“I get that.” Pearl took a bite of eggs. “Oh, these are good.”
“They’re from Liana. Just don’t tell Finn that’s where they’re from. You know he has a problem with chickens.”
Pearl giggled, thinking about how everyone else teased her brother because he was scared of chickens, only it was male chickens in particular. Roosters, or the other word they always used, but Pearl was not going to even put that word in a context where she associated it with her brother. Still, it was funny when they would tease Finn and he’d roll his eyes and toss his mane.
Unlike her brother, she looked human most of the time. She rarely took on her unicorn appearance, except when it was a full moon. During the full moon when she was at college, Margaid or her mom would come to stay with her and make sure she didn’t run amok. It was too dangerous to be alone. Female glashtyns were rare, and the fact they took on a unicorn appearance made them desirable for unsavory individuals.
Tallowfield was full of witches and wizards who would like nothing more than to get their hands on her and harvest her blood or her horn.
It was just easier to stay as normal looking as she could.
Though, there was something freeing about being a unicorn and running through the forest and fields under a moonlit sky. It was just the unknown dangers lurking about that didn’t let her live like that.
She always had to be on her guard.
“Well, these eggs are fabulous, and the next time I run into Liana, I’m going to let her know.” Though she wasn’t sure when that would be, because if she got a summer job at the hospital, she’d be very busy.
Pearl couldn’t practice medicine yet, she wasn’t a nurse, but she could do candy striping type of work and filing at the hospital for the summer. That way she could get her feet wet, so to speak, and gain experience.
“If you’re heading to the hospital, would you mind dropping off a basket of things for Magnus and Sven at Room with a Tomb?” Mom asked.
“Of course. Mom, you don’t have to ask. You know I’d do anything for you.” Pearl finished her breakfast, kissed her mom on the top of her head, and placed her plate in the dishwasher.
“You are the sweetest child a mother could ever ask for.”
Pearl laughed softly again. “I think Finn is a pretty good child of yours too.”
“He is.” Mom sighed. “Just so stubborn. Like his father was.”
“He is that, but I think Margaid has softened him.” Pearl smiled to herself as she thought of Finn and Margaid. To be honest, she was a bit envious of them and their love, because she wanted that.
She wanted that with Phineas.
She wanted to feel protected and safe.
And, eventually, she wanted a family of her own.
Even though the thought of leaving her mother alone here was heartbreaking, she still wanted that proverbial happily ever after. She wanted the little house, the white picket fence, the kids and the career.
Pearl wanted a partner and someone to share her life with and she knew without a doubt that was Phineas.
Even though her dad died when she was young, she never forgot the love her parents shared. Now, seeing Finn have that with Margaid made her heart ache for the same.
And she was going to make it happen by telling Phineas exactly how she felt about him. The problem was, he seemed to be avoiding her.
“You’re staring off into space,” Mom remarked. “What’re you thinking so intently about?”
“What I’m going to say to human resources at the hospital.” Pearl plastered on a fake smile. “Though I’m sure June, who is anurse, will put in a good word for me. She knows I’m in college to be a nurse and I plan to practice nursing here.”
“What about midwifery?” Mom asked.
Pearl cocked an eyebrow. “Are you expecting babies anytime soon in Harmony Glen?”
A sappy, dreamy expression crossed her mother’s face. “I live in hope.”
“I would love to become a nurse practitioner and a midwife, but I want to work as a nurse and save up money to afford the schooling to get certified for both those things.”
“I could help and I know Finn would?—”
