“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.
Chapter
Four
The town hall was decorated and residents were milling about. It was all so nice and everyone was happy to be there. Ogram the troll had sent some goods from his farm, and Dorvak had a lot of pastries and breads that smelled great.
Sebastian the town librarian was selling tickets for the meat draw. The money would go to a town charity fund. Finn had his ticket clenched in his fist.
Everyone was happy and chatting and Finn hated every second of it.
He crossed his arms and sat in the corner, watching Liana out of the corner of his eye because he knew she was a chicken farmer and he hated chickens with a passion. They scared the bejeezus out of him.
Not that Liana was likely to bring one of her chickens to the community dinner, but there was a small chance that she could, so he avoided her at all costs.
It was best that Finn just stayed in the corner, with his back to the wall and his eye on the exit. So far, Margaid hadn’t come in. Part of him was happy about that and another part was disappointed. Usually, he didn’t attend these things. ExceptPearl had lectured him about being neighborly and forced him to go.
So here he was, trying to be social, but for the most part he really just liked to keep to himself. In his youth he’d been somewhat of a womanizer, but social and community stuff, he was not comfortable with. He was all for the spirit of Harmony Glen. Before the Great Revelation, this had been the only place his parents were allowed to live comfortably and without judgment. For that, he would never, ever leave Harmony Glen and that’s why he loved this town.
So fiercely.
It was home and safe.
He just hated all the small talk.
Every last bit of it.
“You’re glaring again,” Pearl said, sitting down next to him.
“Am I?” he groused.
