The Dog Designer Ruffles Some Feathers (Moonchuckle Bay Romantic Comedy #8)

by Heather Horrocks

  The house was old, but well built and relatively well maintained. The wood work was spectacular, half way up the walls and around the doors and windows. The gleaming oak felt warm and inviting, as did the canopy bed and old-fashioned couch in a faded blue. The tops of an old curved-wood dresser and a matching nightstand were covered with lace doilies, and a lamp on the nightstand was already on, casting a glow into the room.

  The other two dogs raced to the bed and putting their front paws on the bed. She didn’t allow them on the bed at home — there were too many of them. Well, okay, Wencheng could come up when she wanted to because, hey, adorable little psychic dog.

  What the heck? She giggled and shrugged before patting the comforter. They weren’t home, were they? They were on vacation. She helped them up.

  While they circled into the perfect spot, next to each other, she lifted her smaller bag and pulled out her makeup kit, taking it down the hall to the spacious bathroom with the wonderful claw foot tub. She saw Nalani’s toothbrush and toothpaste already resting in slots in a cute Hawaii-themed holder that she’d obviously brought with her from home. Poppy smiled and pulled out her own toothbrush. After brushing, she washed her face.

  Back in her bedroom, she changed into her Wonder Woman nightgown — because, Wonder Woman.

  Climbing under the covers, she eased down and relaxed, her body aching from the many hours of driving. She sighed deeply.

  When Max and Blaze moved closer, pressing against her side, she reached down and patted their heads.

  Max licked her hand and she said, “I love you, too, buddy. Now let’s go to sleep. It’s been a long day.”

  She stretched and then relaxed back against the mattress, ready to sleep.

  Only she couldn’t seem to drop off. Counting sheep or dogs — or even monsters — didn’t help. She set the timer on an old favorite Molly Harper audiobook she was listening to and put in her earbuds, expecting the familiar story to ease her into slumber. When the narration stopped, she reset the timer. Again.

  She tried listening to music.

  It didn’t matter what she tried. She tossed and turned for two hours, unable to sleep. Why was it always on nights when she was exhausted that she had trouble falling asleep?

  Her thoughts went to Nalani’s family. She was looking forward to seeing Nalani’s mother and aunties, father and brothers, and sisters — but not Kea. She didn’t want to see him again.

  He was the oldest child and Nalani was the youngest, who was a mid-life surprise after her mother thought she was too old to have children. Therefore, Kea considered Nalani to be the spoiled baby of the family — and Poppy to be her spoiled little friend.

  It had been five years since she’d seen him. She sighed, remembering how bad her crush had been on Kealoha Pueo, the “older man” who’d won her heart. But she wasn’t a teenager any longer. She shook her head.

  Her last thought before finally drifting off to sleep was that she wasn’t sure if it was a good thing that she’d see Kea tomorrow or not.

  There’s No Way This is a Natural Thing

  WHEN POPPY GOT BACK AT seven the next morning, after walking her dogs, Nalani had a breakfast of steel-cut oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries ready. After they’d eaten, she’d talked Poppy into playing a game of cards.

  Rummy. A game Nalani always won, and today was no different — until about six hands in. With the tide turning and Poppy starting to win, Nalani grinned and gathered the cards, tapping them against the table to line them up, and slipping them back into the little box. “That’s enough of this game. Let’s go into town. I have someone I want you to meet.”

  “But I was winning,” Poppy protested.

  “I know.”

  “I never win this game with you.”

  “And I want to keep my record untarnished.”

  Poppy shook her head, but chuckled. “Who is it?”

  “A lady who moved here about the time you left. Jingle.” Nalani stood and stretched. “Her snow cones are the best.”

  “I guess it’s warm enough today to want a snow cone. Kind of. The air’s still chilly out this time of morning.”

  Nalani said, “They’re magical snow cones, so they’re always the perfect temperature for eating, regardless of the weather, and they don’t melt for days, so you can even save them for later.”

  “No way! Really? That’s amazing, and yet kind of unbelievable, too.” Poppy grabbed the three Spell Shells from the kitchen sideboard. “Are you joking?”

  “No.” Nalani grinned. “Have some trust, woman.”

  No one could resist her friend’s smile, and Poppy grinned in return. “Okay, fine. I’ll trust you. But that snow cone had better be perfect. That’s all I’m gonna say. Oh, and I need to harness the dogs.”

  She called them, and the two boys came running. Wencheng lifted her head and glanced at Poppy, then got comfortable. Come on, Princess.

  I don’t wanna.

  Really? I couldn’t tell.

  Max, the Labracadabrador, licked her hands as she slipped on his bespelled harness. The spell on this Spell Shell counteracted his invisibility, as it wouldn’t do to be walking a dog that suddenly vanished. That sort of thing could give humans heart palpitations or, if they only saw the empty leash, it would most certainly earn her more than a few odd glances.

  But even a disappearing dog wouldn’t cause as many palpitations as a fire-breathing dog. As she approached Blaze, Nalani laughed and teased, “Is that safe? Don’t you need to use silicone oven mitts or something?”

  “Nah. He’s only singed me once and I think he’s over that. Now he just barks at others, usually strangers.”

  Nalani raised her brows. “I can hardly wait to see his flame again.”

  “Okay, Blaze,” Poppy told the puppy, who was wriggling around adorably, “I need to keep your fire under control while we’re in town.” She slipped his bespelled harness on, then she turned to Wencheng. “Come on, Princess. You get to just wear the cute pink harness.”

  Do I have to walk with these two? You’ve got them under control.

  Yes. If you get tired, I’ll carry you.

  Hummph.

  Wencheng didn’t like to acknowledge that she wasn’t a long-distance walker — or that she had any weakness at all — but Shih Tzus didn’t have tons of stamina, and that trait was not counter-balanced by her Ili Pika half.

  With a huff, the princess stood and stretched and, finally, walked forward and waited regally for Poppy to slip on the pink harness.

  Nalani cooed, “Oh, you’re precious!”

  Of course I am, peasant.

  Now, now. Be nice.

  Why? She can’t hear me.

  Poppy raised one brow. Um, because she turns into a huge owl that could peck out your eyes or carry you off and make you a snack?

  Oh. Wencheng grudgingly thought. All right. I’ll be nice. I’ll even let her hold me if I get tired.

  I think you actually like Nalani.

  Ridiculous.

  Poppy smiled as she lifted the three dogs into the back of her minivan and secured them to their doggie seat belts before she and Nalani climbed in. As she pulled out of the neighborhood and headed toward Mane Street, another wave of nostalgia hit her. “You know, I didn’t think I’d miss the old homestead this much. I have a lot more memories here than I’d remembered.”

  “Moonchuckle Bay gets under your skin. I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather live.”

  “That’s because your family will never let you move away. Ohana means you never get to leave your family.”

  “They couldn’t stop me from leaving — but they don’t need to.” Nalani shrugged one shoulder. “I’m a Monster all the way.”

  She was referring to their high school football team, the Moonchuckle Bay High Monsters. She and Nalani had both been cheerleaders.

  “As long as you don’t sing the song,” Poppy teased.

  Which meant that Nalani immediately belted out, “Monsters stomp, mo
nsters glide, monsters win while others hide.”

  “La-la-la, I’m not listening,” Poppy said as she turned onto Mane Street.

  When Nalani quit singing, Poppy asked, “Which way to the magical snow cone lady?”

  “Town Square. She has one of the booths. ”

  Three minutes later, she parked in the Town Square parking lot and slid out. Opening the back doors, she admonished the dogs to behave.

  Poppy handed Wencheng’s leash to Nalani, whose eyes grew wide. “Really? She’s going to let me walk her?”

  “Yup. And I’ll walk the two puppies and keep an eye on them.” With the magical harnesses, they couldn’t escape or use their powers, so it would be just a walk in the park, as it were. As long as Blaze didn’t pull another Houdini. She’d definitely keep an eye on him every minute! She doublechecked his harness and made sure everything was secure.

  Crossing the street, they joined the crowd of tourists and monsters wandering around. She could see a Moonchuckle Bay Studio crew doing some filming in the center of Town Square, and that reminded her of the several times she’d been an extra in movies here in town.

  Nalani led the way, then pointed at a nearby booth. “Here it is. Craved Ice.”

  A beautiful silver-haired pixie smiled at them. “Hi, Nalani. Who’s your friend?”

  “This is Poppy Brooks. She’s an animal whisperer witch. Her family moved out of town shortly after you arrived here from Snowville. I talked her into a visit this week.”

  The woman turned her smile to Poppy. “I’m Jingle Belle Noel. Pleased to meet you,” she said as she stuck her hand over the booth. Poppy took it and was surprised when Jingle didn’t shake, but just paused, more as if she were trying to read an aura or something then a regular shake. Then she let go and nodded. “I’m getting some mixed signals for your snow cone. Hmmm. I think...” She turned and studied the bottles of flavoring.

  Nalani whispered, “She usually knows right away which flavors.”

  “I don’t get to choose?”

  Nalani shook her head. “You don’t need to. Because Jingle is always right — trust me on this one.”

  That was extra weird. She’d never even heard of magical snow cones and not getting to choose your own flavor for your own snow cone. But she waited, trusting that Nalani knew what she was doing — and hoping that Jingle did.

  Finally, the pretty pixie turned back with a smile. “Rosemary Remembrance. It will lend you perspective and help you have the mental clarity you’re going to need in order to really see what you need to. A little Ginkgo, and finally, some rose petals for romance.”

  “Oh, I don’t need any romance,” Poppy protested.

  Jingle raised an eyebrow. “Everyone needs a little romance.”

  “All right then.” Poppy shrugged. What difference could a snow cone make, anyway? “Bring on the romance.”

  A few minutes later, there was an unexpected flash of light — and Jingle held out a beautiful spring-green snow cone.

  “Thank you,” Poppy said, taking it.

  Jingle looked at Nalani. “I think you need some romance in your life, too.”

  Nalani laughed. “You’re not scaring me.”

  “Even more, you need some peace and quiet.”

  “You’ve got that right. Because I still live with my big, noisy family.”

  While Jingle fixed the perfect snow cone for Nalani, Poppy took a bite of hers.

  It was absolutely delicious! Nalani had been right. And so had Jingle. She couldn’t have chosen a better flavor herself — and the temperature was perfect, too. And was it her imagination or was her mind a little clearer already?

  Magical snow cones. Who knew?

  “So what are you going to do about Kea while you’re in town?” Nalani asked.

  Poppy scoffed. “Are you kidding? I already told you my grand plan — I’m going to stay clear of him.”

  “That’ll be kind of hard, since he’ll be at the party tonight.”

  Of course he would. She could hardly expect his family to exclude him from any festivities while she was visiting, but she could make things clear with her friend. “Nalani, there is absolutely nothing between Kea and me. Never has been. You know that.”

  Nalani sing-songed out, “But you wanted there to be. I remember you pining away for him in high school.”

  “You’re right. I admit, when I was fifteen, I had a crush on him. A schoolgirl crush. But now I’m twenty, I’m so over that. I plan to avoid him as much as possible because, as you pointed out earlier, I don’t want him learning about Blaze while I’m here. That’s reason enough to steer clear of him as far as I’m concerned.”

  Nalani smiled and pulled her car onto the street where her parents lived. There were parked cars everywhere.

  “Luau?” Poppy guessed.

  Nalani nodded. “Of course.”

  “I’ve missed your family’s luaus, let me tell you. Maybe I can take some leftover meat to Chicory — and to my puppies.” She’d left them with Chicory Connolly, another friend from before, a witch who could control them magically if need be. She thought that was much better than bringing them to the party. She was dead serious about not wanting Fire Chief Pueo anywhere near her little fire-breathing Blaze.

  She and Chicory had spent thirty minutes catching up before she’d pushed the two of them out the door. “If you don’t leave, the party will be over. And bring me back some leftovers.”

  “If there is any leftover meat.” Nalani laughed. “You know my family, plus all the aunties and uncles are here, too.”

  Kea’s twin sister Aloha greeted them on the front lawn with a smile, a lei, and a hug. “It is so good to see you again, Poppy!”

  The warm welcome made Poppy feel better about coming. Yes, Kea was here and she would have to avoid him, but his whole huge extended family and group of friends were apparently coming and she’d always loved spending time with them.

  Aloha linked her arms through theirs and the three of them walked to the door — which was flung open before they reached it. Their mother, Okalani, was there, dispensing her own kisses and hugs.

  Although she probably should have felt weird thinking it, because of how many places she’d been, this house felt like home to Poppy. Her parents had traveled almost constantly for their work. Eventually, she and her brother had stopped moving and let their parents move on while they settled in Colorado Springs. Even when they’d lived in Moonchuckle Bay, her parents had still traveled regularly, and so Poppy had practically raised her younger brother.

  The Pueo family had opened their collective arms to not just her, but to her brother, and made them feel like part of the extended family.

  Moonchuckle Bay, itself, felt like home.

  After releasing her, Nalani’s mother beamed. “You came. I’m so glad.”

  “I am too,” Poppy said with a laugh. “I’d forgotten how much I missed spending time here with you all.”

  Okalani tugged lightly on her sleeve. “Come on in. Iokua has the food cooking in the back yard and it’s gonna be good.”

  Iokua was her friend’s father, Okalani’s husband of many years, and the best luau feast chef in the supernatural world.

  “I can hardly wait,” she said, her mouth actually watering at the delicious scents wafting past her nostrils.

  Inside, Okalani told her girls to go help their father, then led Poppy around, introducing, or reintroducing, her to the other guests. “You remember little Poppy Brooks? She’s all grown up now.”

  Surprisingly, most of them did remember her, which warmed her heart. She had no idea so many people here in Moonchuckle Bay had known who she was.

  Okalani led her outside, where she received a hug from Iokua. He grinned happily down at her and patted her on the cheek. “We’ve missed you, little flower.”

  “I missed you, too.” She looked at the heating pans and the roasting pig. “Wow. For me? You shouldn’t have.”

  He laughed. “Of course it’s for you.”
>
  “Well, it smells delicious.”

  “Doesn’t Poppy look beautiful?” Okalani asked her husband.

  He smiled at his guest. “She’s always been pretty.”

  Kea’s mother gave a wave. “I need to go welcome some more newcomers. Excuse me while I go play hostess.”

  As she walked away, he asked her, “What are you doing nowadays?”

  “I breed dogs and train them. My business is called Sleight of Hound.”

  “You were always good with our dogs.” Iokua flipped some meat on the grill, and said, “So are you dating anyone, Poppy?”

  Wary, she replied, “No. I’m not dating.”

  “How else are you going to find a good man?”

  Poppy smiled, self-conscious. “It’s okay. I’m good with not dating.”

  He laughed. “Maybe someone in the family can line you up.”

  She chuckled, knowing she’d be gone in another week or so — long before they could play matchmaker for her.

  Nalani came up and tugged on her arm. “Come on. I want to introduce you to Elvis and his wife Charlie.”

  A large group stood near the buffet tables. Poppy recognized Elvis immediately — he looked just as he had when he’d been famous. The early years, not the later, bloated years. He looked fantastic — and his wife Charlie was a beautiful blonde with energy that seemed to pull people toward her. Since she was a siren, that shouldn’t have been too surprising.

  It was a thrill to meet Elvis, even after all this time. She’d known he lived in Moonchuckle Bay, but he’d been a recluse for years. Apparently, Charlie had helped him come out of hiding.

  Elvis actually invited her to come hear them sing next week at Charlie’s place, The Siren Song.

  “I’ll be gone by then,” she said regretfully.

  “On your next visit, then,” Charlie told her.

  Next Nalani led her to another couple, with a tiny baby. “Ty and Mara, this is my good friend Poppy, who’s in town for a visit with me. And this is Tyberius Thrakos, who used to be the last dragon, and his swan maiden wife, Mara. And this is Benny, short for Benedict Martin Thrakos, a big name for the tiniest — and second — dragon in the whole world.”