“No. They’re the best things to happen to me since…” His voice trails off, his eyes growing misty.
“I’m glad Ashley and Aidan found you.” I lay a hand on his shoulder. “You needed them as much as they did you.”
He lowers his head. “I never apologized for keeping her secret from you. I was worried about how the coven would respond. She was sure the Tylwyth Teg fairy, whoever she was, would take Aidan, and she couldn’t trust anyone else.”
“An apology isn’t necessary. You had every right to protect them. Ashley told me she didn’t know who the fairy was, and I believed her. She came clean about Aidan, after all.”
“She’s befriended Courtney Erickson since she’s having a half-human, half-fairy baby, too.”
A faint smile curls my mouth. “Everyone should have a friend they can trust. Someone who understands their life experiences. You knew Courtney went after Archie early on, right? It’s why she helped Audrey infiltrate the coven. I never imagined she was a fairy, though.”
“Audrey told me after she got rid of the hex her mom put on her. But I don’t think she was aware of Courtney’s fairy background.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now.”
“No. But…do you believe Courtney after all that’s happened? Should Ashley trust her?”
I take a cleansing breath. “At some point, you have to use your best judgment. Courtney has a unique situation, just like Ashley. They need to trust each other so their half-fairy babies can survive in an Unremarkable’s world.”
The front door dings and Shane strolls in, bringing with him a gust of icy air. “Blessed Yule, my friends. Well, technically, the solstice doesn’t occur until the early morning hours on Sunday, but we’re celebrating on Saturday evening at the Pumpkin House. Jeff, why don’t you bring Ashley and her son? Other children will be there.”
“I planned on it,” he replies. “Sounds like a lot of fun. I’ll be right back. I left the tag machine in the back.”
Shane removes his coat and hat. “How are you today, darling? Everything right in the world for once?”
“For the time being. But as long as that portal is open, I won’t sleep well at night. Not that I sleep all that great, anyway. Menopause is the gift that keeps on giving.”
He laughs as he walks behind the counter. “I’m sure I can’t relate and never will, I’m happy to say.”
A chuckle breaks free from my mouth. “I bet you are.” After slipping on my puffer jacket, I grab my purse and head toward the door. “See you at the Winter Solstice Celebration. Any chance we’ll finally get to meet that Unremarkable woman you’ve been hiding?”
“Perhaps, darling,” he says, pulling on his whiskers. “Where are you off to now? Home?”
“Yeah. I may take a nap before dinner. Archie said he was preparing something special. I want to stay wake to enjoy the meal.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “And after?”
“You’re bad, Shane,” I say, squinting.
A mischievous grin peaks through his white beard. “Have a wonderful evening, Gwyn.”
I chuckle. “You, too, boss.”
When I step onto the red paver sidewalk, I pull up my hood. The sky is as blue as a clear summer’s day, but the bright sun barely cuts through the December chill. I soak in the holiday decorations on Main Street as I head toward the Green—large white snowflakes sparkling with silver glitter and evergreen trimmings topped with puffy red bows. For now, all is right in our world. As close as it gets for Bearsden, anyway, a town with an open portal to the Otherworld.
When I turn into the alleyway shortcut to Douglas Street, I discover Seamus walking ahead of me at the far end. I run to catch up with him.
“Hi. Would you like company on the way home?” I ask.
The Irish professor nods with an enormous grin. “I would love to have you join me, Gwynedd.”
“On behalf of the Bearsden Coven, I want to thank you again for assisting us in the rescue of the town’s children. From what I’ve heard, the children’s behavior has returned to normal.”
“I will always be at your service, Gwynedd.” He averts his gaze for a moment, then looks back at me. “However, I’ll be at a distance come Fall Semester. I’ve applied for a position in Northern Ireland.”
“Oh. Did you tell Dr. Hughes? And Archie?”
“I have not as of yet. I would appreciate you not mentioning the news to them. My letter of intent should arrive in a few days by snail mail.”
“Why did you change your mind about staying?” As if I need to ask.
“It’s time for me to return home, and clearly, you do not require my protection.”
I chuckle at his realization, and he smiles warmly. We’ve arrived at his bungalow rental home, and he gestures toward the house.
“Would you like to come in for a hot tea? Warm up after the chilly walk here?”
“I would love to, but I have to get home. Archie is cooking dinner for me, and I need to freshen up.” I stare fondly into his sea-green eyes. “It may surprise you, but I’m going to miss you when you leave.”
“Those words warm my soul, Gwynedd. But remember, I visit Buckley a few times a year. Perhaps we’ll cross paths when I stop by your Aunt Gorawen’s estate in the future.”
“That would be lovely.” My heart twitches a little at the idea of not seeing the cat sith witch in Bearsden.
“Ms. Johnson and Dr. Hughes have invited me to assist in the completion of the grimoire search on Sunday at Ms. Pritchard’s farmhouse.”
“I didn’t know Trinity asked you. We can certainly use another body.”
“Have a wonderful dinner and evening. Give Dr. Cockburn my regards.”
