Page 8 of Time to Stirrup Love (Harmony Glen #10)
“Who took a glass from this dispenser?” His mother gasped behind him. “It wasn’t ready yet. I haven’t added the sugar and water!”
Margaid was giggling as Finn set the now empty cup in a bin to be washed.
“Finn?” his mother said, shocked. “Didn’t you notice the juices weren’t ready?”
“Clearly not,” Margaid giggled, then she stepped forward. “I’m Dr. Davis.”
His traitorous mother smiled, her eyes glowing. “I’m Hetty Clague and you’re renting my little house, aren’t you?”
“I am,” Margaid said, nodding. “It’s beautiful, by the way, and so close to the conservation area which makes my job easy.”
“Yes, you’re a marine biologist,” Hetty said, lifting the lid to the dispenser, ignoring his warning stares and continuing making the lemonade.
“I am. I’m studying fish populations in Harmony Glen’s lake, rivers, streams…
you name it. Basically, if there’s fish in there, I’m doing research on their population,” Margaid replied brightly.
Almost as saccharine as the copious amounts of sugar that his mother was dumping into the juice dispenser.
“I’m so glad you’re out for a little town gathering. Everyone has contributed something tonight. Please try to the bread from Dorvak’s bakery. He’s the orc over there,” Hetty pointed out. “Best baked goods in town.”
“What other kind of shops do you have in town?” Margaid asked.
“Loads. If you come by Monster’s Catch tomorrow, I’ll give you a tourist map.” Hetty dumped in the water and then gave him a look. “I’m surprised my son hasn’t given you one.”
Margaid’s eyes flew open at his mother’s remark, which was innocent enough, but he groaned because instantly because his brain went there. “Mother, she’s not a tourist.”
“Well, I do plan to see the sights,” Margaid, interjected.
“Perfect. Well, I’m going to finish with my duties. Dr. Davis it’s wonderful to meet you,” Hetty gushed.
“Please call me Margaid.”
“Margaid, it means pearl in Manx doesn’t it?” Hetty asked.
“I believe it does,” Margaid replied.
“How…nice.” His mother sent him a knowing looking, which made him frown.
Margaid was giggling softly to herself. “Why the long face? Your mother is charming.”
“Really, a horse joke?” he groused.
“I’m sorry, but seeing you drink down that lemon juice…are you okay tonight? You seem on edge.”
“What did Magnus want?” Finn asked, trying to steer the subject off of what he was actually thinking and definitely trying to distract her from asking more questions about his family or anything personal.
“To dance, but there’s no music.” Margaid shrugged. “He’s very bold compared to his brother Sven.”
“He’s the one that got them cursed,” Finn remarked.
“That doesn’t shock me.”
They stood there, in front of the juice dispensers, and she was looking up at him, expecting him to say something else, but the thing was, he wasn’t good at small talk.
There was a time he used to be, but even then, not really.
Women who came on to him were interested in the ride he provided, the novelty, and he was all for sowing his wild oats back then.
Now, he had responsibilities. And as tempting as Margaid was, she was a threat to that, if she found disfavor in how the fish populations were faring.
“Finn, you going to introduce me to your friend?” Phineas asked, coming up beside him.
Great.
Was everyone in his life going to meet her and be enchanted by her? How could he keep her at arm’s length when those closest to him wanted to talk to her?
“Phineas, this is Dr. Margaid Davis. Dr. Davis, this is Phineas Gilbert.”
“I talk to fish,” Phineas stated proudly, extending one of his webbed hands.
“Do they talk back?” Margaid asked.
“No, but then again, they see me as a predator,” Phineas admitted.
“Oh, you hunt them but talk to them?” Margaid questioned, amused, and Finn had to admit, he was too.
“Uh, no. I don’t eat them. I eat plants mostly, but they see any big creature as a threat. They’re not very smart,” Phineas stated, tapping his head.
Margaid smiled at Phineas warmly. “Well, maybe I’ll have to ask your expert advice on them if I have trouble finding them.”
Phineas’ neck gills flapped slightly, with pride. “I would be glad to help. I’m bit of a jack-of-all-trades in Harmony Glen. Well, when it comes to water and swamp stuff.”
“Yes. I’ve taken him a bit under my wing,” Finn said.
“How nice,” Margaid responded.
A microphone turned on, then Magnus and Sven were on stage.
“Thanks everyone for coming to our community appreciation event and charity meat draw for the library. Also big thanks to everyone pitching in and helping out. We’re so glad to support local Harmony Glen businesses with the soon to be up and running Room with a Tomb Dead and Breakfast,” Sven explained. “We’re still deciding on the name.”
There were some claps.
“The meat draw will start at eight, but we’re going to start the night off with some dancing thanks to our DJ, Asher. Give it up for the growl with a howl,” Magnus shouted into the microphone.
Finn rolled his eyes, but clapped along with everyone else.
“Dinner will be brought out in thirty minutes, but please continue to mingle and dance. Just have fun tonight,” Sven stated. “DJ, the mic is all yours.”
Before Finn could say anything else, the music started and couples began to move out onto the dance floor.
Ask her to dance, the little voice inside his head told him.
“Dr. Davis, could I please have the pleasure of this dance,” Sven asked, materializing beside her.
“With you, yes,” Margaid said pleasantly.
Sven laughed. “I know, my brother can be a bit much some times.”
Finn stood there, watching Margaid and Sven head out onto the dance floor. There were a couple of other couples enjoying the music. It was definitely hard to miss Sam the giant with his arms around Mari.
“Why didn’t you ask her to dance?” Phineas asked. “She’s into you.”
Finn cocked an eyebrow. “Into me?”
“One hundred percent. Sven won’t care if you cut in. You should.”
Finn let out a huff and handed Phineas his meat draw ticket. “I’ve got to go. Make sure my mom and Pearl get home okay.”
“Sure,” Phineas agreed, stunned. “But…”
Finn didn’t wait around to hear what he had to say. Whether he was into Margaid or not, it didn’t matter. She wasn’t a permanent resident of Harmony Glen and he had other things to worry about.
He wasn’t going to get involved with her. He couldn’t.
As much as he wanted to go home, Finn couldn’t.
Phineas would take care of his mother and Pearl, but he wanted to make sure that Margaid got home okay.
Harmony Glen was safe, but that territorial part of him just wanted to make sure.
It was a couple of blocks down First Avenue to Verdant Street, where she was staying, and the cemetery was close by.
It always creeped him out a bit. He shifted into his human form so she wouldn’t recognize him and pulled his woollen beanie down tight over his head.
It was a couple of hours later that she walked out of the hall.
He followed her at a safe distance, trying to be nonchalant, but noticed she began to walk faster, so he backed off and went a different way, all the while making sure that he timed it so he knew she was safe.
When he got to the bushes across the street, he crouched down low and waited.
Only, she didn’t turn the corner when he expected her to and it worried him.
Where is she?
What if she was in danger or needed his help?
“Okay, pal. I have pepper spray and I’m not afraid to use it,” she snarled, coming up behind him. “Who the hell are you?”
“It’s me, Margaid.”
“Me who?”
Finn sighed and stood up, turning around. “Finnbar Clague.”
“Finn?” she asked, confused. “Why are you following me and why are you in human form?”
He was glad she couldn’t see how his face was beige and his body still furry.
And he wanted to explain he wasn’t a creeper, but it was at that moment that the beanie, which had been hiding his long horse ears, sprung off his head and his horse ears popped straight up.
The downside to the male glashtyns not being able to fully shift.
Margaid’s eyes widened as the hat landed at her feet and she stared up at his ears.
“Ugh,” Finn groaned. He reached down, scooped up his hat, crammed it back down on his head and marched away.
Smooth move.