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Damon had his opinion about why his father was so difficult. He wasn’t the only Brannigan boy who remembered their father’s jealousy over Nathaniel Knight, Kay’s father. And when Damon’s mother left just after Mr. Knight deserted his family, suspicions had run high. It wasn’t fair, but Damon thought that Paul needed to blame Eileen for having the nerve to be married to a man who’d stolen Sally away, truth or not.
The bridge to Night Meadow Island wasn’t even a mile long, and Damon gazed out at the water as he drove across it. The fiery shades of the trees that had already brandished their fall color reflected off the water. It was beautiful, but it wasn’t what he noticed most. It was the blanket of calm that wrapped around him that Damon felt when crossing over the water to the island. It was as if he could suddenly breathe easier, even though he hadn’t realized he was struggling for air. He’d tried to describe it to his mother once and she’d smiled at him and said it was because he was home. It took a dozen years for him understand what she’d meant.
He could breathe easier because Damon Brannigan was destined to live on Night Meadow Island. He belonged to a Knight witch.
Once Damon was on the island, he lowered his window to take a deep breath of the chilly fall air and savor it like a fine wine that had aged to perfection. It was time for him to become a Knight.
12
Kay
The flatiron clatteredon her bureau when Kay set it down and she smiled as she shook out her hair. She leaned into the mirror to make sure there weren’t any mascara clumps on her lashes.
Bri stopped short in the doorway to Kay’s room and gasped. “You’re going on a date!”
“I’m not!” Kay snapped back as guilt about lying made her chest tighten. Not only was she going on a date with Damon, but she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him since he’d asked a week ago. “I told you, Damon and I are getting together to discuss a plan of action for future ghost hunting missions.”
“Uh-huh, that’s why your hair is cascading over your shoulders looking all wavy and shiny and begging to be touched. Forworkpurposes.”
Kay glanced in the mirror and smiled again. She was having a good hair day, but she quickly frowned. Was she trying too hard? “There’s nothing wrong with trying to look my best. Have you seen the guy? He’s always in a suit.”
Bri walked by Kay and plopped on her bed. “God, I hope he doesn’t plan to wear that for yourmeeting.”
Kay squinted her eyes at her sister as she picked up a brush and considered a ponytail that would make her look like she hadn’t spent a half hour or so straightening it. She knew she was completely smitten with the guy, because the idea of Damon in a suit had grown on her, even if he was usually overdressed for the casual lifestyle in their area of the country, a state where clothing and boots from L.L.Bean was considered dressing up. “We really need to get you a boyfriend. You’re still the annoying brat you’ve always been.”
Bri laughed. “I’m just stepping in for Amelia and Corinne. Someone has to keep you in line.”
Kay knew Bri missed her sisters as much as she did. It felt strange to have them leave after their workday to go home somewhere else. She took another look at her hair in the mirror and set the brush down with a clatter. She didn’t want to admit it to Bri, but she knew she wanted to look good for Damon. Even if her stomach was a mess with the mix of emotions she was feeling about being attracted to him.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
“Seriously? You’re hopeless.” Bri scanned Kay’s body with her gaze and clicked her tongue. “And not the least bit prepared. Take off those jeans and put on a long skirt and a sweater.”
Kay looked down at her outfit. “Why?”
Bri huffed and rolled her eyes. “Because no matter what he wears you’ll look appropriate.”
Darn it, Bri was right. Kay walked over to her closet and wiggled out of her pants. “What are you up to tonight?”
“Reading a book, maybe cards with Mom.Ugh.How is it I’m twenty-one and my social life revolves around my mother?”
Kay laughed. “Like I said, we need to get you a boyfriend.”
“Truth. Maybe one of those Brannigans since you’ve opened that door for us.”
“Damon does have cute brothers. I’ll pump him for information about them for you.” But Kay knew they were joking. Damon’s two older brothers were more than a decade older than Bri and probably looking for something serious. Bri wasn’t there yet. She still needed time to figure out who she was and what she really wanted.
“Excellent,” Bri said as got up off the bed. The zipper to Kay’s knee-high boot hummed as she tugged it up, and her sister rummaged through her jewelry box. “Here,” Bri said as she pulled out a long necklace. She placed it over Kay’s head and stepped back. “Perfect.”
Kay took a look in the mirror and did like that she appeared more polished in this outfit than her usual jeans. “Thanks, Bri.”
“Just in time,” Bri said as she went over to the window to look outside. “He’s here. And— oh my god.”
“What?” Kay asked as she rushed over to the window too.
“He’s wearing jeans. This issoa date.”
