Free Chloë by Marcus LaGrone

and converged on a four story
structure with a fanciful sign of two foxes playing leap-frog hanging out
front.  As they turned to face into the structure, Chloë could finally
make out the lettering: Playful Fox Inn, Daily or Weekly Rates. Pub Open
Noon-Ten o’clock. Ellis Foxglove Proprietor.   They moved inside and
blinked as they tried to adjust to the dimmer light.  Heather ignored the
front desk and turned and poked her head into the attached pub on the ground
floor.  Like the lobby, it was simple but tidy.  Massive wooden
tables with alternating benches and chairs filled the room.  Heather’s attention
was with the lone woman busily preparing the room, “Hi, Kelly!  Where is
Ellis?”
    The
woman stopped from her work and turned and smiled before closing and hugging
Heather, “Oh, hello, dear!  Glad you made it so quickly.  Ellis is in
back. Let’s go!”
    Heather
motioned for Chloë to follow and the three of them were soon in the back
storage rooms where Kelly passed the two girls off to an older lady with a
white coat and black rosettes, almost exactly like Chloë’s.  Silly as it
may be, that helped her feel more comfortable immediately.
    “Good
to see you!” beamed Ellis as she hugged Heather.  “The trip went well
then, I take it?  Oh, and so you must be Chloë.   Maria’s letter
mentioned you would be coming along.  I’m Ellis, proprietor here.  Do
you want to see your rooms first, or grab lunch?”
    Both
sounded very good, but the desire to lose the backpacks was stronger.  The
pair was soon shown to a pair of adjoining rooms on the second floor facing the
town center.  A quick bounce on the ever-so-comfortable beds, and they
returned to the pub for a simple, but very filling lunch. 
    “I
took the liberty of telling Fiona Greenburrow you were coming to town,” offered
Ellis as the two younger girls ate.  Heather’s fur suddenly flared and
stood on end causing Ellis to break out laughing. “No, she’s not trying to set
you up with a boy again.  She wants to know if you will help with the
weddings coming up day after next.  It’s four new families and six family
additions and they are all holding a joint reception.”
    “So…
what does she need me for?” asked Heather suspiciously.
    “Dance
instructor for the younger crowd as well as for some Lowlanders who will be
visiting.  A lowlander is marrying a local, so his family isn’t going to
be used to our customs,” grinned Ellis back.  “See, nothing scary.”
    Heather
visible relaxed, “Ok, doing a crash course in local dance.  Now that does
sound like fun.”
    “Good,
if you could meet her after lunch she would really appreciate it.”
    Heather
nodded and turned to Chloë, “Now’s the chance to learn some local dances.”
    “That
sounds like fun,” replied Chloë with a broad grin.

13        
     
     
    The
days quickly blew by.  It may not have exactly been what Maria had in mind
for Heather, but at least Heather was being responsible and helpful.  Of
course the idea of asking Heather to help teach dance was about like asking a
fish if it wanted to swim: it seemed to be second nature to her.  Chloë
just rolled with it all; beyond learning local dances and customs she was
having a grand time meeting a wide variety of people from all walks of
life.  Chloë was none the wiser as to what she might do professionally,
but she now realized there were a lot more opportunities out there than she had
first imagined for a town that was outwardly so simple.
    Noon
of the big day was upon them and the girls were delighted to meet April and May
at the pub for lunch.  Not that the locals weren’t nice people, but the
twins brought a level of mischievous humor with them that was enjoyed by all.
    “Did
you bring your bells?” asked one of the twins.
    Heather
laughed, “I didn’t pack them, but someone put them in my backpack for
me.  I wonder who that could have been.”
    “Maria,
actually,” replied the