15. Shall We?
Shall We?
FERN APPLETON
Morning arrived with a sigh. Fern yawned loudly, startling Bramble awake beside her.
He bristled, clearly startled, before glancing around the room to see that nothing was the matter.
Satisfied, he rolled over and went right back to sleep.
It seemed he had exhausted himself running all over town last night with Lark to spy on her date with Sparrow.
She shook her head good-naturedly before slipping out from under the covers and heading to the bathroom.
A long, hot shower would do her a world of good after the late night she’d had out with the incredibly attractive Miss Blackburne.
While the water warmed, Fern brushed her teeth.
Steam billowed from the glass box that was her standing shower and she smiled, stripping down to step under the stream of running water.
“Ahhh, that’s perfect.” Fern sighed as the warm water pelted her temple and ran down her back, soaking her long lavender hair.
A thorough scrub, an extra round of shampoo, and a face wash later, she stepped from the shower onto her plush purple rug and reached for the oversized towel that hung beside it.
She wrapped herself in the lavender towel and grabbed a regular sized towel to wrap her hair in, tucking it into a coil atop her head.
Today, Sparrow planned to meet her at eleven, when they would walk back to Main Street and the Pumpkin Festival together for the full day of festivities. Fern hardly cared what they did, so long as she got to spend the day wandering arm-in-arm with the pretty librarian who made her heart race.
This time, she approached her closet with fresh eyes.
Semi-sheer black tights were a classic choice.
A long-sleeved black dress with her little boots ought to be the perfect outfit.
Once dressed, Fern observed herself in the mirror, trying to decide what else it needed—it felt just a bit too dark and dreary for her taste. Then she spotted it.
Fern grinned at her reflection as she pulled the galaxy-print purple sleeve-less cardigan over the dress, enjoying the way the asymmetrical hem hung down to the skirt.
Taking inspiration from Sparrow’s outfit the day before, she reached for her golden sun and moon earrings and the three-layered necklace that matched.
This time, she braided her hair so that it was in that sophisticated half-up, half-down style that she liked.
The style allowed her to really show off her jewelry and added just the right amount of detail to her otherwise simple outfit. Pleased with the results, Fern headed back into the bathroom to do her make-up. A little mascara and deep plum-colored lipstick made the look really come together.
Giddiness made her stomach do little backflips and Fern found herself wondering if she’d be able to keep down any breakfast. She decided to have a hot apple spiced tea and a banana for now, opting to see if that stayed down. Tea always helped to calm her nerves, even the good nerves.
When Fern checked the clock, she saw that she had only fifteen minutes until Sparrow would arrive to whisk her away for another magical day at the Pumpkin Festival. She hurried to the front porch, taking a seat on the porch swing, where she could admire her garden as she waited.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the tall, dark, and handsome figure of Sparrow Blackburne appeared at the end of her street.
Fern waved enthusiastically at her until the other witch waved back.
The older witch offered a shy smile and a small wave as she walked directly toward her.
Fern took the few minutes of her remaining walk to admire her.
Today, Sparrow wore a stunning fitted black-and-white houndstooth coat over a gray pleated skirt, black leggings, a ruffled black shirt.
Knee high black boots that looked like they probably added another couple of inches to the witch’s already impressive height.
The look suited her just as well as her outfit the night before.
She appreciated that Sparrow could pull off both styles, looking equally gorgeous in either. A gray witch’s hat sat atop her dark hair, making Fern smile.
“Good morning, little witch,” Sparrow said as she approached.
“Good morning!” Fern chirped excitedly. “Are you ready for our second date?”
The older witch’s mouth quirked up at the side, a wry smile crossing her face. “I think so. Are you?”
“Oh, definitely!” Fern replied instantly.
With a tilt of her head and an outstretched arm, Sparrow offered the crook of her elbow to Fern. In two skipping steps, she reached the dark-haired witch, tucking her arm into the space as if it were meant for her. Together, they strolled at a leisurely pace toward Main Street.
The Pumpkin Festival would have just officially begun a few minutes ago for the longer Saturday hours, so there was no rush. As they approached the bookstore, Sparrow pointed at Frank’s Diner.
“Should we have a proper dinner date soon? At the diner?” asked the witch.
Fern could feel the smile spreading across her face. “Like burgers and milkshakes and talking for hours in a cozy corner booth?”
“That’s what I had in mind,” Sparrow replied smoothly. “Would you like that?”
“Absolutely! I would love it,” Fern squeaked.
A simple nod seemed to be the end of the conversation, so she resumed their casual meander down the cobbled streets of Pumpkin Hollow. Her hazel eyes took in all the locals with their familiar faces and friendly smiles as they passed.
When they approached the edge of the Pumpkin Festival, the dark-haired witch pointed again. “Do you mind if I get some coffee first?”
Fern shook her head and kept pace with Sparrow as they approached Enchantresso. From behind the counter, Goldie shouted a greeting, then did a double-take at the two of them walking arm-in-arm. She gave Fern a curious look, waggling her eyebrows as she glanced between them.
“Well, good morning, you two,” called Goldie as she settled herself at the counter, leaning toward them. “What can I get ya?”
“The usual for me,” Sparrow said quickly.
“And a pumpkin chip espresso muffin for me, please!” Fern hurried to add.
A wicked grin from Goldie was all the confirmation they got as she punched buttons on the register, gestured to the card reader, and then swished away toward the coffee machine.
Knowing it would take a few minutes, as each drink was made to order and specifically enchanted for the witch who ordered it, they decided to take a seat at one of the little tables by the front window.
Black wrought-iron chairs with emerald-green cushions sat on either side of an ornate wrought-iron table with stunning craftsmanship.
This was Fern’s favorite place to sit when she visited Enchantresso.
She could watch the whole town go by from this vantage point, shaded by the overhanging awning, half hidden behind the large potted rose bushes.
“I don’t usually sit down in here,” Sparrow mused aloud. “I’m usually in a rush to get to the library and get my day started.”
“Really? That’s too bad! This is the best spot to people-watch,” Fern replied brightly.
The older witch glanced at her, those deep blue eyes searching. “Is that so?”
“Oh, yes,” Fern said, suddenly overwhelmed by Sparrow’s full attention on her.
“Order up!” Goldie called loudly, as if it were perhaps not the first time she had said it just now.
With a quiet “thank you” and a jaunty wave, the two witches headed back out into the square. The riotous sounds of children running amok through the Pumpkin Festival made it hard to hear each other, so they wandered in silence for a while.
Before long, they came upon the Frank’s Diner cart, and Fern practically vibrated with excitement.
Sparrow chuckled at her eager increased pace.
The tall, stoic form of Victor stood behind the cart in his standard diner uniform, but beside him was a woman Fern didn’t recognize.
The two appeared to be arguing, though they both had plastered on smiles for the festival goers.
“Look at all the new choices this year,” she breathed out in a barely audible whisper.
“What do you usually get?” Sparrow asked, glancing at the menu as well.
Pictures of each delicious flavor combination sat beside the names and descriptions on the menu board, each sounding better than the last. Classic, of course, and churro with caramel sauce, pumpkin spice with cream cheese dip, Nutella with cookie pieces.
“I…I usually get the churro funnel cake,” Fern admitted. “But that campfire s’mores sounds incredible!”
The dark-haired witch nodded. “I’m partial to the pumpkin spice, obviously. The peach cobbler funnel cake is new, though.”
“This is gonna be so tough,” Fern whined as she looked back and forth between the pictures.
“Victor, can we please get one campfire s’mores funnel cake and one peach cobbler,” Sparrow said, taking a step toward the tall man and the register.
The woman beside him, who had white streaks in her hair on either side of her head, nodded enthusiastically. “Excellent choices! I added both of those to the menu this year.”
“You did?” Fern gasped. “Well, I’ll be sure to report back once we’ve finished them!”
She rang up their order as Victor fried up the funnel cakes and added each topping with precision and care. When he handed them to Sparrow and Fern, they were picture-perfect. Fern squealed in delight and insisted they take a photo before digging in.
“The little orange and red leaf shaped sprinkles really put it over the top,” she explained to the older witch.
Once the pictures had been posted, they found a park bench to sit on while they devoured their treats. Fern took a bite of her s’mores funnel cake, with its chocolate sauce and crushed graham cracker and marshmallow fluff and moaned in pleasure. Beside her, Sparrow stiffened.
“Dear goddess, that is good,” Fern hurried to explain. “You have to try this!”
“You don’t mind sharing?” the dark-haired witch asked, glancing at the fork she offered.