drive itself and carry on a conversation like a person.”
“Well,” she said, “when you put it that way, perhaps my answer should no’ come so quick and unconsidered. ‘Tis probably human magics. But one of us could check with Lochlan just to be sure. Why do you ask?”
I bit my bottom lip wondering whether or not I should confide something so revealing to a strange fae. I almost laughed out loud at myself for thinking the phrase ‘strange fae’.
“Since the car talks like a person, it’s hard to think of it as purely inanimate. So, I find myself thinking I should check in on it.” Her face and posture softened. “As I did on the way here.”
“Well, was the car alright?”
“Yes.”
She leaned in close and almost whispered. “Did ye just look or did ye ask?”
I’m sure my responding smile was somewhat sheepish. “I asked.”
“And what did the machine say?”
“Excellent, madam. And yourself?”
Maggie nodded. “I can see why ‘twould be confusin’. I also see that ye have a kind heart. The best judges would, I think. Can no’ decide the fate of others without a measure of understandin’.” After adjusting her belt, she continued. “What would ye like to know first?”
I looked around. “Now that my eyes have been opened, so to speak, I’d like you to tell me more about acquisitions. Where the inventory comes from?” I looked down at my tote. “But first, maybe I should just set this down somewhere?”
“O’ course. Set it anywhere in the back. Your belongin’s are safe as can be.”
I gave a courtesy nod as I headed to the back, past the little office, to the kitchen, and noticed a room off the kitchen that was nearly as large as the shop itself. I presumed I hadn’t noticed it before because the door had been closed. Perhaps I thought it was a closet.
Having forgotten all about the tote on my shoulder, now being interested only in the adventure of scouting another room, I peeked in. In an instant I knew it to be a restoration workshop.
“Maggie?”
“Aye?”
“What is this?”
I felt her come up behind me.
“Oh. ‘Tis where Dolan fixes things up.”
“You mean we receive things in need of repair.”
“Oh, aye. Quite often. But Dolan is gifted.”
“Is Dolan, um…?”
“One of us. I mean magical. Aye. But I’ve no more to say on the matter. Anythin’ else is to be seen.”
When she looked down at my footwear pointedly, I got the message.
“Does he have regular hours? Or…?”
“No’ exactly. He comes when he wants. But we always have plenty to sell.”
“I see.”
I stepped into the room, which was a long rectangle with two long waist-high worktables running down the center. Sturdy wooden ceiling-height shelves for smaller items lined one side of the room while the other side was a haphazard storage of larger pieces.
I walked the length of the room, slowly, admiring the beauty and diversity of stock. I stopped to survey a bit of damage to a particular piece.
“If Dolan can make these pieces sellable, he is indeed gifted.”
Maggie chuckled. “A miracle worker that one.”
A slight bit of shoulder strain reminded me that I had yet to set down my heavy tote. “Let me set this down.”
“You do that. I’ll start the kettle. I have a couple of thermos-type cups we can use to sip while we talk.”
I followed her back to the kitchen and set my tote on one of the chair seats. “You’re sure this is a good place for this? Even if, ah, Dolan comes in?”
“O’ course. He’s no chancer. Honest as the day is long, he is.” She laughed. “And who would have the audacity to steal from the magistrate?” She scoffed. “A body would have to be arseways for that.” She set the kettle on the stove and turned on the fire. “Earl Grey with lemon, three sugars, no milk?” she asked.
“You already know the answer. And it’s creepy that you do.” She chuckled. “I think it’s only fair that you tell me what you’re havin’.”
“Chamomile with a teaspoon of local honey and a spring of fresh wormwort.”
“Okay, I’ll try to remember.”
“As a matter of fact, Dolan’s comin’ by this mornin’ to install a windchime alert.”
“What is that?” I asked as I took a seat.
“’Tis a small chime that will sound only when a human enters the store. ‘Twas Ivy’s idea. Worked the charm herself so you wouldn’t have to wear the shoes all the time. She likes you.”