by Rose Pressey
“Really? A southern girl like you? What made you go all that way from home for work?”
“The thrill of big city life, as if there was something I was missing by being in little Mystic Hollow. But to be honest? The main reason I left was a man. And not a very good one, I might add.”
He laughed. “So it didn’t work out so well for you?”
“You could say that.” I took another lick, trying to keep up with the quickly melting ice cream.
“But things seem good now that you’re back in Mystic Hollow?”
I swallowed hard, looking away. Could he read my face and know I was lying? Not telling him the truth was almost unbearable. “Yeah, things are good. I love the café. And baking.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a pie that good. The burger, well, it’s good if you can get it,” he teased.
At least he could laugh about what happened. I didn’t think I’d ever find it humorous at first.
I felt Rory’s stare on me as I licked the cone.
“How’s the ice cream?” he asked.
“Delicious.” I avoided his gaze. “So, what about you? I still don’t know anything about you.” I picked a honeysuckle off a bush as we walked by and sniffed.
“I have a small farm on the outskirts of town. That’s why you always see me dressed like a bum.”
“I don’t think you look like a bum. I think you look great,” I said softly.
The little line crinkled between his eyebrows and he smiled. “Thank you.”
“What do you have on your farm?” My hand accidentally brushed against his as we strolled along, sending a tingly feeling from my toes to the top of my head.
“Some corn, some soybeans. I rescue retired racehorses, too.”
“You do? I love horses. Well, actually, I love all animals. Dogs are my favorite.”
“I have a Golden Retriever. You should come see him sometime.”
“I’d love to.” My stomach did a flip at the thought of being alone in Rory’s house—just the three of us, me, Rory, and the dog. No Kim within hundreds of miles.
“Do you enjoy running a farm?”
“I do. It’s what I love.” His eyes lit up when he answered.
“Did you live in Austin?”
“I lived in Hope Creek, just outside of Austin. It’s a small town like this one. But I like it here better. I don’t really have a desire to live anywhere else. Travel, sure, but I always want to come back home.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m glad I’m back. I missed the rolling hills and everything is so green here. You don’t get that in New York City.”
Rory slowed his pace. My heart rate spiked and it wasn’t from the cardio of our walk.
When he came to a stop, Kelly Smith, the local beautician guilty of creating those little football helmets attached to the senior women of Mystic Hollow, smacked right into the back of him. Amy Strong, the bank teller who used to eat crayons in elementary school, narrowly missed crashing into me. Had they been following us all this time? Rory was now like the pied piper of women. They giggled and blushed. For a brief time, I’d been able to pretend the spell didn’t exist. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last.
“Hello, ladies.”
“Hi, Rory.” Kelly twisted a lock of her brown hair between her fingers. “Fancy seeing you out and about tonight.”
Yeah, imagine that. They’d probably been stalking his house and followed him. How could the magic work so well for a love spell, but reversing it was so complicated?
“Nice seeing you, ladies.” Rory placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the park, away from his adoring fans.
“Bye, Rory. Come see me at the bank sometime.” Amy blew a kiss in his direction.
“Not much privacy around here, huh? Do you want to sit on that bench over there? Maybe they’ll take the hint and realize this is a private conversation.” Rory led me by the elbow toward the little white wooden gazebo with white twinkling lights draped around its ceiling. It called to us, whispering of romantic times to be had while sitting under the stars. A girl could get used to evenings like this.
“I’d like that.” I walked with him down the stone path, enjoying the view of the perennials along the way.
“Bye, ladies.” Rory tilted his head and waved over his shoulder. They still stood and watched us.
“I don’t understand this. It’s all so weird. Women never followed me before. Sure, the occasional woman might have flirted, once an older woman propositioned me, but this is bizarre. Some men may like the attention, but I find it unnerving.”
I had to ask about the older woman propositioning him story—it could be entertaining.
“Do you care to share this fascinating story of the older woman with me?”
He laughed. “There’s not much to it, honest.”
“Then you won’t mind sharing with me then?”
“You’re going to force it out of me, huh?” He grinned.
“Oh, yes.” I smiled.
“Like I said, it was nothing really. I worked at a pet store when I was in college. This woman came in every day to buy her cat food. She never bought enough to last the whole week, or even a few days, just one can a day.” He held up his index finger. “Soon the other guys I worked with started giving me slack about what she was doing. They said she wanted me. I thought they were crazy because she was old enough to be my grandmother. Obviously, they read her signals better than I did, because I was clueless. The first day I noticed anything, it was just a little squeeze on the hand and a wink.” He gave a brief glimpse of his gleaming white teeth. “The next thing I knew she was behind the counter, trying to kiss me. I had bright red lipstick all over my face. For an older woman, she really was fast. Her hands moved like lightning.”
I snickered, barely able to contain my laughter.
A hint of a smile quirked his lips, giving a peek of his dimples. “The guys never let me live that down.
“How did you…how do I put this? Let her down gently?”
“I told her I had a girlfriend, which I didn’t at the time, but she didn’t seem to care. Finally, I quit the job.”
“Oh my gosh. You had to quit to get away from her?”
“She was persistent. I was graduating anyway and didn’t need the job. I’d taken on a higher-paying position at a farm and ranch supply store at night and worked on the farm during the day. I had student loans to pay for.”
“It’s expensive.” I nodded. “That’s quite an interesting story. So you’ve had your share of female admirers?”
“Not really. Or if I have, like I said, I didn’t read the signals.”
It was hard for him to miss the signals from the Mystic Hollow women, though. From over Rory’s shoulder, the women glared at me until finally giving up and turning in the other direction. It felt as if they’d stabbed a knife in my chest before walking away. I was positive the thought had crossed their minds.
As we stood in front of the bench, Rory smiled and I melted worse than the chocolate ice cream cone in my hand. Just like Kim had noticed, ever since I had set my eyes on him, I felt the connection. But whether or not I’d ever know if the feelings were real or magic, I had no idea. Sure, I’d been attracted to him when I first saw him, but would my feelings have gone this far if not for magic?
Rory reached for my hand, his touch warm against my skin. His long fingers and wide palm engulfed my small hand. My heart thumped, hammering in my ears. His gaze focused on my lips and I wanted him to kiss me more than anything. He looked up at me again and I met his gaze, neither one of us knowing what to say. Since we’d set out for ice cream at the Dairy Queen, I’d had a smile spread across my face from ear to ear. How could I not with someone as sweet as Rory by my side?
He stepped closer, reaching out and touching my cheek with his hand. He brushed a strand of my hair back and tucked it behind my ear. The silence lingered, but we didn’t need words. His gaze focused on my lips again and I began to stare at his
as he leaned in closer. Rory’s breath was sweet like the vanilla ice cream. He tilted his head and pressed his lips on mine.
The cold from the ice cream tickled against my lips. The taste of his mouth against mine was divine. His soft touch made my body tingle in places that hadn’t felt that alive in ages. I opened my mouth and our tongues began a tango right there in the park. Before I knew it, my hands were entangled in his hair, my chest pressed flat against his. I pulled away slightly, remembering we were in a public place. Granted, it was nighttime, but still. Another kiss like that, and I’d surrender without an ounce of struggle. He made my insides melt faster than ice cream.
He leaned back and grinned, brushing hair away from my face. “I hope that wasn’t too forward.”
Before I had a chance to answer, an annoying voice rang out like a metaphorical slap to the face. Kim approached. I hated this magic right now.
“What’s going on here?” She glared at me, stopping in front of us and placing her hands on her nonexistent hips.
“We’re having a conversation,” Rory said.
Her bottom lip trembled. “I swear, Rory Covington if you don’t come help me with my car, I don’t know what I’ll do. I think I might cry.” She swiped at a fake tear in her eye.
“What’s wrong?” He crossed his arms in front of his muscular chest.
“It won’t start and I’m scared out here all alone at night.” She jutted out her lower lip.
Rory turned to me. “Do you mind if we take a look at her car?”
In my sweetest voice, I said, “Sure, no problem.”
How convenient that her car had problems at that exact moment. I followed them like an unwanted outsider. Kim sashayed across the street to her sports car, her arm looping around Rory’s. When she glanced back and realized I was coming, a deep frown spread across her face. If she thought I was staying by myself in the park, she had another think coming. It was too scary for her to be alone, but not me?
Rory lifted the hood of her car while she glared at me from over his shoulder. I definitely felt like a third wheel which, if the scowl on her face was any indication, was exactly what she wanted. It didn’t appear as if she’d give up on her pursuit of Rory anytime soon, either.
“I’d better get going,” I said.
“What?” Rory looked up from the engine. “No,” he said. “I’m sure it’s nothing major. I’ll have it fixed in a jiffy.”
“I have to get up early in the morning, anyway. I’ll see you.” I waved, never looking at Kim. I didn’t need to see the sly grin on her face. She’d won this battle.
He frowned. “Okay, can I walk you over to your car?”
“It’s right there. You can see me from here.” I gestured with my thumb over my shoulder. “It’s not necessary, really.”
I turned and hurried away before he had a chance to stop me. Something I hadn’t expected happened, though. I still felt the imprint of Rory’s touch on my back and the way his hand caressed mine. I still tasted him on my tongue. He’d heated up parts of me that hadn’t been warm for a long time.
When I glanced back, Kim had monopolized his attention again. I’d get her for messing up my evening with Rory Covington. But maybe getting even wouldn’t be so difficult, after all. As I approached my Mustang, a group of women gathered around Kim’s car, all offering to help Rory with the problem. Any other time I wouldn’t have liked it, but right now, it was just fine.
Chapter Twenty-FourI slipped into my car and headed in the opposite direction, not looking back at the mess I’d caused by not using magic responsibly. It was too painful to watch. One thing was for sure: I was going to fix it and fix it now. I needed Tom to stop playing games and help me. What if I had messed up the magic? There was no reason Rory had to suffer because of it. Kim too, for that matter. She didn’t want to be with Rory. At least, that’s what I told myself to feel better. She said she had no idea why she’d come back. This forty-eight hours business was completely unnecessary.
I pointed my car in the direction of Tom’s hotel in search of answers, once and for all. I’d dodged a bullet, though. What had I been thinking, going out with Rory? Perhaps the heat was getting the better of me. The last thing I needed was the complication of another man in my life, anyway. I’d gotten rid of a rat when I moved back to Mystic Hollow. Rory in my life would not be a good thing. So why was I fantasizing about sitting close to him on my front porch and gazing up at the stars with him? I could almost smell his spicy scent—like sandalwood and soap. I almost felt his hand caressing mine. The fantasy stayed with me the rest of the way down Main Street.
Within a couple of minutes, I pulled up in front of the small motel. The building looked like it hadn’t changed since the 1950s. All that was missing was poodle skirts and an Edsel parked in front. Tom had said he was staying in room four. I wedged my car into a parking spot between a minivan and a beat-up truck. The sight of the Mustang between the two vehicles would have made Ray weep like a little baby. Too bad he didn’t have any control over where the car was parked anymore. I knocked on the door, tapping my foot while waiting for an answer.
The door opened. “Hey, gorgeous, fancy seeing you here.” He stretched his muscular arms over his head and yawned.
I suddenly had second thoughts about this plan. Perhaps going to a sexy man’s hotel room wasn’t one of my better ideas.
“I need to talk with you,” I said, as I scanned the room.
“Come on in.” He gestured with a wave of his hand.
“Okay, but only if you leave the door open.” I held my purse in front of me as a shield.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Whatever you want.”
A basketball game played on the TV in the background. He wore a T-shirt that revealed his tanned arms and well-worn jeans. The casual attire suited him. The smell of pepperoni hit my nostrils and I noticed a box with a half-eaten pizza on the table next to the bed.
“Have a seat.” He pointed. “What’s on your mind?”
I blew out a deep breath and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. After studying his face for a second, I said, “I think you know what’s on my mind, Tom. I need answers. Shouldn’t the organization be helping me a little more instead of just leaving me to figure this mess out on my own?” My words became more hurried. “And don’t look at me with that little grin.”
“Sorry, it’s just that you’re cute when you’re panicked.”
“Tom, quit kidding around,” I said, willing my lips not to curve upward.
“Who says I’m kidding?” A hint of a smile materialized on his lips.
“I want to know what’s going on.”
“I’m working on it. When I say I’m helping you, you need to trust me.”
I blew a shallow breath through my teeth, then said, “I can hear the clock ticking. With every second that passes, it’s as if a little voice chimes in my head, ‘the café will be closed forever.’ Can I at least talk to Mr. Wibble? Isn’t there a way we can convince him to give me more time?”
“I’ll see what I can do to get Mr. Wibble to speak with you, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Fine, fine, whatever. It’s a start. I need something, anything right now.” The weight in my chest grew heavier.
“Elly, the organization has been around for many years. So many years I think they’ve lost track as to when it was actually formed. Anyway, they have their reasons for doing things the way they do. It may not make sense, and maybe they don’t always make the best decisions, but it keeps some form of order to magic. Without them, who knows what would happen?”
“Life isn’t always fair, huh? How many times do I have to learn that lesson?”
“It’s easy to forget,” Tom said in a low tone.
“So you can’t tell me everything that’s going on, huh?”
He shook his head. “As soon as I know anything different, I’ll let you know.”
I nodded. “I’m just freaking out a little.”
“It
’s understandable. Look, I’m going to tell you one more thing to freak you out even more.” He leaned forward, trying to narrow the distance between us.
“I’m not sure I can handle any more.” I gripped the side of the chair, bracing myself for the blow.
“It’s just that, you can’t do any magic for now. Put a hold on it, at least until I talk to you again.”
“Why?”
“Just stop with the spells, okay?”
I watched the TV in an attempt to ignore his request.
“Are you listening to me, Elly? There are consequences if you do the magic.”
“Oh yeah, like what? They’ll close the café? I heard that already.”
“There’s more to it than that. Things like having your magical rights taken permanently away. Any descendents wouldn’t be allowed to do magic, no matter what level of talent they possessed.”
“I doubt I’ll have descendents. And I hadn’t anticipated being allowed to ever do magic after the café,” I groused.
“You have natural magical talent, Elly. You don’t want to ruin your chances of ever doing magic again.”
I had no idea why all of a sudden my magic was being restricted, but I didn’t intend on listening for any further reasoning. Tom was talking in circles as far as I was concerned. I’d heard enough rules from the magic bureaucrats and this was one I wouldn’t be following.
“I shouldn’t have come here and bothered you.”
“You’re not bothering me, Elly.”
“I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.”
Before Tom had a chance to react, I jumped up and hurried out the door.
“Elly, don’t go, please. I don’t want you to leave here upset,” he called as I climbed in my car.
When I pulled away, Tom stood in front of his room, barefoot and holding his hands up in frustration. Maybe he did want to help. But like Grandma Imelda always said: if you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself. That’s what I intended on doing: fixing this magic debacle myself.
Chapter Twenty-FiveBefore going home and passing out for the night, I decided to head back to the café and prep a few things in the kitchen. I wanted to release my frustration and anxiety before attempting sleep. As wired as I felt now, there was no way I’d get any rest. Maybe work would tire me out.