Chapter 14 #2
By the time Mira heard someone come up the stairs again, Marigold was on her back, all four paws in the air, enjoying the world’s longest belly rub. Before Mira could decide whether to keep going or remove the cat before anyone started asking questions, Yoni came trudging in through the door.
“Hm. There you are.”
“Sorry.” Heat in her cheeks, Mira let go of the cat, who voiced her displeasure immediately. “I’m not kidnapping your cat, I promise!”
“I didn’t think you were.” Yoni’s lips curled when she scratched Marigold behind the ears. “I used to wish she’d taken to Alexander like this, but then again, there was probably a reason she never did.” She sharply looked at Mira. “You’re not feeding her, are you?”
Mira snorted. “Hardly. Unless you count her hunting pests out back as feeding.”
“Well, I hope she is of service.” Yoni brought her face close to Marigold’s. “Earn those belly rubs, will you?”
The cat meowed indignantly, jumped off the counter, and sauntered off to disappear into the lavender bushes outside. Presumably to earn her keep.
“If you don’t like me letting her inside, I won’t,” Mira said. Yoni simply shrugged.
“I let her outside for a reason. She was miserable when I didn’t. As long as she comes home at night, I don’t care what she does all day.”
Mira managed a smile. “Snooze on my porch, for one.”
“Must be a comfortable porch,” Yoni said absently. She was looking around the shop. Probably noticing the sad handful of gaps on the shelves. “How are things going?”
“Oh, not bad!” Mira tried to keep her tone light. “For a first day, I think it’s great.”
From the look on her face, Yoni didn’t buy that for a second. She also didn’t ask. Just leaned on the counter for a moment, then seemed to be thinking better of it and stood up again, hands folded awkwardly in front of her.
“You know, I wasn’t sure you’d really do this.” She gestured around the shop. “That must’ve been a lot of work.”
Mira coughed discreetly. “Let’s say I did sleep a little less than I would like for a while.”
“Mhm, I saw. The lights,” Yoni elaborated upon Mira’s questioning look. “It got pretty late sometimes.”
“And you noticed this why…?”
Yoni’s lips parted, and Mira realised she’d thrown her off momentarily. Yoni cleared her throat.
“I read at night,” she eventually said. “I forget the time. A lot.” She threw a meaningful glance outside. “Lucky for me, my alarm clock is alive and refuses to let me miss my morning. Ever.”
“Sounds better than the racket mine makes, if I’m being honest.”
“Until someone sticks a tongue in your ear to check if you’re awake.”
“I’ve experienced that before,” Mira muttered. “That relationship didn’t last long.”
“I see.” Yoni sounded a little strangled. “I suppose Marigold is lucky that she’s so adorable.”
“Yes, indeed,” Mira said dryly. “He was a lot less so.” She folded her arms on the counter, studying Yoni. “Did you need anything?” She cracked a lopsided smile. “Or did you just come to admire the shop?”
“Do I…”
Mira nearly had to do a double take – Yoni was blushing. Not a lot, but on her, it might as well be scarlet, for all the emotion that usually showed on her face.
“Not really. I still have half a bottle left. From what you gave me. When you asked me about the pink.”
“About the…” It took a moment to come back. “Oh! So you’ve been using it?”
“Of course. It’s good fertiliser, why wouldn’t I?”
Mira shrugged. “Might not be up to your standard.”
“If it wasn’t, I would have let you know.” Yoni shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t need to refill yet, but I’ll come back when I do. Seeing as you’ve made your choice, it seems.”
“Made my choice?”
“To stay.” Yoni fiddled with something in one of her many pockets. “If I’m being honest, the only one who expected you to really go through with this was Kayden, and he’s an eternal optimist.”
“Ouch.” Mira scratched the back of her head, trying to take this as simple bluntness, not an insult.
After all, Harper had felt much the same, and that had felt a lot more like a professional assessment.
“Well, I did, and I intend to keep going. So feel free to check back in once you’re out of. Pink.”
Yoni ducked her head, not quite meeting Mira’s eyes. “Will do.” Her eyes fell on something to Mira’s left. “Wait, is that worm treatment?”
“What?” Mira turned to look at the shelf in question. “Oh. Yes.”
“Well, then I’ve changed my mind.” Yoni marched past the counter and picked up a bottle. “I’m ordering from an apothecary in Greengrass now, and Marigold hates it. Spits it out any chance she gets.” She put the bottle on the counter. “This is a treat to her.”
“Might be the cataria,” Mira said dryly as she opened the till for change. “Good to know that it’s tasty. It smells awful. Uncle Lochlin even made a note that it will stink, not to worry, cats will love it.”
“Oh, it stinks up the whole kitchen,” Yoni agreed when she pocketed the bottle. “Keeps her healthy though, so I’m dealing with it.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “Well. Thanks. I’ll be…” Another bob of the head. “Hope the rest of your day is good.”
With an awkward little wave, she ducked out of the door and speed-walked back out onto the street.
Past a group of three, who were all coming up the path now.
Mira quickly stood up straight, fixed her hair, and put on a smile.
Almost like a good luck charm, she mused when she greeted what would hopefully be customers.
Maybe she should write Yoni a thank you card.