in his direction—“you will help Paul spearhead the search. You can be a great help. You’re so strong and you can make quick work of any digging or moving things to hunt for the angelic book.”

Flower must have caught on to Roger’s gig because she was acting just as goofy as a Hanna-Barbera Cartoon.

Paul said, “It’s important everyone gets a good night’s sleep so we’ll be fresh and wide-awake while we search. I’m having cots and blankets set up here for you guys. So, I suggest everyone settle down and get some shuteye.”

“Great idea,” Roger said with a beaming smile.

The mouthy guy who mocked me at breakfast brought what looked like army cots and stacked blankets on a table.

Paul announced, “There’s nothing else to say.” He looked Jimmy’s way. “Together, we will find the missing angel book—tomorrow.”

Rose and Flower went up to the clinic while we made up our cots. Roger took off his shoes, shirt, and cut-off jeans, climbing under his blanket in his boxers. I only took off my shirt and sandals before tucking myself between fresh, crisp sheets, but Jimmy laid across his cot fully dressed.

I was about to doze off when I heard the door of the Roundhouse close.

Roger shook me. “He’s gone to tattle on us to Sheriff Briggs. We have a few minutes to ourselves.” He called up to the clinic, “Flower. Rose. Come down, he’s gone.”

Flower ran down the steps, a gregarious smile spread across her face. “Roger, you’re a genius. It took a while before I caught on, but when I did, it all made perfect sense. That was brilliant.”

Roger replied, “I don’t know why I thought of it. When Arland explained what had happened to Jimmy… Well, I didn’t have a clue what to do, then it just came to me.”

I commented, “Like it was out of your control and it just dropped onto you from out of nowhere?”

“Yeah. That’s exactly what it was li….” He got a strange look on his face. “This is what it’s like for you when you get premonitions, isn’t it?”

“Yep, exactly,” I said. “I have no idea when or where it’s coming. I certainly don’t see future stuff all the time.”

Flower grabbed Roger and started looking over his torso. She raised his arms and turned him around and around. Finally, she lifted the back of his shaggy hair. At the base of his neck was a cherry red, diamond shape discoloration with what looked like wings on each side of it.

She asked, “Have you always had this birthmark?”

Roger stretched, unable to get into a position to see for himself, “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

She scowled at his inability to provide her with a plausible answer. “Roger, tell us