Page 34 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

That’s never happened to me before with anyone.

My thoughts turn back to the present when we have to order our food. After the server leaves, I notice lines of worry marring Hal’s forehead.

“What is it?” I ask.

He lowers his voice and leans closer. “You know how I got called out to the orchard this morning?”

I nod and frown. “Were things really bad?”

I hope not. Hal’s been devoting so much time to making the Harvest Festival the event of the year in Mystic Hollow. He’s even managed to get me excited about it, and that’s a true accomplishment. I normally don’t enjoy that kind of stuff.

Hal looks around to make sure no one’s listening in on us and quietly fills me in on the absolutely bonkers situation. As the story goes on, I can’t help but stare open-mouthed at him.

“I kinda wanna pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming,” I mutter in a daze when he finishes his account.

“I’m afraid it’s no dream,” Hal whispers, his eyes clouding with worry.

A sinking sensation settles in my gut. Great. The town’s magic source is going all nuclear reactor on us and could blow at any time.

Right when I’m getting ready to open my first salon.

Fuck. My. Life.

Hal reaches out and gently takes hold of my now clammy hand. “I know what you’re thinking, Skylar, but this isn’t an omen of impending doom, I promise. For now, Astraea thinks the worst we’re likely to experience is some strange anomalies around town.”

“Like musically inclined apples,” I offer dryly.

Hal lets out an endearing little snort of laughter and that somehow cuts the tension a little.

I cross my arms and lean back against the booth back. I may need it to keep me upright as I wrap my head around all this.

“Not to be a pessimist, but you don’t actually know what might occur here, right?”

Hal wrinkles his nose, and damn if I don’t find that cute as hell too.

“No, I don’t, but the magic was designed to be protective in nature. I’m confident it won’t do anything to harm the town or its residents. That’s not to say we’re sitting around doing nothing. Astraea’s redoubling her efforts to track down her son and bring him here ASAP.”

I try not to panic over all the worst-case scenarios that are flashing through my brain. Easier said than done, I guess.

Swallowing down a desire to scream in frustration, I ask, “So what now?”

Hal gives me an encouraging smile. “Baxter’s called a Community Gathering tomorrow evening. Once we see how everyone responds to the news, we can start planning what we’ll do going forward. In the meantime, it’s business as usual. We’ll keep gearing up for the Harvest Festival, and you should continue getting the salon up and running.” His big, warm hand squeezes mine gently. “I believe in this town and the magic protecting us. We’re going to come out of this just fine.” He winks at me. “We’ll even have some funny stories to reminisce about years from now, I’m sure.”

I don’t know if it’s his touch or his words—or both—but something inside me calms. There isn’t much in life I’m certain about, but my gut is telling me to trust Hal on this one.

Our food arrives and we dig into our lunch while Hal tells me all about where we’re headed tonight. I’m looking forward to visiting a part of Mystic Hollow I haven’t seen before, even if we might be inundated with a bunch of naked gnomes baring all.

But what I’m most looking forward to is spending time with Hal.

Somehow, some way, I’m gonna tell him how I feel before this day is done.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Cryptids United in Delightful Dating and Love Encouragement (CUDDLE) Forum

SuperShySasquatch: I’m following your advice and waging a love campaign to win my man’s heart! Tonight, I’m going to ask for permission to court him. It’s pretty nerve-wracking but I need to do it, even if I end up getting shot down.

YetiOrNotHereICome: Being honest with him and true to yourself is the best way forward. In love, there’s always a risk of rejection. But if you never take that risk, you’ll ultimately have more to regret at the end of the day.