Page 17 of Time to Stirrup Love (Harmony Glen #10)

Chapter

Ten

T wo weeks later.

I think I’m in love with a monster.

She’d woken up the next morning in Finn’s arms and it had been so right. They showered together, then he took her home so she could change and gather her gear. They took the boat out to Sandbar Island and met Phineas to do their work.

Actually, every day they spent together was so right. They remained professional, but at night they could not keep their hands off each other.

And it wasn’t just the monster she was falling in love with, it was the whole town.

Margaid, for the first time in her life, was feeling like she could really put down roots.

It didn’t hurt that she was dating the hottest glashtyn around and having fucking hot sex with him was a bonus. It wasn’t just that, though.

There was a lot more there. More connection.

It was nice to work and collect her samples. They saw different parts of town and people were getting to know her.

At night they spent it mostly at his place because it was easier to snuggle in his berth with him than the bed at her rental. He was too tall for the pretty metal frame. She was kind of worried he’d break it. And how would she explain that to his mom?

There was a knock at the door and she got up from her work to answer it.

“Pearl,” she said, stunned. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

Since the incident, Pearl had been very sick and Margaid hadn’t had much of a chance to speak to her, so she was glad to see her out and about, but she still looked a bit peaked.

“I wanted to drop by and tell you they caught those hunters. Thanks to you for reporting the illegal trap.”

“Oh, that’s awesome. Would you like to come in?”

“I would.”

Margaid stepped to the side to let Pearl in. She had the distinct feeling that there was more Pearl wanted to talk about.

“Make yourself at home. I mean, this is your home but…”

Pearl laughed nervously. “I get it.”

Pearl sat on the edge of the floral couch. Perched there very much like her brother. Margaid sat down in the chair across from her.

“What can I help you with, Pearl?”

Pearl worried her bottom lip. “College. I want to go to college.”

It surprised her. “Oh. That’s awesome. Do you have questions?”

Pearl reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter and handed it to her. Margaid could see it was an acceptance letter to the state college. A full scholarship, so Pearl didn’t need financial help. It all looked so amazing.

“I’m twenty and…my mom and Finn are so nervous about letting me go. I want to be a nurse, a nurse practitioner eventually, and then come back to Harmony Glen and help people here.”

She smiled at Pearl. “That sounds wonderful.”

“It’s been a dream of mine I’ve been holding back. Then the incident with the full moon and…how can I really go? I know the world knows about us.” Pearl dropped her head in her hands. “Not sure they’re all accepting of us.”

Margaid knew then what she was worried about.

Pearl had had a close call and Margaid couldn’t blame her for being worried.

She had this protection here with Finn and her mother, even the town, but Pearl wanted more.

And Margaid understood that, that’s what she wanted. There had to be a solution for Pearl.

“Is state far?” Margaid asked.

“No. It’s close.”

“Maybe you could come home during a full moon?”

“That’s true. I could.” Pearl’s eyes twinkled. “Now, it’s just a matter of convincing my mother and my brother.”

“If you want to go to college, you should.”

Pearl sighed. “Finn gave up so much to help when our dad died, though.”

Margaid reached out and touched Pearl’s knee, giving it a squeeze. “He wants you to be happy. Don’t be scared and talk to them.”

“I will. Thanks, Margaid.” Pearl stood up and took back her letter. “I better go. You’re good for Finn, you know. He’s been happy. Have you ever thought about staying? I mean it’s the town motto. Happily ever afters.”

Margaid chuckled. “I have. Maybe. My job takes me all over.”

Pearl nodded. “Think about it. I’ll see myself out.”

Margaid sat there mulling it all over. What if she did stay? What if she could make her life with Finn? The thought made her happy. She could transfer to a local ministry office. Maybe oversee the waters around here? That would be a big chance.

Of course, she was gambling on a lot of unknowns. Finn knew her time here was temporary. What if he only wanted her for a short time?

There’s a simple solution, dunderhead. Talk to him.

She went back to her work and saw a report on a sample that had come back, and it made her heart sink.

It wasn’t good.

There was a decline in microorganisms needed for a robust and sustainable fish population. She hated the idea of shutting Finn’s business down. What would he think of her then?

“Want to meet for coffee at Cool Beans?--Finn”

It was a simple text, but it made her stomach knot. It was too early to jump to conclusions. Right now, she just had to live day by day and come up with a proposal.

“Sure. Be there in five.”

Margaid cleaned herself up, grabbed her purse and walked to the coffee shop which wasn’t far away. Walking the streets, she was greeted by humans and monster kind alike.

Dazy was strolling in the direction of the botanical gardens. Arman, the blue genie, floated by with a simple “good day.”

She’d only been here two weeks and she felt like she belonged. She didn’t want to leave this.

Finn was waiting outside the coffee shop, pacing. He looked a bit agitated. He was focused on Roarke the vet and Liana the chicken homesteader, across the street. It made her giggle.

“Hi,” she said brightly. “What’s up with the frown?”

“Chickens.”

“Liana doesn’t carry them around with her,” Margaid teased. “I promise you’ll be fine.”

Finn didn’t look convinced. They wandered to the coffee shop, ordered their drinks and took a seat in a corner booth.

It was nice to be snuggled up against him, even though the temperature was rising the closer they got to summer, but she didn’t care, she just loved being around him. He made her feel so safe.

“It was nice to get a text from you. I thought you had a big boat rental today?”

“Yes. They rented a pontoon and wanted to go to Sandbar Island.”

“I love that island.” The day after they made love, that’s where they went to collect more samples. Phineas had met them and helped for a bit, until he made an excuse and left.

It was then Finn surprised her with a blanket and a picnic on a beach. And a picnic wasn’t the only thing he ate out there. Just thinking about that made her body sizzle. A delightful pull of anticipation in her stomach, her nipples hardening, thinking about his hands on her breasts.

“What’re you thinking about?” he asked, his voice low with a dark promise.

“Oh nothing.” She kissed him then, in public, which caught him off guard as they’d been keeping their little romance secret.

Although, people in the coffee shop really weren’t paying attention to anything.

“How is work going?” he asked.

“Curious or curious because of your business?”

Finn grinned. “Both.”

“It’s coming.” She fiddled with her mug, spinning it around. “I can’t really say.”

“I get it.”

But she knew that he wanted to ask her more about it. And she understood that, because it was his business and she hated that this came between them. On the flip side, she knew he cared about the lake too.

It was all about balance.

And she hoped she could find that, because she could really see herself making a life here and settling down. And settling down with him.

“You’ve gone a bit quiet,” Finn remarked. “That’s not usual for you.”

“I’ve been thinking over a lot of things lately.” She took a deep breath. “What if I stayed?”

Finn’s eyebrows shot up. “Stay? You mean longer than a year?”

She nodded, holding her breath and hoping that he would be thrilled about it and that he’d ask her to stay with him, only he didn’t. He just seemed a bit surprised she wanted to stay. It surprised her too. This is the first time she’d wanted to be serious with anyone, to even think about this.

“Yeah,” she answered.

“I guess I never really thought about that.”

“Oh, that’s…flattering,” she said, laughing nervously.

“It’s not that. It’s just—” Finn was going to say more when Magnus whipped open the door to Cool Beans, looking a touch frantic.

“Finn!” Magnus shouted. “I need your help.”

“What do you need?”

“A boat,” Magnus declared.

“Okay, well my mother is at the shop.”

“She’s not. I checked.” Magnus leaned over their table and he looked just as frazzled as he did the evening that Margaid had picked him up along the side of the road after that so-called revenge date. “The witch is back. I swear she is and I need to deal with it.”

Finn looked at her apologetically.

“It’s okay. Go help your friend,” Margaid said, trying to hide her disappointment that their conversation was interrupted. They could finish it later. She could work on her report for the recent findings and her proposal to stay.

“Very well.” Finn stood up, but before he slid out of the booth, he kissed her on the forehead. He didn’t say anything else, but it was reassuring.

It was something.

Finn left the coffee shop with Magnus. As she glanced around the cozy little coffee shop and stared out the window to the town, she knew she was making the right choice.

Maybe she was rushing into things, but for the first time in a long time, she felt she belonged and maybe this is where she’d get her happily ever after, after all.