I’ll have to strip them down to the wood to get the old paint off—something I could easily do with the little magic I’ve rediscovered, but things like this are passion projects. Revealing the naked beauty in the wood, painting every detail, and sealing it for the next generation to appreciate.
North would say I’m being nostalgic. Still, he’s yet to give up his pencils and paper for his own illustrations.
“I know you.”
The voice comes from behind me. I close the car trunk and peer over my shoulder, finding an older, gray-haired woman walking toward me from her own car. I recognize her as one of the long-term residents almost immediately.
“Do you?” I ask.
Her own mouth draws upward. “How’s your brother? Up to his tricks this year?”
I chuckle, though my heart is already hurting. “I don’t know what you mean, Mrs. Wilson.”
There aren’t many residents on the island who know us. Sadly, humans only begin to realize who we are when they’re losing their grip on reality. It’s a horrible truth, and one the two of us have come to take in stride. We provide a little extra magic for those people when we can.
“Hm. We’ll see. Do me a favor. Tell him to hold off on the ice until after the New Year. Though I don’t think any of us would mind a dusting of snow,” she tells me, brow quirking knowingly.
“Just a dusting, though,” I say, making sure I get her request right.
“People on the island can’t drive in anymore than that. Just give us some pretty flakes to look at. We’ll take a nice warm-up after. Thanks.” She pats me on the shoulder and continues on by, leaving me to smile after her.
“I’ll put in a word for you,” I say.
“You do that, Blaze.”
A scoff leaves me as I open my car door and step inside. Before I can put the car in reverse, my phone pings with a message. I lean back in the seat and pull my phone from my pocket, only to curse under my breath.
North
How’s the island, brother?
I wondered how long it would take to hear from him. When I saw the frost on the ground this morning, I knew it wouldn’t be long. Typically, he only arrives the day before the festival.
It’s nice.
Did you like my gift?
The frost? People think you’re here early.
Maybe I am.
When are you really getting in?
Why? Are you hiding something from me?
My thoughts drift to Juniper.
Give me another day.
I can practically hear him laughing through the screen.
I’ll see you Wednesday.
A sigh leaves me as I close the phone and sink my head back against the headrest. I’m thinking of all the things I need to finish today in order to keep my day open tomorrow. There’s something about her that’s drawing me in, something that has my hands itching more than usual.
It’s been a long time since I’ve found someone that grabbed my attention for more than a single glance.
A long,longtime.
