Page 3 of Haunted Eclipse
“No, but given I’ve been open all of an hour, I’m not surprised. I hope some spillover from Kevin’s shop comes my way. Bridesmaids wanting their own wedding, that sort of thing.” I laughed, biting into the maple bar. “So, here we are…again.”
“It’s like no time’s passed,” she said, though both of us knew that wasn’t true.
Crystal and I had been best buddies since we were seven years old and had first attended the Midnight Manor Academy, a magical academy that served kindergarten through grade twelve, along with continuing education classes for adults. By the end of school, we were still best buddies, but headed in different directions.
Crystal stayed in Midnight Point, while I left town and, after backpacking my way through Europe for a year, I settled down in Seattle where I took on a variety of jobs till I discovered my calling. I dedicated myself to my work until for seventeen years until I met Dan and married him, and then…lost him five years later.
During all that time, Crystal and I stayed in touch, visiting when I came home for the holidays. Once in a while, she came down to Seattle for the weekend.
“And yet, a lifetime happened in the past twenty-three years since I left. Including losing my husband, then my job, and my home,” I bit my tongue the moment the words came out of my mouth. It sounded bitchier than I ever intended it to.
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean it that way.” She blushed. “What I meant is…”
“I know. I’m sorry,” I said. “You didn’t say anything wrong. I’m just hypersensitive lately. We go way back. You’re the oldest friend I have.” I shrugged. “It’s just been a rough past few months. What can I say?”
“We may not be blood, but we’re sisters,” she said. “And my parents have always considered you family.” She paused. “How’s your aunt?”
My aunts—Astra and Sara—had lived in Midnight Point since they were young adults, the same as my parents. When my parents died in a plane crash on their way to the UK, they took me in and brought me up as their own. But Aunt Sara had died a few months before I turned eighteen, from a severe case of pneumonia. Since then, it had just been Aunt Astra and me.
All my other relatives lived on the east coast. They never paid much attention to us. They had disapproved of my father, Johann, becausehisfather had been adopted and he couldn’t trace their magical lineage. Even though he was tested by the Aseer and she affirmed he was witchblood in heritage, my mother’s family punished their choice to get married by cutting her off. It was then that Astra and Sara had broken from the main family, as well. They supported my mother by moving out here with her.
“Astra’s doing well. She says to tell youheyand to get your ass over for dinner sometime soon.” When I moved back to Midnight Point, I moved in with my aunt while I waited for the insurance check to come through. The money was due any day now, and then I could look for a house of my own.
“I’d like that. She was always so much fun. As much as I love my folks, I used to envy you, living with your aunts. They made life seem so…vibrant.” Crystal stretched, then said, “I’d better get back to the shop. Good luck! With Kevin’s shop next door, you’re bound to pick up business.”
“I hope so. I know it sounds calculated, but hey, if people are looking for love and need help, then I’m here to help them.”
As Crystal left, I waved and went back to sorting out my desk, all the while wondering if this had been a good idea.
An hour later,the bells on the door rang and I jerked my head up, out of the book I’d been reading. A woman entered the shop and looked around.
“Hello, may I help you?” I stood, giving her a gracious smile. She had the look of a shifter, though I couldn’t be sure.
“Hi…so…You’re a matchmaker?” she asked, walking over to my desk. “You have a beautiful shop,” she added.
“Thank you. I’m Maisy Tripwater, and yes, Married At First Bite is a matchmaking service. I also offer tarot readings and psychic investigations.” I motioned for her to sit opposite my desk. I decided to forego shaking hands. She still looked nervous and I didn’t want to scare her off by acting too eager.
She settled down in the mauve wing chair. “Thank you. I’m Brenda Kline.” She slid her hand over the microfiber upholstery of the chair. “Nice,” she said.
I returned to my seat. “How can I help you today, Brenda?”
She inhaled slowly, then finally leaned forward. “I’m lonely. I want to find someone, but I haven’t had much luck on my own.” She seemed almost embarrassed.
I nodded. “It’s not easy to meet someone in today’s fast paced world, especially with how busy we all are.”
There was an art to matchmaking. I’d discovered I had a knack for matching people early on, but it took more than natural talent. Learning how to go about it without offending the client or making them feel inadequate was an art form that required thought, diplomacy, and empathy.
“You can say that again,” Brenda said, relaxing enough to lean back.
“Have you ever been married?” I asked.
She nodded. “Yes, I was. I had a rough marriage. The asshole was an abusive jerk. I hate to admit it, but when he died, I jumped for joy. I’d tried to leave him several times but…I’m a bear shifter,” she added.
That was all she needed to say aboutthat. Divorce within the bear shifter community could happen, but only after obtaining permission from the clan’s leaders. Men and women were considered equal, but they were expected to mate for life. It required a lot of persuasion and proof to establish a reason. People had been kicked out of their clans for divorcing without permission.
“Got it,” I said. “Okay, so you’re a widow. How long were you married?”
“Seven years,” she said. “I married him when I was twenty, and it’s been three years since he died. I’m thirty, now.” She paused, then added, “So, how does your service work? I’ve tried a couple dating apps without success.”
