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Jonah has me follow a well-worn trail. I wouldn’t call it a road into town. Thankfully, the SUV is more than capable of driving over these unpaved roads.
The first place we stop is the Misty Brew, a coffeehouse that has already captured Jonah’s heart. I order the Sassy Siren, which is a latte beverage that has salted caramel cold foam on top.
There seem to be more tourists on the streets here than there were on the island. Jonah says that there were certain people that were invited just for today because of the unveiling ceremony. So they would’ve missed out ongoing to the island, but they were here last night for the feast and also now for the festival closing ceremonies.
That makes sense.
I search for Lucky every now and again. He’s yet to arrive. Jonah checks his watch. “If he’s any later, he’ll be cutting into dinner. Trust me, you won’t want to miss any of the food.”
“I’m ready to eat. Maybe they’ll do the unveiling after dinner? Maybe it’s more of a thing at nighttime? At breakfast, Val said that the Firebirds rarely come when there’s a crowd and Lucky never has. He only comes into town during the evenings.”
Jonah looks me up and down. “You would know more about that than me.”
I smack Jonah’s arm. “Let’s grab an ice cream while we wait.” I drag him into a confectioner’s shop called Sugar Rush.
I love the peace that surrounds me being here with these people, and there is a nice little space here and there on the town square and Main street that made me consider possibly opening a shop here.
We’re about to explore more when my gaze is drawn to a very familiar duo
“Oh my gosh, what are they doing here?”
Jonah glares at them over his sunglasses. “Oh, hell no. We were here first, and if we have anything to say about it, they will not be staying here more than just this day.”
“It’s okay, Jonah. You don’t have to run them out of town. Let’s see what they want and be cordial.”
It’s Jonah’s turn to look at me. “Who are you, and what have you done with my baby girl? Last week, you would’ve run crying in a little corner.”
“I guess I just don’t care anymore. There will always be another Addison and Liesl. More Neue Groves and whatnot. There’s just one me, and the right clients and artists will flock to me.”
Jonah places a hand over his heart. “Oh, look at my baby girl, all grown up and acting all professional. I’m so proud of you.” He gathers me into his arms for a hug. “I can still drag them to filth, right?”
“Of course,” I say between giggles.
“Addison! Liesl! What a surprise to see you here.”
Addison was truly shocked to see me here. Liesl as well. “And what brings you into town? I thought you would be work, work, working all the time,” she says.
“I’ve been here for a couple of days yet,” I say. “I was invited to be on the island.”
“Oh, then you must know about this elusive artist who simply won’t see anybody. Addison and I were supposed to be here; however, we just couldn’t get over here until now.”
I don’t dignify that obviously lie. “Yes, we were hoping to meet with them after the unveiling; they simply were so excited about the prospect of having a bigger with us.”
There was a little bit of commotion in the crowd, and I don’t blame them. A flock of Firebirds made their way over, their wings spanning so wide that they cast a gigantic shadow across the town square.
The lead pair carries a large package between them. As a coordinated unit, they dive in formation. As if they have a homing beacon, they deposit their package right in the middle of the town square.
Despite the crowd and the distance, Lucky’s fiery gaze meets mine.
Jonah plays with my hair, and I look up to see what he’s doing. “Don’t mind me, baby girl. I was just making sure you don’t catch fire with a look like that.”
I roll my eyes, turning my attention back to the Firebirds who are now being greeted by the mayor and his entourage.
“That must be the artist,” Liesl whispers to Addison, and they melt into the crowd, pushing forward.
The mayor, a dragon with green and yellow markings, strides over to the Firebirds and locks hands with Lucky.
“It’s good to see you out and about, Lucky. Kiran and the rest. Thank you for gifting us with one more year of blessing.”
