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He frowned.
“No…it’s February. Why, is it somehow a different date in the human world?”
“No, it’s February there, too,” I said. “But if it’s February here in Hidden Hollow, then why does it feel like Fall instead of Winter? Aren’t we somewhere in New England? I mean, that’s what it seems like.”
“Yes, Hidden Hollow is located in the Berkshires. And it feels like Fall because of the magical barrier around this town,” Rath explained. “It’s kind of a bubble—a big, invisible, magic dome that keeps the world out—including the weather. If you stepped outside the barrier, you’d probably be in a snowstorm right now. But in here, it’s different.”
“So…the magic bubble keeps it this temperature and season all the time?” I asked, confused.
He shook his head.
“Not exactly. See, we held a vote and almost everyone agreed that their favorite time was Fall—the peak of the leaf season, specifically. So the Council of Magic Users decided to make it Fall pretty much all year round.”
“Really? Fall all year?” It sounded wonderful to me—I was in love with the weather in my new town—especially after enduring the sweltering heat of Central Florida for so long.
“Almost all year,” Rath said. “Except for the month of May, when it’s Spring for a whole month. And the Month of August, when it’s Summer. And then in December it’s Winter with lots of fluffy white snow but never any sleet. Then when January comes around, we’re back to Fall.”
“That sounds perfect!” I exclaimed. “I love Fall weather and I never get it back where I live—or lived before—in Central Florida.”
“Florida? Whew—you’ll sweat your balls off down there,” he remarked, shaking his head. “Give me Hidden Hollow any day.”
I was beginning to agree with him. Just then the waitress came back.
“Got the check for you,” she remarked. “Unless you want anything else?”
Rath looked at me and I shook my head. The huge cinnamon roll and the two cups of coffee I’d drunk had filled me up nicely.
“Nothing else, thanks Goldie. I’ll get that.” He looked at the check and then fished out a handful of coins from his pocket. He laid down a large gold coin almost twice the size of a silver dollar and two smaller silver ones.
“Be right back with the change,” Goldie said, scooping the coins into her palm.
Rath shook his head.
“Nah—keep it.”
“Thanks, big guy.” She smiled up at him affectionately and then nodded at me. “You’re the first girl I’ve seen in here with him. Don’t go breaking his heart, okay? Rath’s a sweetie—I’d hate to see him get hurt.”
“Goldie…” Rath growled and I could see that he was embarrassed. At least, his cheeks got greener, which I guessed was the Orc version of blushing.
“Hey, you know it’s true.” She laughed and moved on to another table to take an order.
Rath and I got up.
“Well,” I said reluctantly. “Thanks for the coffee and cinnamon roll. I guess I’d better go back to the grocery store and try to shop again.”
I winced as I said it. I hated the idea of having to retrace my steps to gather all my groceries and then facing the elderly centaur if he saw me.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that,” Rath said, as we left the diner. “I already paid for what you had in the basket and asked them to deliver it. It’ll probably be waiting for you at your front door when you get home.”
“You didn’t!” I exclaimed. “That’s so much money! You have to let me pay you back.”
“Bake me that pie we talked about.” He grinned charmingly.
“I will. I just have to get some cinnamon,” I agreed.
“Tell you what, why don’t you let me get that for you?” he suggested. “I have a few clients to see here in town, but I can grab it and drop it by your place on my way home.”
I almost said I could get it myself but then I realized he was looking for an excuse to come see me again. And I definitely liked that idea.
