Page 5 of The Nowhere Witch

Musso strode out like a long-lost uncle, except one I couldn’t hug. I’d never been a hugger before, but now the lack of them was making me miss them sorely.

I got one of his rare smiles. “How are you, kid? Zab told me you were back.”

“I’m doing good. How about you?”

“Come on, walk with me and I’ll buy you a cocoa,” he said, heading across the street.

I fell into step beside him without the slightest hesitation, like everything was just as it had been. So easy, and yet nothing was the same.

“I know Hawk might be looking to give you a hard time, but you stand strong,” he said.

“Zab told you all of it?”

“Didn’t have to. I’ve been around a long time,” he said as he paused outside the Sweet Shop.

“Hawk could’ve done worse. I said I wasn’t going back, and he left it alone.” All in all, it hadn’t gone that bad.

Musso smiled a little and nodded. He wasn’t really agreeing or disagreeing.

“I really laid out my feelings, and maybe for once he took it to heart. I was quite firm,” I continued.

He was still giving me those ambiguous nods that made me want to look over my shoulder to see what I was missing.

“Do you think I’ve got a problem?” I asked.

“Not necessarily a problem, but I’d be ready to stand my ground. That’s all.”

Oh, I was definitely going to do that. Musso hadn’t heard what I’d said to Hawk. I wasn’t the same person who had come here the first time. I wasn’t rolling over for anyone. Even if Hawk was going to be stubborn, let him try. It wasn’t like he owned all of Xest.

We walked into the Sweet Shop, and Gilli waved to greet me over the counter. “Wait right there. I’m bringing you a cocoa myself,” she called out.

Musso nodded to the door. “I’ve got some appointments coming in, but if you need anything, you come tell me, okay? He’s been gone most mornings anyway.”

“I will.”

Musso left, and I watched as he crossed the street, heading back to the broker’s office. I would go back there, but only to visit, right after I got a job and a place to call my own. I’d march in and show Hawk I was in Xest for good and making a success of it. He wasn’t running me out of anywhere.

But first I had to get the job and a place to live.

“Heard you went back. Are you here for good?” Gilli asked as she walked toward me with the cocoa.

“I am. That’s one of the reasons I stopped by.” This place was always busy. Surely she must hire every so often.

Even as we were talking, she was fixing one of the candy displays.

“Oh? Can I help out somehow?” she asked.

One of her employees walked over, refilling the barrels along the wall beside us. Definitely really busy, and she sure looked like they could use some help.

“Actually, I was looking for a job. I just got back, and Hawk doesn’t need me over at the broker house. I was wondering if you might need any help around here?”

Gilli’s mouth was gaping open, and it was very clear what the answer would be when she did get around to speaking.

Her employee glanced over. “Oh, that’s gre—”

Gilli’s employee didn’t get a chance to finish.

“I just hired someone yesterday,” Gilli said, finding her words.