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“You mean my intuition? I don’t trust my intuition?”

“’Tis a human way of seein’ things. But aye. That.”

“And you’re saying that my trepidations about Dolan are without merit?”

“Aye.”

“Even silly?”

She chuckled again then drew her feather duster from her pocket as if to say she was needed elsewhere. “Dolan is quiet. And thoughtful. Nothin’ more.”

“Okay. Good talk.”

She nodded and went back to work, leaving me to ask Dolan for help with greenery. Sure. Why not? I’m not only a mature woman. Sort of. I’m also the magistrate!

I stood at the threshold of the workroom until, sensing my presence, Dolan looked up from the piece that was almost finished to perfection. Like so many of the wares that passed through The Hallows, I wanted it for myself.

“Um, I was wonderin’ if you might help me carry greenery from Lily’s shop?”

Without a word or change of expression, he, once again, let his brush fall into the glass jar of thinner then stood, and walked toward me.

“On second thought. Maybe I should go pick out the pieces I want. It would be a waste of your valuable time to stand around while I do that. I’ll be back when we can make a quick job of it.”

He turned, walked back to his stool, and without a word of acknowledgement resumed putting the finishing touches on the ladybug thing. I suppose I do like over-communicators.

Of all the shops on the green, I liked the windchime tinkle of the bell on Lily’s store the best. It never failed to make me smile.

“Lily?” I called.

She poked her head out from the back. “Magistrate!” It was lovely to have someone sound so pleased to see me. “Did you come for some Yule greens?”

When she said it, Yule greens sounded like something yummy to eat.

“Indeed, I did. I’m prepared to write a large check if I get first pick.”

She laughed. “I’ll have to be satisfied with a medium-sized check. Molly was here first.”

“Aaawgh!”

She laughed. “Not to worry. I have more lovely stems that you will need.”

I looked dubious. “I don’t know. I’m pretty serious about Yule. And you know I have both a house and a business to spruce up.”

With a smile too bright for anyone not pixie to manage, she said, “Oh. That was a pun. I learned all about those. Good one. Come back and take a look.”

My favorite florist was right. A truckload of greenery now occupied the space that used to be Lily’s workroom. It was contained in huge boxes, some opened, and organized by variety.

“Lily. Is this heaven?”

She looked around. “It’s greenery.” Her delivery lacked the enthusiasm it deserved.

“Yes! But the smell!”

“Oh.” She laughed. “It’s one of the best things about Yule, isn’t it?”

“I’ve never experienced so many stems concentrated in one place. Can I move in? I won’t take up much room. Just a small cot.” I looked around. “Maybe over there.”

“You’re very funny for a judge.”

“Why, thank you.” After that, I’d look foolish if I said I was quite serious.

“I have some orders to sort through and prioritize, but feel free to take what you want. There are a couple of empty crates behind you. Just put what you want in there and I’ll get Buckthorne to deliver.”

I blinked. I wasn’t going to need either Keir or Dolan. “Deliver? That’s great! Who’s Buckthorne?”

“Oh. He’s my seasonal help. You haven’t met him? He’s out on an errand right now, but he might be back while you’re here.”

“Okay.”

Lily disappeared into her little closet-sized office while I began the jolly old task of picking through greenery.

Forty-five minutes later, I was satisfied that I’d selfishly snatched up the best pieces I could reach, given the depth of the boxes, and separated them into five crates.

I was dying to find out what happened with Esme and was trying to figure out if I could sneak in a quick visit. She was only three doors away…

Standing up, I expected to hear a little crepitation from my knees, but the silence reminded me that I was now equipped with a tiny touch of magic.

“Lily!” I called. She appeared instantly. “I’m taking these five crates. These three go to The Hallows. These two are for the house. How much do I owe you?”

“I’ll figure it up and send the bill with Buckthorne.”

“How do I know I can afford it if you don’t tell me how much?”

“You can afford it.” The deep-voiced answer came from none other than my hubs. “Afternoon, Lily.”

“Keir! What are you doing here?”

Drat it all. It was almost as if my thought about ducking into Esme’s had set off a Keir alarm. Clandestine visit officially scratched.

“I came to help carry greenery,” he said. “Did you forget?”

“I thought you came to keep me away from Esme.”

“That, too.”

“No charge for delivery,” Lily interjected.

“Well, there you have it,” I told Keir. “Lily has a delivery guy who’ll carry all this for free.”

Lily said, “It’s none of my concern, I know, but you’ve raised my curiosity about why your husband is trying to keep you away from Esme. Aren’t you and Esme friends?”

“I’d love to share, Lily, but I have to get permission from Esme before spilling anything about it and…”

Lily looked at Keir. “You won’t let Rita near her.”

“Exactly.”

“Maybe I’ll pop over and just ask what’s going on,” she said.

I gritted my teeth. It wouldn’t be fair for Lily to find out and not me. I didn’t need to say what I was thinking. I just gave Keir my best puppy dog face. Alas, the bastard was steadfast.

“No,” was all he said. “Smells grand in here, Lily,” he told her cheerfully. “You ready?” he asked me.

“I guess.” I pouted.

On the walk home, Keir did his best to engage me in conversation, but I was focused on being a brat and turning sulking into an art form.

I answered in monosyllables. I’m not proud of it, but it was a master class in passive-aggressive behavior.

As soon as we were home, I went to my study, closed the door, and called Evie.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hey,” I replied.

“Mom. Put the phone down. I’m here.”

I turned to see her lowering a protruding belly onto my puffy leather chair and set the phone down. “That will always be unnerving. No matter how long I’m part of this.”

“Never say always. It’s the surest way to reveal exceptions and outliers. What’s up?”

“Must’ve caught you when you weren’t busy.”

“I’m never busy. Diarmuid sees to that. It’s silly. Worse, it’s fertile ground for boredom.”

“Hmmm. Can I get you something?” As soon as I said it, I knew it was boneheaded. Why offer something to a person who can instantly conjure anything imaginable?

Seeing my thoughts play out on my face, she smiled, then handed me my favorite grande Americano.

Gods bless Queen Evangeline. I didn’t have to ask for a sleeve or a stopper.

She’s the best barista anywhere. Perfection and consistency are a combination impossible to beat.

As I took the steamy cup of heaven, she said, “Did you call for a reason or just want a Starbucks?”

“A reason. A favor.”

“What?”

“We got this marvelous carousel horse at The Hallows. Well, I call it a carousel horse, but it doesn’t have a, you know, pole thingy.

Annnnnnd, it’s life-sized. I want to use it as the focal point in my Yule window decorations, but Maggie says it weighs a ton.

That may or may not be literal. I didn’t personally try to lift it.

She said that, and this is a quote, ‘It would take four men or Evie to move the thing into the window.’ Or something like that. ”

Evie chuckled. “Four men or Evie,” she repeated. “I like that. You want it done right now?”

“Not since you just gave me a fresh coffee. Plus, we have to move everything that’s in the window now to make room.

Last, based on what I heard, I might get in trouble with my son-in-law for having you perform strenuous feats of might.

Currently, I enjoy a good relationship with Diarmuid. I want to keep it that way.”

“I have a solution.”

“What is it?”

She laughed. “We won’t tell.”

“There you have it, sports fans. My daughter, slyest Irish queen ever. Why don’t you conjure up a coffee for yourself? Oh, wait, can you have coffee?”

She scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. It takes more than coffee to hurt a fae queen. Also, just not feeling the joe. Maybe a strawberry smoothie.” She raised her hand, and the most beautiful pink drink appeared in a daiquiri glass complete with striped straw, umbrella, and fresh sprig of mint.

“Wow. Now I want that .”

“Really?”

I looked down at my cup. I wanted to have my coffee and drink something else, too. “Coffee now. Smoothie after horse wrangling.”

“Wrangling?” She grinned. “I hadn’t known I always wanted to be a horse wrangler until you just said it.”

“Glad to make your dreams come true. In my next incarnation, maybe I’ll be a fairy godmother instead of a judge.”

She looked serious. “You’re being cute, but now that I think about it, you really did make my dreams come true when you moved here. I wouldn’t have met Diarmuid. I wouldn’t be an Irish fae queen. Rhiannon wouldn’t be close to being fully baked. I guess I owe you.”

“You think you owe me for that? What about nineteen hours of labor to bring you into the world? What about last-minute science projects? Trips to urgent care because, let’s face it, you’re a klutz. Sitting up when you had a fever. Chaperoning roller rink birthday parties. Cleaning up…”

“Mom. Slow the roll.”

“Just getting warmed up. I have lists upon lists of life markers for being your mother, human or otherwise.”

“Okay. I get it. I owe you now. I owed you before. I’ll never pay off the debt.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to get out the dry erase board.”

She looked around. “You have a dry erase board?”