JULIET
I didn’t know it was possible for someone’s entire life to implode in the span of three weeks, but as it turns out, it’s completely possible. I know, because it happened to me. First, the library branch where I worked announced it was closing—the central library decided to build a new branch five miles away, rendering our little location redundant and me unemployed—then my boyfriend Braeden dumped me,thenmy roommates informed me that they were in a relationship and moving in together…somewhere else. Leaving me unable to pay for the three-bedroom apartment I’d lived in for five years.
I had no choice but to pack up and move in with my mother, who had turned into one of those social media crackpot conspiracy theorists when I wasn’t looking. The whole thing was exhausting and the living situation with Mom was utterly untenable, so I did the only thing I could: I texted my cousin Maggie and begged her to let me crash with her.
Which is how I ended up here: walking down Main Street in the charming town of Harmony Glen, New York, a quaint place that looks like someone plucked it off of a postcard. It’s a cold day, but that doesn’t take away from the charm of the old-fashioned buildings with plate-glass windows and stripedawnings. The planters in front of the businesses are mostly empty, but I imagine they’re bursting with multicolored blooms in the spring and summer.
This street alone has a library, a bakery—which has the whole street smelling like fresh bread—and a florist shop, all tucked neatly between the lake and a conservation area with a river. Even in the bleakest month of the year, Harmony Glen has a Norman Rockwell-wholesomeness that you don’t see much anymore.
I get why my cousin moved here. And Maggie, rock star that she is, arranged for me to stay in a furnished apartment above the town’s hardware store, which is where I’m headed. I have a loose appointment to meet her partner, Gabe, and get the info on the place he owns.
Harmony Hardware is a few blocks away, across the river, but I wanted some time to orient myself and get a feel for the town before I went there. So, I figured a walk would do the trick. I’ve just passed the gorgeous florist, Bloom & Vine, which has incredible bouquets displayed in the window, when I’m stopped in my tracks.
There’s a bookstore.
Dark brick, enormous picture windows, ivy crawling up the walls—it’s dreamy. There are display books piled and hung in the front window, and even from here, I can see the twinkle of fairy lights inside. The large placard on the front proclaims the business to be Moonbeam Books, and I can’t help myself. I have to go in. I approach the door, with its open sign, and notice a smaller sign beneath it: a simple piece of paper that says “Help Wanted.”
Okay, this is perfect.
I enter, immediately feeling at home among the shelves and that unique bookstore smell—paper, ink, dust, somethingephemeral I can’t quite name. It’s like the book version of petrichor, at least to me.
There are tables near the door featuring new releases, dozens of twinkle lights strung along the ceiling and walls for ambience, and to the far right, a checkout counter that seems to be manned by…a cat? A sleek black feline is sitting primly next to the register, as if waiting for the next customer. I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. It’s my personal belief that every bookstore should have a shop cat.
There are several customers browsing around, but no one I can pinpoint as an employee. I do, however, spot my first monster. I know Gabe is a vulpine, so it was going to happen today, regardless, but I didn’t expect to encounter one in the wild, so to speak. A tingle runs down my spine—it happened faster than I expected. I knew when I came here that Harmony Glen is a monster-filled town, but to see one on my first day…this is exciting!
Although, looking at him, “monster” doesn’t seem to be the right word. He’s not scary or creepy or gruesome. Just…intriguing,not to mention oddly beautiful. I’m 5’11” and I can tell from across the room that he’s quite a bit taller than I am. Maybe six-and-half feet or so? He’s mostly human shaped, but with some notable additions, including gray skin, feathery-looking antennae on his head, soft gray fur—or is it feathers?—around his neck and along his arms, and a pair of magnificent, multi-colored wings blooming from his back. He’s holding a book almost delicately in a pair of hands tipped with claws, staring at it with glowing red eyes.
Whatishe?
I approach, fascinated, and clear my throat. “Excuse me. Any chance you could point out the manager? Or owner? Whoever’s in charge?”
He looks up, momentarily startled, before recovering. “That would be me,” he says in a voice that manages to be both soft and deep. “How can I help you?”
“Oh.” I extend a hand. “I’m Juliet Crawford. I wanted to ask about the ‘help wanted’ sign on the door. Are you still hiring?”
He sets the book aside and shakes my outstretched palm. “Spenser Nightwing, owner and operator of Moonbeam Books. And yes, I’m still hiring. If you’re interested, I can get you an application.”
I nod eagerly. “Please. That would be great.”
He walks to the checkout counter where the cat is sitting, gives her a stroke down her shiny back, and pulls a sheet of paper out of a drawer. I trail after him, glancing at the shelf of bookmarks and small gifts near the cash wrap, not wanting him to have to walk all the way back to me.
He hands me the paper. “Feel free to fill this out at your leisure and return it when you’re ready. If everything looks good, we can have a chat in lieu of a formal interview, if that works for you.”
“That would be great. I’ll bring this back today or tomorrow at the latest. I just moved to town, and well, I’m not even really moved in yet. I have to go get the keys to my apartment.”
He smiles softly, his feathery antennae shifting toward me. “There’s no rush, Juliet. I promise I won’t hire anyone tonight. Take some time to get settled.”
Before I can say anything else, a book-laden blonde customer approaches the register, and Spenser turns to help her. “On my way, Ellie,” he calls softly. He glances back at me. “Nice to meet you,” he says as he walks away.
“You too. Thanks,” I say to his back, marveling at the swirls of lilac and cerulean on his wings.
Okay, this is a good start. Thirty minutes in a new town and I already have a job lead. Next up, get my apartment.
JULIET
The walk to Harmony Hardware only takes five minutes. I enter the well-lit building, painted a light peach, and notice it smells lightly of sawdust. At the counter stands a tall, grinning fox man, and I know he has to be my cousin’s partner, Gabe.
I stride over to him. “Gabe Duval?”
