Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,71

strolled over to Keelie, and placed his paw on her hand. There was a tiny spark of fairy magic, like the ember in a fire beginning to flame. Keelie closed her eyes and focused. She could feel the fairy magic within her growing stronger, dispelling the green tree magic within and bringing balance.

Keelie opened her eyes and looked down at her nails—the green tinge was receding. “Thanks, Knot. I could have used you last night. I hope the Queen’s Alehouse was fun. Coyote would have had fun, too, but he was busy saving my life. Like a guardian does, you know?”

The paw on her hand suddenly sprang claws, pinning her to the counter.

“Okay. Point taken. Lots of sharp little points taken. I’m grateful.” The headache still lingered, but Keelie could deal. She’d just drink coffee all day. After Knot released her, she dug around in the first aid kit for little bandages to cover the punctures he’d left on the back of her hand.

“Wow. You’re getting better at this,” Laurie said.

Risa nodded. “Impressive.” Knot jumped to the floor and flipped the tip of his tail as he walked. The elf girl’s eyes radiated admiration. “He’s so wonderful.”

Laurie snorted. “He’s cute for a cat. Very fluffy. But really, isn’t this going a little too far?”

“You don’t understand the path of true love,” Risa said helplessly. “Knot is the beam of sunlight to my heart on a cold midwinter’s day. He is the first bloom of spring in the garden of my love. He is the wind that blows the sails of my destiny. He has only to meow, and I will be there to do his bidding.”

Keelie’s headache was getting worse. Knot strutted across the floor, tail high in the air. He turned his head and meowed.

“No, I’m not giving you a treat,” Keelie said.

“I’ll bake you catnip oatmeal cookies,” Risa promised. Knot’s lips turned up, then he sprang away.

“You really are a love slave,” Laurie said. “When is that charm going to fade?”

Risa sat down in one of Dad’s fancy crystal-wrapped chairs. “No charm, and I build my potions to last.”

“That’s what happens when you mess with someone’s love life,” Keelie said. “The karma fairy came to see her. That’s why she fell in love with a cat.”

Laurie looked confused. “Is there such a thing as a karma fairy?”

“No. I’m just using it as a metaphor,” Keelie said.

Risa’s face became pinched and she wriggled uncomfortably in her chair. “I don’t know. You never know with fairies.”

Laurie stared at Risa. “I don’t get why you would want to give a love potion to Sean, anyway. He’s with Keelie.”

“He’s supposed to be with me,” Risa snapped. “I was his betrothed.”

“Oh, he dumped you.” Laurie said.

“He didn’t dump me, as you so crudely put it.” Risa turned her head away. “We broke up because of someone else.”

“I understand,” Laurie said.

“What do you mean, you understand?” Keelie glared.

“She’s feeling rejected,” Laurie said to Keelie. “Put yourself in her position.”

Risa turned around. “I am not feeling rejected.”

“Quit trying to deny it. I see all the symptoms. Desperate for attention? Will get him back at any cost? I know, I’ve been there.” Laurie sounded sympathetic.

“You have?” Risa said, surprise in her voice.

Keelie had never thought about this situation from Risa’s perspective. She guessed it would’ve been embarrassing and it would’ve hurt to have your fiancé dump you for someone else. It’s just that Keelie didn’t want to see things from Risa’s perspective. She was getting what she deserved. She’d fallen in love with a cat. Not even a real cat.

“So it’s just going to be the two of us today?” Laurie changed the subject.

Keelie nodded. “I’m grateful for your help.”

“If you get bored selling furniture, you can come help me,” Risa offered. “I can give you a facial. Everyone will see how beautiful you are, and they’re going to want to buy my products.”

Laurie’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“You’re leaving me for a facial?” Keelie muttered.

“Beauty is important,” Risa said. “As I’m sure you’ll discover some day.”

Laurie grinned at Keelie. “Ouch.”

Risa leaned closer to the table and scooted her chair up. She gazed at Laurie. “You and this Scott, is this a new relationship? Tell me all about it. Do you feel about him as I do about Knot?”

Laurie shrugged. “I don’t know about this Knot thing, but I think Scott and I are interested in one another. We walked on the beach. We talked about elves, and we talked about Keelie, too. We’re bonding because of