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Chapter 29
Things really haven’t gotten worse. We’ve merely improved our interdepartmental communication skills.
Cole
“What is Imbolic anyway?” I ask as I look around the street fair. The streets are lined with vendors selling everything from beer to organically made soap. It’s crowded as tourists have invaded the town for the festival.
I grasp Ellie’s hand and smile when she squeezes mine in return. Ellie and I have been a couple for nearly two weeks now. I spend most of my nights in her bed in the carriage house despite still having my room at the inn.
I don’t know how long my company will pay for the room. I need to find a place to stay, but I want to stay with Ellie. She’s not ready for me to move in, though. She frowns each time she notices my toothbrush next to hers on the bathroom counter.
“It’s Imbolc. There’s no i in it,” she corrects.
“And what is Imbolc?”
“It’s a celebration of the start of spring.”
I snort. “The start of spring? It’s freezing out here.” I’m not exaggerating. We’re both bundled up in winter coats, scarves, hats, and gloves.
She rolls her eyes, which are barely visible beneath her knit hat. “Don’t exaggerate. You’re from Chicago. You should be used to the cold.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t used to the cold. I said it’s freezing.”
“Cole! Cole!” Moon waves me over to the stand in front of the brewery. “You need to try this mulled wine. I made it myself.” She thrusts a mug into my hands. “Try it. Try it.”
I sip on the warm drink, and the taste of cloves and cinnamon hits my tongue. “This is good.”
“Thanks. But don’t drink too many.” She winks.
Ellie huffs. “What did you add to the wine?”
“A splash of brandy.” Moon hands Ellie a mug. “This is the kiddie punch.”
“You can’t say non-alcoholic?”
Moon giggles. “And miss the disgust on your face when I say kiddie punch? Nope.”
I fish my wallet out of my jacket pocket. “How much?”
“It’s on the house for our innkeeper and her sexy paramour.”
“But—”
Ellie places a hand over my wallet. “Put it away. Your money’s no good here.”
I thank Moon for the drinks before capturing Ellie’s hand again and resuming our journey down the street. A goat stops me when it slams into me and starts bleating up at me like I’m in his way.
“Why is there a goat in the street? Do we need to find Phoenix?”
“Don’t send out a search party. I’m right here.” Phoenix pats the goat on his behind and the goat wanders off toward the middle of the street where I notice an entire herd of goats.
“Why is there a herd of goats in the street?”
“It’s Imbolc,” he answers as if it’s a perfectly reasonable response before following his goat.
Ellie giggles at my confused expression. “In addition to spring being the time of year to prepare for planting the harvest, the start of spring means the birth of lambs.”
I may be a city boy, but even I know goats don’t have lambs. “But these are goats and not sheep.”
