Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,37

through the woods looking for Viran—with no luck. At least sales at Heartwood were good.

Tavyn was standing at the edge of the parking lot near Keelie and Sir Davey. He stared, frozen, at Laurie’s bright hair and tight jeans. “Who is that?” he asked.

“That’s my friend, Laurie,” Keelie replied. “She’s from Orange County.”

Tavyn nodded as if he understood. “We have people who come up from Orange County. They always seem so unbalanced, removed from nature.” But his admiring looks didn’t agree with his words.

Laurie hurried over to hug Keelie and Sir Davey. “You’ve got to give me the two-dollar tour!” she demanded, looking around. She beamed at Tavyn. “You are all so cute!” Laurie kept talking as she pulled Keelie aside. “When I told Mom you’re staying where they put on a Shakespeare Festival and you wanted me to visit, she was all for it. She said it would be educational for me, so she let me skip school. She booked a week at a Catalina spa. She said you were a good influence on me, and Mom thinks your dad is hot. She calls him Sexy Zeke.”

Eww! Keelie just couldn’t imagine Laurie’s mom and Dad together. She needed to change the subject. “Let’s go watch the actors get ready for the show.”

The morning performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was packed. Tavyn had been right. The parking lot was crammed with cars from up and down the coast, here just for the show. When Peascod strode onstage, playing Puck, he was wearing his red and green harlequin’s costume. Didn’t the man ever change his clothes?

Knot hissed as the actor took his place onstage.

“That is one strange guy,” Laurie noted.

“I’m glad you picked up on that, because we all agree that he’s very creepy.”

The bearded actor playing the part of Bottom said his line, “Enough; hold, or cut bow-strings,” and left the stage. One of the pie sellers came in with fairy wings strapped to her back. Peascod strode in from the other side of the stage. “How now, spirit! Whither wander you?”

Or rather, his lips moved to the lines, but all anyone heard was Knot’s loud yowling.

Peascod glared in their direction, and so did everyone sitting around them.

The fairy said her next lines undisturbed, and then Peascod opened his mouth and Knot started to howl again.

Master Oswald leaped up. The actors stopped, and everyone in the Globe looked at Keelie and Laurie. Master Oswald pointed toward them. “No cats allowed in the Globe.”

Knot looked very satisfied with himself as they slunk out of the theater.

“I can’t take you anywhere,” Keelie groused.

“Personally, I think it’s kind of cool. First time I’ve ever been evicted from a Shakespeare play,” Laurie said.

They headed to Sir Davey’s RV, ready for lunch. The RV was uber-luxurious and retrofitted for everything the dwarf wanted.

“So, when we get to L.A., want to go shopping?” Laurie asked as she picked the tomatoes out of her salad.

“I’d love to go shopping.”

Sir Davey plunked a tuna fish sandwich in front of Knot. Knot meowed piteously.

“What?” Sir Davey looked hurt. “I made you a sandwich.”

Keelie wiped her hands on her napkin. “He wants you to cut the crusts off.” She sawed off the crusts and set the sandwich back in front of Knot. He swatted at her hand.

She nudged him with her foot. He purred as he ate.

Laurie shook her head. “He’s so weird.”

Sir Davey snorted. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Laurie nibbled at her salad.

“Knot should act more like a guardian,” Sir Davey added, pointing with his fork at the cat. Knot’s eyes turned to slits. His tail twitched.

There was a knock at the door.

Sir Davey looked alarmed. “I hope it’s not the costumer.”

He opened the door, and in walked Risa. Keelie wanted to hiss. She’d been hanging around Knot too long.

“There you are.” Risa glided into the camper. “Your grandmother suggested I’d find you here.” Her eyes drifted to Knot. “I’ve been searching for you all morning,” she continued, her voice rising in pitch as she dropped down to her knees and gazed at Knot. His eyes dilated and his tail trembled with agitation.

“Who is that?” Laurie asked, as she and Keelie exchanged looks.

“Risa.”

“Oh,” Laurie’s eyebrows rose. She shifted in her seat. “That Risa.”

“That Risa.” Keelie glared. She wondered if the Elven Compendium of Household Charms contained a “charm” to get rid of pests. She needed to study more.

The elf girl turned her head and glowered at Laurie and Keelie. “Yes, I’m that girl.” She pushed herself