Magic in the Mountains

by Donna Kunkel

  When Alex got a chance to be alone with Vale, she whispered, “Is she?”

  Vale nodded. “As well as her father. I cannot quite tell with her brother, he is still young. He might not have come into his power yet.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “See if I can convince her parents to let her come to school.”

  Alex nodded. She looked at her watch then headed back to the cabin to get the evening chores done. She returned as soon as she could. Peter was grilling up some steaks and hamburgers. A long table was set up on his back porch so everyone could eat together. They enjoyed the food and company, talking well past sunset. The candles flickered, lighting up everyone’s faces. After dessert, Peter gave all the adults a glass of champagne. He lifted his glass. “To the best friends a man can ever have.”

  “Hear! Hear!” everyone answered and drank the delightful liquid.

  Peter got up again, “If you’ll all stay seated, my new friend, Derek, is going to give us a short fireworks display.” Peter sat and a few minutes later several balls lit up the night sky. It only lasted a minute when there was a pause and then the whoosh of a firework shot echoed. They watched it travel up then expand into a dragon. Everyone gasped. The dragon spread its wings and circled the sky three times. It disappeared with a pop. They sat there for a moment then started clapping. Shortly after, the partygoers collected their jackets and started to wander back home, Alex being one of the earliest. She didn’t have the luxury of sleeping in. Anna Belle and Mandy would be wanting attention.

  ****

  A dozen students from Aspen Glen arrived in three trucks a week later. They cast an ignore spell so no one would watch what they were doing. They magically cut the hay, dried it, and moved it from the field to hay stacks closer to the barn. After they finished that step, they baled it and moved the bales next to the barn. It took all day, but by sunset they were finished. They piled up a ring of stones and started a bonfire. Then they sat around the ring and roasted hot dogs. As they fixed and ate their dinner, they told stories about school—especially those involving the various magical creatures that resided on the school grounds. A mean nanny goat took center stage in a lot of their tales. As Alex listened, she stroked a finger down Ginny’s chest. How similar the stories sounded to hers with the hen. They partied until late in the evening. Alex had them bunk in the barn and cabin so they could leave the next morning after breakfast. The whole time Ginny rode around on Alex’s shoulder. The students teased her mercilessly about having a chicken for a familiar. For the first time she didn’t mind being teased. Over the winter and summer, she’d finally become comfortable with who she was. She no longer minded that her magic wasn’t as strong as a lot of the other wizards. It was enough for her.

  In August, a series of storms passed through bringing the stifling temperatures down to comfortable levels. Each afternoon, she’d take a book and drink out to the back porch. Sometimes she’d simply sit and watch. The wildlife would scatter as a storm approached and then gradually reappear after everything was over. The birds bathed in the short-lived puddles before searching for their evening meal. She sighed; it was so peaceful and quiet. If anyone would have asked her if she would ever live in the mountains, she’d have told them they were crazy. Not now. She’d changed. Denver’s hustle and bustle had now become a pain. She wanted this quiet life. Or did she want this because she wanted Steve? To be with him the rest of her life.

  The summer was winding down. Steve would get back in a few weeks. She shut the lid on her laptop. All morning she’d tried to get some work done, but she couldn’t focus. Her thoughts kept turning back to the previous day’s phone call from Steve. He asked about Mandy, Anna Belle, and the chickens, if they were all healthy and managing. He asked if she was having any problems with taking care of everything. How often she was going over to Peter’s. He was business, all business. He never asked about her. Then he found an excuse to end the call after only a few minutes. She knew school would be hard for him, but this?

  “Why? Why is he doing this?” Alex said.

  Ginny was on her shoulder as usual. “Maybe he isn’t interested. Maybe he can’t stop shifting and doesn’t want to risk having you around. Maybe he’s found someone else and is afraid to tell you.”

  Alex shooed the hen away. She picked up her iced tea and wandered out onto the back porch.

  Mandy shuffled out after her and approached the screen windows.

  Alex settled into the chair and looked out across the valley.

  Mandy sniffed the air and carefully scanned the area, then plopped down next to her feet.

  Alex sipped her tea as she watched the evening fall. The birds were stilling as the sun set behind the mountains. Only the robins called out as darkness claimed the valley. She spent the time going over possible scenarios. She knew he’d be worried about his animals, his family, his home. He would be curious about his friend, Peter. She knew he hated going to school, dealing with the new magical subjects, and learning about the magical world. Would he continue on with the schooling? He probably didn’t even realize he’d been abrupt.

  If she hadn’t shown up, he wouldn’t know about magic. She was responsible for all this. She’d thrown his life into disarray. He could blame her for all these changes. Was he trying to distance himself? Did he want to end their relationship?

  Now that was the problem. Her future hinged on what he wanted, and it would be weeks before she could find out. Mañana. Why was everything important always mañana? The cow might jump over the moon before then. Alex kept going over the possible scenarios. Of all the possibilities, the most likely was that he was trying to distance himself. She’d been responsible for all the changes he’d been forced to make ever since she’d shown up on his doorstep. Was he blaming her for everything? She had thrown his peaceful life into chaos.

  Mandy picked up her head and nudged Alex’s leg.

  “I know, girl.” She stroked Mandy’s head. “Everyone is waiting for dinner.”

  Chapter 34

  The day Steve was finally coming home had arrived. Alex looked at her list again. The steaks were seasoned, ready to be cooked, and the vegetables were almost finished, needing only a couple of minutes more. She set the dishes and wine glasses on the table. One last look around and she was satisfied that everything was ready. They could have an early meal and spend some time together well before sunset. Maybe she’d get some answers to her many questions over a relaxing dinner and a glass of wine. Now she only had to wait for Steve to get back home.

  Alex paced the room and Mandy watched from her spot at the window next to the front door. Alex fussed with the wildflowers on the kitchen table, rearranging them again. She couldn’t stand this not knowing.

  Alex and Mandy rushed out onto the front porch when Steve’s truck pulled up. He greeted and wrestled with Mandy. When he’d finished, he reached in his truck and pulled out two of his bags. He strode to the porch, and Alex opened the door for him. He nodded and walked in.

  “Would you like me to help get the rest of your stuff in?”

  “No.” He set the bags down near the table. “I think you should go ahead and head home.”

  “I still have to finish packing.” She shut the front door. “I could finish and we could talk over dinner.”

  “You have to be gone before sunset…remember.”

  Alex nodded.

  “Hurry up and pack while I unload my truck. You need to leave.” He headed back out the door.

  Alex rushed into the bedroom and finished throwing her clothes in her suitcase. At least she’d already packed up everything else. She tossed the last item in and zipped the bag. She grabbed the bag off the bedspread, scattering the rose petals she’d tossed there this morning. She carried the bag to the door next to some of her other things. Steve had already carried half her things out to her car. She paused when he came back in and picked up some more of her items.

  “There’s still a couple of hours before the sun sets,
” Alex said.

  He hesitated then walked back out.

  She watched him go and carried her suitcase out. Steve had set everything down near her trunk. She placed everything in the trunk as he finished carrying out the rest. She set her computer bag on the back seat and walked over to him.

  “I need some time alone,” he said.

  She reached up and gently stroked his cheek. “Give me a call so we can talk.” She walked back to her car and got in. He didn’t even watch her leave but went straight back inside and shut the door.

  She’d just backed out and put the car in gear when she remembered her promise. “Ginny,” she yelled. “Ginny. You have to come right now.”

  The hen popped onto her shoulder. “What’s so urgent. I was enjoying some more of that popcorn.”

  “We have to leave.” She started driving out.

  “I thought you’d be staying.”

  “Steve wants me to leave.”

  “Oh.”

  Alex pulled out onto the road and looked back at the cabin. Mandy’s nose was pressed against the front window and Anna Belle was watching her from the pasture. Alex gently lifted the hen down to the front seat then drove on. Before she even reached the highway, she had to pull over because she couldn’t see the road anymore. She sat there and cried until her tears slowed down. She pulled a wad of tissues out of the box she kept in the car. After several minutes she had calmed down enough to drive on. She took one of the exits and picked up a greasy burger, large pack of fries, and a chocolate shake. She nibbled on the food as she headed back to Denver.

  Alex moped around for a week before her brother cornered her. “Sit,” Joe said. He pulled out a chair at the table and went to the kitchen.

  “Why?” Alex asked, taking the offered chair.

  “You need to unwind.”

  She could hear ice cubes hitting the metal shaker. “I have too much to get done.”

  “Not tonight.” He walked back out carrying two martinis. “Drink this and we’ll talk.” He sat down across from her.

  “About what?” Alex savored the cold liquid and the sharp bite. “You do make a good Sour Apple Martini.”

  He held up his glass to make a toast. “Here’s to getting your love life settled.”

  Alex paused then touched her glass to his. “I wish I could, but I haven’t heard a word from Steve. I’m afraid I’ve forced too many changes on him.” She gazed into the clear green liquid.

  “Who wouldn’t want to use magic?”

  Alex looked up at him.

  “I know, you thought you could be normal. And how did that work out for you?”

  “It didn’t.” She took a drink.

  “Of course not. You can’t deny who you are. You’re a wizard and you should marry a wizard. You can’t be normal even if you want to be.”

  “But that didn’t work for me. I never got along with any of the wizards I know. They’re all so full of themselves, and they make me feel like a failure.” She took another good drink.

  Joe got up and topped off her glass. “Then maybe you should move. Find some new men. There has to be one out there you’ll fall in love with.” He placed the shaker on the table and sat back down.

  “That’s the problem. I did fall in love.”

  “Does Steve feel the same way?”

  “I thought so…but now…I don’t know.”

  “How long are you going to wait for him?”

  Alex shrugged. “I have to give him a chance. He put up with me for months, never once complaining. I can be patient and give him some time. He needs time to settle into his new life. Maybe then he can decide about us.”

  “And what are you going to do until he makes up his mind?”

  “Wait. I want to be with him.”

  “Then do something. Give him a call, stop by to drop something off, anything but just sitting here worrying.”

  Alex sipped some more of her drink.

  “Whatever you decide, I’ll take your side. Don’t let Mom influence your decision. We have to stick together.” He clinked glasses with her again. “It’s us against the world. We can do this.”

  A week later, Alex got a box from Steve. Alex grabbed the box, but Ginny dug her claws into the cardboard and started flapping her wings. “This is not for you, let go,” Alex said.

  Ginny dug her beak in the ripped slot and pulled another piece of cardboard away. She snatched at the edge for another hunk.

  “Don’t you dare eat any of that cardboard.” Alex stared into the hen’s eyes. “The last time you ate too much, you had trouble laying any eggs for days.”

  Ginny paused with a large hunk of brown paper still sticking out of her beak. She jostled the paper so it stuck out of both sides of her beak.

  “Drop it,” Alex repeated.

  Ginny dropped the piece. She snatched three more hunks away before stopping. Brown paper floated to the floor.

  “Are you done yet?”

  Ginny ripped off a couple more pieces with her feet. She stuck her head in the hole.

  “Don’t you dare eat anything that’s in there.”

  Ginny pulled her head out and shook her feathers. She let go and hopped onto Alex’s shoulder.

  “Satisfied?”

  “Yep. I wanted to find out what was inside.”

  “If you’d waited a couple of minutes I’d have had it open.

  Ginny shuffled her feet, “Just wanted to see first.”

  Alex quickly finished opening the box. What did he send? She pulled out the article inside; the sweater she’d left behind. She turned the box over and shook; he hadn’t even included a note. Would he ever talk to her?

  ****

  A month passed before Alex got a call from Steve. All he said was that he wanted to come to Denver to see her. He gave her a date and time and hung up. The day of the date finally arrived. Alex would pick out an outfit, hold it up so she could see it in the mirror, then toss it on the bed. Nothing seemed to be just right. She tried outfit after outfit.

  Ginny hopped up on her shoulder, “Wear the black one. Black always works for everything.”

  “Think so? I don’t know. I want to look…”

  “Sexy, so he can’t turn you down.”

  Alex nodded. She slipped the black dress on and looked at it in the mirror. “Good call.” Ginny hopped down.

  A knock on her door brought her running.

  She looked out the peephole and saw Steve. Her fingers fumbled with the keyed deadbolt. The stupid key just didn’t want to turn. She took a couple of deep breaths, touched the thin metal, it turned, and the lock tumbled open. She yanked the door open and jumped up on him, wrapping her legs and arms around him, burying her face in his neck.

  He staggered into her apartment with her entwined in his arms. He kicked the door and fell against it, clicking it shut. She unwrapped her legs and slid them back to the floor; and he was finally able to push her away to arm’s length.

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  “Okay.” She took his hand and led him over to sit down on the sofa. He wore a black suit and tie with a white shirt. “Why the suit?” she asked looking him over. He looked great in the suit, but so unusual. She’d never seen him in anything other than jeans and flannel shirts. It had to be serious for him to put a suit on.

  He straightened his tie and fussed with the jacket. “It’s important.”

  Important bad? Was he going to tell her he didn’t want to see her anymore? She’d thrown his life in chaos and he wanted to go back to his old life. Could he still be worried about her safety? She dropped into the nearest chair and buried her face in her hands.

  Steve rushed over, knelt down in front of her, and pulled her hands away from her face. “No, Alex. You were right. In another year I’ll have my shape-shifting completely under control.”

  Alex looked up but couldn’t focus through her tears. She pulled a hand out of his and swiped at her eyes. “I was right,” she managed to get out.

  He nodded
and squeezed her other hand. “Hurry up and finish getting dressed. I want to take you out to celebrate.” He pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. “I’ve got a half hour to get there. You have to hurry.”

  She fussed with a lock of hair near her face. “But I’m such a mess.”

  “You’re beautiful.” He pulled her up and gently touched her damp cheek. “I want to tell you the great news with some champagne.”

  “Champagne.” Great. Here he was and all she could do was parrot him. She looked down at her bare feet. “I’ll be ready in five minutes,” she said and dashed off.

  Steve watched the way she moved as she walked out of the room.

  Ginny strutted out into the living room. Steve looked at her. “Why’s my chicken here?”

  “You didn’t give me a chance to tell you,” Alex said from the bedroom as she put her jewelry on. “You just pushed me out the door.”

  “Sorry about that. I was strung out after exams. I didn’t mean to be so abrupt.”

  “But you had to be sure I left before sunset?”

  “Yeah, it was a full moon that night,” he said. Ginny jumped up on the chair and eyed him. “What’s the deal with the hen?”

  “Apparently she’s my familiar.” She could hear Steve laughing. “When I came back for the summer, she introduced herself.”

  “All the shit she put you through.”

  “She said she was finding out if I was worthy.” Alex brushed her hair. “By the way, she’s Ginny now. Caroline named her.”

  “Did Caroline name all the other hens?” He stared at the hen.

  “I think so, but I can’t remember all the names.”

  “I leave for the summer and all my livestock gets named or becomes a pet.”

  Alex slipped her shoes on and walked out. “She’s not a pet. She’s my familiar.”

  Steve looked at Alex from her feet to her head. He rose up.

  Alex stepped closer and touched his lapel. “What’s with the black suit, it looks like you’re going to a funeral.”