Sothat’swhat she is.
“Mrs. Thimbleberry is awfully tall for a brownie, isn’t she?” Which seems like a weird thing to say about the petite woman. “Don’t they stand about three feet?”
“It’s a charm. She’s probably closer to two-seven.”
Weird.
I end up going into the cafe and leaving the flyer with a harried-looking woman at the hostess stand. Then I walk next door, to the bookshop.
A little nervous, I push through the door.
“I’ll be right out,” River calls from the back, his voice deep and smooth.
I fidget with my flyers, looking around the space. Unlike the library, the books smell new, and three walls of windows make the space bright and cheerful. But like Ash’s place, there is a complete lack of plant life.
Maybe it’s a winter fae thing.
Meg’s brother appears, wearing a white shirt and gray slacks. He’s opted for a casual look today, forgoing a waistcoat or a tie. With his tidy, short black hair and distinguished air, he looks like a hot professor.
River smiles when he sees me, setting several books on the counter before coming over to greet me. “Hello, Kit. I was hoping you’d visit.”
I wait for the inevitable sparkle, but the butterflies in my stomach are asleep, thank goodness. It appears my heart is a loyal creature, and Ash has claimed it.
“Are you still interested in the book for your father?” the shopkeeper asks.
“I am,” I answer somewhat shyly, unnerved by all the confident fae men who have entered my life. I might not be sparkling, but River is still intimidating. “Though I also wanted to invite you to the soft reopening of my aunt’s tea shop.”
River accepts a flyer, scanning the text, and then he looks up, his eyes meeting mine. “Yourtea shop, you mean.”
“Y-yes,” I say, flustered. “Though I’m not sure I’m qualified to claim it yet.”
“I’ll be happy to assist you in any way I can.” He sets the flyer aside, giving me his full attention. “Please tell me how I can make your transition to our small town more comfortable.”
I giggle. Once. And then I control myself.
“T-thank you,” I manage. “So much. That’s very kind.”
He lifts a dark eyebrow, his deep blue eyes on mine. “My collection of fae books is in the back room. Would you care to browse them? It’s slow today, so I can assist you.”
“I…” My mouth goes dry. “I can’t. Today. Because…” I clear my throat and hold up the flyers. “These.”
“Another time, perhaps,” he says knowingly.
“Yes. For sure. Most definitely.” I point to the door. “I need to go.”
He taps the flyer. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. I’ll stop by before I open the shop.”
“Great.” I offer him a wobbly smile. “Thanks so much.”
I nearly collide with the door when I turn around. Behind me, River chuckles and steps forward. Reaching around me, surrounding me with his winter scent, he pulls down the lever and pushes the door open. “It sticks sometimes.”
Like that was the problem.
“Thank you,” I murmur, all but running out of the shop.
As soon as I dart outside, I find myself face to face with Rowan. He sits on a bike post, waiting for me—and he doesn’t look amused.
“I swear it’s not my fault,” I say.
