An Ordinary Fairy by John Osborne Page B

about the pictures I took on Monday? I’d like to get some background on the area and the wildlife. I should have done it then but it slipped my mind. I hope I’m not interrupting.”
    Willow hesitated then smiled. “Sure.” She unlatched the gate and pushed it toward him. “Come in before you float away.”
    Noah stepped through the door and onto a stone platform above the cottage floor two steps below. The narrow shelf extended the full width of the room and held a stack of firewood, some kindling, and an ash can. A corn broom leaned in a corner to one side of the door. On the other side hung a row of low hooks holding a neat line of sweaters and jackets. Various small footgear lined up neatly below. He pulled the gate closed behind him and swung the door shut. Willow had stepped down to the floor, and her tiny figure seemed smaller yet. Shadow waited by her side, his tail wagging furiously.
    “There are some high hooks on the door for your poncho and jacket,” Willow said, pointing. “No shoes allowed.” Noah complied with these instructions and then joined Willow on the floor, where Shadow greeted him with a wet nose. Noah returned the welcome and rubbed the dog’s head.
    Willow watched their greetings. She tried to put her hands in her back pockets before remembering she had none, and settled for crossing her arms. A gold dragonfly earring adorned each tiny ear.
    Appropriate.
    “You cut your hair,” Noah said. “I like it.”
    I love it. And I see your ears aren’t pointed.
    “Oh, thanks,” she said, brushing one hand through her tresses. “I usually keep it this short. I let it get out of hand lately. I’m afraid I’m not into fashion and beauty stuff.”
    “You have no need to be,” Noah answered. She smiled her appreciation.
    Did your face just shine or was it a trick of the light?
    “May I get you something to drink?” she asked. “I have hot water for tea.” When Noah hesitated, she continued, “I bet you’re more of a coffee kind of guy.”
    Noah smiled as he continued rubbing the dog’s head. “Yes, I’m afraid so. Tea has never appealed to me.”
    “Well, I’m not a coffee kind of girl,” she said, screwing up her face in a grimace. “How about hot chocolate? Everyone likes hot chocolate.”
    “That sounds good.” Noah sat down on the sofa.
    Willow walked into the little kitchen at the back of the main room. Noah’s eyes strayed to those beautiful legs before he took a few moments to look over the small abode.
    The main room, about fifteen feet wide by twenty-five deep, comprised the living area. The walls, except for the front stone wall, were hardwood tongue and groove. The ceiling peaked, which hadn’t been apparent from outside, and was finished in the same wood as the walls. A small woodstove sat at the back of the room with a chimney that went straight through the roof. A gray tabby cat slept curled up in front of it. The fire must be small, for the air was cool.
    Behind the stove, a half-wall separated the main room from the kitchen. Beyond the wall, a small built-in booth and table with two facing seats provided the dining area. The kitchen was equipped with a two burner cook top, microwave, sink and under counter refrigerator. To the right a low wood door stood half-open to a dark room cut into the hill.
    Nice little house. Nice little fairy house.
    Willow appeared to be a high-tech fairy, as a small notebook computer sat open, but dark, on a tiny combination bookcase and computer desk, against the back wall opposite the kitchen. Next to the laptop sat a nearly empty bowl of peanut M&Ms. A narrow staircase between the kitchen and the work area led up from the main room. Noah could see an open loft stretched the width of the house.
    Ordinary upholstered furniture occupied the main room, a couch on the kitchen side, a small easy chair against the opposite wall. A compact stereo sat on a shelf, but Noah saw no television or telephone. Two small end tables each held a