Page 5 of Chasing Stripes (Enchanted Falls #3)
FIVE
A rtemis straightened, indignation flaring. “This bakery was here long before any council drew borders on a map. We have every right to operate wherever we want.”
“Of course, we do,” Tilly soothed. “But navigating council politics requires diplomacy, especially when an alpha tiger is involved.” She patted Artemis’s hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry too much. We’ve got friends on the council, and Rust—being mayor—generally keeps things balanced.”
Artemis nodded, filing the information away for future consideration. Another challenge to address, but not her most pressing concern.
“I think I’ll stretch my legs before dinner,” she decided, standing. “Reacquaint myself with downtown.”
“Excellent idea. The evening air is lovely this time of year.”
Enchanted Falls transformed as twilight approached. Magical lights flickered to life along storefronts—not electric bulbs, but captured moonbeams, bottled starlight, and luminescent fairy dust contained in hand-blown glass lanterns. The air grew thick with enchantment, magical currents flowing more freely as day gave way to night.
Artemis strolled down Main Street, taking in the changes since her departure. New shops had opened—Crystal Computing seemed to offer tech support for magically-challenged devices, while Paws her magic had never acted independently before, not even during her most emotional moments.
For an instant—so briefly she might have imagined it—she thought she saw a tall figure move inside the bar, passing near a window. Something about the silhouette—broad shoulders, confident posture—made her breath catch. Then the interior lights dimmed slightly, and whatever she’d glimpsed vanished from view.
Artemis rubbed her arms, surprised by the intensity of her reaction. What was it about that place—or whoever owned it—that set her magic humming?
“Curious and curiouser,” she murmured, channeling her childhood favorite Alice.
The streetlamps flickered, then steadied, as if echoing her thoughts. Something told her that crossing paths with Bartek Arbor would change things in ways she couldn’t predict—and despite her protests to Tilly and Kalyna, the prospect sent a thrill of anticipation through her that had nothing to do with bakery renovations.
A cool evening breeze carried the scent of autumn leaves and distant woodsmoke, reminding her that she’d been standing still for too long. Squaring her shoulders, Artemis turned back to Honeycrisp Bakery. One challenge at a time. Tomorrow, she’d start bringing her parents’ legacy back to life.
And if fate threw a brooding tiger shifter into her path along the way... well, she’d handle that when it happened.
After all, she was Artemis Blu—daughter of legendary fae bakers, creator of enchanted pastries that had made even the most jaded city-dwellers smile, and now the caretaker of a beloved small-town institution. Her magic might be stirring in unexpected ways, but she wasn’t some starry-eyed teenager swooning over a mysterious neighbor.
No matter how impressive his shoulders looked in silhouette.