It’s Fenella who causes the boggling. She’s…her… model, influencer, daughter of Carrington Toys and all around as privileged as the royal family, and slightly more entitled. Fenella recently gave up her globe-trotting, party lifestyle and moved to Battle Harbour.
Stranger things have never happened in Laandia.
Fenella still trots the globe quite a bit and definitely knows how to throw a party. She is also responsible for the changes and upgrades to Battle Harbour, in an attempt to make the tiny fishing town a more fashionable and fabulous—her words—touristdestination.
It’s working. With the new hotel, restaurants and the construction on the Silas Bell NightSky Observatory—the king announced the new outlook will be named after Silas, just in time for his birthday—it’s already becoming difficult to recognize the little place I grew up in.
Good changes. Good upgrades. Happy for what she’s done.
“Loving my job isn’t the same as having someone warm and cozy to cuddle with,” Kate decides. “And I don’t get beard burn from my tablet.”
We both glance at Lyra, who blithely stirs her drink. Spencer Laz, who is my half-brother and Lyra’s boyfriend/maybe fiancé/love of her life, recently shaved off his beard because Lyra did nothing but complain about how it felt when he kissed her.
I’m happy that they are happy, but enough is enough about hearing about the kissing.
I think I’m happier for others than I am for myself. And I think it’s always been that way.
“You’re in love with a job that forces you to babysit my brothers,” Lyra says, leading over to pull at the straw, quickly finishing the drink with a loud slurping sound. “You’re not even having a drink with us, and this is a birthday party.”
“I babysit all the royal family, and that includes you.” Kate gives her a sideways glance as Lyra signals to Tyler, the bartender. “And I don’t need a drink to have a good time.”
“Don’t forget that your job responsibilities have expanded to include babysitter of the Castle Cats,” I say. “I’m trying to decide if I’ve had one drink too many or not enough.”
“Have another,” Lyra decides. “This isn’t Sophie speak.”
“And the cats are Ajax’s responsibility now,” Kate corrects. “I’m great at delegating.”
“I wish you were great at keeping them out of my room,” Lyra complains. “They belong to Dad, so I wish they would stay in his wing of the castle. I keep finding Jon curled up on my bed in the morning, and I have no idea how he gets in there. But no more cat talk.” She turns her blue eyes on me. “You seem a little anti-love tonight, my friend.”
“I made a comment that everyone here seems to be in love,” I protest. “It’s true.”
“But it was your tone,” Lyra points out. “A non-Sophie tone.”
“What’s my usual tone?” I ask before I think twice. “Never mind.” I hold up my hand. “I’m sweet. Kind.Nice.”
I use my non-Sophie tone for that word as well.
“I was going to say happy,” Lyra muses, pulling her long reddish-blonde hair over her shoulder.
“You do seem a bit off,” Kate agrees. “Battle Harbour just got named as one of People’s Magazine’s list of places for single women to visit because of its high ratio of eligible bachelors. That should make you happy.”
“But none of the eligible bachelors are in love withme.”
Another burst of laughter punctuates my statement, and I stare into my glass.
Kate and Lyra are right. This isn’t me.
I am the cheerful sister, the one everyone can count on for a smile, a kind word, and a helping hand. I mediate conflict, not cause it, and my circle of friends expands to the reaches of Battle Harbour.
It also includes quite a few of the saideligible men.
“I always get bummed after Christmas,” I say, hoping to deflect.
“It sounds like you need a night out.” Lyra clinks her empty glass with my half-full one.
“I think I need a good night’s sleep. I still have to go over to the rescue to check on the dogs.”
“When are Gunnar and Stella back?” Lyra asks.
