by Bella Falls
“You're falling down on the job, Dashiel Channing,” scolded Nana.
The wolf shifter sat up straighter in his rocking chair. “Deepest apologies, Ms. Goodwin. I'll do my best to make sure Charli stays out of trouble from here on out.”
“Good luck with that,” Nana scoffed, leaving the fifth glass of sludge sitting on the porch next to me.
“I’d like to see you try,” I joked.
“I’ll make you a deal,” Dash dared. “I’ll keep you out of trouble, and you can attempt to do the same with me.”
I stuck my fist out at him. “We misfits have to stick together.”
He bumped my knuckles with his. “Charli, you know nothing about being an outsider. And I hope you never do.”
The evening played its Southern melody in the air, and we rocked to the rhythm of it in companionable comfort.
“Your grandmother called me by my real name,” Dash said in a low voice, breaking the silence.
I smiled. “Be glad she doesn’t know your middle name, too. By the way, what is it?”
After a pause, he covered his face with his hand. “It’s Thaddeus,” he admitted.
Laughter bubbled out of me. “Oh, man. That would sound awesome if my Nana middle-named you. Dashiel Thaddeus Channing. It’s a mouthful.”
“You better not tell anyone,” he fake snarled.
I placed my hand on my heart. “I swear, I’ll take it to my grave.” The ill-timed joke fell like a lead balloon.
His hand touched my arm. “Not if I can help it.” He pulled away when Nana checked on us again.
She placed her hands on her hips. “You’re falling down on the job, boy.”
I gave in to a fit of giggles as Dash covered my mouth while I tried to tell my grandmother his middle name. The lighthearted game bolstered me more than any gray sludge, and the night ended with a note of victory and laughter instead of sadness.
Chapter Twelve
The Founders’ Fair didn’t hold a candle to the State Fair, but all of us in Honeysuckle loved it. We’d use any excuse to break out fun games, have small booths, and enjoy food with each other. I couldn’t be happier that I’d recovered enough to enjoy myself tonight.
For most of the games, any means of magic were fair use. I stood to the side, watching Lily attempt to use her very limited telekinetic powers to beat Lucky at popping balloons with darts. Problem was, he ran The Rainbow’s End, the only bar in town. Taking on a leprechaun who shot darts on a regular basis probably hadn’t been the best idea. He didn’t even need magic to beat Lily.
“I’ll take the unicorn.” Lucky pointed at the limp stuffed animal hanging in the prize section. He added it to the growing pile beside him. “Thanks for trying, Lily. You come down to The End sometime, and I’ll teach you my secrets.”
Lavender giggled beside me. “I think he’ll share more with her than that. He’s all pink and fuzzy.” She pointed at the aura that only she could detect.
Lily shot her cousin a dirty look. “You’d better be talking about the unicorn and not who I think you are. Hey, there’s Lee.” She waved at someone behind us.
A short, stocky guy with thick glasses sitting on his nose sauntered his way to us. “Y’all want some boiled peanuts?” He held out a soggy bag.
Lily and Lavender dug in, but I shook my head. “No way.”
“What? You don’t like ‘em?” Lee popped a couple in his mouth and chewed. “They’re a Southern delicacy. You’re betraying your own tribe.”
I stuck out my tongue. “They’re slimy and mushy. Y’all enjoy my share.”
“So, I’ve been working with my dad on your motorcycle.” Leland Chalmers, Jr. had worked on and off at his dad’s shop since middle school. “Pretty sure it’s more a mechanical issue than a spellwork one. And we’re gonna need to scrounge for some parts, which will take time.”
How ironic could life get? “Time is all I’ve got left.” The words gritted like sand on my tongue.
“You know, Bennett’s back in town, right? I say we gather the whole gang for an old time get together like before.” Lee finished the last of the boiled peanuts.
Lily’s scowl disappeared. “You know, that sounds great.”
Lavender batted her eyes and nudged her cousin. “How about we all head to The End after the fair?”
“How about you go replace Sassy at the Kissing Booth? I heard there’s a line of trolls waiting.” Lily’s sneer dripped with venom.
We walked past other carnival games and enjoyed the general atmosphere. Alison Kate met us at the table with baked goods from Sweet Tooths, where she worked. Sprinkle and Twinkle, the two retired tooth fairies that owned the bakery on Main Street, handed out mini cupcakes to all of us. Alison made sure to give one directly to Lee, her cheeks brightening the same color as the strawberries in the treats.
Next to the sweets table, Boyd hustled to distribute the baskets of strawberries to everyone. Behind him, a display of all kinds of vegetables advertised the weekly farmer’s market.
“Boyd? What in the heck is that?” I pointed at the enormously oversized green veggie.
The farmer tipped his straw cowboy hat at me. “That there’s my pride and joy. This year’s monster. I named it Biggus.”
Lee spit out some of the tea he’d been swallowing. We all laughed and admired the magically-enhanced zucchini. Alison Kate arranged to pick up four baskets of strawberries to take home at the end of the night, and Boyd set them aside for her.
Our group continued meandering around, tasting more food and drinking tea and lemonade. My sister-in-law beamed when she saw me and beckoned me over by holding up a kitten. The other girls squealed with delight and ran over to the wire fencing that barely contained a wild bunch of fuzzy beasts-in-training. Luckily, no cat would ever capture my heart. Ever.
“Why Traci Jo. Whaddya know?” I greeted Matt’s wife with a quick hug.
“We found this group of souls abandoned in the woods. They’re looking for their fur-ever home.” TJ held up a tiny black beasty squirming in her hands. “Maybe this one’s your familiar. Care to try?”
“No, thanks.” I crossed my arms to hide my hands. “Try some other sucker.”
Lee nudged me with his elbow. “Heads up. Incoming.” He nodded his chin toward the two guys ambling our way.
Tucker had his eyes trained on me with purpose. Beside him, his bestie Ashton walked as if he owned the very grass we all stood on. Nerves shot through me, and I did something I never thought I’d do. With mock enthusiasm, I joined the others at gushing over the animals.
Inside the flimsy containment area, one kitten stood out from the rest of them. Tinier than the others, its striped orange fur made it the outcast from the rest with black or grey markings. Instead of meowing in sadness for being left out, the little thing wriggled its butt and pounced on the others with utter fearlessness. My hands moved on their accord and picked the tiny freak up.
“She’s a fighter, that one.” TJ nodded in approval and moved to wrangle a stray kitten trying to climb its way to freedom.
“Hey, Charli Bird.” My ex’s deep voice spoke a little too near to my ear for comfort.
“Hey, yourself.” I focused all my attention on the tiny fur ball in my hands that intermittently licked and chewed on me.
“I thought you didn’t like cats,” Tucker said.
Needing a distraction, I brought the kitten up to my face. Looking at its bright yellow eyes that stared directly into me, a part of my heart thawed. “I don’t like most cats. Especially Nana’s. But that’s because she gave hers a terrible name that it had to live up to.” I scratched the orange beast on its head, and the darn thing purred.
“So a name’s important? Guessing I should have taken yours a little more seriously then, huh, Bird?”
Frosted fairy wings, Tucker intended to row with me right here in the middle of the fair? Where was his current intended that he could pay attention to?
“You know what I’m gonna name her?” I continued
, ignoring his comment. “I’m going to give her a name that will make her as sweet as sugar.” Giving it some thought, I came up with a brilliant title. “From now on, you shall be called Miss Peach Cobbler Yum Yum Fuzzy Pants.” As if on cue, the kitten nuzzled my chin, its tiny purrs growing fiercer.
Pixie poop. Pretty sure I’d just gotten suckered.
“That’s a long name for something so small,” added Ashton, joining Tucker’s and my conversation as an unwelcome addition. With a look of haughty disdain he must have picked up from my aunt, he kept his distance.
“True,” I admitted. “Of course, I’ll call her Peaches for short. But she’ll know that even though she’s small, her name makes her mighty. Isn’t that right, Peaches?”
The orange kitten nestled underneath my chin, its tiny needle-like claws digging into my skin as it made biscuits with its paws on my skin.
“Oh my,” Alison Kate exclaimed. “There’s something I never thought I’d see.”
The rest of my friends turned their attention on me. I wished down to the soles of my feet that Blythe were here instead of working tonight. She’d place herself between Tucker and me.
“Where’s Clementine?” Somehow, having a purring animal burrowing into my nook made talking to my ex a little easier. “I would think she wouldn’t let you out of her sight.” Or be happy that you’re talking to me.
He shrugged, his indifference surprising. “Clem’s somewhere around here. Listen, is there a chance that you and I could get together and talk?”
The immediate anger that bubbled up inside my chest startled me. Thankfully, having the animal resting on me kept the emotion at bay. “I don’t think there’s anything to say. We’ve both moved on with our lives. Isn’t that enough?”
Something akin to pain flashed in Tucker’s eyes. “Charli, please.” He reached out to touch me, but I maneuvered away.
“Give me some time to think about it, okay?” Since my days might be limited, there might be no reason to talk at all.
With a look of dejection, he gave in, allowing Ashton to pull him away from me. I joined the others in their conversation.
“What’s wrong?” Lily asked her cousin.
“My head. I don’t normally get headaches.” Lavender rubbed her temple.
Alison Kate held out her a drink. “Here. Maybe you’re dehydrated.”
“Is that sweet tea?” Ashton passed the cup to Lavender. “A little caffeine might give you some immediate relief. But if it turns into something more serious, a little tea brewed with feverfew works wonders, although its taste is a little bitter.”
Lily brightened. “I’ll bet Grandma has some.”
“You can also rub some concentrated peppermint oil on your temple. But try the sweet tea first and see if caffeine does the trick,” Ashton added.
“Thanks,” Lily said. “Where did you learn all this?”
“My mom taught me.” A speck of sadness rested in his eyes.
He leaned in to speak to Lavender in a low tone. Whatever he told her, it made her grimace disappear, and her cheeks flush. He touched her arm for a second, a satisfied smile growing on his lips. While I appreciated his advice and attention to her, something about him still nagged at my insides.
When he caught me watching him, he gave me a curt nod and joined Tucker as they headed toward the concession area.
“Well, that went as well as could be expected.” Lily patted my arm.
“Tucker wants to speak to me. Alone.” Plucking the sleepy kitten from my chest, I handed her back to TJ with a promise to pick her up at the end of the fair.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Lavender asked. “Also, do y’all think it’s a good idea if I attend the barn dance with Ashton?”
We all exploded with surprise and then apologized because of her headache. She smiled with shy wonderment. “He just asked me out of the blue. I mean, we haven’t even talked all that much.”
“What did his aura tell you?” I asked.
A little wrinkle formed between her eyebrows. “You know, that’s funny. I didn’t even notice or think to look for one.”
“That is unusual,” agreed Lily. “But hey, at least you’ve got a date for the dance. At this rate, I shall be going alone.”
I placed my hands on my hips. “Hey, what am I? Chopped liver? No one’s asked me yet either. I say that we attend like we used to. As a group.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” ventured Alison Kate, her eyes flitting in Lee’s direction. “I think going with someone might be a good idea.”
When my bespectacled friend didn’t catch the hint, I elbowed him. He rubbed his ribs in confusion, still not getting it. Boys. Lily and I rolled our eyes while Alison Kate looked at the ground in abject dejection.
Wherever I went, people stared and whispered. My friends stayed loyally by my side, but nothing quieted the dramatic air that surrounded me. My ears perked up to try and catch more potential clues, but detecting anything specific was almost impossible with all the hustle and bustle of the fair.
We made our way to the main stage, where Deacon “DK” King, the editor-in-chief of The Honeysuckle Holler made some announcements.
“Of course, I hope all y’all are enjoying tonight’s event. A big round of applause to everyone for making it happen in light of recent tragedies.”
More eyes burned in the back of my head, but I clapped along with everyone else. Because I stayed focused on the stage to ignore those around me, I didn’t notice the wet presence that joined me at my right elbow until the person ran their fingers through their hair, flicking drops of water at me.
Mason practically buzzed with glee, but his face remained stoic and professional. He nodded at my friends, who offered him polite acceptance, but who I knew were scrutinizing the two of us like gossipy old hens.
“For mermaid’s sake, how did you get so wet?” I asked under my breath.
“It’s your fault,” he accused.
“What?” I turned my head to him.
“Well, you’re the one that said I should try and fit in. So I volunteered for the dunking booth.”
Disappointment burned my insides. Had I known that, I’d have spent every penny I possessed to take a shot at drowning him. “Looks like somebody hit the bullseye.” His wet shirt clung to his chest, outlining his athletic physique.
“There seemed to be an unending line once I crawled up on the hot seat. Even your brother bought a few tries.”
“Tell me he dunked you.” At least one of us Goodwin’s should have had that pleasure.
Mason smiled. “Second try.”
I bumped him with my hip and then regretted the friendly move. When he nudged me back, my heart skipped its record for a second.
Big Willie took the stage to loud cheers from the crowd. He basked in his moment, blowing kisses to us. “All right, y’all. It’s time for the main event. This year, our talented Sassy has gone out of her way to make the pies for this year’s contest. How about a big hand for our little pie queen.”
The fairy’s green head bobbed up and down at the front of the crowd. No doubt, she loved every second of worship.
“What was it you called her?” asked Mason in a whisper. “Queen of Flaky?”
A snort escaped me, and when heads turned to look, I pointed at Mason.
Big Willie continued. “Since this year’s big spellcasting event happens on the night of the Strawberry Moon, Sassy here has provided us with a slew of her famous strawberry cream pies.” He held one up for the audience to ooh and ahh over. “We also owe big thanks to our farmer extraordinaire, Boyd, and his family for providing the berries so late in the season.”
The shy farmer stood next to his wife and kids, his cheeks red. He only waved at the rest of us when Kelly forced him to.
“There are four seats up here that need to be filled. First, I’d like a volunteer for the first one.”
A voice I didn’t care to hear called out. “I’ll take that seat, Sheriff.” Tucker strode up on
stage, shook Big Willie’s immense paw of a hand, and stood behind the first chair.
“And now, for the warden department’s representative. Give a big hand for our newest edition, Detective Mason Clairmont.” Big Willie pointed at the soaked man beside me.
Unable to get out of it now, Mason sighed and made his way to the stage. He bypassed Big Willie and stood next to Tucker.
“Now, we’ve got two strappin’ fellas up here. How about one of you ladies take a stab at it. I’ve seen the way some of you can put away some pie. Who’s up for a challenge?”
“Right here,” called out Lily.
Looking up, I noticed three different fingers pointing at my head. Traitors, all of them. “No way,” I protested.
“Charli Goodwin,” Big Willie called out, a tiny bit of caution in his eyes. “You willin’ to live up to the challenge?”
I shook my head with violent determination.
“Oh come on, Charli. You afraid of losing?” teased Tucker.
“No. Are you?” The words flew out of me.
“Not to you.” His arrogance grated my nerves.
My violent determination morphed into fierce competitiveness quicker than lightning. “Bring it on, T.” Nobody else in town dared to call that man anything close to that. He’d be best to remember I knew him better than most. No doubt my aunt and cousin were shooting daggers at me from somewhere in the crowd.
When I made it to the chair next to Mason, he spoke to me out the side of his mouth. “I guess laying low isn’t in your DNA.”
I shrugged, not having a snappy comeback out of the sheer shock of being on stage.
Big Willie strutted in front of us. “That leaves one final seat. Does anybody—”
“I’ll take it,” a loud voice snarled.
Dash pushed his way to the front of the crowd and hopped up from the ground directly onto the stage with a crash. He strode to the seat on my left side. Without a word, he took his place next to me, his eyes burning into mine when he glanced my way.
Holy unicorn horn, how had I managed to get in the middle of a hot guy sandwich?
“Contestants, take your seats,” Big Willie instructed.
