A Summer Pixie and Her Steadfast Owl
ONE MONTH LATER
Isit on the back porch swing, soaking in the smells of summer. Chester plays on the lawn, chasing grasshoppers. The evening light shines through the leaves, turning the yard golden. The breeze is warm, the smell of blooming flowers is in the air, and a happy cardinal twitters from the gnome garden gate.
For the last month, Dad has been working tirelessly on the habitat, preparing it for the society’s first visit. Already, we’ve lured in three more gnome families. We only have one more to go.
At this rate, the tea garden will be ready for Mrs. Neilfellow’s garden party next month.
She’s visited the tea shop every day, ordering a cup of Earl Grey and making an effort to spend time with Rowan. I think she regrets the decision she and her husband made all those years ago, though she’s still making excuses. It’s going to take a long time to repair the rift.
Gideon and Anna were horrified when they discovered the unsavory magic performed on Rowan. They’ve rallied aroundtheir cousin, refusing to let him ostracize himself again, taking his side and standing against their mother.
Even Ash is trying, though he and Rowan usually end up bickering if they’re in a room for more than an hour. But all in all, Rowan’s family is drawing him closer instead of pushing him away, and though they are undeniably dysfunctional, they’re trying.
Speaking of families, I think mine has finally forgiven Rowan for our cohabitation during his owl days, and thank goodness, since we all spend a lot of time here in the cottage together.
My parents aren’t here right now, though. Nadine is out as well, on a date with Jax. It’s just Rowan and me this evening.
Finished with a phone call with Maknihl, Rowan steps out the French doors, pausing to look at the carrot sprouts poking up from the kitchen garden bed. “When did you plant those?”
“I didn’t. The gnomes did.”
“Handy, aren’t they?”
I smile, content. “What did Maknihl need?”
“He and his boys finished the roof this afternoon. He said they’ll start on attic repairs on Monday.”
“It will be a relief to have it done. Remind me to thank Mr. Eastwilden if I ever see him again.”
“I’m sure he’ll love that.”
I chuckle to myself. The magistrate charged the leprechaun with all manner of unsavory crimes and “threw the book at him,” according to Ash. In addition to spending a few years in fae prison, to atone for the crimes he committed against me, the magistrate ordered him to pay me a large sum of compensation money. Not only did it cover the repairs for the roof and attic, but it will easily pad my savings so I will be able to run the tea shop until my aunt’s full estate unlocks.
Apparently, gnomes really do bring good fortune.
Rowan joins me on the swing, his leg pressing comfortably against mine. “Are your parents out with their realtor again?”
I nod. “They’re revisiting a house they looked at last week. Mom can’t stop talking about the cabinets.”
“I can’t say I’ll mind them moving out and giving us some privacy again.”
“Thisisnice, isn’t it?” I say. “Just the two of us.”
“Mmm,” he agrees, resting his head back on the cushion. After a moment, he releases a long, relaxed sigh.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask him.
He angles his head to look at me. “We should get married.”
My heart leaps, and I sit forward, sending the swing rocking back and forth. “You can’t just ask me.”
He smiles. “Why not?”
“Because…” I laugh. “You’re supposed to make it romantic.”
Rowan pushes himself off the swing and kneels on one knee in front of me, producing a modest diamond ring. “Is this better?”
