Solstice Spirits by Erin Johnson

Author:Erin Johnson [Johnson, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-07-07T22:00:00+00:00

12

The Rival

After our harrowing visit to the ice mermaids, we bid adieu to Vix and Len, and Archer escorted Hayley and me back into town. She was horrified at having to walk instead of traveling by sleigh (naturally). Archer kissed me goodbye and headed back to work at the paper.

“Now what?” Hayley leaned into one hip.

I pulled a slip of parchment from my pocket—the message Donna had taken for me the other day from Frankie. It contained an address for a cottage on the opposite side of town. “I say we go visit Neve Juniper, your great-aunt’s old rival.”

We strode down the snowy, bustling streets through Holiday Haven.

Hayley sniffed. “Let’s hope she’s friendlier than those grinches with their pitchforks.”

“Tridents,” I corrected.

She rolled her eyes. “Nerd.”

I couldn’t help it, I chuckled, and ever so slightly, Hayley grinned.

It didn’t take us long to find Neve’s place. The small cottage sat nestled in a comfortable neighborhood of older homes. Snow-dusted noble firs lined the stone walk up to the front porch with its two weather-beaten rocking chairs. A real pine wreath hung on the door, with a welcome mat below that read “Keep Your Stockings On, I’m Coming.”

Hayley followed my gaze down, then raised a brow. “Does not bode well.” She tugged on the brass bell that hung beside the door.

CLING CLING TING!

Shuffling footsteps sounded on the other side of the door, and then it creaked open a crack.

“Yes? Who’s there?” The old woman’s voice was thin but challenging.

I cleared my throat. “Good afternoon, ma’am. My name’s Rudie Hollybrook, and this is—”

“Uh!” The door flew open and the old woman—this had to be Neve—gaped at Hayley from the doorway. “Holly Swift,” she breathed. Her shocked expression darkened into a glare. “You old witch, you haven’t aged a day.”

Hayley shot her a pitying look. “I’m Hayley Swift, old woman. Holly was my great-aunt.” She grimaced at me and twirled a finger next to her temple. “Dementia.”

“Psh.” Neve swiped an age-spotted hand at her. “Don’t old woman me, little girl.” She rolled her dark eyes and glared at me. “Frankie mentioned you’d be coming by, Rudie. She didn’t say anything about this one. Might’ve changed my mind about meeting with you if she had.” She jerked her head at Hayley, who looked offended.

“Apologies.” I shot her a wan smile. “I wanted to ask you about Holly, and Hayley was interested as well.”

“Hmph.” The old lady planted a hand on her ample hip. She wore a cream-colored, hand-knitted sweater dress with leggings underneath. She adjusted her rectangular glasses and peered at Hayley. “I can tell you this, you’re the spitting image of your great-aunt.” She shuddered. “Gave me quite the fright. Thought she might’ve come back from the grave for a moment there.”

Hayley and I flashed our eyes at each other as Neve turned her back to us. She was a little too on the red reindeer nose with that observation.

“Eh, don’t just stand there letting all the cold air in. Follow me.”

Hayley followed her, and then I scraped my boots on the mat.

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