Page 155 of Huckleberry Hill
“Tempest.” I offered my hand to her and she nibbled on my fingers. “Hungry again, I see.”
I reached into the bucket next to me that had some starter grain and held it out to her in the palm of my hand. She devoured the grain quickly and then immediately began exploring for more. I gave her some and then she went to drink water.
“She’s going to need a buddy,” Declan said. “They’re social animals.”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “A buddy would be good.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“What were you up to today? I texted several times and didn’t get a reply,” he said. “Were you out of cell range?”
“Nah. I went to Sweet Teeth this morning and there was a line out the door. Abby posted something on social media and it went viral. They weren’t prepared. People drove all the way from Sandpoint, can you believe it? Anyway, I jumped behind the counter to help Gracie and then I called Wade and Muddy for reinforcements. We’re all going back tomorrow to help.”
“Ah,” he said, taking my hand and linking his fingers through mine.
“Sorry I didn’t get back to you.”
“It’s all good. I figured something was up.”
I lifted my head and looked at him. “Wade brought Chelsea to Sweet Teeth to help too. Looks like that’s sticking. Everyone’s falling in love.”
“Just in time for the Mushroom Festival,” he said with a smile. “You want to go to that with me?”
“Absolutely.”
“So, what exactly happens at a mushroom festival?” he asked.
“Well, there are booths, and everyone is selling something to do with mushrooms. Everything from leather mushroom totes to small, sharp knives for harvesting and even fresh and dried mushrooms themselves. Usually morels since they’re the most prevalent in the area. I’d love to get out and forage for some, but . . .”
“But?”
“That’s something Salem and I used to do together.” I sighed. “Damn, I miss her.”
“I bet you do.”
“It’s weird, you know? I love being here. I want to be here. But this is the first time we’re ever going to live apart. It just doesn’t feel right. I’m off kilter, you know?”
“Twin thing?”
“Definitely a twin thing.”
“How’s she taking your decision?”
“She says she’s fine with it.” I shrugged. “She’d already started packing up my stuff, so she knew before I did that I was coming home for good. But she’s not fine with it. I mean she’ll be okay . . . as much as she can be.”
“Will she come home for a visit soon?”
“If I ask her, maybe. But it’s hard for her to be here. There’s a lot of unresolved . . . issues. For her.”
“You want to tell me about them?” he asked softly.
“I want to tell you, yes. And I probably should tell you. But I don’t want it to color how you see her. When you meet her—whenever that is—I don’t want it tainted.”
“Fair enough.”
Tempest wandered to the corner of the stall and started pawing at it.
“Is she secretly a dog?” Declan asked.
