17. Chapter 17

seventeen

By the next morning, Harper had forgotten about the increasing haziness of the mirror's surface. Still excited from the Chamber meeting, she called Olivia to ask if she and Jeremy would like to come visit during the opening. Olivia begged off, saying they were too busy at work to make it down that soon. Harper, though disappointed, had expected that. But she was elated by Olivia's enthusiasm.

"Maybe we can make it down in the spring, Mom. But I wish you good luck. We'll be rooting for you. Keep us posted on how it all turns out!" She also thanked Harper for taking the trouble to find Tim's Eagle Scout memorabilia and shipping it to her. Even more amazing, a few days later, Harper received a silver bracelet hung with book charms, each with a different classic title, shipped from Toronto. It was the most thoughtful present Olivia had ever given her.

On the Monday evening before the grand opening, Harper invited Deanna and Dashawn for dinner. She wanted to show them the shop and thank them for their support.

With Piper's help, she made a hearty fall dinner, featuring chili with cornbread and cheese served with a kale and pomegranate salad. For dessert, they whipped up an apple crisp made with local Braeburn apples Harper had picked up at Thompson's Orchard Stand outside of town. It was a simple dinner, but she hoped her friends would like it. Thanks to Piper's counsel, her cornbread was nearing culinary perfection. She'd picked up the salad recipe from Scrumptiously Clean, a YouTube channel she enjoyed watching.

When her guests arrived, they brought a bottle of champagne, and they each sipped a glass during Harper's guided tour of the shop. Basking in the couple's compliments, Harper led the way upstairs. At the tour's conclusion, Dashawn begged off sit on the balcony while Deanna and Harper got dinner on the table. "You ladies excuse me. I don't believe I'd add much to the dinner preparations. And Deanna can tell you I like to spend time under the full moon when I can, and a beautiful Full Buck Moon is going to rise over those trees soon. From here, I'll have a perfect view."

Harper already knew Dashawn, like herself, was a practitioner of the fine art of balcony-sitting. On more than a few evenings they'd kept each other's silent company on their respective perches. "Of course, Dashawn. It's chilly out though. Would you like a cup of decaf or some tea to warm you up while you sit?"

"No, thank you. I just want to breathe in that river mist and enjoy some peace and quiet. I'll let you and Deanna enjoy some lady-talk."

Harper walked him to the balcony door. As soon as she re-entered the kitchen, her eyebrows flew up. Lily was sitting boldly on the countertop, right beside Deanna, who was mixing the salad. She caught Lily's eye and shook her head.

Deanna caught the motion and smiled. "It's all right, Harper, Lily and I are old friends. I hope it's okay with you—I asked her to stop by for a short chat while I was here. This seemed like a good time. I guess this might also be the right moment to confess that I've known what was going on in your shop all along."

Lily gave Harper a rueful look. "I hope you don't mind, Harper. There's a good reason." Then she peeped at Deanna with bright eyes, bit her lip, and smiled mischievously.

"Of course, Lily. I didn't know you and Deanna are acquainted. I'm surprised, that's all." She turned to Deanna, her arms crossed and a mock frown on her face. "You've known about them all along? Why didn't you tell me?"

Deanna flashed a roguish grin. "Oh, yeah. I know all about your little robins. They've been friends of mine since I moved in next door. They don't come in my shop, but we talk out back in my little garden plot and sometimes they keep me company when I'm alone on the balcony. I didn't tell you about them because I figured you'd think I was crazy. I knew it would all come out when the time was right."

"Does Dashawn know them too?" Harper asked, as it occurred to her that maybe everyone in town knew about them. Had she been the butt of a community-wide joke?

"'Shawn? Nah, he's oblivious. He's got the soul, but he don't have the sight. We'll keep this between us, okay?" She finished tossing the salad with Harper's wooden forks.

Harper pulled the butter from the refrigerator and set it on the table. "Sure. But I don't understand—why they don't come into your shop?"

Lily jumped from the countertop to the floor. "Deanna doesn't need us. She's got her own helpers, don'tcha, Deanna?"

Deanna placed a hand on the orange curls then pulled one lightly. "You got that right, Little Missy," she said with a smile. "I've got two helpers, and I don't know how I would get everything done without them. One of them helps my hubby out too sometimes, but ‘Shawn don't know it."

Harper's forehead wrinkled. She wondered if this place would ever stop surprising her.

When they heard the balcony door open, Lily flew off the floor. "I'd better be leaving now. ‘Bye Deanna! ‘Bye Harper!"

She disappeared as Dashawn walked into the kitchen. "My old buddy, the owl, is out there tonight. He's always good company. Man, it smells great in here!"

"What's the deal with that owl, anyway?" Harper asked, leading the way to the dining room table with the pot of chili in her hands. Then she headed back to the refrigerator. "Is beer from Take Flight okay? I have wine, iced tea, and decaf if you'd rather."

Both her guests said beer would be great. Harper had made sure to get the types they ordered the night they went to the brewery together. Of course, she'd gotten porter for herself. As they sat down at the table, a lull in the conversation allowed them to hear the owl's "Who-who-who-who-whooo" drifting in through the cracked windows.

"To the owl!" said Harper, raising her glass.

"To your shop!" said Dashawn in return.

"To friendship!" said Deanna.

They clinked their glasses and continued their evening of food and laughter. As she straightened up the kitchen after they left, Harper felt blessed and happy. Now that she understood Deanna knew about the Fae, she felt relieved, and less lonely.

But the good vibes disappeared completely when she reached for her mirror before turning in to discover that now the surface was completely buried in tarnish. It looked as bad as it had on the day after the Mulhennys' dinner party. Dismayed, she called Piper's name and was gratified when the faery materialized at her door.

Harper held up the mirror for her to see. "I don't understand, Piper. Grandma said if I were being true to myself, the mirror would stay clear. I meant to tell you all about it days ago, but I forgot. It doesn't make sense—I've never been happier. I'm starting to get worried. What could be the matter?"

Piper took the mirror from her hand and scrutinized its surface with a serious look on her thin face. "I'm sure I don't understand it either, but I'll tell the others. We'll help you get it all sorted out. Now, you get a good night's sleep, Dearie. You've got a big week ahead!"

Harper felt weak with gratitude. How had she ever lived without the Fae's support? "Thank you, Piper. It's so wonderful to have you here."

Piper ran a hand along the bed's footboard. "Well, Dearie, I feel the same about you!" With that, she popped out of sight.

Harper laid her head on the crisp white pillowcase. The mirror on the nightstand was the last thing she saw before she fell asleep. Confident that the faeries would help her resolve the issue, she enjoyed her last peaceful night's sleep for quite a while.