Page 29 of Wolves & Watercolors
“What about the girls?” Cedar rubs at his jaw.
Ember shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so.”
Onyx snaps his fingers. “It’s gotta be dad’s.”
“Yeah!” Cedar nods.
“Okay, I believe the whole twin thing now. Please stop using shorthand and explain,” I grouse.
“Did I tell you our dad makes cheese?” Cedar asks.
“Yeah.” I cross my arms, waiting for an explanation. Onyx and Ember are already moving toward the front door.
“He has a whole kitchen built in the back of our house for it. Like with a fridge for aging the cheese and a commercial stove and one of those triple sinks.”
“That definitely fits the clue.” I feel Cedar’s hand at my back again, urging me forward. We slip past the other groups, following his twin onto the patio.
Onyx takes off in a run, and I take a deep breath and push myself into a jog. I’m not athletic on a good day and definitely not in this thin mountain air. Cedar stays beside me, guiding me to their cabin.
We slip through a door on the side of the cabin and into the sterile workspace. The stainless steel countertops reflectthe industrial style lights swinging above us. Two fridges stand against the far wall, and another door shows a cozy kitchen beyond - this is where Cedar grew up with Onyx and their parents. Any other time, I’d want to explore, but not when we have a task to complete.
Ember and Onyx search through the shelves for the clue. I circle, trying to spot anything that looks out of place.
“This is really cool,” I murmur, surveying the ingredients displayed on open shelving. It’s mostly spices. “Did you grow some of these?”
Cedar’s voice is closer than expected and it sends goosebumps over my arms. “Yeah, all of the herbs. Not the spices.”
“Oh, what’s this?” I draw another card from between jars. Turning it over in my hand, I recognize Hazel’s loopy handwriting. “We’ve got it!”
“Awesome!” Onyx spins, his mouth curving into a grin.
The door squeaks as Marigold pushes her way into the space. Jasper and two people I don’t recognize follow her in.
“Let’s take this somewhere else,” Cedar says, ushering me toward the interior door.
“Did you guys find a clue?’ Marigold asks.
“Nope, nothing here! Total bust!” Onyx says, his voice jumping in pitch. Marigold narrows her eyes and crosses her arms, but he just shrugs as we escape into the main house.
Ember closes the door behind us and spins. “Alright, let’s hear it!”
Gingerly, I split open the sticker sealing the card shut and reveal the clue. “Where feathered ladies play, your next clue is on display.”
“Well that seems pretty obvious,” Ember says.
Biting my lip, I glance up at Cedar. “The chicken coop?”
“Yeah.” He leans forward, into my personal space. “Are you okay with that?”
“Sure, totally.” I swallow the jittery feeling and paste on a smile. He studies me for a moment, but Onyx and Ember are already moving through the house, so he has to drop it.
It’s a short jog from the cabin to the garden. The familiar space settles my nerves, but they spike again when we get close enough to the little building to see the chicken wire and plump birds ranging around inside.
“Hi, pretty girls. Did you miss me?” Onyx croons as he unlatches the cage door. Ember follows him in.
Cedar presses against my back, but my feet are heavy. “Are you okay with chickens?” His voice is soft in my ear.
“They’re not exactly my favorite.”
