It seemed like a fairy tale or a kind of novel plot twist, but Pearl also was a realist and knew that life didn’t work out that way. Not everyone got happily ever afters, even if lately it seemed like that was the case because everyone around here was finding love.
Maybe I’ll get my happily ever after?
Pearl’s heart skipped a beat.
Wouldn’t that be awesome?
Chapter
Three
Phineas emerged where Finn kept his houseboat moored. Finn was waiting on the dock as Phineas climbed out of the lake. Finn had a towel ready for him and clothes so that Phineas could navigate through town.
Not that anyone cared if Phineas wore clothes or not.
Most in Harmony Glen knew he could wander around and not be obscene. It was the beauty of having a cloaca.
“How was the swim this morning?” Finn asked as Phineas took the towel from him.
“Fine. I’m glad the ice is off the lake.”
“I think it’s chilly still,” Finn remarked.
Phineas cocked his head. “I think you’re getting soft, old man.”
Finn’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean ‘soft,’ and what do you mean by old man?”
Phineas chuckled under his breath as he grabbed the shirt that Finn had brought for him and pulled it on. “It’s all subjective.”
Finn snorted. “Subjective? I’m only seven years older than you.”
“That’s ancient to a twenty-four-year-old like me.”
“You’ve gotten a little more feisty since the fall. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
“Good thing,” Phineas teased. He pulled on the pants and then slipped on the slide sandals. “Besides, you’re a glashtyn. You shouldn’t be complaining about the temperature of the water.”
Finn rolled his eyes. “I’m not a kelpie. Glashtyns are different. I’m a water horse, but also not. I don’t have an underwater kingdom.”
“That still doesn’t explain much. Well, at least kelpies aren’t afraid of cocks.” Phineas tried not to laugh, pleased he got that zinger of a running joke in.
Finn’s mouth dropped open. “Smart ass. Fine. You’re right, I’ve gotten soft and set myself up for that particular pun.”
Phineas chuckled. It was a well-known joke that Finbar “Finn” Clague, glashtyn and owner of Monster Catch Bait and Tackle, not only resembled a horse but that he was notoriously afraid of chickens.
Roosters in particular.
Everyone who knew Finn Clague teased him about it.
The only quirk Phineas had was in the winter, he moved slower and really didn’t like the snow and ice at all, but that wasn’t something to make fun of. Gill men usually didn’t frequent northern areas, which is why he was the only one in town.
“Who’s watching the shop?” Phineas asked.
“My mom. Margaid’s in the city.”
Phineas could see Finn’s mother Hetty puttering around inside Monster Catch through the window and couldn’t help but wonder if Pearl was in there.
He knew she’d come back for the summer and he desperately wanted to see her.
