And, not to toot my own horn, but people really liked that article I wrote about the festival, so that helped too!
And then there was the fact that Henry himself was just so unwaveringly kind, helpful, andgood– no amount of hellhound aura could wash away the obvious fact he was a great guy, and once people got to know him, that was all they saw.
Not that I ever really understood the whole ‘scary hellhound’ thing to begin with,Luna thought, her heart swelling as she watched Sylvie and Henry chatting as Henry looked over the newest offerings from the bakery, smiles on both their faces.He’s obviously just a big puppy!
Seeing him so happy really did make Luna’s own life complete. She had thought in the past that she had everything she wanted – but now, things were just on a whole different level.
Finding your fated mate reallydoeschange your life…
“So how long are you back this time?” Sylvie asked.
“About three weeks,” replied Henry. “Enough time for me to do a few shifts at Eula’s, and help Kieran build that gazebo.”
“So you’ve been bitten by the hospitality bug as well, then?” Sylvie said with a grin. “Once it’s got you, there’s no turning back.”
Henry laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t say I have quite the same amount of passion for it as you, and I’m never going to be a master chef. But Idolike making fried breakfasts, and Eula’s being showing me the ropes with the other stuff, so it works for now. It’s nice to do something that doesn’t revolve around beingintimidating, and you can use your hands for something other than breaking up fights. And people aren’t too scared to talk to you.”
Luna smiled proudly. She knew that Henry was still figuring things out, but that was okay – these things took time, and he’d never had a chance to work out what he really wanted to do before. And maybe there wasn’t somethingtofigure out. If he was happy doing what he was doing, then that was all that really mattered.
She had a feeling that no matter what, things would work out.
“Oh, hang on,” she said, suddenly remembering something. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a postcard, handing it over to Sylvie so she could have a look. “This arrived at our hotel while we were in Paramaribo. I’m not sure how it found us – one might almost be tempted to say it happenedby magic.”
Sylvie examined the postcard, which had a series of pictures on one side – a hotel shaped like a pyramid; a giant fountain; an Elvis impersonator – and the words:HELLO FROM LAS VEGAS!
Flipping the card over, Sylvie read out loud, her voice echoing in the for-once-empty shop: “GREETINGS, INHABITANTS OF GIRDWOOD SPRINGS! WE WISH TO INFORM YOU OF OUR IMPENDING NUPTIALS. WE SHALL BE WED AT THE WAXING OF NEXT MONTH’S FULL MOON. BE THERE OR BE AN EQUIANGULAR QUADRILATERAL.” She stared down at the postcard as if in disbelief for a moment or two. “Let me guess,” she finally said. “Our lovebirds of last year – the ones who got you all mixed up in their cursed love lives?”
Henry nodded. “It seems so.” He laughed softly. “Iguessit’s a good thing? If only because no one else will have to risk getting caught up in their ridiculousness now. Better they keep each other occupied than have them causing trouble for anyone else.”
“That’s a good way of looking at it,” Sylvie said thoughtfully. “So. Are you going?”
“I think we might give that one a pass,” Luna said, wincing. She wasn’t sure she could take any more of Dorian’s pronouncements – she couldn’t imagine the results if he’d decided to write his own vows.
Henry nodded. “I have to wash my hair that day.”
“What a shame,” Sylvie said, tacking the postcard up on the board behind the counter. “I think it sounds like fun. Maybe I’ll send them a gift box of cake and cookies, just so they know Girdwood Springs remembers them, even if it was a bit of a mixed experience.”
“You and I have different definitions of fun, I think,” Luna said, shaking her head. “But that sounds like a great idea. I’ll definitely send them a card, no matter what we do. I just think I’d rather have them all the way over in Las Vegas than anywhere around here.”
“Probably fair enough,” Sylvie laughed.
The bell at the front door jingled, and Luna thought that probably she should let Sylvie run her business, rather than distracting her with wedding invites from dubious individuals.
“Well, Sylvie, we’d better let you get back to work,” Luna said, picking up a grumbling Fillmore off the floor and tucking him into her coat. “We’re going to drop in and see Caleb – apparently he’s planning this year’s festival, and he wants our opinion on a few ideas he’s had. Something about turning the town hall into a temporary indoor cinema?”
“Sounds fun – just don’t let him rope you into a discussion of obscure films that you’ve never even heard of,” Sylvie laughed. “The number of times I’ve had to nod along and pretend to know what he’s talking about! But wait –” Sylvie pulled out two cakes from the display and slid them into a box. “I’ve brought it inpermanently now, and you have to have some. Lemon cake: with a twist!”
Luna knew by now to not even try to bother arguing with Sylvie when she offered free cake, and she accepted it gratefully. She had a feeling she definitely wouldn’t regret it.
Saying their thank yous and goodbyes, she and Henry walked out into the frosty air, tramping through the snow.
“It’s good to be home,” Henry said, and Luna had to acknowledge the truth of it.
Home. Thisishome.
Something occurred to her, and she smiled, stopping on the sidewalk.
“Hey… do you know where we are?”
