Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,95
clothes allowance? They don’t have a Francesca outlet here, but when we get to the High Mountain Faire, I’d love a new outfit. It’s not too expensive.”
“I know your definition of ‘not too expensive’ and I shudder at the thought, but we’ll see.”
“How was your meeting with Kalix?” Keelie looked up from the yellow pad. The elf ranger had defended his half-goblin nephew, saying that he’d only been thinking of the welfare of the trees. His aunt had done the same.
“Not good.” Dad arched his eyebrow in irritation. “I have issued a warning to all elves around the world about Tavyn and the re-emergence of the goblins. Things are going to be different,” he added sadly. “It’s as if we’ve lost our innocence now that we know they are back. We’re always going to have to be on guard. Always wondering if the goblins are planning something.”
“Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think,” Keelie said. “At least the other elves are aware, and the clans are now communicating with one another.”
Dad shrugged. “I don’t know.” He patted the counter with his right hand. “I have another meeting in an hour. I’m flummoxed by the way the redwood elves think about the world in general, but they like your grandmother. In fact, they love her as their new tree shepherd. Mother seems content, but I’m not so sure.”
“Kalix and Sariela said that she could stay with them as long as she wants, but she’s decided to build a new place for herself, closer to the Grove.” Keelie wondered how Kalix and Sariela were going to live with the truth of what their nephew had done.
“She will adapt,” Dad said. He sounded more hopeful than certain.
“I think the way a tree or a person thinks is related to where their roots are first planted.” Keelie knew it was a lame saying, but she hoped Dad would get the general idea. Grandmother was happy being in the Redwood Forest. She was walking and talking with the Ancients and having a good time doing it. Keelie returned her attention to her yellow note pad and her numbers.
Dad kept hanging around, as if he had something to say but didn’t know how to express it. Never a good sign. She ignored him until he cleared his throat. “Keelie.”
“Yes, Dad?”
“It’s going to take a while to straighten things out in the redwoods. It’s good we have another week at the festival. You’re going to need to continue to run Heartwood.” He looked kind of worried about what her possible reaction might be to his next words. “By yourself.”
That was it? She thought she was going to get a lecture about Sean.
“No problem, Dad. I’ve been doing it by myself all along. However, you’re going to need to make some more baby blocks and dollhouses. We’re out of stock.”
He stared, open-mouthed, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I’m proud of you. I don’t have time to make more blocks, though.”
“They’re our biggest impulse-seller. We need more.”
“Maybe later.” He looked outside, as if searching for a way to make an escape.
“Quit whining and get to work. I’ve got customers asking for the blocks, and my supplier is slacking.”
He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “You are a hard taskmistress.” Keelie grinned as he vanished into the rear of the shop to look for tools and scrap wood.
She put away her account book and pad and walked over to Tudor Turnings. Sean wouldn’t be free until the evening because he was taking Earth magic classes with Sir Davey. All the jousters were taking emergency Earth magic lessons, to use when dealing with the goblins.
Keelie thought again of Tavyn, which in turn reminded her of Peascod. She shivered. She truly wished she’d never see them again.
Tudor Turnings was empty. The shop was crammed with fun furniture, the type of stuff that children loved, with odd knobs and painted faces inside of drawers. Scott was nowhere to be seen. A strange smacky noise was coming from behind the counter. She hoped it wasn’t a rat.
Keelie leaned over to investigate, then pulled quickly back.
Scott and Laurie were kissing, mouths glued to one another in an intense lip-lock. It looked as if Laurie was going to suck all of Scott’s teeth out of his face.
Keelie backed away, then ran out of the shop.
As she rushed past Risa’s Green Goddess cart, the elf girl called out, “Hey Keelie, do you think your friend Janice could ship me some herbs?