Page 13 of Magic & Mochas
Yes, yes.You’re both anti-social.I rolled my eyes.I’ll get to work.
I crooked my finger at the box that had arrived this morning via the pegasus mail service, and it obediently slid over to me.A small slicing spell and levitation charm later, and the box was open and all of the parts were floating in the air in front of me.
“Would you like some help?”Thorne offered.
“Are you sure?”I still wasn’t used to how freely he offered his help.
“I am.”He gave me a wink.“How hard could it be?Besides, the sooner we get this done, the sooner I get my tour.”
I laughed.“Alright then, let’s get to work!”
Two botched attempts and four cat treats later, we had finally assembled the cat tree.It was three stories of scratching posts, ramps, and cushy lounging spots, but so far, Silas was far more interested in the box it came in.
“Will you at least try it out?”I asked him, exasperated after all that effort.
Maybe later.He watched me through half-open eyes from his loafing position in the box.
I rolled my eyes.
“So?Does he like it?”Thorne folded his arms over his chest.
“He’s absolutely thrilled,” I deadpanned.Shaking my head, I said, “Why don’t we get ready to go to the pumpkin patch?Silas can explore it while we’re gone.”
“Then I will meet you there.”
I arrived a little late, since I had spent longer than I wanted to admit selecting an outfit from my limited wardrobe back home.Why teenage me had worn nothing but short skirts and skinny jeans was now a complete mystery to me.Eventually, I had picked out a lovely chestnut-colored maxi skirt and cream sweater to wear, with my favorite soft leather boots.
I looked around for Thorne’s distinctive silhouette, shading my eyes from the warm afternoon sunlight with my hand.But although there were a handful of other people milling about near the entrance, I didn’t see him.Perhaps he was waiting for me inside.I started strolling along the main dirt path, reminiscing about my previous visits here.
The pumpkin patch was owned and lovingly tended by Thistle, a soft-spoken dryad with hair like trailing willow leaves and skin the hue of autumn bark.She spoke to her pumpkins in the old tongue of roots and rain, coaxing them to ripen in shades of dusky orange, moonlight white, and even the occasional pale lavender—kissed by her own unique enchantments.When I was little, I had been absolutely fascinated by her magic, which was so different from my own.But Thistle was a kind and patient spirit, and would answer every question I cared to come up with.
She took meticulous care of the property, which was obvious even at a glance.Winding vines stretched like lazy cats across the loamy soil, which was dotted with fat pumpkins beneath fan-like leaves.Unlike a regular pumpkin patch, the vines here prospered all year long.
Wooden archways draped in flowering ivy guided visitors along the winding footpaths, each marked with charming hand-carved signs:Cinderella Pumpkins,Fairy Lantern Gourds,Cider Hollow.A gentle breeze always seems to carry the scent of cinnamon throughout the property, and hidden in the patch’s corners were quaint gazebos and fountains.I had spent many a lazy afternoon reading in them, or tucked away in one of her cushioned swings.
“There you are.”Thorne’s low timbre echoed out from a shadowy archway.
“Don’t do that!”My heart leaped out of my chest for a moment as he emerged from the darkness, looking striking in long pants and a dark, collared shirt.I could have sworn there was no one there a moment ago.Wait, unless… “Were you hiding in the shadows?”
“An occupational perk.”His violet eyes skimmed over my outfit, and he took my hand, pressing a light kiss to the back of it.“You look lovely, by the way.”
I flushed.“Don’t change the subject.”
Thorne looked down, seemingly chagrined.“Sorry.It’s a habit.I promise I won’t scare you again.”
I noticed he hadn’t promised not to sulk in the shadows again, but I supposed I should be happy with the compromise.“Thank you.And for the compliment—you look dashing as well.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes.If he wasthatunused to compliments, I should make sure to slip them in more often.
“Thank you,” he said hesitantly, before clearing his throat and offering his arm.“So, where are we going first on our tour?”
“I thought we could start by picking out a few fresh pumpkins to use as decorations for the shop.”I slipped my arm through his, and started strolling down the path labeled,Fairy Lantern Gourds.
“Morepumpkins?”His tone told me he thought we already had plenty in the shop.
“The fake ones are nice enough, but they’re no replacement for the real deal.Besides, I wanted to get a few of the tastier ones so that I can add pumpkin spice lattes to the menu.”I trailed my free hand along the flowers that lined the path.
“Are those lattes popular?”Thorne frowned.“I can’t say that I’ve tried one before.”
