Chapter 9

NINE

CHIP

Venturing from the water onto the island had become a daily task for me, a task I grew to love more and more. With Pickles by my side, I felt a new sense of adventure and purpose. I wanted to help the sirens of the world, and going to Bow Ties, Peggy Bow's witchy shop, was just the way to do it. I gazed up at the adorable one-story white cottage. Trees with colorful leaves lined the property and fall leaves slowly drifted to the ground around the cottage like a picturesque movie. There was a light breeze that sent strands of my hair drifting back from my face. Waves of magic drifted from the open windows in faint clouds of pink and blue. I took a deep breath and the smell of pine, burning embers, and warm cinnamon filled my nose.

"I have to admit I was a little nervous coming here." Pickles tilted her head back and looked up at the cottage. Her flowery, bright-pink bucket hat sat low on her head and her sunflower dress drifted in the breeze.

"I was too, but it kind of feels like . . . home?" I couldn't explain it, but everything about Bow Ties made me feel welcome to enter.

I took a step toward the front door when it flew wide open. Two older men ran out the door with their arms full of potion bottles and crystals. Flowers of all shapes and sizes flowed from the shop like a wave behind them. The taller one had a bulbous nose, dark hair, and a wide smile. He wore bright-red long johns and a matching red thermal shirt. Oversized black rubber boots covered his feet, and he wore a brown trench coat that hung off his shoulders. The sound of clanking bottles in his pockets echoed off the wall as he hobbled by.

"Get back here, Jimbo!" a woman bellowed from inside.

A moment later, more flowers exploded from the door and another older man tumbled from inside. His body was covered in flowers as he rolled out like a ball onto the grass. When he came to a stop, he pulled flowers from inside his pink leotard. The long pink tutu spread out around him but still his legs were covered in dingy gray long johns, and he too wore oversized rubber boots. "Whoo hoo! That one went off with a bang."

"Sal! You're going to be in so much trouble when I get my hands on you," that sweet female voice came from inside the shop once more.

"Come on, Sal, up you go!" The bigger one, Jimbo, put his hand under Sal's arms and lifted him up off the ground.

Sal scrambled to his feet, then they both took off running past us. My eyes widened and I took a step back so they didn't crash into us. Sal skidded to a halt and pulled a few flowers from his tutu and handed them to me. "For you, my fair sea lady."

"Um, thanks?" No one had ever given me flowers before. I held them to my nose and took a deep breath. They were sweet and floral all at the same time.

"Any time!" he called over his shoulder as he sprinted away too fast for any old mage.

"Oh, you two!" Peggy Bow hurried out of her shop with a broom in hand. Flowers stuck out from her head and all around her body. She swept more flowers from her shop out onto the lawn.

"Jimbo, you're in big trouble—" She stopped calling out to him the moment she spotted us. She shoved the strands of her strawberry blonde hair out of her face, and her pale-blue eyes lit with recognition as she looked us over. "Oh, Chip. Pickles. How are you?"

I gave her an awkward wave. "We're good. We, um . . . we came to talk to you about something."

"Oh, in that case, come on in." She glanced over her shoulder and sighed. "Actually, better give it a minute."

She pulled her wand from her pocket and gave it a little flick. Light shot from the tip of her wand and all through the little cottage. Flowers exploded out of the windows and door and flew up into the air. They quickly dissipated into thin air, and Peggy shoved her wand back into her pocket.

She dusted off her hands and motioned for us to follow her. "Welcome in, ladies."

I smiled at Pickles, and we both walked in behind her. My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened. Warmth wrapped around me like the tropical waters of Aruba. Afternoon rays of sun streamed in through open windows, giving everything that cozy vibe. I'd never seen anything like it, not even on the island.

"Oh wow."

Pickles nodded beside me. "You can say that again."

We moved in opposite directions around the shop. I didn't know which way to look first. Off to my left, tucked away into a nook by the big French windows, was a section of cozy-looking wooden tables occupied by people who still had little flower petals in their hair. Tea pots, cups, and plates holding little desserts and finger-foods danced back and forth without anyone touching them. Books rearranged themselves on the shelf. To the right were walls of spices and herbs. Tables covered in other cooking stuff sat in the day's warm lighting pouring in through the windows.

The walls were a comforting warm wooden color. Exposed rafters were tangled with long vines covered in fall leaves. On the wall at the back of the room, an assortment of talismans were on display. A long table was pushed against the wall and a purple velvet runner covered the center of it. Athames made of metal and crystal lay there all sparkly and shiny, and I wanted to touch each one. But I kept my hands to myself. Just up ahead sat a large, long table covered in crystals that reminded me of glittering seashells. Bowls of stones filled every empty space available, and puffs of glittering magic flew from a diffuser in the corner of the room.

"Now, what can I do for you lovely sirens?" She glanced from Pickles to me and back again. "I haven't had a siren in my shop since your father came to visit when it first opened."

I raised my eyebrows at her. "Really? Our father was here?"

She nodded. "Oh yes. Tirian was very supportive. I'm just glad to finally see more of you in here."

"Well, that's what we wanted to talk to you about." I leaned in closer to her. "We want to try to help the sirens be able to be more involved in the community."

She wagged her eyebrows. "Oh, I love this idea. How can I help?"

"Well, I'm guessing you saw the little siren display at the parade?" Even now I cringed a little to think about all of us going full tail in front of all of Megelle Island.

She pursed her lips. "I did, but honestly it's not the first time a shifter has shifted uncontrollably."

My cheeks heated. "I know, and then I remembered you helped Holden get that amazing necklace for Reese."

"Oh." Her eyes brightened. "Yes, I did. Are you thinking of getting some for yourselves?"

"Yes, but on a bigger scale. We want to help the sirens of the world travel more and even come home to the Island. If they could control their shifting, I think it would make them more inclined to become more a part of the community."

"And avoid moments like we had at the parade," Pickles added.

I nodded. "So we want to see if we can place an order to get more of those necklaces made for our new travel company: Chickles."

She smirked. "I love that! Is there anything in particular you'd like for the necklaces? A certain stone or metal perhaps?"

I glanced at Pickles. "I think a variety maybe?"

"Yes." She turned and nodded to Peggy. "Just a variety to choose from."

"Oh, and I think not only necklaces. Bracelets too if you can do that." I wasn't trying to be demanding, but I wanted to make sure everyone got something they loved and actually wanted to wear.

She pulled out her wand and flicked it at the counter. A piece of paper and a black feather quill appeared on the countertop. It began taking all kinds of notes while Peggy showed us all her bracelets and necklaces. There wasn't one I didn't like. Each piece was made with great care and looked handcrafted.

"I can't believe you made all of these."

"They do take a little time, so I'll have to send your order over in a few days. I hope that's all right?" She placed the jewelry trays back in a glass display cabinet.

I nodded. "Of course it is, and our father is going to help with the upfront cost of everything. He's really excited about our new plans."

"I would think nothing less of Tirian. And I think a nice first-time purchase discount would go a long way." She winked.

"Oh no! We couldn't ask you for that," Pickles tried to protest.

Peggy held her hand up to stop her from talking. "You didn't ask, I offered."

"I can't thank you enough." I was so grateful that Peggy seemed to be just as excited as we were for this project.

"If you'll just come over here with me, we can get the order sorted out." She motioned toward the countertop where her quill and paper sat.

"I got it." Pickles followed her over to the counter while I gazed down at the array of rings she had on display.

The little bell above the door gave a little ding as someone else walked in. I couldn't explain how or why I knew it was him, but I did. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on edge, and instant annoyance flowed through my body.

"Look what the fishing net dragged in," Monroe's deep rumbly voice said.

I spun around to face him. It was the first time Monroe and I were this close. Usually we just yelled and annoyed each other from afar, but now he was so close I could smell his woodsy cologne. It invaded my senses and surrounded me.

"Fish jokes . . . for a siren. You really are so very creative." I rolled my eyes.

Dawson stepped between us and held his hands up. "Maybe we can just learn to get along.

"No," we both said at the same time.

Dawson gave a low whistle under his breath and stepped to the side. "You know, I'm just gonna stay out of this one."

Monroe crossed his arms and glared down at me. "Why is it you're on land so much all of a sudden? I thought you liked to lurk underwater to see what you could steal."

"And I thought you liked to walk around like a pompous ass most of the time." I made a show of looking him up and down. "It appears I'm right and you're wrong . . . again."

Dawson gave Monroe a light tap on his arm. "Come on. We're not here for this."

He ignored his cousin and kept his eyes on me. "Do you have my watch for me?"

"Oh yeah, because I keep it in the back pocket of my jeans." He was annoyingly relentless. "Do you have proof for me?"

The muscle in his jaw ticked, yet he said nothing.

I gave a heavy sigh. "I'm getting tired of this. Maybe just leave me alone until you're ready."

"I'd love nothing more than to leave you alone."

"Good, then do it." I gave a small run along wave.

Dawson snickered under his breath.

Monroe shot him a look.

"She has single-handedly ruined spooky season."

Monroe had a way of grating my nerves just with his mere presence. There was something about the way people seemed to respond to him, how commanding he was, and how determined he was to piss me off. He opened his mouth to speak again, but I'd had enough.

I tapped into my siren song and lowered my voice to sing, " If spooky season is your favorite time, then you must break out in songs or rhymes ."

Monroe's eyes widened and he stood straight and tall. His voice carried over the low murmurs in the shop as he started to sing The Monster Mash at the top of his lungs.

Dawson jumped in behind him, singing all the backup lines. They danced around each other and began doing some dance that was half-chicken dance and half-twist. The other patrons began to laugh and sing along.

Pickles hurried to my side. "What did you do?"

"Just helping him enjoy the season."

"Did you have to do it to Dawson too? He didn't do anything to you." She bit her bottom lip and her face fell.

"Eh, he needed a backup singer." I chuckled. "Who would've thought he could carry a tune."

I tightened my jacket around my hips and headed for the door. "Come on. They're almost done."

"I really wish you'd give this a rest."

I glanced over my shoulder at the two of them still singing and dancing. "He started it. Besides, ‘tis spooky season."