Page 9 of Summer Solstice

At least I made it the two steps and managed to grab a chair before my knees gave out. It had been so real: the dream, the smell of smoke, the heat of the flames. I could still feel the tenderness of my skin, like a really bad sunburn. I glanced at the clock on the stove. Three-forty-seven in the morning. There was no way that I was getting back to sleep.

I sighed, and when the trembling in my arms and legs finally stopped, I got up to make some extra strong coffee, spiked with a zest potion. I’d have to make a mental note to bring home some Dreamtime Oil from the store—well, depending on how much I had. I needed a decent night’s sleep, and that would at least ensure no nightmares creeping in at the edges.

I just had to make it through the day, first.

***

I wasn’t sure if it was owing to the fact that I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep, or if it was combining coffee and a zest potion, but once I dragged myself into the shower, I actually felt pretty awake. Though chugging the coffee and the Zest potion had left me with indigestion and a concerningly quick pulse.

I decided around midday to tackle two tasks at once; working out some of the plans for the festival, and getting some lunch. So, I closed up the store and trotted down the street to the Half-Moon Bar and Grill.

Not only was the food at the Half-Moon some of the best in Haven Hollow, but it was a common gathering place for the supernatural side of town. The owner, Roy, was a Sasquatch, and also a member of the Council, and also my ex-boyfriend. But things were good between us now—we were probably better friends now than we ever had been, no doubt owing to the fact that he’d gone on to meet his soul mate, Fifi, and he seemed about as happy as he could be. Was I sore that he’d found true love? No, I was mostly happy for him. Even if I felt a little envious.

As to the two of us, there hadn’t been any big break-up, or some fight that had torn us apart. We just hadn’t been right for each other. At eighty-two, Roy was still pretty young for a Sasquatch, but I aged like a human, so even though he looked like he was in his late forties, and I was forty-six, it wouldn’t always be like that. And I was also just vain enough not to want to look like I was out with my grandson in twenty years. Plus, Roy wanted kids, a big family, and Finn was more than enough for me.

Not to mention the whole Roy and Fifi soul mate thing. The two were literally fated to be together, and no way was I getting in between that. Yet, I still couldn’t hold back my sigh, wondering what it would be like to have someone who was meant for you, the other half of your soul. Bound together by fate by a red heart string. It was a nice dream, but with my dating track record, I wasn’t holding my breath.

I had Finn. And I had my work. Maybe that would just have to be enough.

Or, at least, that was what I kept telling myself—especially every time a certain British man’s handsome face made it into my brain.

Roy was working the bar when I walked in, his shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal heavily muscled arms. He smiled when he saw me, and tossed the white towel he’d been using to polish the shiny oak bar top over one broad shoulder.

“Poppy.” Roy braced his hands, leaning forward. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, Roy.” I tugged my notebook out of my purse. “Two things, really.”

“Shoot.”

“Okay... the first one is that I wanted you to get first choice over where you wanted to set up at the festival grounds.”

“I appreciate that.”

“You’re welcome,” I answered on a smile. “And two, I was hoping for a club sandwich to go?”

He laughed, flashing strong white teeth. “Let me punch that in, and I’ll be right with you.”

Roy sent my order to the kitchen and then leaned on the bar where I pointed out the available spots on my little hand drawn map.

Roy nodded thoughtfully. “What would you recommend?”

The question flustered me a bit, but in a good way. It was nice that Roy and I could friends—that the easy affability that had existed between us before we’d ever gotten together was back. I was grateful for that and hoped that one day, Marty and I could get to the same place.

“Here,” I said, tapping the map with my finger. “It’s high enough ground that it won’t get soggy, no matter the weather. It’s close to some of the games, and it will be within sight of the bonfire when it’s lit, so that should bring in a lot of business for drinks and food.”

Roy grunted. “Makes sense. Okay, put me down for that spot there.” He reached back with one long arm and snagged my order from the kitchen window, setting the to-go bag on the bar beside me.

I happily made a note of the location he’d chosen, and slid a few bills onto the oak counter. “Okay, great. Thanks, Roy.”

“Always nice to see you, Poppy.”

I tucked my notebook back into my purse, grabbed my lunch and turned to leave, finally feeling like something was going right.

And that was when I almost walked headlong into Marty.

We both froze, staring awkwardly at anything but each other, and my heart gave a painful twist.

I hadn’t seen Marty much since Christmas. He’d asked for some space, and it was all I could do to give it to him. I hated it that I’d hurt him. I’d hurt my best friend, and I missed him more than I let myself admit most of the time. But I had to remain true to myself and the truth was that I wasn’t the right woman for him, even though I wished I could have been.

---