Page 28 of Starfall

“She was magical?”

“Oh, yeah, and excellent at hiding it. She said she was waiting for someone but had to keep busy in the meantime, so we began our financial adventures.” She smiled. “She backed a lot of my investments at first, and we still get together every now and then for tea at one of her businesses. She tends to own popups. She said she never knew how long she would be here, so she wanted to put any and all funds into a trust to benefit the future.”

He looked at her with a dawning bit of understanding. “What is her name?”

“Avaknell.”

He snorted. “Avaknell Blue was a business consultant who found the building across from yours. She’s the reason the gym is there.”

Emery smirked. “That tracks. She’s sneaky and very good at getting the right people into the same place at the right time.”

“Yeah, she has that aura about her.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“A women-in-business conference put on by my college.” She shrugged. “She picked me out of the crowd, and we went for coffee afterward. I was her manager at her first and then HR and auditor all in a year. After that, we went looking for a business for me, and we found one.”

“The diner.”

“Yeah.”

He chuckled and hugged her. “If she shows up, I will have to thank her.”

“She’s invited?”

“Certainly. She’s heavily involved in the township. This night starts the year anew, so it is ideal for new starts.” He hugged her. “I have to go get things started with the others.”

“Okay. Go commit arson.”

He smiled and touched her cheek before he walked off to join the other seasons around the Yule log. They didn’t hold hands, but they ranged from spring to winter around the edge of the fireplace.

Orla walked back to her and smiled. “As soon as the fire is lit, we can take the cloaks off. It’s gonna get warm.”

The seasons extended their arms, fingers inches apart, and then, as the sun turned red on the horizon, a red flame appeared in front of them. The log and the kindling began to glow, and a burst of flame curled around the first four feet of the two-foot-wide log. The sun had its carrier. Now, they had to keep it alive.

Hunter picked up a torch and lit it from the fire, walking over to the stacked bonfire and throwing the torch into it. The flare of the blaze shot skyward, and the air around the flames got warm.

Emery smiled as the seasons chatted. She had always thought they would be girls.

Orla grinned. “And now the party starts. The sun has been continued, and we just have to make it until dawn.” She unclasped her cloak and folded it over her arm. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat.”

There was a bump on Emery’s leg. “Hey, Snowball.”

The puppy was already knee-high and was wagging happily at her side. “See? I told you. I wouldn’t steer you wrong. Orla is going to be an excellent mommy, and it was my pleasure to be an auntie for a while.”

Snowball yipped and leaned against her.

“Well, puppy, did you want a snack?”

Orla laughed. “Can I take your cloak?”

“Oh, uh, sure.” She worked the clasp and slid the fabric off her shoulders.

Orla stared. “Damn!”

“Uh, too much? I can put the cloak on again.” She fidgeted as she realized that all of the seasons were taking notice.

“No, please. I just haven’t seen you like this since we became adults.” Orla grinned. “And you are extremely adult.”

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