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“Oh! I know!” Viv cried, bouncing down the small staircase. “I saw an old sign with a thistle on it the other day! I bet the owner would be happy to have me take it off his hands. And I know where I can get some paint for the name!”

“Hold up!” I said, throwing one hand up as if that might stop her from running out the door. “Don’t you have some homework you need to be turning in?”

Viv rolled her eyes. “Come on, Meg. Be cool! This is an emergency. I’ll finish my homework later. Please? I’ll be right back!” she pleaded.

Without waiting for an answer, and without giving me time to ask where she’d seen such a sign, she bolted for the door and darted outside and up the street just as Art and Merry appeared, coming from the other direction, carrying a cardboard tray of to-go coffee cups.

“Was that Viv? Where is she running off to?” Art asked, looking perplexed. “I brought you both cups of coffee. In case the thistle tea wasn’t fortifying enough.”

“Something about a sign she thinks we can use. And thank you,” I said, turning to kiss his cheek as he handed me a cup.

“Do you think she’s been acting strange?” he asked, still staring out the window as though he could see where she’d gone even though she’d long since ducked out of sight.

“I don’t think so,” I said, shrugging.

Art shook his head and waved his hand dismissively. “Not that you know her well enough to tell.”

A flash of defensiveness warmed my cheeks, but if he noticed my eyes widen in response, he didn’t let on.

TWENTY-FIVE

“Don’t be mad. Okay?” Viv begged, radiating excitement as she burst through the shop entrance a little while later, pulling an old, beat-up wagon overflowing with what could only be described as junk with a large wooden sign balanced on top.

“What is all that?” I asked. “Where did you go?”

“Viv! You have homework to turn in!” Art cried, looking beyond exasperated.

“Dad!” Viv moaned. “Not now, okay? This was more important.”

“Are you serious?” he snapped.

“Yes!” she said, with a furious glare. “Meg needed a sign in time for the grand opening of The Enchanted Thistle!”

Art shot me an incredulous look that made me throw my hands up in self-defense. “She ran out of here before I could stop her.”

Viv flashed me a betrayed look, but all I could do was shrug helplessly. The last place I wanted to be was caught between the two of them. That would not end well for anyone.

Either because he knew he wasn't going to win, or because he decided it was best to table the discussion, Art took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning to me, his gaze significantly softened.

“The Enchanted Thistle?” he asked, one eyebrow arched questioningly.

“Yeah. It just came to us,” I answered.

“Gah! You’re all so… Whatever.” Viv rolled her eyes and shook off her annoyance with a quick head toss. Her earlier excitement bubbled back up when she glanced at the wagon behind her. “Don’t worry. I’ll make the sign first.”

“First? What do you mean first?” I asked as she pushed past us, her wagon dropping leaves and dirt as she went. “What are you up to?”

“Ugh!” she groaned, spinning around to roll her eyes dramatically. “Can’t you tell I’m working on a surprise? Stop trying to ruin it!”

“Sorry! Far be it for me to ruin a messy surprise on what is already a chaotic day,” I snarked back.

“Thank you!” Viv beamed at me, choosing to take my comment at face value rather than the sarcasm I had no doubt she’d caught. “I knew you’d get it. Nobody come up to the snug! Okay? I’ll let you all know when it’s safe.”

“Och, let it go,” Fiona said when I shot her a wide-eyed look. “We’ve plenty to occupy us fer noo.”

Art grimaced. “I hate to agree, but this is one battle that’s probably not worth taking on. When she gets like this, it’s best to let whatever run its course.”

My jaw dropped. He’d been picking fights with Viv for the better part of two days, challenging her on almost everything she did.