AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He just finished up, said he’d catch up with me in a moment,” Derek added. “I’m looking forward to getting a look at the full property. Would you like to join us? I’d love to hear your take on the place too.” His gaze fell to the purse slung over my shoulder. “Or were you going outalready?”
“I’m just going to poke around town a bit,” I said. “See what’s changed since I was last here. Drop in to chat with a few of the business owners who’ve done work for us. It’s always best to keep good relations with the unsparkedcommunity.”
Behind me, Philomena chortled. “‘Good relations.’ Is that what you’re hoping to have with these dashing young men? Lots of changes to examine there. Maybe up close and in greatdetail.”
I kept my eyes on Derek, studiously ignoring her. “Indeed,” he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “We wouldn’t want them bringing out the torches and pitchforks. We’ll have lots of time for you to show me your favorite spots later. When we’re both back at the house, perhaps we could take a walk in the gardens together, if we’re not both walkedout?”
“I’d like that,” I said, meaning it. Maybe I hadn’t had much choice, but Iwantedto make this partnershipwork.
I slipped out ahead of Derek and my father and set off along the lonely road into town. The tall grass in the sprawling fields whispered with the breeze. Philomena had produced a bonnet out of thin air. There were some benefits to being a figment of someone’s imagination, and quick costume changes was one ofthem.
“Are you certain there aren’t any wolves or bears we need to be wary of, wandering about out here on our own?” she asked, peering toward the shadows of the forest beyond thefields.
“I thought you were eager for adventure,” Isaid.
“Oh, quite. I just prefer my adventure without literal teeth, you know. And ideally with at least one wall between me and the wilds ofnature.”
“You could have stayed back at themanor.”
She waggled a finger at me. “Oh, no. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I want to look over every one of these childhood friends of yours. The first one was quite a treat on hisown.”
I wrinkled my nose at her. “I hope you’ll at least keep the commentary to a minimum once we’re there. I haven’t seen these guys in years. I’d like to be listening tothem.”
“We’ll see,” Phil said coyly. “There are some observations that simply must bemade.”
To be fair, I was actually glad for her imaginary company. Bantering with her made the trek pass a lot more quickly than if I’d been left to my ownthoughts.
I’d never used to be allowed to walk into town on my own. Of course, I’d only been thirteen when we’d left here. Dad had never been exactly hostile about the unsparked, the way Celestine sometimes was, but he’d always reminded me to keep distance and maintaincaution.
It’s not that there’s anythingwrongwith them, you understand, little lamb,he’d say when I’d ask him a question after reading some new book or watching a movie in which the unsparked lived their magic-free lives.They’re just different. They’ve never understood what we are, and they never will. So it’s best we don’t mingle any more than we needto.
I wasn’t sure exactly what he’d have been worried would happen to me in town on my own at thirteen. It wasn’t as if anyone was burning suspected witches these days. But it didn’t matter now. I’d been going around Portland without any company for the last few years, once Dad’s and Celestine’s nerves had settled about my interest in keeping unsparked company. It would have been ridiculous to go back to those old rules now, when I was twenty-four.
Phil and I passed a couple of farm houses and then came into the town proper. A few cars puttered down the otherwise quiet roads. The downtown area was made up of a central cobblestone square with a large fountain in the middle and a couple streets on each side with their hodgepodge ofshops.
Looking around, I realized with a twinge that I couldn’t actually say how much had changed. My visits here as a kid had been infrequent as well as escorted. My whole life had revolved around theestate.
It’d always been my boys coming tome.
So it really was about time I returned the favor. I scanned the signs until I spotted the BluebellCafé.
A bell over the door tinkled as I went in. The waitress by the display case of pies nodded to me, not looking at all concerned as I headed straight for the back. Picnic tables with gingham umbrellas stood beyond the screen door that led to thepatio.
I stepped outside, and my pulse hiccupped for the second time that hour. The guys were alreadythere.
Three of them, anyway, waiting around another table off to the side. Kyler, who was standing, beamed and raised his glass to me. “Here sheis!”
The guy beside him had been sitting, but he stood up at my entrance, as if I needed that formal gesture of respect. Even if I hadn’t already seen how Ky had grown up, I’d have recognized his twin atonce.
Seth Lennox had the same tawny hair, cropped close to his head as always in contrast with Kyler’s messy waves.Histall frame was packed with muscle from his brawny calves to his well-built shoulders. Also as always, his face had formed that familiar solemnexpression.
“Rose,” he said, holding my gaze so intently I couldn’t do anything except stare back. “No one gave you any hassle about coming downhere?”
I shook my head. “No. No one seemed at all concerned.” Why should Dad or Celestine worry about a simple stroll around town? Any normal person would have forgotten the friends of their childhood and preteens, right? Certainly any normalwitchwhose friends had beenunsparked.
But here Iwas.
Seth’s stance relaxed. “I’m glad. And—I’m glad you camedown.”
