Page 2 of The Mountain Merman's Curvy Bride

“What I can do is read people when I touch their hands with mine. Along with guiding spells, I am able to locate this person’s true love mate. This process has a mind of its own so I cannot predict how long it will take. I’ve found mates within an hour before and a couple of times it took me years.”

“Years?” Murphy blanches.

“I did warn you, prince, that a true love’s match could take time.”

“Yes, madame, you did. Sorry to interrupt.”

“Lachlan, I pride myself in making matches that are purely a combination of true love and best fit. Even if the two people are very different in multiple ways, I am able to determine that they are meant to be together. If you can place your trust in me like your brother here, I would be happy to help you find your partner in life.”

Madame Liora looks at me over her steaming cup of tea, apparently waiting for me to say something.

I have to admit to myself, I was not against falling in love. I just never met anyone I found interesting for more than a couple of weeks and I’m pretty sure those women could have said the same about me. I like living on my own up here on the mountain. I am happy. But I could also be happy sharing this life with the right woman. I clear my throat.

“I don’t see the harm in you trying. And I’ll always be there for my brothers. Madame Liora, let’s do this.”

I reach my hands toward her and she grasps them across the table. She closes her eyes and smiles slightly. After a couple of minutes, she stands up.

“Perfect, I got what I needed,” Liora turns to Murphy, “we can go visit your brother Beck now.”

Murphy is brimming with excitement and slaps my back.

“Thank you, brother, you’ve always been good to me.”

After they leave, I walk out to the lake and take a long swim. I have to admit to myself, I am a little excited at the prospect of falling hard for someone.

It’ll be a first.

2

Paige

The shop doorbell rings and I look up to see a purple-haired young woman walk in. I welcome her, point out the sales shelf, and leave her to browse.

My first month as a new business owner is coming to a close and my bookshop has been blessed with an uptick of customers day after day. The month had been successful enough that I was able to hire an employee who is starting tomorrow.

I look over to the framed photo of my grandmother, a tough but loving woman who raised me since birth, and place my hand on the bottom of the frame. I close my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths in, counting the many ways I am grateful for where my life is now.

A year ago I was in a toxic relationship with a man who berated me and laughed at my dreams. We had gotten together a couple of years prior, right when my grandmother passed away. I was swept away by Gary while wallowing in my grief. He love-bombed me with gifts, fancy dinners, and weekends away. We eventually moved in together and that’s when he began depriving me of support and love. He was an expert gaslighter and it took me until three months ago to finally walk out on him.

And, boy, did I. I not only walked out on him but I moved hundreds of miles away to this whimsical beach town at the foot of Ravenhart Mountain.

Branwen Beach was small but bustling due to the regular beautiful weather. Often a stop on travelers’ journeys up and down the coast of California, it seemed like a good place for me to start a new life. Ocean breezes, a close-knit community that welcomes outsiders, and in need of a bookshop.

I open my eyes and smile at my grandmother’s photo. I know she would be proud of me here.

The bell jingles again and I greet a tiny, elderly woman with long, silver hair. She walks up to the counter and I am taken aback by the color of her eyes. A violet blue that fills me with warmness immediately.

“Welcome to Turn the Paige. How may I help you?”

“I keep meaning to pop in and am finally making the time. What an adorable bookstore you have here. I was wondering what books you have on bread making?”

I show her the cookbook section and point out a couple of good books for new bakers. I leave her to peruse and when she returns to the counter she has an armful of books.

“Wow! You mean business!”

“I couldn’t choose. But that’s OK, I am very happy to support a locally woman-owned business. My name is Liora, welcome to Branwen Beach.”

I ring her up as she tells me about how much she has loved living here the last couple of decades. Liora looks to be in her 70s but she has a youthful energy about her. Once I bag up her books, she thanks me, and heads to the front door but then turns back.

---