Page 40 of Perfectly Petite Shorts
“Oh, that makes sense. Let’s see, today is Wednesday so…Friday.”
“This Friday?” Dillon and Ruthie asked in horrified unison.
“No. Next Friday,” Peaches answered.
“Thank the Moon Goddess.” Dillon let loose a relieved sigh that was echoed by his sister. “That gives us some time.”
“Time for what?” Lucroy asked.
Ruthie gave a wide, toothy grin. “We’re gonna get Phil the best present ever. Aren’t we, Dillon?”
“You bet,” Dillon agreed. “That’s the other reason we’re here. We want to get Phil something that shows him just how much he means but we’re not sure what that might be. We asked Burt and Ollie, but—”
“Goddess help you.” Peaches exhaled while pinching the bridge of his nose. “I can only imagine what they suggested. Please tell me they didn’t offer up their party bus.”
“Sorry, can’t say they didn’t,” Dillon answered.
Peaches’s sigh was long and deep. “I suppose they mean well.”
“I’m certain that is so, beloved.”
Ruthie dug her toe into the porch while Dillon answered, “The thing is, I don’t think Phil would want something that flashy.”
“Or loud,” Ruthie added.
“Good point,” Dillon agreed.
Lucroy concurred. “That is very wise of the two of you.”
Dillon relayed the dwarves’ other suggestions. Peaches looked thoughtful and agreed that while Phil would most likely enjoy some of Johnny’s cousin’s honeysuckle mead, it wasn’t something he would recommend.
“The gemstones might have merit,” Lucroy said. His obsidian eyes made it difficult for Dillon to get a read on the vampire. Between that and his lack of personal scent, Dillon was always on edge when he was around Lucroy. Ruthie had no such misgivings. Maybe it was the dire wolf in her.
“Phil already has the necklace Uncle Sedrick gave him,” Ruthie answered.
“That he does.” Peaches nodded.
“What have you gotten Phil in the past?” Dillon asked Peaches. “You’ve known him the longest.”
Peaches waved Dillon off. “I’ve known Phil a few years, but not nearly as long as everyone thinks. Remember, he moved here from California. That’s where the rest of his family is.” Peaches frowned. “I don’t think Phil had a lot of friends on the West Coast.” Most knew that was one of the reasons Phil had moved cross country. His unusually large pixie size had made him the butt of too many jokes and judgmental gazes. Not that he’d had less of that while living on the East Coast.
While Phil might have been larger than your average-sized pixie, he was absolutely perfect for the Voss family and the two young werewolf children he’d happily claim as his own.
Peaches’s shoulders rounded with sadness as he contemplated the last few years. “I had to be careful with what I bought Phil. It could never be too costly. He wouldn’t haveliked the idea of me spending too much money on him. One year I took him out for a nice meal. Another year I purchased him a new comb and hairbrush. Phil has such lovely hair.” Peaches smacked Lucroy’s shoulder. “And you wanted to make him cut it all off.” Peaches huffed and crossed his arms.
“A mistake, beloved.”
“A mistake I’ll never allow you to forget.”
“Of course not.” Lucroy leaned in and pressed his lips to Peaches’ forehead.
Peaches sighed, temporarily mollified. “I always wanted to get Phil a lovely, quality pair of pants and shirt. His clothing had to be special made, and Phil couldn’t afford to purchase the kind of fabric that pixies love.”
Dillon gripped his chin in his fist. “Uncle Sedrick already bought Phil a bunch of fancy clothes.”
“They’re so soft,” Ruthie chimed in. “I love the way they feel against my cheek.”
Hands fisted on his hips, Peaches’s jaw jutted out. “As he should. Honestly, I have no idea where Sedrick got the idea that Phillikedwearing jeans and T-shirts.” Peaches did a full-body shiver, scattering more dust. “And do not get me started on those boots.”
