“I’m almost done and I’ll get back to work. Your koi are much more chill than you two are,” Phineas stated, eating the last bite and then disappearing again under the murky depths of the pond, leaving behind a trail of bubbles.
“I hope I didn’t upset him,” Mercedes said, running her hand over her frazzled hair. “I was only teasing him.”
“He understood. He’s just a bit nosey sometimes.” Magnus scrubbed a hand over his face. “What’re we going to do? We can’t run the dead-and-breakfast efficiently if we can’t clean the linensbecause the dryer is possessed and throwing up mountain-fresh scented lint.”
Mercedes giggled. “It’s quite comical, but you’re right. We can’t. Maybe it is me. I really need the job, but I don’t want to make this any more difficult for you or your brother.”
“I won’t let you quit,” Magus said fiercely.
Pink bloomed in her cheeks again and she tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “Oh?”
Magnus rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “We don’t have time to train anyone new.”
Nice going, dunderhead. Way to make her feel good.
“I see. Maybe it’s time we head to that blood-cursed place,” Mercedes said nervously. “Maybe I can see what’s up, because we can’t keep having these issues.”
“Well, we can go now. I’m sure we can rent a boat from Finn.”
Mercedes nodded. “I’ll grab my coat.”
He watched her as she scurried back inside. He was kicking himself internally for being such an idiot, which he promised her he wouldn’t be, but he panicked when she said that maybe it would better if she quit for the sake of the business.
A few weeks ago, he would’ve agreed to that because he was still pretty convinced that she was Yrsa reincarnated. Now it was clear she wasn’t. Even though he was fighting the urge to take her in his arms and make her his, he didn’t want her to leave now.
Things had seemed a bit lighter since she came to work at the dead-and-breakfast. It was like something new and exciting was expected every day and he looked forward to seeing her.
Except, he couldn’t tell her that.
No, he had to be a jerk and say it’s because they didn’t have time to train someone new.
This is why I’ve never been able to fall in love. I have foot in my mouth disease.
They didn’t talk muchon the quick walk down to the harbor. They found Finn working in the bait shop, counting reels from a box, because his busy season was winding down and he was doing inventory. The bell over the door rang as Magnus opened it and held it for Mercedes.
The moment they stepped inside, Finn was watching them with a curious expression on his long, paint-colored horse face.
“Hello,” Finn greeted cautiously. “I’m surprised to see you two.”
“Together?” Mercedes teased softly.
“Something like that, but also, I know you’ve all been busy prepping for the opening. How can I help you today?”
“I need to rent a boat,” Magnus said.
“Okay.” Finn’s thick brown mane fell to one side as he inclined his head. “Just a motorboat?”
“You’re not going to ask me why?” Magnus asked.
“No,” Finn said. “It’s not really my business unless you’re running something illegal in my boat. Then I’d be mad.”
Magnus rolled his eyes. “Nothing illegal.”
“He’s taking me to a blood-cursed spot,” Mercedes said.
Finn’s eyes widened. “A…what?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Magnus interjected. “Just need to borrow a boat for the afternoon.”