Page 6 of Feverburn

I chuckled while Kaylee met my gaze with a playful smile.“So you ran with my idea?”I asked.

“Yes, you’re full of ‘em!”She slapped the top of the fortress of cardboard boxes.“And these are all the crystal babies we get to unpack.”

She then showed me her tarot reading room. Harley made her a U-shaped bench around a table that filled the entire space like a breakfast nook. She softened the area with cushions and pillows with a distinct bohemian flare inspired by her time in India, as well as recycled sari-silk curtains draped from a center point on the ceiling where a shabby chic metal chandelier hung over the table.

“That’s a pretty chandelier!”I pointed in awe.

“Frankie helped me find it at an estate sale. She’s so good at thrifting!”

“She is! I have a clawfoot tub in my loft, thanks to her. I like how magical it feels here. It sets the mood for tarot readings.”

Kaylee clasped her hands together.“Thank you! I am soexcited. Okay, so your side!”She led me through the archway back over to theentrance.

My jaw slacked at seeing a giant mural on the tall wall we shared with the bookstore. Trees towered up to an inky sky with a realistic-looking moon on the side closest to theentrance. I pointed at the mural, transfixed.“This isincredible! Who painted this?”

“Carson! Harley’s brother. Did you meet him this morning?”

I shook my head,“Um, no. I came right over.”

“He’s anamazingartist. He’s been working on this mural for weeks when he has time. There’s a mural on the side of Dane’s shop as well. You should check it out if you make it down that way.”

“It’s like a magical night forest,”I said in awe, walking closer. I couldn’t help but stare, enamored with the fine details at every spot I'd looked.“I like how it’s more realistic and not kiddish. It reminds me of the Froud artwork used for The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth movies but with his unique style mixed in.”

“That’s what I was going for! Iloveall the magical folk he snuck in.”She gestured at somenakedwitches dancing around a roaring bonfire by a clearing in the woods with a cottage behind them. Between the trees, faeries were flying around as others perched on branches. Towards the base of the trees, glistening amethyst crystals nestled in the roots, along with little villages lit for the tiny fae. We laughed at a cute gnome peeking out from around a tree trunk. We decided he looked like Willie Nelson.

Kaylee explained that Frankie found mismatched wooden tables to fill our café with a homeycharm. Studying them, I had another idea.“Do you think Carson could paint the tables, too? Peoplelovetaking pictures of their coffee. If the tables are artsy, it’s even better. Like this one that’s round could be a sun or a zodiac wheel?”

“Stop! That’s such a good idea!”

I regarded the rest of the café. The long L-shaped bar stretched in front of the brick wall. All the shiny new machines were in place, ready for me to use. The open space in front of the mural had several small wooden tables, a funky velvet purple couch, an oversized armchair, and a long table in front of the windows filled with plants, a holder for straws and napkins, and a sign with the store hours facing the sidewalk.

“We should put a faerie garden here.”I pointed to the front table.“It might make a cool display for people walking by, and we can use it to show more crystals.”

“Abso-freaking-lutely! Oh, by the way. I’ve already cleaned this place from top to bottom like a complete maniac, but I won't be offended if you want to clean it again to feel at peace. Sometimes, I clean something already clean, so I feel like I left my mark on it.”

“Me and you have more in common than I ever imagined.”I put my arm around her.“We’re supposed to do this together! I can feel it!”

She wrinkled her nose adorably.“Me too!”

She had errands to run for the shop, so she left me to scrub the coffee bar and mop the floors. Several hours later, the front door swung open, causing me toripmy head up from where I was entering the menu on the tablet. My mind pooled in stupidity over what I was seeing. The man filled the door as he walked through it, his broad shoulders and height almost brushing the frame. His hair was dark and short, matching the beard that framed his handsome face. He wore heavy boots, jeans, and a black shirt with an unbuttoned black and gray flannel over it. If he was going for the brooding lumberjack vibe, he nailed it.

I straightened from where I hunched over.“Hello,”I said in an overly friendly tone.

“Hey, I wanted to see if you were okay after last night.”His voice was lower than I expected.

Mybloodwent frosty as he approached my counter.“Oh, that was you?”A jolt of panicked recognition flooded me. I tried to remain calm as I craned my neck to make eye contact with him. He was tall, the kind that makes someone feel like a mountain, not a person. Up close, long eyelashes framed his light eyes. It’s always unfair when men have longer eyelashes than women. Even moreannoyingwere thegorgeouseyes piercing through them. They were hazel, if I had to guess, with rings of sage mixed with light amber. They stood out against his olive complexion and dark eyebrows. The mere sight of them made me all gooey and swoony.

He extended a giant, roughened hand to shake.“Yeah. Carson.”

“Rosie.”His skin warmed my hand before I released it.“What kind of name is Carson?”

His face twitched.“What do you mean?”

“You don’t hear it often. Is it an old family name?”

“There’s a story behind it, but you don’t want to know. Trust me.”

I picked up a bar rag to do something with my hands.“Well, Carson, you’ve been in my home and seen menaked, so it’s only fair I get some dirt on you.”I cocked an eyebrow flirtatiously, steadying my gaze.

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