Page 10 of Save a Wish

“Good morning, miss.” His smile lit up his entire face. This was a man that needed absolutely no aura fixing. “What can I help you find today?”

“Umm . . . a tent?”

His gaze went to my suitcase, to my outfit, then back to my face. “You planning on camping now?”

“I suppose I am.”

“It’s getting a little cold for comfortable camping,” he said. “Especially if that suitcase is filled with more outfits like the one you’re wearing.”

The suitcase was filled with undergarments, a few books, and some personal hygiene items. I hadn’t had a chance to use the money Orla had given me to buy clothing appropriate for where I’d landed. This simple outfit was all I had, and from the look on this shopkeeper’s face, it did little to help me blend in.

“We have some more rugged clothing over here.” The man arrowed his hand to his left then led me in that direction to a collection of blue pants made of a rough material and soft shirts in plaids that reminded me of my family’s crest back home.

I made a few selections and the man brought them over to a counter.

“And shoes,” he said. “Those aren’t going to keep your tootsies warm.”

I regarded the simple slip-on flats Orla had also given me. I’d actually already noticed that those were a little too delicate for traipsing around nature trails.

I picked out a pair of sturdy-looking boots that laced up the front.

“Good choice,” the shopkeeper said. “Sensible, comfortable, and fashionable.” He beamed me a smile. “I’m Hank by the way. Hank Faraday.” He held his hand out to me.

I shook his hand. “So you own this shop?”

His chest puffed out a bit. “I sure do.”

“Wonderful. I’m Sadie Rodgers.” I marveled over how easy identifying myself by that fabricated name was becoming.

“This your first time in Greenridge?”

“Yes.”

“Welcome then.” His brows lowered a bit. “Is this also your first time camping?”

“It is.”

“Why do you want to go camping?” he asked.

“I don’t actually,” I admitted. “I need a place to stay and someone suggested I buy a tent here.”

Hank’s mouth tilted up on one side. “Might that someone have been joking?”

Now that I recalled the way Beckett had told me to purchase a tent, perhaps he had been teasing.

Because I’d insulted him with my disparaging talk about his aura.

“Maybe that suggestion was in jest,” I said. “But I don’t have another option at the moment.”

“I’m sure we can do better than a tent in the cold October weather, my dear.” Hank bowed a bit and suddenly I feared he’d figured out I was actually a princess. Would he alert local authorities? Would I be shipped back to Verdalach? Would I be forced to marry Cian?

With knots in my belly, I followed Hank when he motioned me over to where he’d stacked my items to be purchased. He rounded the counter and stepped into a small room. When he re-emerged, a key dangled from a leaf-shaped key chain.

“This is to my cabin by Slater’s Pond.” He held the key out to me. “You’re welcome to stay there while you look for something more permanent.”

Clearly, this man wasn’t planning to have me carted away and that brought me such relief. Now that I was calmer, I was about to tell Hank I didn’t have the money to rent his cabin, but then he said, “Free of charge. Consider it a welcome to our town package.”

“I couldn’t possibly accept such generosity,” I said. “I’ll purchase these clothing items and a tent and be on my way.”