Beasts and Baking by S. Usher Evans

Author:S. Usher Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sun's Golden Ray Publishing

Chapter Thirteen

Bev helped Apolinary bring the stack of cloth around the back of the inn, near the hand pump and water basin. The seamstress ducked inside to check on her assistant while Bev got out the lye and extra basins from the barn. Biscuit lay down near the front door, his golden eyes watching her as she unfolded the fabric.

"What d'ya reckon?" Bev asked, picking up the one he'd seized. "Magical?"

He sniffed, his nose twitching.

"Well, it's certainly not bacon," Bev said, running her fingers along the wool-like fabric. It certainly felt like tanddaes. If Bathilda was so concerned about keeping her magical sheep under wraps, why would she send it to be turned into a tunic?

Then again, it was dyed so intensely Bev couldn't see a bit of purple in the fabric at all.

"Vicky's not feeling up to helping," Apolinary said, walking out of the inn. "Says her head's killing her."

"You think we should fetch the doctor?" Bev asked, pumping water into the basin. "She seemed well enough last night."

"She looked like she'd been crying all morning," Apolinary said. "Do you know anything about that?"

Bev nodded, a little sadly. "I think she and Allen are on the outs again. He didn't even stop in to chat this morning, and he hasn't been up to see her at all. Not really something one does to one's girlfriend, is it?"

Apolinary rolled her eyes. "Those two, I swear. They're on. They're off. He's done something to offend her. She's taken something out of context. Back and forth." She snorted. "They just need to get married and get it over with."

Bev smiled. "Would be nice to have another wedding in town. I think the Witzels were the last ones to get hitched."

"Just be nice for them to be out with how they feel about each other," Apolinary said. "You know, I like Vicky. Was glad to take her under my wing when her folks died. I think she's got some funny ideas about the nature of things, but she's a hard worker."

Bev nodded. Vicky had been known to have an obsession with the land and the trees and how they all interacted with one another. She'd thrown a fit when the farmers had suggested rerouting Pigsend Creek, saying it would disrupt the delicate balance of nature.

"Those funny ideas," Bev began slowly. "They don't… I mean, she just has ideas, right? She's not… Well, you don't think she's got any sort of magic, do you?"

"Vicky? Magic?" Apolinary laughed. "Not unless you count the magical ability to take things way too personally."

Bev half-smiled. "Suppose not."

"Then again, Allen has been somewhat dodgy of late, so perhaps I can't blame her." She dunked the fabric into the water. "Acting all nervous when he sees her like they haven't been together for years. Won't even come into the shop half the time anymore."

"Hm." Bev took the sopping wet fabric and hung it on the line. "Well, next time I see Allen, I'll be sure to get a straight answer out of him.

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