Page 4 of Charlotte's Story
She glanced at her watch, then tucked a strand of her short brown bob behind her ear. “I’m meeting my friend Dahlia after this, then heading to the station for my shift tonight.”
“Dahlia?” I wrinkled my nose. “Why is that name familiar?”
“She’s a fae teacher who often visits during her breaks. I don’t know if you’ve met, but we hang out when she’s in town.”
“Oh, you should’ve brought her.”
She shrugged. “She said she didn’t want to come. Maybe she realized that gatherings like this are just another chance forthe town to gossip.” She scanned the room. “Speaking of, you and your husband are the juiciest gossip right now. Apparently, you’re ‘the most unexpected match in Austen Heights’ if you ask Mrs. Bennet.”
We both paused a moment at the word “husband,” then I shook off the weirdness with a laugh. I pushed away a small twinge of regret as I surveyed some of the happy couples in the room. “The town will move on soon enough.”
She jerked her chin toward Firth and Brexton. “There’s a rumor Brexton’s been asking about Pastor Collins’s job.”
“What? Why?”
“Maybe he was hoping that now that Collin is married he’d move on or something? I dunno.”
“It would take more than that to stop him.”
“Well, you better go save your husband. If you don’t, Mayor Pembroke might keep him and Brexton talking all evening.”
“Yeah, I better go extricate him if we want to catch our flight tonight.”
Tessa waved and melted into the crowd. I headed toward the trio deep in discussion about the tree lighting ceremony held every December 1st in Austen Heights. It was more than just another small-town festival; it was a ritual that powered the town’s magical barrier for the entire year and part of the reason why Austen Heights was able to welcome in so many Unmarked as tourists. Thanks to the barrier—and the Star of Everlight—as soon as Unmarked left town, the barrier sealed their memories of the magic here and turned them into anecdotes of a charming little coastal town.
As if the enchanted bluetooth speaker was listening, it switched to playingOh Christmas Tree.
Mayor Pembroke gestured wildly, her green velvet dress adorned with zig-zagging lights and glowing star earrings. Ifthere was one thing about the mayor, it was that she knew how to make a splash, even at a wedding.
Firth’s brow wrinkled in disapproval while Brexton nodded vigorously. I made it to the group and stepped next to Firth.
“Oh, Charlotte dear, did you do all these candles yourself?” the mayor said. “I simply must have you make some for the tree lighting ceremony too.”
“I’d love to.”
“Will you be back from your honeymoon by then? I know we’re on a time crunch with the festival only three days away.”
“I already have some ready that I can sell you,” I told her.
“Perfect. I’ll message you with more details later. I won’t keep you when I’m sure you’re both eager to head out and have some alone time.”
My cheeks heated, but Firth just nodded. “Yes, we should get going if we want to make it to the cabin before it’s too late.”
“Okay.” I glanced at him as I followed him out to his car, where he held the door open for me. We rode to his house in silence to change and grab our suitcases. I’d already packed up most of my stuff from the apartment and taken it to his place—now our place.
I stared out the window and admired Austen Heights. With it being the day after Thanksgiving, many places were already decorated for Christmas. Snow softened the town’s edges, and the colorful lights turned everything sparkling so it looked like a Hallmark movie.
We arrived at his home, Hunsford Parsonage, which was neat and tidy but definitely a bachelor pad—minimal furniture and almost no decorations. Maybe I could practice decorating the house before I opened my shop. He opened the scratched screen door for me, and we walked through the front room to our separate bedrooms.
Firth changed into a baggy red sweater, a black jacket, and his favorite pair of pants, which he apparently received as a gift from Lady Catherine. I put on a cream chunky knit sweater with a red scarf and jeans. I grabbed my bag, which I’d packed for our stay at a cabin in a neighboring town, but before we got back in the car, Firth’s phone rang. He took one look at the screen and answered it immediately. “Yes, Lady Catherine?”
Her voice was nothing more than a faint murmur on the other end, but Firth made the occasional hum of agreement.
Finally, he hung up and turned to me. Remorse filled his hazel eyes, but his jaw was set. “I’m sorry to do this to you, Charlotte, but we’re going to have to delay the honeymoon until tomorrow.”
“What happened?” I tried to keep my tone neutral so he couldn’t see my excitement. Postponing would give me more time to work on those orders for Mayor Pembroke. And the only reason we’d planned the honeymoon in the first place was so my aunt wouldn’t question our marriage. Plus, Firth had thought it would be good for us to better get to know one another.
“Lady Catherine said there’s an urgent matter that needs my attention and she insists on speaking to me tonight.”
