Page 5 of Dottie's Forbidden Wizard
The farm stretches beyond the horizon. I assume Granger is out there somewhere, tending to his crops with the care of a doting parent. He can grow food from anything. Regardless of the soil type or time of year, his green thumb is like magic. While Granger sells produce directly to restaurants and stores in Emerald City, his main goal is to provide food assistance for those in Fable Forest who need it.
To my right, Nick's wood shop door stands wide open. His latest project—a small sofa frame that I assume is intended for a Munchkin family or a Quadling—sits half-finished in the center. Contrary to popular belief, the citizens of Oz aren’t much shorterthan the average non-magical human, but they prefer smaller furniture to maximize space in their homes.
Beside the small sofa is an enormous armchair made from rich, dark wood mixed with a gleaming metal inlay. Based on the size and depth, I suspect this is an Ogre's purchase. The farm is on the border of Oz, so Nick entertains a variety of customers who inhabit both Fable Forest and the neighboring town of Screaming Woods.
Leo's workshop takes up the other half of the shed. If he only knew how talented he is, he could make millions, but he prefers to tinker for fun. Or so he claims. I'm sure the shed contains dozens of gadgets and inventions that will never see the light of day.
A low whistle resonates loud and clear through my back window, and a familiar voice calls out, "Why is your car so packed, Dot Dot? You moving in for good?"
The glint from Nick's bionic arm momentarily blinds me as it catches the early evening sun. Another of Leo's incredible inventions. Nick lost his arm in an accident the year before I arrived. Leo has tinkered with the settings of his prosthetic over the years, allowing Nick to perform any task he could with his original limb.
"I’m prepared for any occasion," I say, getting out of the car to greet him with a big hug.
Nick grins and helps me with my bags. "Look what the wind blew in," he calls out as we walk into the house.
Leo pops his head out of the kitchen. His beard is bushier than the last time I saw him, and his thick mane of hair is wavy and wild.
"Again?" His gruff voice holds the tiniest trace of humor.
I call that a good day for my grumpy brother. Leo is half-griffin, although Granger once told me that he got the non-magical half. I'm not sure if Leo was born angry with the world, but he's the one I worry about the most.
"It was a tornado named Toto that landed me here this time," I say sarcastically, hugging him and sitting at the table. I run my hands over the smooth, familiar wood. Nick built it, of course, and it's my favorite piece in the whole house. Memories of nights playing games and laughing together in this spot flood over me, and a welcome warmth settles deep in my heart.
"What do you have in here? Bricks?" Nick asks, setting my luggage down at the entry to the hallway.
"Shoes and books," I respond primly.
"You still reading love stories?" Nick teases as he joins us at the table.
"You still pretending you didn't sneak any of them when I lived here?" I tease back, and his cheeks redden slightly.
"How long are you planning to stay?" Leo eyes my suitcase, although I don't think he'd care if I planned to be here forever.
"Long enough to help Toto. But I'm... between living situations right now. Everything I own is in my car," I admit.
Nick and Leo exchange a glance.
"I'm fine," I assure them.
"We'd give you money, but our currency won't do you any good," Nick says ruefully.
"You can stay here as long as you need to," Leo growls.
To anyone else, it might sound like he doesn't mean it, but I know better. He's worried. And that makes him mad at the world.
My heart swells with love for these men. They paid for everything when I lived here and even found a scholarship to send me to the most expensive private school in Emerald City. I haven't paid them back for that yet, and I'm not about to add to my tab by taking advantage of their kindness.
"I'm grateful, but no need. I'll only stay for a few days while I figure out my next move."
Leo grumbles, and Nick eyes me knowingly, so I attempt to change the subject.
"Eventually, you guys will find wives and have little Nicks and Leos running around. I don't want to be Great Aunt Dottie, who lives in the barn with her cats because she couldn't make it in the real world." I wiggle my eyebrows. "Any good prospects in that department lately?"
Nick snorts. Leo glowers, raising his eyes from the table to look at Nick for a moment. My gaze darts from one to the other as something unspoken passes between them.
"Nothing new on that front." Nick leans back in his chair, smiling at me. "How about you, Dot Dot? Anybody special in Kansas?"
"No." I probably shouldn't have opened this can of worms. Call it sisterly love, but the thought of these three men alone for the rest of their lives makes my heart hurt.
