Page 19 of Time to Stirrup Love (Harmony Glen #10)
E nd of August,
Margaid helped bring of tray of sandwiches out of the Dead and Breakfast, with Sven following beside her.
“Thanks for helping me,” Sven stated. “Magnus has taken off again.”
“What’s going on with him?” Margaid asked. “He’s been acting weird all summer.”
“He’ll be okay,” Sven responded with some sarcasm. “Ever since that bad date, he’s been acting odd and super grumpy.”
“Oh, the revenge date?” Margaid asked.
“Whatever that is.” Sven rolled his eyes. “We have a business to launch this fall. He better get his rear in gear.”
They set down the sandwiches in the tent that was pitched outside the Room with a Tomb, Dead and Breakfast. Sven was hosting a small going away party for Pearl who was moving away to college.
People from town who knew Pearl were trickling in to wish her well. Margaid loved the way the town came together to send off one of their own. Dorvak had brought some of Pearl’s favorite baked goods and other members of town came trickling in and out.
Finn was even nice to Liana, the woman who farmed chickens.
He’d grown a lot.
Her bosses had approved her transfer and she was now in charge of the watershed in this area, as well as taking care of the local fish populations. She had to go into the nearest city from time to time to check in, but most of her work could be done remotely in Harmony Glen.
The best thing about being able to go to the city and work, she could check in on Pearl, and Margaid was already planning some times in the city where she could go during a full moon cycle and make sure that Pearl was safe.
Especially in the winter so that Pearl didn’t have to drive if the weather was bad.
It was a perfect solution. And she was so happy she finally had a family again.
“I want to thank everyone for coming to send Pearl off to college. It means so much that you’re all here,” Finn said, making a quick toast with a glass of punch.
“Thanks, Finn. I can’t wait to come back to Harmony Glen as a nurse,” Pearl said. “This is my home.”
Pearl was then hugged by her friends as Finn stood by her proudly.
Everyone was so happy, except for one.
Margaid caught sight of Phineas hanging back, in a corner. She made up a plate of sandwiches, knowing how much he loved cucumber and watercress, and then headed straight for him.
“Hey, pal. Want a sandwich?” she offered.
“Not hungry.” He glanced over at Pearl wistfully.
Margaid sat down next to him. “She’ll be back.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“Why don’t you tell her how you feel?”
Phineas shook his head. “No, because then she’d stay or…it would make things weird. She needs to go.”
“You’re a good friend.” Though she knew the young gill man wanted more than just friendship from Pearl.
“I know.” He sighed, pulled a present out of his jacket. “Would you give this to her?”
“I think it might mean more coming from you,” Margaid said softly.
“I know, but I can’t. Will you do this for me, Margaid?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
Phineas smiled, but it was sad. He got up and discreetly exited the party. Margaid picked up the small pink box with the white bow.
“Why is Phineas leaving?” Finn asked, coming up beside her and putting his arm around her.
“He’s a bit sad Pearl is leaving.”
Finn frowned. “Is that a fact.”
“It’s puppy love.”
“Pearl is too young.”
“She’s twenty and going off to college.”
Finn frowned. “Still too young, but I suppose she could pick a worse mate. Phineas is a good guy.”
“He is. And so are you.” She kissed him softly and Finn’s arms came around her.
“I’m going to miss her when she’s gone,” Finn sighed.
“Me too, but she’ll be home sooner than you think.”
“I know.”
“YOU!” Magnus shouted from across the tent.
She hadn’t even noticed Magnus had come back.
Margaid spun around to see Magnus staring in horror at the new person who had walked into the tent. She was a dark-haired, voluptuous woman with dark eyes and red lips, dressed completely in black. She looked a bit stunned.
“Who is that?” Finn whispered out of the side of his mouth.
“No idea,” Margaid responded.
Magnus marched right up to the woman. “What’re you doing here?”
“I was invited,” the woman responded. “I’m a friend of Pearl’s.”
“You need to leave,” Magnus snarled.
Pearl stepped in. “Magnus, Mercedes is my friend.”
“Your friend!” Magnus shrieked.
Finn stepped in. “Magnus, what’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong. She’s the witch who cursed me and Sven! The revenge date!”
No one said anything, everyone was just confused. She and Finn exchanged worried glances. She had a feeling this fall would not be as peaceful as she thought.