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“Ach, I know lass. We’ve some more time with you yet, but I’ll already make you promise to come back and visit us.”
“Of course,” I said easily. “I would love to.”
“Grand. Well, go on then. No use standing around chatting with me when you’ve got a busy day. I’ll see you this week then.”
I waved over my shoulder. “See you.”
“I’m proud of you,” Wolfe said once we exited Tommy’s shop. “You’ve done a good thing.”
“You’re right,” I whispered, praying no one overhead me talking to myself. “It’s time to come back to life.”
“Mo chailín cróga,” he whispered, finger trailing down my arm.
“What does that mean?”
He didn’t answer, choosing instead to fall behind me as we headed deep into Bracken Bay. Isadora spotted me through the window of her shop and rushed to the door.
“How did my advice work out for you?” she called, half her torso still tucked inside the threshold.
“Oh.” I scratched the back of my head. “It worked out just fine. No more slamming doors or anything. I think he’s learned to tolerate me.”
Wolfe snorted. “You think?”
Isadora’s gaze swung to my side where Wolfe hovered. “You have a companion,” she murmured, staring at Wolfe with an unnerving level of calm.
He grinned, white teeth flashing. “Hi.”
“A welcome one?” she asked carefully.
“Mostly,” I hedged.
“Hey.” Wolfe nudged me and I stumbled a half step. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice,” I huffed under my breath. “Everything is good.”
She stared at me curiously, lips twisting into a smile. “I’m glad. Make sure you thank him for me, will you? This place wouldn’t be half of what it is now without him and his family.”
Wolfe bowed at the waist, hand swishing in a flourish.
“He says your welcome,” I said dryly. “Thank you again.”
“Anytime,” she said, and slipped back inside.
“Do you think she could see you?” I asked, moving further away from her shop.
“The smudge of me, perhaps, but not as you can.”
“Lucky me,” I deadpanned.
“That you get me all to yourself? Indeed.” He darted to my side, pressed a kiss to my cheek, and then was gone, dancing in the breeze down the street.
The bookstore was tucked in a small alleyway across from the pub.
I wandered inside, the scent of paper and leather and ink settling over me. Sunshine crawled across the old wooden floors, highlighting the years of scratches and wear. Every shelf was stuffed to the brim, their spines a rainbow of color. A big circular table was placed right in the entryway and was stacked with all the newest releases.
“Good morning,” the woman behind the counter said. “Help you find anything?”
“I was told to tell you that Moira sent me,” I began. “Do you know where—”
