The Fort, decked out in fresh garlands and red bows, looked ready for holiday shoppers. A huge glittering tree stood outside Lady of the Rock. The shop catered to pagan spirituality, but the shop owner made sure that everyone felt welcome, no matter what their religious preference.
Michael ushered Avery into the warmth of the shop first. He stayed by the door as Logan arrived, puffing with the effort to keep up. "Avery has long legs," he explained, looking down at his own scuffed boots. His pant legs folded in accordion-like ripples past his boots to the ground.
"She moves fast," Michael admitted. As he closed the door he caught a look in Logan's eye. Then he glanced at Avery, who stood in front of the incense display. Michael detected Logan's longing immediately, remembering his first crush way back when. She was tall, taller than me. I remember trying to keep up with her, wondering how I'd kiss her if she were standing. Trying to make opportunities for her to sit down so that I could make my move. Poor kid.
Michael watched as Logan came alongside Avery. The boy stood six inches shorter, his head barely reaching the tall girl's shoulder. He pretended interest, picking up a package of coned incense and holding it to his nose. Then he glanced to the side to see if Avery noticed.
Michael chuckled. I took up bowling in junior high, thinking I'd get close to Miranda McBride. It worked, until I saw her older sister.
Memories of his younger days filled Michael with warmth. He hadn't thought about his teenage years for a long time. He shook off the feeling and called out, "Maguire?"
When the dog didn't come, he looked behind the counter. Maguire's bed lay empty and his tennis ball was missing. "You won't find him, dear," came Meadow's voice. "He went out this morning and I haven't seen him since."
"Went out?” Michael smiled at her. "Someone took him for a walk?"
"He's learned to open the back door in the storage room. He wanders around town looking for people to play fetch and give him treats. Usually someone brings him back. Yesterday Arlo found him hanging out with the workers at the new pub construction site. The day before that Skye entertained him at the doctor's office. She fed him lunch and brought him back."
"So long as people return him, I guess it's okay." Michael felt his gut clench. The memory caught him off guard. He knew the hazards of being there one day and gone the next. Maybe she's not experienced the loss of a loved one. Every time something good happens, you know what could be waiting around the corner.
When Meadow stared at him, he forced a smile. Don't bite the hook, Michael. He cleared his throat. "I brought two academy students in to meet Maguire."
Meadow turned to look over the shop. "They must be the ones Sage told me about this morning. She's trying to find work for them the week before the week before Christmas."
He nodded, pointing to Logan and Avery, who wandered closer to the table with the rock pendants. Avery held one up to her neck. "What do you think?" she asked Logan. The boy flushed deep red, emphasizing his chubby face and pointed chin.
Michael turned back to Meadow. "Isn't Betty looking for a couple of elves to help out in her shop?"
"She was just in here this morning complaining that she'd been left with only one dependable employee. Why don't you take Logan and Avery over and see if she will hire them?"
Michael 's gaze wandered toward the well-organized display of knickknacks behind the counter. "This place looks great. Very tidy," he commented. “We Three Kings" played softly over a loudspeaker. "You're going all in with the Christmas carols," he added.
"The three kings were magi," Meadow explained. "It goes with our brand."
"Oh right," Michael chuckled. Then he called out, "Avery and Logan. Come meet Meadow McCloud." Avery took the necklace in her palm. Michael watched her with curiosity as she quietly slipped the merchandise into her jacket pocket and Logan's mouth dropped open in surprise.
Gonna nip that in the bud. He cleared his throat and then continued to speak in a loud voice. "It's a good thing the CCTV is up and running this time of year." Meadow, who appeared confused, didn't comment. He added, "No shoplifting in Lily Rock at Christmas. Now that we have a full-time constable, everyone will get prosecuted who gets caught."
It was Logan who reached into Avery's pocket. He pulled out the necklace, placing it back on the table. "Come on," he urged the girl, who scowled back at him.
They made their way to the counter as Michael glared.
Meadow, seemingly unaware of Avery's potential theft, looked serene. "You must be the students from the music academy. My daughter Sage told me all about you. I have a bed made up for each of you at our house. I can't wait to settle you both in."
"Yes, ma'am," muttered Logan.
"Whatever," Avery mumbled. Then she asked, "Where's the dog?"
Logan jumped in. "Avery and I love dogs of all kinds. She has a pit bull at home and I have an English Bulldog."
"My mother took the pit to Switzerland on location," Avery added.
"My dog, his name is Butch, he's at home with the maid," Logan said.
At that moment the front door opened, revealing none other than Betty King. Maguire scooted around her to bound across the room. "Yip," he greeted Michael. Then he sat down to look at Avery and Logan.
"He's adorbz!" Avery bent down to scratch Maguire's head. "Chocolate-brown labradoodles are my favorite. I've heard they are very smart." She bent her knees to bury her face in the dog's fur.
Logan stepped back. His lips turned downward. Maybe he's feeling a bit jealous at the attention Avery is giving Maguire.
"I brought back your dog," Betty King announced. "He's a real pest, bothering all of my customers. Today he stood next to the nutcracker, watching people as they came inside. I'm certain he scared away some people. Not everyone loves dogs like you do." Betty glared at Meadow.
"Who doesn't like dogs?" Avery demanded.
"Canines provide human beings with comfort and a sense of security. Studies have shown…" Logan sounded confident, but Michael could hear a tremor in his voice. Nice job, kid. Defend what Avery loves. You'll never win if your adversary is a labradoodle.
As Betty shrugged and turned toward the door, Michael intervened. Maybe now would be a good time to introduce Betty to her future employees. "Betty, we were actually coming to see you before we stopped here. Do you have a minute? I'd like to introduce you to two potential candidates for part-time work, at least until after the holidays."
Betty King turned to look more closely at Logan and Avery. Logan stood tall, holding his arms at his sides as if being inspected. Avery sat down on the carpet in front of the counter. She folded her legs pretzel style, glaring at Betty as if to say, I dare you to hire me.
As soon as she sat down Maguire came closer to sniff her boots. Then he sniffed her cheek and then stepped into her lap to curl himself into a ball. "Good doggie," Avery told him, scratching behind his ears.
"You are both hired," Betty King announced, one hand extended to the doorknob. "Elf One and Elf Two. I have costumes for you to wear. Pay’s minimum wage. If you break something it comes out of your pay. And one more thing." She pointed to Avery. "Elf One, you watch for people trying to rip me off and report them." Then she glared at Logan. "And you stand outside next to the nutcracker and welcome people in the door with candy. See you both tomorrow at 9:55. Shop opens at ten and I don't pay for you being early. Not early, not late, but on time. That's my motto."
She flung the door open, stepping onto the boardwalk, and slammed the door behind her. Michael turned to the teens. "Okay then, you can tell Sage that we've got this sorted." When the two said nothing, Michael added, "Can't wait to see you dressed up as elves."