Page 6 of Time to Stirrup Love (Harmony Glen #10)

Margaid leapt back in shock as a form solidified in from of her. The white skin and red eyes, yet this time the white hair was done in a different style and the beard was neatly trimmed. Had he freshened up to impress her?

“Magnus, you scared me,” she gasped.

“I’m not Magnus. I’m his twin Sven. And my apologies for frightening you. I was coming to speak to the Clague clan about a community dinner later tonight and it’s just much more efficient to get around Harmony Glen if I’m not solid.” Sven cocked his head to one side. “You’re new to town?”

“I am, but just for a year.”

“Oh, that’s very specific,” Sven teased, his red eyes twinkling.

“Well, so is my contract.” Margaid chuckled. She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sven.”

Sven took her hand. “The pleasure is all mine. Well, since you’re here in town and new, why don’t you come to the community dinner?”

“She’s got a lot of work,” came a deep voice from behind her.

Margaid turned and it was Finn, standing a couple feet behind her, his arms crossed and his glare focused on Sven.

“How do you know?” Margaid asked.

Finn ignored her.

“Everyone in town is invited,” Sven stated. “It’s a perfect time to have some good community spirit and there’s a meat draw. Magnus and I donated a bunch of meat.”

“Should I be weirded out by the meat draw?” she asked, laughing nervously.

“I swear it’s not human flesh. Our kind of ghouls don’t do that,” Sven explained.

“No, it’s not that,” Margaid apologized quickly. “It’s just…a meat draw, in general? Honestly, it sounds like a bad porno.”

Sven laughed and Finn rolled his eyes.

“Oh, is that what you mean? No, it’s just steak and chicken and stuff. So, will you come? We’ve got stuff from Ogram’s farm stand and from Dorvak’s Bakery. Lots of locals contributing.”

“That sounds great. I’d like to,” Margaid agreed. “Where?”

“The town hall, on First Avenue. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Margaid nodded, feeling pleased with herself. Finn, however, looked as if he had a trout stuffed up his ass. He was glaring at Sven and there was no reason to do that. Sven was being nice and was definitely not as bold as his twin brother Magnus.

It was nice for the invitation to be extended.

She knew she was only in town for a year, they didn’t have to invite her, an outsider.

It felt good to be included in something.

She and her mom had to move around a lot when she was younger, so she really wasn’t included in a lot of things and didn’t have a great big family to lean on.

Here she was, feeling like she was welcome, and the big grumpy glashtyn was being a real butthead about the whole thing.

“Is there anything I can bring?” Margaid asked, ignoring Finn’s disapproval.

Sven shook his head. “Nope, just yourself. Ah, Pearl, I was just coming to invite you and Hetty to the community dinner tonight.”

Margaid spun around and came face to face with the stunningly beautiful little sister of Finn.

If she thought the photograph was gorgeous, the real version put the photograph to shame.

Pearl did really shine like her namesake.

She shimmered. Her hair was bone white, but like a moonstone, it also rippled with various hues of purples and blues, though very subtle.

Her eyes were large and violet, with long dark lashes.

It was as if the cartoon character from one of Margaid’s favorite movies really walked off the animated screen and was standing in front of her.

The only thing missing was the starburst birthmark on her forehead.

Pearl smiled, warmly, a smile that reached to her eyes and was genuine. “Hi,” she said, her voice like a sweet song as she extended her delicate hand. “I’m Pearl and you must be Dr. Margaid Davis.”

“I am. How did you know?” Margaid asked, curious.

“You’re our tenant for the year. My mother owns the house that you’re staying in.” Pearl smiled sweetly. “I was really interested in a marine biologist coming to Harmony Glen!”

“She’s renting Mom’s house?” Finn asked grouchily. “Why wasn’t I asked about this?”

Pearl’s lips pressed together in a firm line. “Mom told you about this. It’s her home. She bought it before she married Dad and she can do what she wants with it.”

Finn let out another snort of derision, but he didn’t argue with his sister.

At least he seemed to listen to someone.

“Well, the home is wonderful,” Margaid gushed.

“We usually rent it out for vacationers, but it’s nice to have one tenant for a while. It saves me cleaning.” Pearl chuckled.

“You should drop by sometime, if you’re interested in marine biology,” Margaid offered, thoroughly enchanted by Pearl.

“She’s busy,” Finn interjected. “She works the storefront of Monster Catch and does other jobs around town.”

Pearl rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. I do hope I get to talk to you more at the dinner tonight?”

“You can count on it.” Margaid hefted up her gear. “I’ll see you all later.”

She walked back to her truck. She turned back once to look back at the group. Sven was laughing silently behind Finn and Pearl had her hands on her hips, her finger pointed while Finn rolled his eyes.

It was a comical sight.

At least someone seemed to have some sway over him, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Finn’s mother was like. Was she more like Pearl or more like Finn?

Does it matter?

She couldn’t let herself get too close. It would be harder to leave in a year if she did, but another part of her wanted to make friends. She didn’t want to be so lonely anymore.