Page 8 of Magic & Matchmaking (Moonflower Witches)

Chapter Seven

EMMA

M y heart pounded as I raced across the dirt road, almost getting run over by a horse and cart.

A witch stuck her head out the window. “Oy!” she yelled. “Did no one teach you to look both way before crossing the street?”

“Sorry,” I replied, continuing toward my father’s shop. I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten about him. I got so wrapped up in Riven, in seeing him again.

Guilt gnawed at me. One look at the handsome bard, and I’d dropped all my responsibilities. I wouldn’t let it happen again. I just hoped my father was okay. I had a strict schedule, checking in on him four times a day, bringing him tea and healthy meals.

I wrenched open the door to the familiar little shop, animals peeking out at me from their cages and places where they perched on the shelves.

My stomach dropped. It was silent. Eerily silent.

Oh no. Had my father slept in this morning?

I usually woke him every morning, but now that I ran the tea shop, I had to get up extra early to make the walk from our cottage to town.

I wrung my hands together, walking up and down the aisles while all the animals stared .

“Looking for something?”

I jumped, putting my hand to my chest and turning to see a bright-eyed boy, no more than sixteen, staring down at me with his wide brown eyes. His brown hair hung to his shoulders.

“You scared me,” I admonished.

He scratched his head. I didn’t recognize him. Maybe he was the baker’s son? I couldn’t be sure.

“I’m sorry, we have a no loitering policy here.” He pointed to a sign hung on the end of one of the shelves that read NO LOITERING. That was new.

I frowned. “Who put that up?”

“Oh, it was Mr. Thorne. Brilliant idea. He was tired of people coming in and just staring at the animals but not adopting any. We have specific play dates for town folk to interact with the creatures here.”

“You do?” I asked.

“Oh yes. Also Mr. Thorne’s idea.” He stroked his jaw. “Did you want to come for a play date? We have them every full moon on the second bell of the day.”

Just as he said that, the afternoon bell rang in the distance, letting everyone know it was time to lunch.

“I’m not loitering, and I’m not here to sign up for a play date.”

The boy raised his nose. “Well, then, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“No!” I protested. “I’m Emma.” He stared at me blankly, and I huffed. “Emma Thorne.”

His eyes widened. “Oh, Ms. Thorne. I’m such a fan. You know, you’ve put some brilliant systems in place here. Thanks to you, everything runs so smoothly.”

I felt a little mollified at that. “I’m glad to hear that. I take it you’re my replacement?”

“A job I take very seriously.” He stood straighter now, face growing sober.

“Good to know.” I patted him on the shoulder. “Where is my father?”

Just then, laughter rang out from the back room.

“Oh, he’s back there with Ms. Hallow.”

“Thank you...” I gestured, not knowing his name .

“Grimm!”

“Thank you, Grimm.” I moved down the aisle and toward the back office. A window gave view of my father, sitting in a chair behind the desk while Morty sat in a chair on the other side, both of them laughing over something.

I swung open the door. “Hi!”

My father’s gaze swiveled toward me. “Emma! I thought you weren’t coming for your afternoon check-in.”

I bristled, shame bubbling up that he’d actually think I wouldn’t come “Nonsense.” I strode forward. “Just got a little busy at the shop.” I was about to tell him what we were having for lunch when I realized I didn’t come with any food.

My hand floated up to my forehead. I was forgetting all kinds of things today.

“Well, it appears I don’t have lunch for us.” I held up my empty hands with an apologetic smile.

“Don’t worry. Morty brought me lunch.” He gestured to two empty bowls sitting on the table. “A nice veggie stew.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Oh. That was nice of you, Morty.”

The three of us fell into silence, and I rocked on my heels. “So Morty, what brings you in today?”

Morty tugged at one of her spiral curls. “Since I don’t have a pet dragon anymore, I thought I might see about getting myself another animal. I asked your father for some recommendations, we got to talking, and I offered to get us lunch so we could continue our conversation. You know how it goes.”

“Have you decided on a familiar?” I gestured out the window at the shelves full of them.

“Oh, goodness, no. It’s so hard to choose.” Morty pointed out the window. “They all stare at me with those wide eyes, and I just can’t make a decision today. I’ll have to come back, take my time, so I can make the right choice.”

I reached into my pocket to pull out a leaf. “Ready for your medicine?” I asked my father.

He patted his belly. “Already took it.”

“You did?” I asked .

He nodded, a proud smile on his face.

“Well, I guess I’ll be back at third bell,” I said, not quite sure what was happening. “And I’ll cook for us tonight?”

Father reached for a cup of water sitting on his desk and took a sip. “Of course, Emma Bear. That would be lovely.”

“Great,” I said, feeling a creeping unease, but I wasn’t sure why.

“How are things at Steeped in Love?” Morty asked, leaning forward, chin propped in her hand.

“Good!” I said, probably too quickly because both Morty and my father frowned. I averted my gaze. “There’s been a few bumps here and there...”

“Is that a cut on your hand?” My father pointed to a thin line of blood on my palm. I must’ve gotten cut when the window shattered and didn’t realize it.

“Is that shop still misbehaving?” Morty asked. “I swear, so much attitude in that one.”

“Erm, yes,” I said. “It’s not taking to me as quickly as I would’ve liked. But I’m sure it will soon.”

I was a lovely person. Yes, I could be high strung and anxious and obsessed with organization, but I was nice. The shop had no reason not to like me.

“No loitering!” Grimm’s voice called. “Only serious customers allowed in the store. Please, there’s too many of you!”

A gaggle of women giggled and shrieked.

“I’m here for Emma,” a low voice said in response, and I stiffened.

Riven. He’d followed me over here after I ran out on him. I groaned. I’d been so rude, rushing away without even explaining.

My father stood from his chair and arched his neck to get a good view. “What’s going on out there?”

Riven strode through the middle aisle as a group of girls followed him.

Poor Grimm trailed after the crowd. “No loitering! It says so on the sign right there.” He pointed back at the sign, but no one seemed to notice, all their attention on the famous bard.

Riven locked eyes with me through the office window and strode through the door. He slammed it shut and plastered himself to it, looking visibly relieved to have a barrier between him and his rabid fans .

They crowded outside the office as I grabbed the curtain and yanked it over the window, making them all groan.

“Riven!” My father rushed forward and grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously. “It’s been too long, my boy.”

Morty came to stand and opened her arms. “Hello, dear. Well, aren’t you looking as scrumptious as ever?” She pinched his cheeks, which turned pink.

“I’m sorry I ran out like that.” I gestured toward my father. “I was late coming to check on my father. Lost track of time, I guess.” I rubbed my arm.

“Yeah, I did too. It happens,” Riven said.

Actually, no it didn’t. Not to me.

“So what brings you here?” My father and Morty settled back into their chairs while Riven and I stood.

“On a break,” Riven said simply, not providing any further detail.

“A day? Two days?” My father reached for his pipe, which sat on his desk. He put it in his mouth and lit it.

“A month, actually.”

My head snapped in his direction. He never came home for that long. It was always a day or two at a time.

“I just really wanted some peace and quiet,” Riven said right as one of the girls screamed his name outside the window, making us all jump.

“Right.” My father’s eyes shifted toward the window. “How is that working out for you?”

Poor Riven. He had built an amazing career, but it couldn’t be easy never having any privacy with all these women and girls fawning over him nonstop.

“It’s a work in progress,” Riven said dismissively, frowning at Morty. “Why is your shop trying to kill Emma?”

My mouth dropped open at the abrupt change of topic.

“Kill is a strong word.” I gave a nervous laugh. Speaking of killing, I was going to wring that dragon’s neck for saying something to Riven. I knew my friend well enough to know he wouldn’t drop this until it was resolved.

“What?” my father asked, pipe hanging from his mouth.

Riven jabbed a finger in the direction of Steeped in Love. “I just witnessed a window shatter all over her. ”

He sounded upset about it. Really upset.

“It wasn’t that big of a deal.” I waved my hand in the air.

Riven’s jaw locked. “You could’ve gotten seriously hurt.”

“But I didn’t,” I argued.

He took a step closer, looming over me. I’d forgotten how big he was. “Because I shielded you.”

“Well, that was sweet,” Morty interjected.

“And I’m fine,” I said, an edge to my voice. The last thing I wanted was my father worrying about me. Stressing out his heart.

“But you might not be next time.” Riven turned to Morty. “So how do we fix this?”

I blinked a few times. We?

Morty worked her jaw back and forth. “Huh.”

That was not the response I wanted to hear.

“Huh,” Riven echoed. “What does that mean?”

Morty shot a look at my father, then back to us. “The shop usually accepts its new owners within a few weeks. It stopped trying to kill me after a couple of days.”

My eyes bugged. That was new information.

She tapped her chin. “Of course I had my husband at my side. Rest his soul.” Morty’s brows furrowed.

“You’re clearly bringing in the customers, providing them with a great tea experience.

All I’ve heard is rave reviews about the tea and the service.

” She frowned. “How did your first matchmaking night go?”

I cleared my throat. Steeped in Love was well known for its singles events. They happened every month, a chance for people looking for love to sit and chat with potential matches over hot tea. “Well.” I twisted my hands together. “I kind of cancelled it.”

“What?” Morty asked in horror.

“Why did you do that?” my father said.

I felt Riven’s eyes on me, burning into me.

“Emma,” Morty said slowly. “I think I’ve diagnosed the problem.

Every owner since the founder of Steeped in Love has been in a relationship.

You know the rich matchmaking history of the shop.

It’s in the name. Love is a very important part of Steeped in Love.

It wants an owner that will take that seriously. ”

I scoffed, unable to believe what she was saying. “You’re telling me that the tea shop doesn’t like me because I’m not in a relationship?”

That was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard.

Morty gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m afraid that may be the case.”

My father nodded along like this wasn’t absolutely absurd. Riven still just stared at me.

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked with a laugh. “Conjure a boyfriend?”

“Oh I wouldn’t recommend it.” Morty smacked her lips. “I have a friend that tried to create her own boyfriend, and she ended up creating a cactus who was obsessed with her. Kept getting spindles stuck everywhere.” Morty pointed at her crotch. “Down there.”

I inhaled deeply, then exhaled a slow and steady breath. “I’m an independent woman. I own a business. I’m happy. I don’t want a relationship.”

Everyone sat in silence for a moment while I stewed over this conundrum.

“Then fake one,” Riven said quietly.

I slowly turned to face him. “What?”

He stepped forward. “Fake one. With me.”