Chapter 29
Mattie got Gunnar’s text while she was sitting in a chair on his front porch. If not for the impending visit to Alice’s, she would have been very relaxed. His view of the surrounding woods was lovely and peaceful.
At least she thought it would be on a normal day, where trouble wasn’t once again on the horizon.
She exhaled. It was good he’d be here soon, because admittedly, she was spiraling a bit. She’d had too much time to think about what Alice wanted. To wonder why Alice would need to see both of them. And why they weren’t supposed to tell anyone.
It sounded like they were in a monumental amount of trouble. Undoubtedly, something had gone wrong with one of Gunnar’s wishes. Maybe he’d made another one since last night? Or maybe last night’s hadn’t gone the way they’d thought?
She loved Blueberry, she truly did. He was great company, made her laugh, and the bees loved him so much that their production had increased since he’d come to live with her.
But this whole thing with the wishes was causing her more stress than she’d ever experienced in her life.
What really worried her was what Alice was about to tell them. Mattie kept thinking it was going to concern Blue. That maybe Alice was about to say he was no longer welcome here.
What would Mattie do then? She couldn’t abandon him any more than she’d abandon any of her friends. She had essentially become Blueberry’s guardian. And what kind of guardian would she be if she allowed him to be banished from town?
If Alice insisted he leave, Mattie would have no choice but to go with him. The thought of that made something catch in her chest.
She supposed she could turn her bees over to the school, since they already had a small apiary, but they were like family to her. She would miss them dearly.
Yes, she could get more bees wherever she ended up, but it wouldn’t be the same.
And then there was Gunnar. She was just getting to know him. She already knew enough to know she liked him. Moving away would mean whatever this thing was between them would come to a crashing end.
Oh, this was awful.
Gunnar’s truck rumbled up the road. She got to her feet and walked around the house to meet him in the back, where he parked.
He got out of the truck with Blueberry on his shoulder using his shirt’s epaulet for a grip. “Hey.”
She took a breath. “Hey.” He had flecks of sawdust on him.
“I need to unload the truck, then shower and change. Won’t take me long. This has to be about a wish gone wrong.”
She nodded. “That’s what I’ve been thinking too.”
“Come on in.”
“I can wait out here.” She didn’t want him to feel obligated to let her in while he was showering and getting ready.
He narrowed his eyes, but there was a gleam of mischief in them as he started hauling logs out of the truck bed. “Why? Will you be unable to control yourself, knowing I’m showering in the next room?”
Heat rushed to her face. He was awfully cheerful considering they were headed to Alice’s for what was certainly more bad news. She swatted his arm. “Behave.”
Blueberry laughed. “You two are in love.”
“We are not,” Mattie snapped, still flustered. “I don’t know how either of you think this is funny when we have no idea what’s about to happen. Especially you, Blueberry. You realize Alice could very well say you’re no longer welcome here.”
That took the smile off his face.
Gunnar stacked two more logs on the pile. He looked even less amused. “I was only trying to lighten the mood. She wouldn’t do that, would she?”
“If there’s a problem with one of the wishes, why wouldn’t she?” Mattie crossed her arms. “As far as I’m concerned, all three of us could be in jeopardy.”
Blueberry’s expression was about as glum as she’d ever seen. His lower lip started to quiver. “Please don’t let them put me back in a box, Mattie. I don’t want to be locked up again like that. It’s so lonely in the dark.”
“Oh, Blue. I won’t let that happen to you.”
He launched off Gunnar’s shoulder, coming straight to her and landing with his arms around her neck. She put her hand on his back. He was shaking.
“Hey,” Gunnar said softly. “No one’s going to put you in a box.”
Mattie blinked at him.
Gunnar shrugged. “He might be kind of annoying, but he doesn’t deserve that.
” With a frustrated exhale, he pulled the last few logs out of the bed and stacked them.
He brushed his hands off and moved past them, going to the back door.
He unlocked it and held it open. “Come on. The sooner we get there, the sooner we find out what’s going on. ”
Mattie could only nod. She came up the steps, her hand on Blueberry, who still clung to her. She paused in front of Gunnar. “Thank you.”
She took a seat on the couch and rubbed Blueberry’s back to calm him down. “It’s going to be all right,” she whispered. “Whatever happens, you and I will be together.”
Gunnar left his hat on a peg by the door. “Won’t be long.” Then he disappeared into the bedroom.
She heard a door shut but no sound of water. The cabin was probably too well insulated for that.
She and Blue sat that way for a while, with her rubbing his back and him holding on to her. Finally, he let go of her neck and climbed into her hand. She held him in her lap. “What about Gunnar?”
“What do you mean, what about him?”
“Is he going to get into trouble? Will they make him leave too?”
“I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
“But you love him.”
“Blue, I don’t love him. I like him.”
“Same thing. Like becomes love.”
“Sometimes. Not always.” Although with Gunnar …
“Did you love Aaron?”
She hesitated. “I thought I did. I thought I was falling in love with him, anyway. But I know now he didn’t feel the same way about me. He liked me but I think more as just a friend.”
“Aaron’s a loser.”
She snorted softly. “Aaron’s not a loser. Yes, he broke my heart, but I don’t think he knows that.”
“Gunnar could wish for him to know.”
“Not necessary. At all.” She smiled at the imp. “Whatever happens, it’ll be okay. I promise.”
He leaned against her fingers. “I love you, Mattie.”
“I love you, too, Blue.”
“Do you love me enough to get me some chocolate?” He patted his belly. “I feel empty inside.”
“I’ll ask Gunnar when he comes back out. This is his place, his stuff. We can’t just help ourselves.” She got the sense that Gunnar probably wouldn’t mind if she did, but Blueberry might be a different story.
Blueberry groaned and collapsed onto her hand. “But I’m starving to death.”
“You’re literally not.”
“Not what?” Gunnar came out in jeans and a flannel shirt that he was still buttoning, hair damp. The subtle scent of aftershave reached her.
She tried to remember what she’d said, but his handsomeness was a terrible distraction. “Um, not starving to death. Blueberry wants some chocolate.”
Gunnar made a face that wasn’t quite a frown, but it wasn’t a smile either. “Hang on.” He went into the kitchen, then into his pantry. He came out with a box from Delaney’s. “Here.” He set it on the coffee table in front of them.
“That’s very nice of you.” Brows raised, she gave Blueberry a pointed look.
“Thank you,” Blueberry said.
Mattie took the lid off. Blueberry hopped to the table and stood over the selection, rubbing his hands.
Gunnar grunted as he peered into the box. “Good. No more imps.” He snagged a chocolate and tossed it into his mouth. “I’m going to get the chain saw out of the back of my truck. Won’t be too long. I want to get this over with.”
Mattie gave a little nod and picked out a chocolate for herself. If she was about to get booted out of town, she might as well have a sweet treat first.