I follow Chester’s path, but at a far more sedate pace, and end up in the front just in time to see my friend laugh at something the driver says as he helps her from the buggy.
I’ve seen him before—he’s the pixie Nadine asked about. He has golden-blond hair and a wiry build. He’s taller than Nadine by a good five inches, which puts him at maybe 5’8”. His face ispleasant, if not classically handsome, and he has a nice, warm smile.
Together, they round the back of the buggy. He pulls a large box from the luggage shelf in the back.
“I’ll carry it for you,” he says, making his way to the gate.
Nadine follows behind him. When she spots me, she widens her eyes and bites her lip, nodding toward the man in front of her.
“Watch out, Chester,” I say as they approach the gate, scooping him up so he won’t dart out.
My eyes move to the box, and I give Nadine a quizzical look. It’s an ice cream maker—the old-fashioned type that uses rock salt and ice to freeze the cream. Not too old-fashioned, though. It appears to be electric instead of a hand crank.
“Kit, do you know Jax?” Nadine asks.
“No.” I suspect Nadine is right, and he’s an autumn pixie, though it’s hard to tell with her magic in the mix. “It’s nice to meet you.”
He shifts the box to one arm and extends his hand. “I’ve been meaning to stop by the tea shop and introduce myself, but work is insane this time of year.”
“The tourists are keeping you busy,” I say. “I see you guys all over the place.”
“No one has benefitted from the council banning vehicles like the livery stable,” he says. When he laughs, I notice another hint of autumn magic. “Would you like me to take this inside?”
It looks light enough for either of us to carry, but Nadine’s pleading expression suggests she’s hoping to draw this out for as long as possible.
“That would be great.”
We lead him into the cottage, walking through the living room and into the kitchen. Jax sets the ice cream maker on the table.
Dad turns from the sink, drying his hands with a hand towel. “What is that?”
“An ice cream maker,” Nadine says proudly.
“I suspect Nadine wants to experiment with matcha ice cream for the ice cream social,” I tell him.
“Guilty,” she laughs.
Dad looks baffled. “I’m behind on the food trends, apparently. Is matcha an ice cream flavor now?”
“Yes, and it’s great,” Nadine assures him.
“All right… Well, you kids have fun.” Possibly afraid Nadine will appoint him as a taster if he sticks around, he returns to the backyard to continue his project.
Jax chats until he gets a text. Looking at his phone, he says, “I have to run. It was great to meet you all.”
“Why don’t you come by the tea shop tomorrow?” Nadine says as she walks him to the door.
“Will you be there?”
“I will.”
He smiles. “Then I’ll be sure to drop by.”
And yep, she sparkles.
I dart back into the kitchen, unable to handle the second-hand embarrassment. Goodness, our magic is awkward.
The door closes a few minutes later, and Nadine returns to the kitchen. Cheeks flushed, she winces. “I sparkled, didn’t I?”
