A Bad Time to Sparkle #2
Ryder grins as he puts his hands together, giving me a heart symbol just to be ornery. Ash must notice, because he exhales slowly like he’s trying for patience.
“Kit plans to open the tea shop in a few weeks,” Ash says when he realizes that’s all the speech I have in me. “I hope you’ll all stop by and support her.”
“Can I sit down now?” I ask him under my breath.
He doesn’t smile this time, but there’s humor in his eyes. “Go ahead.”
A few people clap, and then more join them, which doesn’t help.
“Excellent speech,” Ryder says when I return. “I was moved.”
“Shut up, Ryder,” Meg laughs. “You did just fine, Kit.”
I turn my eyes back on Ash, trying to pay attention.
“As you all know, the deadline for planting your window boxes was last weekend, but a few of you still haven’t gotten yours done. This is your last notice. If you haven’t completed them by Tuesday morning when I make the rounds, we will plant them for you and send you the bill.
“Also, don’t forget June 14th kicks off our Firefly Festival.
You can pick up decorations from Anna, or use your own, as long as they fit the theme.
I spoke with Daisy this morning, and she’s available to paint window scenes.
Be sure to contact her right away if you’re interested, as she books up quickly. ”
“Who’s Daisy?” I ask Ryder quietly.
“She’s a local artist,” he answers.
“A shifter,” Meg adds. “Another fox.”
I’m never going to keep all these people straight.
“Anna has printed out our summer event schedule,” Ash continues.
“Be sure to take a copy on your way out so you can prepare. As always, we encourage you to keep your shops open a few hours later during the farmer’s market and for other evening events.
This, of course, will benefit you as well as our tourists.
“And, lastly, we will be moving our monthly town meetings to Mondays for the summer. The next will be July 7th. Does anyone have any questions, comments, or concerns before we wrap this up?”
A few rows in front of me, Marshall raises his hand.
“Yes?” Ash asks, looking somewhat impatient.
“Have you decided on the flower colors for autumn yet? You know I need to get those started.”
“Talk to Anna on Monday,” Ash says. “I’ll leave it up to the two of you.”
Anna turns from her spot in the front row, smiling at Marshall, looking a touch nervous.
“She tries to be friendly,” Meg whispers, keeping her voice so low I barely hear him. “But he doesn’t want anything to do with their family.”
“Why would he snub Anna, though? She seems nice.”
“She is nice,” Ryder says. “But…there’s bad blood between Marshall and the Neilfellow family.”
“Why?”
He’s about to tell me, but there are no more questions, and Ash adjourns the meeting.
“That was short,” Meg says with a contented sigh.
Ryder playfully raises his eyebrows at me. “Probably because Ash has other things on his mind.”
“Well, he’s going to have to wait to get Kit back because I have more people to introduce her to.”
Once we’re standing, Meg takes me by the arm and pulls me down the aisle. Thanks to her exuberance, I trip over her brother’s foot.
Ryder catches me from behind, setting his hands on my sides to keep me upright. “Careful there.”
“Sorry,” River apologizes needlessly, standing to give me more room to pass.
I could tell he was handsome while he was sitting, but the man is startling on his feet.
Though his shoulders are slightly broader than most high fae, he’s lean and tall even for his people, built like a professional baseball player.
He wears a waistcoat similar to Ash's, in a deep shade of midnight blue that matches his eyes.
He’s also the only high fae I’ve seen who wears his hair short.
The man has a mature air about him, making me think he’s probably a few years older than Ash. Our magic tries to connect again, a little embarrassing.
Yet even though he’s absolutely, ridiculously gorgeous, I’m still not sparkling.
“Would you get out of the way?” Meg whines to him.
River pulls his eyes from mine and gives his younger sister a wry smile. “Are you in a hurry?”
“I want to introduce Kit to Rosalie, and she never stays long.”
Meg’s brother turns his attention back to me. “It was nice to meet you, Kit. I’ll come by for tea when you open your shop.”
I nod dumbly, and then I remember I have something to ask him. “Do you carry fae books at the bookshop?”
“Some, yes,” he says. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”
“I found a book about gnomes in the library. I’d like to buy my father a copy.”
“Stop by soon, and I’ll see if I can find it. If not, I’m sure I can order it in.”
Swallowing because the man is disconcerting, even if I’m not fluttering for him, I nod.
“I think Rosalie already left,” Meg says with a sigh when we leave the aisle. “Oh well. I’m sure you’ll meet her soon.”
“Blame your brother,” Ryder says casually, leading us to the refreshment table. “It’s his fault for making eyes at Kit and not letting her leave.”
“Sorry about that,” Meg says, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“I think it’s my magic,” I say quietly. “People have always been…”
“Drawn to you?” Ryder says with a grin.
“Not me specifically. But yes.” I take a step closer to Meg. “How exactly do you manage living around all these fae men? They’re all so—”
“Delicious?” She grins, raising her brows.
Ryder snorts as he helps himself to several dry-looking cookies.
“I mean…” I clear my throat. “Well, yeah.”
“You’ll get used to it.” She gives me a sympathetic look. “At least you’re only sparkling for one of them. Let me tell you about the time Bailey—”
“When did I sparkle?” My eyes fly wide, betraying my horror.
She presses her lips together, trying not to grin. Once she controls herself, she says, “When Ash called you Kit in that weirdly affectionate tone.”
“It was disturbing,” Ryder says, pretending to shudder.
“It was yummy,” Meg corrects, smirking at me. “Ryder is just jealous because you’re not sparkling for him.”