“You really need a sign on the door showing what hours you’re open for business are,” Lily said. “Or at least one that says open and closed on opposite sides.”

“That’s a good idea,” I muttered.

“Jase, lift your head from the counter and talk normally or just speak telepathically to me,” Lily replied. “I don’t enjoy trying to decipher sleepy head talk.”

I lifted my head from the crook of my arm, where I had put my head down on the counter. “Sorry. You know I need my sleep.”

“Yep.”

“First it was the Farmers, then the next day it was the other farmers, it was the Hunters and some of their fellow hunters, then it was the loggers and miners yesterday. Today it was the carpenters,” I groused before dropping my head back to the counter.

“Don’t forget the Stonecroft elder that came by late last night and kept you up past midnight,” Lily helpfully reminded me as she danced around my head.

“Good…morning?” Isabella said ending the statement as a question after entering the basement shop. Her smile slipped upon seeing me with my head down. “What’s wrong with you?”

I tossed a hand up and waved at my apprentice.

“My Jase didn’t get much sleep last night or the last three,” Lily answered while stopping and scratching my head. She told Izzy about the last few days of early customers, the village elder’s late-night visit, and her sign idea.

“I could go get some paint and wood from the village,” Izzy offered. “Aunt Gabby sold some paint to the store.”

“Why not buy it directly from her?” I asked sitting up again.

“The caravan left this morning,” Lily helpfully answered.

“Oh,” I replied noticing a couple of packs laying by the door. “I didn’t realize it was that time. I apologize.”

“Thank you, but don’t worry about it,” Izzy said.

“Jase, watch the store,” Lily said. “I’ll show Izzy to her room and help her unpack.”

“Maybe we should bring Jase something to drink,” Izzy said.

“Thanks, but I’ll get something and start cooking breakfast,” I replied standing up.

“What about the shop?” Izzy asked.

“The good thing about working for yourself is that you get to make the hours you’re open,” Lily replied reading my mind. She flew to the door, shut, and locked it. Izzy laughed.

“That’s my girl,” I said. Lily beamed a smile back at me.

*

“I think I want to paint my bedroom a light blue or purple and white,” Izzy said as she and Lily joined me in the kitchen.

“That’s fine,” I replied shrugging my shoulders. “It’s yours while you’re my apprentice to do with as you please.”

“Yay!” Lily cheered. “Painting is fun.”

“I think so too,” Izzy said.

“Uh, no,” I said. “I’ve never thought painting was fun.”

“Men!” Lily huffed giving me a cheeky grin. “Maybe we should repaint the living room.”

“Something to lighten it up some more?” Izzy asked. My eyes widened in alarm, and I was thankful they couldn’t see my face though I felt Lily’s humor over the bond we shared.

“Exactly!” Lily agreed.

“I think I’ll make omelets for breakfast. What do you want in yours?” I asked changing the subject.

“Do you have any pork tenderloin?” Isabella asked.

“Afraid not,” I answered.

“We don’t have any pork right now,” Lily added. “My Jase, don’t think I didn’t notice how you changed the subject from painting.”

I shrugged my shoulders and grinned at my familiar. “What about breakfast?”

“I want cheese biscuits,” Lily proclaimed. She then flew around us. “Gooey, gooey cheese biscuits!”

“Oh. That does sound good,” Izzy agreed.

“Is this payback for changing the subject?” I asked.

“Yeppers!” Lily answered while spinning in place. “I know there’s still cheese in the fridge too.”

“Get the cheese while I get the flour,” I told Lily.

“Sir, yes sir!” Lily shouted while saluting.

“How did she change clothes so fast?” Isabella asked.

“Pixie magic,” I honestly answered turning to see my familiar in a camouflage outfit opening the refrigerator door. “Lily has never given me a straight answer on how they do that.”

“Can I help?” Izzy asked gesturing to the flour.

“Sure.”

*

“Hi Simon,” I said as we entered the general store.

“Well, look at you two,” the merchant replied as I held the door open for Izzy. Lily poked her head up from my shirt pocket and mock glared at the older man. He smiled. “Make that you three.”

“Good morning,” Izzy said going to his familiar and petting the old hound. Lily joined her to greet the other familiar.

“So, what brings you by this morning?” Simon asked.

“We need enough paint-to-paint Isabella’s bedroom,” I answered.

“What color?” the merchant asked.

“Purple and white,” Izzy answered.

“We also need a small blank sign if you have something like that,” I said.

“And black or red paint for it,” Lily added.

“I have something that would work for a sign,” Simon said rubbing his chin. “Need brushes too?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

“Follow me and I’ll show you the paint I have,” Simon said. We followed him to the painting supplies. Lily and Izzy got enough purple paint for Izzy’s bedroom and enough white paint for the bedroom and living room. They giggled when I tried to glare at them. “You can’t win son. It’s best to let the ladies have their way.”

“Fine,” I replied. I wasn’t upset and wanted my familiar to be happy even if I didn’t care what color the walls of our house were. I also found that I wanted Isabella to be happy while she was with us too.

“That’s because you’re a good human,” Lily told me telepathically.

“Cheater,” I replied using the same communication method.

“Always!” Lily happily agreed. “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”

“Where did that come from?” I asked.

“Old saying from one of the military groups a long time ago,” Lily answered.

“That where this morning’s camouflage outfit came from?”

“Yep.”

“Anything else?” Simon asked as we carried the buckets of paint and brushes to his counter.

“The blank sign,” Izzy reminded him.

“Oh yeah. I had forgotten about that,” Simon said. He walked off and returned a moment later with a white painted board that said open in red on one side and closed on the other. The sign even had a wire attached so it could be hung up. “Will this work?”

“That’s perfect!” Lily replied clapping her hands.