The shop looked normal this morning, though at this point I really didn’t know what that meant. Either way, the bookshop feel was back as I peeked over the railing. The center table had books piled high, along with something that looked like crafting materials arranged around one side.

I had a random song stuck in my head, and I was starving. Although, even before breakfast, coffee sounded wonderful. I detoured toward Betty before hitting the kitchen to make a strong latte with some brown sugar. Usually, I preferred my brown sugar drinks iced, but this morning I needed something hot.

That first sip warmed me up, and I closed my eyes, smiling before getting a better look at the shop.

The center table had a basket full of yarn, which I had assumed was part of a crafting display. This close, it was easy to see that the books on the center table were all yarn related. There was even a beginner’s crochet kit.

Chirping from the kitchen caused me to head in that direction faster than I’d wanted to. The Cat and Indigo were on the island having a conversation. Neither of them noticed I had entered the room.

“So, does anyone have thoughts on breakfast?” I asked, as I moved further into the room.

Indigo’s head snapped around, then she flew directly at me. She landed on my shoulder and nuzzled me, all the while chirping so fast I couldn’t follow.

The Cat turned toward the oven. “It will be a chilly day for our customers.”

I nodded, wondering if that was why I craved a hot beverage this morning. The warm weather was slowly winding down back on the planet I was from, but that didn’t mean time passed the same way at the shop. Normally, outside on the rooftop deck the weather was perfect, whenever I got the chance to lay out. Then again, I wasn’t working while on the rooftop deck, and my assumption was the shop had found a perfect place with glorious weather whenever I’d wanted it.

“Oatmeal with dried fruit it is.” No one complained at my statement, though Indigo jumped back off my shoulder and headed to the counter. I pulled out the instant oatmeal and various mix-ins. “What does everyone want in theirs?”

This time I understood the chirps from Indigo. She wanted chocolate chips, coconut and milk. A decent order, though I’d put more coconut than chocolate chips.

“Apples with cinnamon and pecans,” said the Cat. Now, that one I’d make a double batch of and share with the Cat.

The oatmeal was quick after boiling the oats. Indigo’s chocolate melted into hers and was done first. Again she ate rather neatly, instead of diving head first. Our meal took a little longer, and I filled two big bowls with the perfect combination. All of us went quiet as we ate.

The breakfast warmed me up even more than the coffee had, and I hoped that today was going to be a great day. “So, what’s on the agenda today?”

“It’s a simple day, we have someone picking up goods.” The Cat stretched out on the island before hopping off. His voice continued as he traveled to the front. “Hopefully, short, too. A nap would be good.”

I quickly followed, as did Indigo. Despite starting behind me, she beat me to the counter. Her flying had gotten a lot better lately. My latte was gone, so I started on another, plus one for the cat. Indigo shook her head when I offered a drink. She had eaten a big bowl of oatmeal with lots of milk, so I wasn’t surprised. Instead, she stuck close to the Cat, like she was waiting for something.

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I couldn’t help but wonder what was up with that.

Once I finished making our drinks I sat down on my stool. “Ready whenever you are.”

The Cat nodded, but the door didn’t unlock yet. Instead, he focused on his drink, quickly lapping it up. Once he finished his drink, the door unlocked. I moved the teacup under the counter.

Nothing happened.

Over an hour later, the Cat napped, as did Indigo, and I was on my third latte of the day. Outside the windows, now and then, a leaf would blow by, but I stuck near the counter. Thankfully, back home it wasn’t this late in the year, but it wouldn’t be much longer. Soon, the harvest festival would happen in town, and there would be fresh apple cider.

And I was going to miss it.

Most of the time I was okay with signing the contract. I wouldn’t change anything. I especially would not give up meeting the Cat or Indigo. Both of them napped on the counter, and I snapped a few photos on my phone.

The bells on the door jingled, and my head snapped up.

In walked a very tall man in a bright red coat, along with a much younger girl wearing the same colors. Both looked totally human, except for the fact that they each had four arms. The girl looked to be around 13, with blond hair and dark eyes.

The man turned toward the younger girl. “Find yourself something, I need to pick up my order.” The girl smiled and headed to the nearest bookshelf, skimming titles as she walked around.

The man headed toward the counter, smiling at me.

“Welcome to the Magical Emporium of Wares. How can I help you today?”

“Just picking up an order, it should be under Benjamin. Then, whatever my daughter picks out. I promised her something for helping with the harvest this year.”

“It’s in the storage room, the box is labeled,” said the Cat, who now sat next to the register, his eyes on the man. Indigo was still napping, not even realizing people had entered the shop.

I headed to the storage room, and on the first shelf sat a cardboard box the size of a shoe box, tied with a string. A handwritten note said Benjamin. It wasn’t heavy, and I carefully brought it back to the counter.

Benjamin was petting the cat, with a big smile. The girl was checking out the items on the main table, especially the crafting kits and books on how to crochet. “Father, do you think I could learn?”

He turned toward her as she spoke. “You can do anything you put your mind to. I bet your mother would love a scarf.”

Her smile brightened even farther at the comment. She quickly picked up the kit that had some yarn in it, along with a skein of bright purple yarn. She headed to the counter. “I think this is what I want.” She carefully set it on the counter, then saw Indigo. “Oh, that’s a dragon…” Her voice went soft.

“It is, though she’s napping right now.”

“Isn’t that lucky, father?”

“It is, sweetie. It is…”

I moved over to the register and added the crochet kit and yarn. The order was already listed, though the currency was coins. “That will be 25 Gold coins,” I said, praying that was correct.

Benjamin nodded and pulled out a bag, then began counting the coins. He set each one on the counter. Once he was done, I swept them all into my hand and put them into the register. They were each about the size of a dime and looked to be pure gold.

Indigo’s head snapped up at the jangle of coins. The girl gasped as the little dragon twisted about, looking at the two of them. “She is so pretty.”

Indigo immediately flared her wings and stretched, giving the girl a good look. Then she chirped at me, but I couldn’t follow the comment.

“Come on, we need to get home before dark,” said Benjamin. Though, his eyes also didn’t leave the dragon.

The girl grabbed the kit and extra yarn, before waving at Indigo. “Bye, little dragon!”

Indigo fluttered her wings in reply.

As the door shut behind them I shook my head. “Did you have a good nap?” I asked.

Indigo chirped and then said something that I swore was asking about Lady Borsal. My gaze went to the Cat, who stared at the door.