I woke up feeling excited and energized, ready to start the day. My thoughts revolved around holiday shopping and everyone I had to get a gift for on my list.

That all skidded to a halt as I walked out to the balcony.

I must have made a sound, because Indigo slowly flew out of my bedroom.

The shop didn't quite look, well, normal. In fact, it didn’t look like any of the several normals I’d become used to.

While the bookshelves against the back were filled with colorful spines, the large center table had an assortment of things like art supplies, craft kits, and handmade merchandise. It reminded me of when those forest folks were looking for mating gifts, except everything was in English.

Plants covered the giant window facing the front of the store, along with candles. Chocolates in pretty boxes, along with an assortment of other candies, were in a glass case near the register. Seeds and gardening supplies, like a bright blue watering can, sat near the right wall.

It took seconds for me to bypass the counter and start wandering the shop. So many goodies were out on display, and I did have that list to get through.

‘Breakfast?’ asked Indigo after a few moments of flying around overhead.

“Sure, but I'm going to need to do some shopping later, after we're done for the day. This will make my solstice shopping much easier.”

Before I headed to the kitchen, I made myself a hot peppermint mocha. I patted Betty on the top, smiling. “Today's going to be a good day, I can feel it.”

Into the kitchen I went, to scramble some eggs and make bacon.

“You're in a happy mood,” said the Cat as he jumped up onto the island.

“You have good timing, and yeah, I am,” I replied as I set down the tall plate of bacon.

Indigo landed near her plate of scrambled eggs, which I’d already dished up. She daintily tried to eat them, each bite super small instead of her normal habit of putting her head all the way into her food.

I stacked two slices of bacon on the edge of her plate before I plated up the remaining scrambled eggs for the Cat. I paused, studying the plate of bacon, before grabbing three slices of my own.

By the time I set the plate in front of him, he already had a slice of bacon in his mouth.

I added another couple of pieces to his plate.

“The store looks different, and I can't wait to see what it brings. Or, rather, who,” I said, as I added another couple of pieces to his plate. “I just have a great feeling about today.”

The rest of breakfast was quiet except for the crunch of bacon. As always, all of the bacon somehow vanished by the time we were done. That seemed to be a thing, no matter how much I made. It was delicious, though, so I couldn’t really fault anyone.

The Cat led the way out to the front counter, his tail flickering around in agitation.

“Can I get a coffee, please?” he asked.

I pulled out his teacup as Indigo happily chirped about an audiobook she was listening to. It involved something about manners and fancy dresses. It made her newfound eating habit make a little more sense, though I didn’t point out that manners for a human might be somewhat different from manners for a dragon.

For the Cat, I made a basic vanilla latte with extra foam on top and set it carefully down in front of him.

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He glanced up at me, his green eyes looking pleased before he started lapping it up.

“Hot chocolate?” I asked Indigo as she continued to fly around, a little slower now.

She gave a negative chirp before looking longingly at her hideaway.

“Feel free to listen to your book,” I added with a chuckle, wiping down the counter. “I think we can manage today without you.”

Indigo happily flew circles overhead before darting over to her hideaway, vanishing from sight.

“That's for the best,” said the Cat, padding over to my elbow before sitting next to me. “It wasn't clear if this was a magical day or not.”

“Huh.”

I glanced around the store, trying to figure out if anything on display had magic. Nothing looked magical at first glance, but then again some things had hidden secrets. The gems in my bracelets sparkled to make the point.

“That's not good, that you don’t know.” My mood dampened, thinking about how the Cat seemed to have less and less information about our days lately. “Well, Indigo will have a fun day no matter what.”

I pushed my concern for the Cat aside as I sipped my peppermint mocha. Anticipation about my post-day browse wandering through the goodies in the shop ran through me as I sat on my stool. I couldn't wait to go shopping after work, though the things I wanted to get for the Cat and Indigo weren't going to be found here. But, for my parents and friends for sure I’d find something.

“Are you ready?” asked the Cat, snapping me out of my daydreams.

“Yes, let's do this.”

As we waited, the bright morning sunlight streamed in the front windows and skylights. The Cat snoozed on the counter after I finished my drink, curled up in a cute little ball of fur. I wouldn’t ever tell him I found him cute, of course, but he was..

Immediately, I made another peppermint mocha for myself, this time adding some whipped cream and sprinkles to the top. I caught a flash of green from the Cat, so I put some on a spoon and casually set it next to him.

The spoon was licked clean the next time I glanced at it.

Finally, the bells hanging from the front door rang.

In walked in a young woman, about my age, wrapped in a black wool coat. Snow dusted her shoulders, and her nose appeared to be a little red from the cold. She wore a green knitted hat that made her eyes pop.

“Welcome to Meow,” I said with a smile.

“This is such a cute shop!” she gushed, her head trying to turn in every direction at once. l “I'll totally find something for Mom here.”

As she stepped in, I noticed the rolling suitcase she dragged behind her and the backpack over one shoulder.

“You can leave that by the door if you’d like,” I added.

She nodded and set it off to one side before checking her phone.

My eyes widened, and I casually went to check mine to see if I had service, but I'd forgotten it upstairs since it usually didn't work.

“Did you want a coffee by any chance? I can get one started.”

“Oh, yes please, can I get a peppermint mocha? I can smell yours from here.”

“Of course.” I got to work, keeping track of her out of the corner of my eye.

She strolled through the bookshelves, reading over each of the titles and pausing in the section with the farm and garden tag.

I made a note to check that section out later, for my brother and his new assistant.

After I added whipped cream and chocolate shavings to the top, I placed the to-go cup on the counter, not wanting to rush her.

Eventually, she wandered over to the main table with two books in her arms. She smiled, looking over the items before making her way to the counter.

“I think just these two books.” She seemed uncertain as she set the books down.

“You mentioned you’re shopping for your Mom, right?” I asked, looking over the books, one of which was a farming memoir. One I’d read, actually, and thought was pretty good.

“Her birthday is coming up, and I'm suddenly free to head home for it.” She didn't sound happy about it, but tried to smile a little.

“Is everything okay?” I asked as I moved the to-go cup closer to the two books and set a lid beside it.

“I wish.” She snorted. “I got fired yesterday, and my long-term boyfriend wants to take a break. So, it's been a week.”

That was an understatement.

“That’s pretty rough,” I said, wanting to give her a hug. “Maybe this is a chance for a new start.”

“To be honest, I wasn't happy at the job anyway. It felt soul-sucking.”

“I’ve totally been there. You never know what can be waiting right around the corner, though.” I smirked. “Believe me, sometimes the perfect position just falls in your lap like magic.”

Not that I was speaking from experience or anything.