“And this is Roam O’Reilly, our very own Detective Chief Inspector. Murphy, who owns the pub, is his dad. Roam keeps us all straight, and protected and Murphy keeps us well supplied with ale.” Honey giggled. She knew she was gushing, but she’d had two ciders and didn’t really care.
Roam chucked, “Ah, Honey here gives me a bit too much credit. There’s a bunch of Shifters out there in the woods and all around the town. We keep it as safe as we can, but nobody’s perfect.”
“Shifters everywhere, uh? How much protection does Cauldron Falls need?” Clive crinkled his brow.
“Well, doctor, you’d be surprised. We might be a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, and few folks come looking for us. But trouble doesn’t care about that, it’s out there, everywhere. Just waitin’ for the right moment.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Clive finished his whiskey.
Dr. Wimpleton’s words puzzled Honey, and something about the way a nervous smile spread across his face made her shuffle in her seat.
“Care for another?” Roam raised his arm toward the bar. “My sis, Uma will get us another round. She’s the wench behind the bar.”
“Roam O’Reilly, Uma would zap you for calling her a wench.” Honey poked his arm.
“Truth hurts.” Roam chuckled.
“No, I really shouldn’t. I think I’ll retire. Thank you both for the company.” Clive held out his hand to shake theirs. “Hannah, Rod.”
“Uh, it’s uh, Honey and Roam.” Roam squeezed Clive’s hand and Honey’s knee under the table.
Clive’s face flushed red. “I’m so sorry. It’s just…”
“Not to worry, Dr. Wimpleton…uh, Clive, I mean. I’m sure you’ve met a lot of people today. It’s hard to keep everyone’s names straight. Nothing that a good night’s sleep won’t cure. And remember, I wrote everything down for you. Just look at your welcome packet.” Honey nodded to reassure the Professor. Maybe the feeling surrounding Dr. Wimpleton wasn’t sad or nefarious, but muddled. She considered him as he moved quietly through the pub.A fish out of water, she thought.
Lovers' Secrets
Cliveshruggedonhistweed jacket with a weary sigh, relieved his first day minding the bookshop was done. Though interacting with the townsfolk was draining, he had to admit Cauldron Falls had its charms.
Heading to the Boozy Cauldron for a restorative drink, Clive nearly collided with a vision of golden hair and sky-blue eyes.
"Pardon me," the goddess before him exclaimed. Clive's jaw dropped as he recognized Lily McBride, the beautiful orchardist who had first welcomed him to town. The one he thought had escaped him since she’d left the shop and never showed at the party. He remembered her exactly.
"Lily, forgive my clumsiness," Clive stammered, quite flustered to see her outside of his daydreams.
Lily waved him off with a tinkling laugh. "No harm done. I was just popping in for a cider." She eyed his jacket. "Heading home after a long day?"
"Yes," Clive said, forgetting that he, too, was on his way to the pub for a drink.
Lily's eyes sparkled. "Well, the night is young. Perhaps you'd let me show you more of our fair town?"
Clive's heart fluttered like a schoolboy’s. "My dear, nothing would delight me more."
Offering his arm, he escorted Lily down the lamp-lit streets, the night air sweet with promise. She brought him to the square where musicians filled the air with lively folk songs. Couples danced merrily around a crackling bonfire as Clive drank in the joyful scene.
"Cauldron Falls truly is magical," he remarked in curiosity.
"Just wait - I know the perfect spot to end our tour," Lily replied cryptically.
Intrigued, Clive let her lead him to a secluded grove surrounded by more golden gingko trees. A blanket lay waiting beside a basket of goodies from Tab’s Café.
Clive turned to Lily in delighted surprise. "You planned this for me?"
Suddenly shy, she tucked a white-blonde curl behind her ear. "I glimpsed you through the Spellbinders window earlier today, and hated to see you so weary. I thought a relaxing evening would lift your spirits.”
Clive took her delicate hands, his heart brimming with affection. "My dear, you've succeeded wonderfully."
Under the starry sky, they talked and laughed for hours, Clive feeling lighter than he had in ages. With Lily, the world seemed brighter and full of promise. He hoped their magical first date was merely the start of a lifetime's worth of joyous memories they would share.
