Chapter 7
“Whew!” Emory said as she set out a selection of tea bags. “It’s hot out here tonight.” She grinned over at Adeline. “Which reminds me. I can’t believe Chief Hot-Stuff hasn’t been by yet to grill you about the bulldozer. What do you think he’s waiting for?”
“What drinks are you serving tonight?” Adeline asked, keeping her eyes on the tray of Bad-Day Brownies she was arranging.
“Oh, smooth transition,” Princess Muffin Top said from her spot at the end of the table. “Way to play it covert, Adeline. You’re a real master of subterfuge.”
Adeline scowled at her cat. “How’d you like to go from a smoke Maine Coon to a Sphynx?”
Princess Muffin Top gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me.”
“My usuals,” Emory said as she lined up her drinks.
“Cold Brew Vanilla Ice Cream Float, Nitro cold brew, my cold brew ginger mule. And then hot or cold Honey-Lavender Latte, a house blend, and an assortment of teas for those not wanting coffee.” She stepped back and admired her setup. “We’re good to go.”
Their booth sat near the middle of Tide Street, right where they set up every Thursday.
The market stretched from one end of the cobblestone road all the way down to Crescent Park, where the Grandmother Tree presided over the whole affair.
Kids were already running through the park, chasing each other around the massive live oak while their parents browsed the booths.
No vendors set up under the tree or in the park itself...
that was sacred ground for playing and picnicking and the occasional proposal.
“Let the games begin,” Adeline murmured as the market officially opened.
Despite her penchant for creating chaos, Adeline loved the predictability of the Thursday Night Market. It was the same booths, in the same location, year after year. And there was something comforting about that.
Moonlight Bay Spice Company was three tables down from them, their shimmery jars lined up and ready to be purchased.
Across the street, the hedge witch from Driftwood Apothecary was arranging bundles of dried herbs and potions on a table draped in deep purple velvet.
Next to her, Moonlight Reads had rolled out a cart of books, and the “Books Find You” section was already rearranging itself based on whoever happened to be walking past. Enchanted Baubles had a display of protection pendants that pulsed with soft golden light, and Tidal Bloom’s booth was bursting with flowers that glowed in soft neons, even though it was still daylight out.
Enchanted lanterns floated between the lampposts that lined the length of the street, and enchanted signs floated above each booth.
A few scattered light orbs drifted lazily between the tables like oversized fireflies.
Down at the far end of the cobblestone street, Adeline could see the funnel cake booth already drawing a line, and the smell of fried dough and powdered sugar mixed with the salt air coming off the bay.
“Here comes our first customer,” Emory said excitedly. “This never gets old.” She gave Adeline a one-armed hug. “We’re so blessed to be able to work side by side every day in such a wonderful place.”
Adeline smiled at her best friend. She could understand why Emory felt that way.
Emory had parents who adored her, a grandmother who lived in an assisted-living facility and handed out candy as though her life depended on it, and had zero pressure from anyone to be anything other than exactly who she was.
No founding family name hanging over her head.
No council seat waiting for her whether she wanted it or not when her grandmother finally decided to step down.
And she definitely didn’t have a grandmother who had her arrested more times than she could count just to prove a point.
Emory just got to be Emory...a beautiful inside-and-out fairy who saw the good in everything and everyone. And while Adeline didn’t want to sound like she was having a pity party, she couldn’t help but feel like they were sometimes living in two separate worlds.
“Good evening, ladies,” Tempi Draven said as she sidled up to their table. The air elemental’s silver-blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and back in loose waves. “I hear we need to get our story straight from last night.”
Princess Muffin Top scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. If we all have the exact same story, it’ll sound rehearsed. I find it’s better to just wing it.”
Adeline rolled her eyes. “And how many times have you been in this situation, Princess Muffin Top?”
Princess Muffin Top looked down her nose at Adeline. “Really? Do you seriously want me to go over all the times I’ve had to cover for you and Emory? Starting with the former chief and ending with your grandmother?”
“Good point,” Adeline conceded.
“Before I forget,” Tempi said, “I better get a Pucker-Up-and-Pick-Me-Up and a cold Honey-Lavender Latte.” The air elemental witch sighed dramatically. “I have to meet with my archnemesis in an hour to go over the scavenger hunt next month, so I’m going to need all the good feels I can get.”
“You might want to go buy some sage,” Princess Muffin Top said. “Only way to clear negative space.”
Tempi giggled. “And we all know Ronin is negative space.”
Ronin Seawald, a charismatic merman, had moved to Moonlight Bay three years ago and opened Seaside-Seascape Rentals, a vacation rental company that competed directly against Tempi’s rental company, Magical Airbnb Properties.
The two had been at each other’s throats ever since. Well, Tempi had been at Ronin’s throat.
“I still can’t believe the council threw you two together for this year’s scavenger hunt,” Adeline said as she handed Tempi the lemon-elderberry scone. “What were they thinking?”
Emory passed the latte across the table. “Maybe the council is tired of you two fighting all the time, and this is their way of making you try to become friends.”
Princess Muffin Top scoffed. “More like they’re pitting you together to see which one comes out on top.” She ran her eyes up and down Tempi. “My money is on the muscly merman.”
“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.” Tempi lifted the hand holding her scone and waved to a passerby. “I better run. Good luck with Chief Hard-Ass tonight, Adeline.”
Someone at the next table over cleared their throat.
They all turned to see Chief Wolfe standing there, arms crossed over his chest, brow raised. He’d clearly heard every word.
“Oops,” Tempi squeaked. “Gotta run.”
She disappeared into the crowd before any of them could say a word.
“Can no one in this town get my name right?” Chief Wolfe demanded as he stepped up to their booth. “It’s Chief Wolfe. It’s really not that hard to say.”
Princess Muffin Top looked up from grooming her front paw. “I hear nicknames are a sign of affection.”
Chief Wolfe arched a brow. “Really? So do they call you Muffy? Or maybe Princess MT?”
Adeline and Emory both sucked in a breath.
Princess Muffin Top dropped her front paw, rose to her full height and stretched, her back arching slowly.
“I am never addressed as anything other than Princess Muffin Top.” She unsheathed her claws, all of them, and let them catch the fairy light.
“Anything else...” She flexed. “Will get you disemboweled.”
Chief Wolfe smiled. “Did you just threaten a law enforcement officer?”
“Hey, Chief!” Mr. Harwick waved from two booths down, a funnel cake in one hand. “Good to see you out and about! You gotta try the funnel cakes!”
Chief Wolfe lifted a hand in greeting before turning back to Adeline.
“Are you here to arrest me, Chief?” she asked.
He grinned. “Do you want me to arrest you?”
Emory choked on the tea she was sipping, and Adeline felt the heat rush up her neck.
“Oh, I’m sure she does,” Princess Muffin Top purred. “I’m told some people pay good money for that kind of thing. You got handcuffs, right?”
Adeline turned and glared at her cat. “Do you want to go for a swim in the bay?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned back to face the werewolf. “What can I get you, Chief? Lots of great things to choose from tonight.” She paused. “You know, since you forgot to eat the last thing I gave you.”
He had the decency to look slightly guilty about the abandoned truffle. “Do you have something that isn’t infused with magic?”
Adeline stared at him. “You’re really going to make me pull out the non-magical stuff?”
“I’d prefer it.”
Sighing, she reached under the table and pulled out a wax paper sleeve. “How about a simple, no-fuss, no-added-intentions chocolate chip cookie?”
Chief Wolfe grinned. “I’ll take it.”
She handed it over, and this time their fingers didn’t touch. She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed.
“That’s a good cookie,” he said, wolfing it down in just two bites.
“I know.” She crossed her arms. “I made it.”
He smiled. “Listen. I’m going to need to talk to you about—”
“Beaumont!” Ivan Johansson pushed his way through the crowd, his face already three shades of red.
He shoved past two startled fairies and planted himself in front of Adeline and Emory’s table.
“My crew just finished fixing the bulldozer. Do you hear me? Fixed it. And if anything happens to it again, I’m holding you personally responsible. ”
The crowd gathered nearby stopped to hear what was going on. Adeline could tell most were shocked…but also curious as to what might happen next.
“You needin’ help, Adeline?” an elderly voice called out. “Because I’m not so old I can’t whip some manners into that troll.”
Adeline looked over and smiled at Artie. He’d been one of the centenarians from the assisted-living facility that had helped her protest yesterday afternoon. Her gaze flickered to the others standing by and noted three or four more protesters.
“Thanks, Artie, but I got this handled.” She turned back to Ivan. “I didn’t touch your bulldozer, Ivan. I have a solid alibi. I was with friends all night enjoying the full moon.”
“I don’t believe you for one second!” Ivan jabbed a finger toward her. “You and your weirdo friends and that demon cat—”
“Demon cat?” Princess Muffin Top screeched. “Demon cat?” She unsheathed her claws for the second time that night. “I’ll show you demon cat, you bridge-dwelling troll.”
“Chief, I demand you—”
“That’s enough, Johansson,” Chief Wolfe snapped. “This is my investigation. Not yours. Back off.”
Ivan leaned in closer. “Then you might want to actually investigate, Chief.” He leaned back and smirked. “Before I go to the council and demand they fire you.”
“You threatening me now, Johansson?” Chief Wolfe said it casually, but he took a step forward, and the troll took a step back. “Because I can add that to the report.”
Adeline took in the gawkers and wished like heck she could think of something to do or say to ease the tension. The standoff lasted another three seconds before Ivan cursed under his breath and stormed off.
“Party’s over folks,” Chief Wolfe said. “You can move it along. Unless you plan on buying some delicious sweets and caffeine.”
“Yoo-hoo! Chief Wolfe!”
Granny Edna Ashgrove came bustling through the market with a small glass bowl cradled in both hands. She was beaming and grinning, water sloshing out from the bowl with every step she took. She stopped in front of their table and thrust the glass bowl at the chief.
“Granny Edna,” Emory said. “What do you have?”
“I just won this darling little girl at the ring toss.” Granny Edna said proudly, and Adeline saw a single orange goldfish swimming in lazy circles. “But I can’t keep her. Not only is it another mouth to feed, but I’m gone from the house morning until night most days. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”
Chief Wolfe frowned. “It’s a goldfish. It doesn’t require a lot of supervision.”
Granny Edna pressed the bowl into the chief’s large hands. “Consider it a housewarming gift, Chief. Every home needs a little life in it.”
The perplexed werewolf stared down at the goldfish swimming in the bowl. “Ma’am, I don’t really need a—”
“Nonsense.” Granny Edna waved her hand dismissively through the air. “She already likes you. I can tell.”
“How can you tell?” Chief Wolfe asked, frowning down into the bowl.
“A fairy just knows these things.” She stepped back and clapped her hands together. “Now, I have to go find Mrs. Abernathy. She wanted to try the new spice blends at the Moonlight Bay Spice Company table.” She wiggled her fingers at Adeline and Emory before disappearing into the crowd.
“Congratulations!” Princess Muffin Top exclaimed sarcastically. “It’s a girl. You don’t want it? I’m kinda hungry.”
Chief Wolfe pulled the bowl in closer to his chest. “I don’t think so.” He sighed and glanced down at the goldfish swimming in the bowl of water. “I should go. I need to...put this somewhere.” He looked at Adeline. “But I meant what I said. We need to talk about the bulldozer situation.”
“You know where to find me,” Adeline said. “I’m usually at the bakery. Or getting arrested. One of the two.”
He snorted. “When you’re done here tonight, do you need help taking down your booth?”
Emory squealed, which she quickly converted into a very unconvincing cough.
“That’s not all he wants to help you take down,” Princess Muffin Top murmured. “Or take off.”
Adeline whipped her head around to glare at her cat before turning back to the chief. He was watching her with those dark blue eyes, and she hated how much she liked it. “I appreciate the offer, Chief. But Emory and I have a system. We’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “Understood.” He turned to go, then looked back at her. “For what it’s worth, Ms. Beaumont, I don’t think you touched that bulldozer.”
Adeline watched him go. She watched him all the way past the Moonlight Bay Spice Company booth and the funnel cake stand. He greeted citizens while holding the goldfish bowl, as though it was perfectly natural.
“You’re staring,” Emory whispered.
“I’m not staring.”
“You’re absolutely staring,” Princess Muffin Top said. “And it’s embarrassing. Next, you’ll be drooling.”
Adeline tried to focus on the next customer walking up, but her mind kept circling back to one thing. He’d said he didn’t think she’d tampered with the bulldozer.
He believed her.
She wasn’t sure why that mattered so much. But it did.