I stared at the pile on the counter, smirking to myself. So far, I’d only picked out things for Umber, since he was the easiest one. I’d found a cute cookbook based on a cute cozy farming video game, a packet of rare flower seeds from the box, and a bar of chocolate from the case. The seeds looked pretty hard to find, based on a quick internet search I did on my laptop, which also sat on the wooden counter.

Betty had grabbed it for me, which was sweet of the shop. I needed to figure out how to gift a shop something for the solstice, one way or another.

I’d found a book about basic farming and how to grow things, which was perfect for Jackie, who now worked for Umber. Plus some chocolate.

Actually, a stack of chocolate bars sat on the counter, one for each of my brothers and parents, but that couldn’t be the only thing I sent to people. On the center table, I found a pair of knitted purple fingerless gloves that I picked out for my mother. The clinic she worked at got cold some days.

For my father, I snagged a wood carving kit, since it was the type of thing he’d enjoy. He was always looking for the next hobby.

The art supplies, including some glittering paint, were for Cyan, along with a cool new fantasy book about dragons. The first three books in the series were out, but for now I’d send the first book, and the other two for his birthday, which was right after the new year.

That left Onyx and Cerulean. They were the hardest people to shop for. Onyx, my oldest brother, appreciated food, or things homemade, neither being anything I’d had any talent in in the past. But this year, I could send him some cookies. It’d surprise him and prove to everyone that I really could bake something. I’d leave out the fact that the dough was frozen.

That left Cerulean.

He didn’t like stuff, and he traveled all over the world for his job. But, he always gave the best gifts, picked out for each person.

I stared at the shelves, trying to come up with something for him. Something that’d really make him smile, and that he’d appreciate. Obviously, he wanted to connect more with me, given the text messages and recent phone call.

My fingers tapped on the closest shelf, but nothing came to mind.

Indigo popped her head out, chirping.

“Book is done,” she said. “Is there more?”

I chuckled and headed to my laptop, pulling the stool closer.

She leaped into the air and landed next to the pile of stuff. Her eyes grew wide at the stack of chocolates.

“That’s not for you, they’re for the rest of my family.”

Indigo nodded solemnly before staring at my laptop screen.

I pulled up the audiobook account that I used, to see what she’d been listening to. Surprisingly, it was a young adult series about a finishing school of assassins, and there were only four books.

“There are three more books that you can listen to in that series.”

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‘Yay! Can I get?’ she asked in a very sweet tone.

“Of course.” It took only a few clicks and the books were purchased. “Your music player should sync.”

I wasn’t sure how Lady Twilight did it, but whatever magic she placed in the MP3 player, it somehow suddenly just worked when I bought audiobooks for her. I didn’t need to send them over. However, it made me wonder if all the audiobooks I bought would head her way. I wasn’t an audio listener, but some of my ebooks were a little spicy for the tiny dragon.

‘Thank you!’ Indigo flew off without a backward glance.

She lived up to the bookdragon name, though I wasn’t sure if fantasy books were the type of knowledge Lady Twilight and Lord Bennit wanted her to learn.

“I know what to get her…” Two clicks later, and Indigo’s present was in my shopping cart. She turned out to be surprisingly easy to shop for.

Though, I tossed a few cute-to-me things in my cart as well. A handmade seller had tiny scarfs for cats on her crafts page, and I bought two immediately. One was a bright green, to match the Cat’s eyes, and the other gold for Indigo. Not that they’d ever wear them, but still I couldn’t resist.

That still left Cerulean, and the Cat. Oh, plus Betty as well.

“Three’s not bad,” I muttered to myself. My fingers tapped on the counter a bit more before I added some additional catnip to my cart. It still wasn’t enough.

I snagged my cell phone and hit Cyan’s name. Thankfully, he picked up.

“Wow, you’re calling me? Are you okay?”

“Ha, ha, very funny,” I replied, though he wasn’t wrong. I never called him. “I’m trying to figure something out for Cerulean for the solstice.”

He snorted.

I could practically see his smile in my head.

“What will ya give me for the info?”

“Oh, come on.” I pouted even though he couldn’t see it. “You aren’t gonna help me out?”

“Bribes work best, you know.”

“Fine, I’ll send you some extra goodies.” I eyed the two other books in the series that I’d marked for his birthday. They could go early. “Promise it’s worth it.”

“Concert tickets to the Blazing Cactus. I’ll go halfsies with you, $250 for each of us. They were a little pricey for my blood on my own.”

I glared at the phone before responding. “Fine, I’ll send you some cash.”

“Perfect! Now that’s taken care of!”

“Love you.” I’d bet he’d already asked a few of the others to go in on it, but everyone had turned him down. Lucky jerk.

“Same, sis.” Then he hung up.

I shook my head as I mentally crossed that off my list. Those would be a little steep for my usual budget, but given how much money I’d stocked away working here, I could afford it. For once, I could afford to be someone who gave the best presents.

I sent the money over via a cash app, with a smile. My bank account had the most money it’d ever had.

It felt really good.

Scooting around the counter, I started scanning each item at the register. The total didn’t even make me whine. I paid with my credit card, still smiling.

All I had left was the Cat, and the more I thought about it, the more I had the perfect idea for him. It involved the new room, and a projector.

I snagged one of the woven baskets by the door and piled all of the gifts inside to bring them up to my room. My online cart needed to be finalized, but I still had to add things like wrapping paper and bows. All of the fun stuff to make the presents look pretty. Not to mention some cards.

I made a mental note to bake cookies soon, and I’d need to send everything out, probably the same day. My next day off was close enough that I’d do that then.

As I set the basket on the floor a weird feeling crept up my spine, like someone was staring at me or talking behind my back. I turned to peek at the door.

“Cat?”

There wasn’t a reply, but the feeling went away.

I needed to have a chat with him about just vanishing on me and using his words more often, but first I opened my laptop to get his solstice gifts.

“Hey, Betty, I have an idea of something you can add to that really cool room you built for me…”