Chapter Four
Sadie
Beckett Hartley’s retreating form was a sight to behold.
Long, lean legs carried him away on the trail, his broad shoulders bobbing up and down slightly as he jogged.
After the shock of seeing him leaning over me as I reclined in the brush faded, I was left with the fact that his dark hair, deep brown eyes, and trim beard all combined splendidly to create a rather masterful rendition of the male form.
But that aura of his was definitely muddled.
Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he was in desperate need of energy realigning, and oddly, I wanted to be the one to administer such a service.
I took a moment to observe a few other people as they walked or jogged past me.
Their auras didn’t fare much better than Beckett’s.
Was it common for American auras to be chaotic and scrambled?
I was accustomed to imbalanced auras having come from Verdalach where everyone was uptight and stuck in the old traditions.
Open-mindedness was not a Verdalachian virtue and no one there was in the habit of accepting non-traditional techniques such as meditation, grounding, breathwork, and sound baths.
I’d tried convincing the royal physician to institute a yoga practice, but he’d dismissed my idea, calling it nonsense.
But here? In the states? Perhaps I could actually do something with the knowledge of holistic practices I’d acquired.
Knowledge I’d learned mostly in secret and with Orla’s help of smuggling books on such topics.
I preferred the love stories she brought me because they warmed my heart, but the other titles had stimulated my mind.
And now I could use those teachings to improve the auras of these clearly fatigued Americans.
But first, a place to stay.
Beckett had mentioned getting a tent at Faraday’s Hardware.
I had walked by that shop when I’d first arrived in town, but a sign announcing a nature trail nearby had caught my attention instead.
After flying for hours, a walk in nature had sounded heavenly, and I was also curious what nature lived here.
It turned out to look similar to Verdalach, and I was pleased my instincts had guided me to Vermont. If I could be surrounded by natural beauty that reminded me of my home but spared me of the confines of Verdalach rigidity, that would be wonderful indeed.
The nature trail had led me to a lovely field and exhaustion from my travels had taken over. I’d fallen asleep in the fluffy brush and aside from waking a few times when some night creatures had made noises nearby or when the chill had gotten to me, I’d slept soundly.
Sleeping under the stars, however, wasn’t a suitable long-term plan. A tent would only be a temporary solution to my lack of shelter, but it was a start at least.
I grabbed my suitcase, wheeled it onto the path, and found my way back to Main Street. After a few moments of walking, I arrived at Faraday’s Hardware and pulled open the door.
Inside, a chipper, older man bustled over to me.
“Good morning, miss.” His smile lit up his entire face. This was a man that needed absolutely no aura fixing. “What can I help you find today?”
“Umm . . . a tent?”
His gaze went to my suitcase, to my outfit, then back to my face. “You planning on camping now?”
“I suppose I am.”
“It’s getting a little cold for comfortable camping,” he said. “Especially if that suitcase is filled with more outfits like the one you’re wearing.”
The suitcase was filled with undergarments, a few books, and some personal hygiene items. I hadn’t had a chance to use the money Orla had given me to buy clothing appropriate for where I’d landed.
This simple outfit was all I had, and from the look on this shopkeeper’s face, it did little to help me blend in.
“We have some more rugged clothing over here.” The man arrowed his hand to his left then led me in that direction to a collection of blue pants made of a rough material and soft shirts in plaids that reminded me of my family’s crest back home.
I made a few selections and the man brought them over to a counter.
“And shoes,” he said. “Those aren’t going to keep your tootsies warm.”
I regarded the simple slip-on flats Orla had also given me. I’d actually already noticed that those were a little too delicate for traipsing around nature trails.
I picked out a pair of sturdy-looking boots that laced up the front.
“Good choice,” the shopkeeper said. “Sensible, comfortable, and fashionable.” He beamed me a smile. “I’m Hank by the way. Hank Faraday.” He held his hand out to me.
I shook his hand. “So you own this shop?”
His chest puffed out a bit. “I sure do.”
“Wonderful. I’m Sadie Rodgers.” I marveled over how easy identifying myself by that fabricated name was becoming.
“This your first time in Greenridge?”
“Yes.”
“Welcome then.” His brows lowered a bit. “Is this also your first time camping?”
“It is.”
“Why do you want to go camping?” he asked.
“I don’t actually,” I admitted. “I need a place to stay and someone suggested I buy a tent here.”
Hank’s mouth tilted up on one side. “Might that someone have been joking?”
Now that I recalled the way Beckett had told me to purchase a tent, perhaps he had been teasing.
Because I’d insulted him with my disparaging talk about his aura.
“Maybe that suggestion was in jest,” I said. “But I don’t have another option at the moment.”
“I’m sure we can do better than a tent in the cold October weather, my dear.” Hank bowed a bit and suddenly I feared he’d figured out I was actually a princess. Would he alert local authorities? Would I be shipped back to Verdalach? Would I be forced to marry Cian?
With knots in my belly, I followed Hank when he motioned me over to where he’d stacked my items to be purchased. He rounded the counter and stepped into a small room. When he re-emerged, a key dangled from a leaf-shaped key chain.
“This is to my cabin by Slater’s Pond.” He held the key out to me. “You’re welcome to stay there while you look for something more permanent.”
Clearly, this man wasn’t planning to have me carted away and that brought me such relief. Now that I was calmer, I was about to tell Hank I didn’t have the money to rent his cabin, but then he said, “Free of charge. Consider it a welcome to our town package.”
“I couldn’t possibly accept such generosity,” I said. “I’ll purchase these clothing items and a tent and be on my way.”
Hank lowered his hand holding the key. “Look, maybe you’re not used to folks being neighborly wherever you’re from.
” He paused, and I got the distinct impression he waited for me to say where I was from.
When I didn’t, he continued. “Here in Greenridge, we take care of each other as much as we can.” He wiggled the key.
“Offering this cabin is me taking care of you. I’m not using the cabin right now anyway.
Usually I rent it out through the leaf-peeping season, but my wife, Sarah, hasn’t been feeling well.
I’ve been tending to her as well as running this store and time slipped away from me this year.
You’d actually be doing me a favor by staying there and keeping an eye on the place. ”
He moved his hand so the key danced in the air between us again.
“C’mon, Sadie,” he said. “I won’t be able to sleep knowing you’re shivering in a tent overnight.”
His kind eyes and genuineness touched me deeply. I’d often begged my father to be more helpful and caring to our subjects, but he’d always insisted that such things made the monarchy look weak.
“But strengthening our people will strengthen the country overall,” I’d argued, but my reasoning had fallen on deaf ears time and time again.
“The cabin has a cozy feel Sarah has curated perfectly,” Hank said, “and the view of Slater’s Pond is one of the best in town.” He set the key down on the counter between us and slid it toward me.
“All right.” I picked up the key. “But we’re working out a payment plan of some kind as soon as I get myself organized.”
“Sure, sure.” But something about the way Hank said that hinted he wouldn’t accept payment now or in the future. “Now, let’s take care of all this.”
I paid and Hank bagged my items as he glanced at the clock behind him.
“It’s quitting time in fifteen minutes. We close at noon on Sundays,” he said. “If you can wait, I’ll give you a lift to the cabin.” He held up a hand when I opened my mouth to decline. “It’s on my way home anyway, Sadie, so it’s no trouble.”
“Thank you, Hank.” I put a hand to my heart. “Truly.”
He winked then collected my bags and set them on the floor behind the counter.
“Why don’t you take a spin through Ye Olde Wisdom Bookshop?
” He gestured toward the door of the hardware store.
“Exit and take a left. You can’t miss it.
Georgia stays open about an hour longer than I do on Sundays.
I’ll come get you when I’m done closing up here and I’ll bring your purchases and suitcase. ”
The prospect of looking at some books was an attractive one so I agreed after thanking Hank again.
The bookshop came into view after a short stroll along the sidewalk. I noted a bakery, a convenience store, and something called Bear Belly Tavern also in close proximity to the hardware store and promised myself I’d visit them as well once I sorted myself in this new location.
In this new life.
Was this wild plan actually going to work? Had I successfully run away from my country, my family, my duties as a princess? An arranged marriage? A future I certainly didn’t want?
I was encouraged. Only one day here in Greenridge and I’d already figured out I wanted to help people with my meditation practices and related skills and I’d found at least a temporary shelter.
I’d also met an extremely nice shopkeeper.
And a handsome jogger, despite his aura problem.
Maybe I could convince him to be a client of mine once I formalized my service offerings. Assuming I’d see Beckett Hartley again.
Why did I want to see him again?
Probably because I wanted to help him.
Satisfied with that answer, I turned my attention to the quaint bookshop and pulled open its front door. The loveliest sight greeted me—shelves and shelves of books.
“Hi, there!”
I turned toward a woman wearing a bright orange dress, a scarf with a colorful leaf print on it tied at her throat, and copper leaf earrings swaying from her ears. Like Hank, her eyes were welcoming behind her red-framed glasses.
“I’m Georgia,” she said. “What are you in the mood to read, honey?”
“Romance.” The word spilled out of me.
Georgia grinned widely. “A favorite genre of mine as well. Right this way.” She signaled for me to follow her, and we walked briskly through the shop, stopping at an entire wall filled with books with happy couples and cozy scenery and . . . amazing stomach muscles on the covers.
“We’ve got contemporary, small-town, sports romances, romantasy, paranormal, historical. You want it, I got it.” Georgia faced the wall. “I’ll give you some time to peruse. Give a holler if you need help, love.” She floated away, leaving me in awe of all the options.
Not wanting to lose myself and keep Hank waiting, I chose three small-town romances because I now lived in a small town.
“You’re in luck,” Georgia said when I set my books on the counter to pay for them. “Today is a buy two get one free day.”
“Superb.” I paid then noticed a sign beside the register announcing Connie Mills Book Signing Event. “Oh, I sat next to her on my flight here yesterday.”
“Connie is a local favorite.” Georgia picked up a small flyer and dropped it in the bag with my books. “She’ll be here later this month, signing her newest book.” She gestured over my shoulder to a round table display of books. “A Mountain Love has become my favorite Connie Mills book.”
I wandered over to the table and picked up a copy, reading the back that advertised a tale of a rugged mountain man determined to shut out the world and a bubbly comedienne vowing to make him laugh again.
Georgia joined me at the table with my bag of books. “I decided it’s a buy two get two free day.” She plucked A Mountain Love from my hand and put it in my bag. “Come back to see Connie and get it signed.”
“I will. Thank you.” I took the bag from her. “Your aura is amazing.”
Georgia’s smile widened and she moved into a pose that exuded pride. “I work on my aura daily, darling.” She then gave my arm a little squeeze. “I like your aura too.” She angled her head. “It’s got something . . . I don’t know . . . majestic about it.”
Majestic. A little too close to majesty for my comfort. Time to find Hank.
“I’ll see you.” I held up my bag. “And thanks again.”
“You bet, honey.” Georgia walked me to the door and we reached it as Hank opened it.
“Afternoon, Georgia.” Hank tipped his head.
“Another day spent serving the good people of Greenridge, eh, Hank?”
Hank smiled. “We wouldn’t have it any other way, now would we?”
“No, sir, we wouldn’t,” Georgia said. “You both have a nice rest of the day now.”
Hank held the door open and motioned for me to exit before him. I was sure he was merely being polite, but the move felt like something my attendants back at the palace in Verdalach would do. I’d have to tone down my majestic aura if I wanted to seamlessly insert myself here in this small town.
And I wanted that. More than anything.