“I had an unusual dream last night.” Mia said. “I dreamed an owl came through my bedroom window and perched on my dresser, looking at me. But when I woke, it flew away. I think that must have been part of the dream, because when I woke and got up, I check the window. It was closed and there was no owl to be seen.”
“Weird,” Lilly said. “Have you been reading about owls, or seen one on TV?
“No.”
“You and your birds,” Lilly said.
Mia was always noticing birds, often when no one else did.
Now I suppose they’ve followed me into my dreams, she thought.At least it was a kindly owl.She didn’t know how she know that it was, but she did.
“Are you missing your grandmother?” Lilly asked. Being her best friend since high school, she was very astute sometimes.
“Yes, how did you guess?”
“Every time you talk about owls, you tend to bring her up,” Lilly smiled. “This time you didn’t.”
“I suppose it’s because my mind has been so much on the Renaissance Faire,” Mia said.
“Mine too,” Lilly said. “I’m excited! What are you most looking forward to this weekend?”
“So many things, I don’t know where to start,” Mia said. “I love the idea of stepping back in time, wearing pretty, renaissance gowns and meeting handsome knights. The music, maybe dancing, and the jousting.” She laughed. “I’m looking forward to all of it!”
Lilly laughed with her. “You’re such a romantic. I’m hoping the knights are handsome and manly, not girly.”
“Girly?” Mia laughed.
“You know, the kind who fusses overly much with their appearance. Vain and preening. I cannot be attracted to a girly type of man.”
“Oh yes, I do know.” Mia nodded. “And a girly type of man is not likely to be attracted to you.” she laughed. “They lean the other way. Are you thinking of men in tights? I’d love to see them wearing armor. That would be manly.”
“Men in tights could be sexy, if they were manly men, and had strong thighs.” Lilly said. “I agree about the armor. Maybe some will be single.”
“I have terrible luck with boyfriends,” Mia said. “You know I do. There must be something wrong with me.”
“Jerry was a jerk, but that had nothing to do with you,” Lilly said.
Yes, Mia silently agreed.Jerry was a jerk.
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Lilly said. “You have gorgeous red hair, and an adorable scattering of freckles across your nose when you’re not hiding them with makeup. You have curves and men always like that. But best of all, you’re kind and considerate. A good man will see that and see you. Really see you.”
“Where are all the good men?” Mia asked. “Whatever happened to the heroes of old, men not afraid to stare death in the face, and even laugh bravely at it? To protect and defend their women. Who have a sense of adventure. Where are the men who’d risk anything for the woman they love?”
“We call them alpha males,” Lilly said. “And your romances are full of them. Which you know as you read too many of them.”
“No such thing,” Mia retorted. “And you read just as many murder mysteries.”
“What can I say,” Lilly shrugged. “I like to see villains get their comeuppance, and murders to be solved.”
“I want romance, Lilly,” Mia said. “And I want someone to love.”
“The kind of men in your romance novels likely don’t exist,” Lilly said. “And if they do, they’re few and far in between. The thing is, we ask where are the good men all day long, but that does nothing to help us find one. Better to go out there and try. This could be an opportunity for us both to meet a wonderful guy. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find one this weekend.”
“I hope so. That would be simply amazing,” Mia said and with a dreamy smile looked out the window to daydream.
Lilly glanced at her and then left her to her thoughts.
Finally, they reached a gravel drive leading to the parking lot of the Ren Faire and saw a huge sign welcoming fairgoers.
