by Gina Kincade
Flo chuckled and used a chopstick to spear a chicken ball. “Not just you. The Clearwaters are the backbone of Littleton, but there are three families of them. Owen married Lacy and had Lucius. Jenna married Max and had Kerwin and Kristen. Then there’s John and Caitlyn. They must be the quietest of the bunch and their children are still little, Kaylee, Simon, and Benjamin.”
“Okay, so Lucius’ Dad is Kerwin’s Mom’s brother, I get that. Why don’t they get along?” Rev poured herself tea.
“They used to.” Flo popped the chicken in her mouth, chewing before answering. “They just have a difference of opinion now. It’s happened before. Thank you.” Flo lifted the cup Rev had filled for her and took a sip. “They were about ten at the time. Lucius was adamant that he should be the one to test the ice on the lake. It was such a silly thing to fight over. As soon as one had walked out on the ice, the other would follow, but they decided to make it a point of pride. They came to blows and ended up in the water after knocking each other to the weak ice enough times. They both paid for it and have never challenged one another again.”
“So why me? If they know they both lose, why are they fighting? It’ll be the same. They’ll fight over me until I leave, and then what was the point?”
Flo chuckled. “Oh, I think they would argue that there is a lot to gain, even if only for a few weeks.”
Rev shook her head. “They’re crazy.”
Flo shrugged. “Maybe, but they’re crazy over you.”
Rev let her chopsticks clatter on her plate. “What am I supposed to do? Ignore them?”
“If that’s what you like.”
“You’re not helping.”
“I’m sorry, Rev. I’m sympathetic, even if I’ve never been in quite your position. I do know what it’s like to have someone chase when you’re not sure you want to be caught. I get the impression that describes you. Am I right?”
Rev didn’t answer, staring at her plate.
“I mean, if you wanted either one of them, it wouldn’t be a problem, would it?”
Rev took a sip of tea.
“So, my guess is that you like both of them. In that case, why rush away? Get to know them. They’re good boys. I’m sure you’ll find one suits your fancy more than the other.”
“I guess.” Rev sighed and pushed her plate away. “It’ll be better when Grandma’s home. I’ll have less time to worry about this crap.”
Flo shook her head. “There are a lot of girls who would happily trade places with you.”
“If I could, I would have done that already.” Rev leaned back and stretched over the back of her chair.
“What’s that?” Flo reached out for the deer pendant.
Rev had forgotten she put it on.
“Where did you find this?”
“In Grandma’s shop. A very large man came and found it.”
Flo drew back. “He told you to wear it?”
“Yes, why? Does it belong to someone? I assumed it was Grandma’s.”
“It is. I think I’m finished as well. I should get going.”
Rev tried to fight her disappointment but failed. “Oh, I thought we’d have another pot of tea.”
Flo looked around, checking corners. Rev wondered what she was looking for. “I guess I can.”
“What’s wrong with it? Why are you bothered by it?” Cradling the pendant in her hand, Rev took another close look at it. The gold shimmered and the deer almost seemed to move her head.
“Ben is very influential. I doubt he’d want me poking somewhere he is interested.”
“Ben, Lucius and Kerwin’s grandfather?” Seeing Flo nod, Rev continued, “He pointed it out to me, but he didn’t wait for me to put it on and he didn’t talk to me for more than a few minutes. You, on the other hand, have been so friendly to me. Please tell me can be friends?”
Flo sat down again, pouring the tea. “Of course we can. The other ladies in town will come around to you. In the meantime, I should introduce you to Mai. Her parents run the Golden Palace, and she runs deliveries around town, but I expect she won’t stick around Littleton much longer. She seems the type that will head off to college.”
“I would like that. You’re sure she won’t be like Kristen or the others?”
Flo chuckled. “I’m sure. Lucius made a pass at her once and he hid his face for the rest of that week. She won’t be bothered by any connection between you and the boys.”
“Why is everyone else so put out? I mean, I know I’m new and not staying, so why bother with me? What do they think I’m going to do?”
Flo sipped her tea and took a minute to answer. “They both think they will convince you to stay, or perhaps leave with you. They went to Ben with their intentions and he made it clear that they were starting on equal footing, that he didn’t endorse one or the other. The problem is, he didn’t condemn it. He didn’t tell them that they are part of this community and needed here. We all know that, so having them chase after you is a real threat.”
“Wait, two young men leaving is going to affect a whole town? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“No, I expect it doesn’t. Still, that is what the ladies are worried about, that you’ll run off and take both Lucius and Kerwin with you.”
“Ugh.” Rev put her forehead in her hands, elbows resting on the table, looking down into her half-empty teacup. “This is stupid. I’ll just pick one if that makes things better. It’s not going to change anything. I’m not staying, and I’m not jumping into any sort of committed relationship. I’m only eighteen for God’s sake.”
Flo nodded. “I understand. Don’t worry. Look after Penny when she gets home, keep to the shop, and this will all blow away.”
The debris in the bottom of her cup formed an oval with four drifts running out of one side and one the other. It looked like an animal on four legs. What would she give to run away?
“And until it does, you can call me anytime.” Flo broke open a fortune cookie and scrawled her number on the back of the message.
“Yeah, thanks. Grandma coming home will help.”
“I’m sure it will. Thank you so much for the tea.”
“Wait, I owe you for the food.” Rev jumped up and dug for her wallet in her purse.
“Don’t worry about it. You can buy next time.”
Rev let her bag fall back to the floor where she’d found it. “Thank you, Flo.”
“Sleep well.”
Chapter Three
REV RAN BETWEEN THE trees, her bare feet cushioned on the soft bed of moss. The forest was full of sound: birds and frogs and toads singing in chorus, masking any noise of her passing. Despite the music to mask it, Rev felt sure her steps were so precise no twigs snapped, not a leaf rustled. She stopped short at a new sound, a roaring. It wasn’t like a lion’s roar, but something between that and a house cat’s hiss. Pausing mid-step, she turned her head toward the commotion. The birds had fled the trees and moved behind Rev.
It was hard to see what was happening in the midst of the attack. Clearly, neither had the advantage, and neither was holding back. Blood and fur rolled into one another, and over it that horrible roar and scream.
“Stop!” She took a step toward them, knowing she couldn’t possibly stop them.
Both turned to her and they separated, each licking wounds. One was a wild cat with tufts on his ears. The other was a badger, possibly the same badger she had seen the night before with Lucius. His masked face was streaked in red and he kept combing his claws over it.
What was she supposed to do now? She took another tentative step and the trees evaporated into gauzy curtains and screens. She reached out her hand to the shadow on the other side of the mesh and pulled it aside.
Not one man, but two waited for her there. Both were naked, emphasizing their matching tattoos, stripes down arms and back. They faced one another more than her and tension filled the space with electric static, making her wonder if sparks would jump from their eyes. Lucius wore his shiny, wavy hair loose
on his shoulders and Kerwin had thicker stubble than she recalled, but both were as beautiful as she had imagined: broad brown shoulders, smooth skin leading down to two pairs of tight buttocks.
Rev snapped her gaze back up to their faces as they turned toward her. Lucius' chest was hairless with deep brown nipples, but curly strands wove a mat over Kerwin’s from just below his collarbone, down to his waist and beyond. Again, she had to bring her gaze back up, feeling heat in her face.
The men looked at one another in a quick glance before approaching her. Neither spoke, but Lucius moved to stand in front of her while Kerwin pressed his chest against her back. She gasped at the feel of his skin on hers, leaning into him. One hand rested on her stomach and the other pulled her hair away to give him access to her neck. His nibbling and sucking kisses brought goosebumps to her arm and a shudder down her spine. Lucius took hold of her cheeks and planted his lips on hers. He stepped in closer, leaving her wedged between the men.
“God, is this a dream?” she asked.
“Of course it is,” Lucius said between kisses.
“You like?” Kerwin whispered, his hands moving along her thighs. She hooked her leg onto Lucius’ hip and held on for what had to come next. A loud, clanging crash.
REV BOLTED UPRIGHT at the startling sounds. She looked around for some sort of weapon before leaving the safety of her room. The best she found was a hefty lamp. She unplugged it and took it with her.
In the kitchen, a flurry of feathers accompanied the pair of birds fighting on her table. An owl and a hawk were flapping, scratching and biting one another. Didn’t they usually hunt smaller birds? Why would they be fighting?
The hawk gave a shriek and the owl twisted its head around to look at Rev. It gave a hoot and took to wing, headed out the window. The hawk followed with a last shrill cry.
Rev looked at the lamp in her hands. Was she awake, or still dreaming? Looking at the clock on the stove, she read 6:00 and came to the conclusion that she was awake and would be opening the shop in a few hours.
“The sooner I get out of Littleton,” she muttered, not sure how to complete the sentence, or indeed, if she really meant it.
She dragged herself through Grandma’s kitchen and made breakfast, her morning thrown off by the early intrusion. Trying to set her day straight, she reminded herself that tonight Grandma would be home and could answer her questions. Would she have more answers than Flo? Reverie hoped so. The dreams had left her confused and on edge. As much as she would like to be sandwiched between the cousins, she thought it wiser to avoid them. She didn’t want to break up a family and they didn’t seem likely to compromise.
A yellow ribbon trailed from a posy of wildflowers: daisies, bluebells, irises, and forget-me-nots. Rev picked up the cluster and held it to her nose. The odor was faint but lovely. She pulled the door open, intent on finding a vase and water for them. She thought she knew who had left them, and a movement to her left confirmed it. Kerwin darted away, leaving her with a mix of gratitude, flattery, and confusion.
The door chimes rang close to noon while Rev was checking her Facebook and letting one of her high school friends know what life in Littleton was like. Cherish wasn’t exactly helpful, recommending she take a chance on both the brothers and let them duke it out in the end.
Rev closed her phone to turn her attention to the customer. A woman with long black hair hanging in thick, lazy waves, approached. Her brown skin led Rev to believe she was one of the Clearwaters. The woman didn’t seem angry or jealous, much to Rev’s relief.
“Hello. Can I help you find something?”
“Perhaps. I’m hoping to speak with Penny. Has she returned yet? I thought I’d check here rather than go directly to her house.”
“She isn’t, but she will be back later today. I don’t know how she’ll feel about guests so soon after her surgery, though.”
“Of course.”
“Is it something I can help you with?” Reverie knew Grandma would give her grief if she didn’t try a little bit harder to make a sale.
“I don’t think so.” She looked over Rev and her gaze landed on the pendant. Rev clicked her tongue and tucked the deer under her shirt. After Flo’s reaction, she thought she shouldn’t flaunt it. “Well, perhaps. My name is Jenna.” She extended her hand.
“You’re Kerwin’s mother,” Rev blurted out. “I mean, it’s nice to meet you.”
Jenna chuckled. “Yes, Kerwin is mine. Well, I guess he doesn’t belong to anyone at the moment.” The side-glance she gave Rev filled in the blank she’d left. If he belonged to anyone, it was Rev.
“Yeah, Grandma has trouble remembering I’m not fourteen any more. I understand. I’m Reverie by the way. I have a five-year-old niece that startles me every time I see her. When do they grow so much?”
Jenna nodded. “It’s harder when it’s someone close. The changes are much less obvious. How long are you expecting to stay in Littleton?”
“Grandma will need me for at least a month. I might stay a little longer if she is still having trouble getting around.”
“What do you think of Littleton?” Jenna leaned on the counter, putting her face a bit closer to Rev’s.
Rev had to fight the urge to back up. “I don’t feel welcome here.”
“What if you did? What if all the prying eyes were merely curious? What would you think of Littleton then?”
Rev pursed her lips, considering. “I would say that it’s a quaint town. It’s a bit small for my tastes, but it beats a giant city where no one knows anyone else.”
“That is does. Well, I know Penny wouldn’t let me leave empty-handed, and don’t expect you would either. Let’s see.” Jenna meandered around the shop looking at everything from ceramic statuettes to jewelry to furniture. It gave Rev time to consider what she’d said.
Why wasn’t she jealous? If anyone would be against the boys latching onto her, it would be their mother, wouldn’t it? However, Jenna seemed serene, quiet. It was clear where Kerwin got his nature.
“Here we are.” She set a bookmark embossed with a badger next to the register.
“Where did Grandma find that? You know, I had a dream about a badger last night.”
“Did you?” Jenna’s eyes sparkled in a way that made Rev thing she had a secret. “What else was in your dream?”
Rev switched the Ipad window to the inventory to try and find the bookmark. “A wild cat. About the same size as the badger with tufts on the tops of its ears.” The bookmark was listed at four dollars. “That’ll be four bucks.”
“A lynx.”
“What?”
Jenna pulled out a five and passed it to Rev. “The cat, it’s probably a lynx. They have tufts on their ears that stand straight up. They’ve been seen around here.”
Rev opened the register and gave Jenna her change. “Yeah? Do they usually fight with badgers? That was the weirdest part.”
Jenna took her time putting the money and bookmark away. “I wouldn’t say it’s common, but it happens from time to time.”
“Then there were the birds.”
“Birds? You have quite animated dreams.”
“I’m not sure that one was a dream. In fact, I’m positive I was awake when an owl and hawk flew through my window scrabbling with one another. That, I’m sure, is strange.”
“Indeed. I’m sure it won’t happen again. It was lovely to meet you Reverie, and please pass my wishes onto Penny when she gets home.”
“I will. Thank you!”
Alone again, Reverie decided it was time to dig into the leftovers from Golden Palace she’d brought for a lunch. Nibbling on the chilled food, she remembered Flo mentioning a girl there who might be friendlier than Kristen. She made a note to swing by after closing.
She tucked the takeout box under the counter at the sound of chimes.
“Oh, don’t let me interrupt lunch. That looked good.” Lucius' bright attitude and smile lit up the shop.
Rev pulled it back up. “Yeah, it is
good. You eat there much?”
He shook his head. “Once every couple of months. No, Mom taught me to cook. It’s much cheaper and I can make a lot more than what’s on either Golden Palace’s or Sweet Home’s menu. Actually, I can make everything on Sweet Home’s menu. I can’t say that about Chinese food.”
Rev finished her mouthful before answering. “I think you’re better than me. I can do some basics like pasta, but beyond that I tend toward packaged dinners.” She wrinkled her nose, knowing it wasn’t her most flattering attribute. “Dammit!” She swept the rice crumbs from her shirt to the counter and from there into her hand. “Sorry.”
Lucius shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me.”
“I don’t know why, but I’m all thumbs some days.”
Rather than making fun of her, or turning up his nose, Lucius leaned in closer. “Can I have a bite?”
Rev flipped her fork around. “Help yourself. It’s not nearly as good cold.”
He popped a scoop of fried rice in his mouth, not missing a grain. “You’re right. Still good, just not as good. The Chows are fantastic.”
“Yeah? What do you know about Mai?”
Pursing his lips, he didn’t answer immediately. In the time it took him, she remembered what Flo had said about Mai’s response to Lucius' pass. She had to fight off a smile.
“Mai’s cool. Witty. She’s wicked smart. Not like math and science, like everything. She looks at the rest of the world like it’s going too slow for her.”
“Out of our league?”
He scoffed. “Mine anyway. Maybe not yours.”
“Ha! I’m certainly not a savant. I was a solid B student.”
“B is good. I had a few more Cs.”
Rev laughed. “Let me guess, too busy smiling at girls and playing sports.”
“I claim the fifth.”
“Well, then, let’s change the subject.”
“Absolutely. You have any pets growing up?” And that easily, Lucius steered the conversation from one topic to another until she glanced at one of the unique clocks and saw the time.
“Don’t you have to work or something?”