Page 39 of Perfectly Petite Shorts
“How are you this evening?” Mr. Moony asked Ruthie as he gently set her back down on the ground.
“We’re good,” Ruthie beamed. “Dillon and I ran all the way here.” Pride sang through Ruthie’s words.
“Goodness. You must be thirsty then.” Mr. Moony held out his hand, offering it to Ruthie. “Perhaps you’d like to come up to the house for a cold glass of water. I believe we still have some of last year’s apple cider as well.”
“Apple cider!” Ruthie threw a fist into the air as she walked off with Mr. Moony.
Peaches hung back, keeping to the sky but staying downwind of Dillon’s sensitive nose. While Phil’s pixie dust didn’t bother Dillon, Peaches’s and every other pixie’s did.
“They’re adorable together,” Peaches cooed. “Lucroy really enjoys your sister. Not that he doesn’t like you too,” Peaches was quick to reassure, his wings fluttering faster with his anxiety.
“It’s okay, Peaches. Ruthie likes him too.” Dillon couldn’t keep the confusion out of his voice.
“I’m glad.” Peaches nudged his head in the direction of the cottage. “You’ve got to be thirsty too. That’s a long trip.”
“Not too bad,” Dillon answered.
“Does Phil know where you are?”
Dillon had been expecting that question. “No, and I don’t want him to know. Not if he doesn’t have to. He and Uncle Sedrick are in town. They’re having a date night.”
“Oh!” Peaches fluttered a little higher. “That’s so nice. Phil deserves all the date nights.”
Dillon couldn’t argue, so he just shrugged. “It was good timing because Ruthie and I need to talk to you.”
“You do? About what?” The swarming sprites dove around Peaches, munching on his dust and then darting off. Peaches continued flying forward, either unaware or uncaring about the constant glinting lights around him.
“Ruthie and I overheard a conversation you and Phil had earlier. We know his birthday is soon. We just don’t know when.”
Peaches flew ahead and blocked Dillon’s path. He radiated joy. “That is such a relief.” Fisted hands on his hips, had Peaches been standing on the ground, he would have stomped his foot. “I told Phil he should let his family know about hisbirthday. He only promised to tell Sedrick.” Peaches huffed. “Has he even done that yet?”
Dillon shook his head. “I’m not sure. If so, Uncle Sed hasn’t said anything.”
Peaches’s wings faltered, and he slowly descended to the ground. “I’m afraid that he might not, even if he does know. Phil’s, well… Phil just doesn’t think he’s worth fussing over.” Peaches’s lips tilted in an exasperated grin. “That’s sort of what makes PhilPhil. Does that make sense?”
“I understand,” Dillon reassured. “He’s not keeping it a secret to be mean or anything.”
“Exactly!” Peaches’s wings fluttered to life again, lifting him into the air and scattering more dust. “Come inside, and we’ll get you that cool drink. I’m sure Lucroy’s already got Ruthie settled.” Peaches turned his face to the setting sun, eyes slipping closed as he inhaled the fresh scent of apple blossoms. They were fading, but still smelled magnificent.
“The sun isn’t the danger it once was to Lucroy, but he says it makes him feel itchy.” Peaches scrunched his nose in thought. “I’m not certain I understand beyond he finds it a little uncomfortable.”
“And you don’t want him to hurt,” Dillon sagely answered. “I understand. You take care of him the way Uncle Sedrick and Phil take care of each other. It’s what good mates do.”
Peaches’s grin widened with happiness. “Yes. That’s exactly right.”
Lucroy and Ruthie met them on the shaded porch. Ruthie held out a glass of cold apple cider that Dillon gratefully took, swallowing half of it in one go. “That’s good stuff, Peaches.” Dillon’s tastebuds sang with the flavor as he offered the sincere compliment.
“Thank you. My trees truly are amazing, and they get better every year.” Peaches was ready to explode with pride.
“Only because of you, beloved.” Lucroy possessively nuzzled Peaches neck.
Dillon shuffled his feet, and Ruthie stared into her nearly empty glass. When Peaches giggled, Dillon cleared his throat to remind them he and Ruthie were nearby.
Unapologetic, Lucroy stared at their guests and said, “Ruthie tells me you would like to know when Phil’s birthday is.”
“I thought you already knew,” Peaches said, sounding as confused as he felt.
“We overheard your conversation but not the exact date,” Dillon clarified.
