“Oh dear, that isn’t good. Thank you for telling me. So, do you think you’re able to buy him out?”
“I hope so. I want to.”
“Well, I’m sure something can be worked out. Hold that thought.” She stared off into the distance with a blank expression. Daniel looked over his shoulder and out the window to see if there was anything happening on the street outside, but there wasn’t anything of interest. Seconds later, Patty smiled and came back to earth. “Have a seat, Daniel. Elsmed will be here momentarily.”
“What?”
She tapped her temple and grinned. “He’s telepathic. I just projected my thoughts to him, and he responded. Sure beats the telephone sometimes.”
Stunned at this revelation, Daniel did take a seat. Moments later, Elsmed Fairchild entered the agency. He was almost as tall as the doorway, and instead of wearing a tailored three-piece suit like the first time they met, he was decked out in hiking gear like he was going on a safari. His long blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and he carried a walking stick carved out of some sort of red wood in one hand.
“Let’s go for a walk,” he said to Daniel.
They walked down Main Street and past the high school. Once they reached Blackstone Road, Elsmed turned right, and they stayed on the shoulder of the road. To the right was the high school and elementary school, but the other side of the road, to the west, was undeveloped. Acres of relatively flat land lay out before him, with the mountains looming in the background.
“My sister had a vision of the future,” Elsmed suddenly spoke, his first words to Daniel since they left the agency. “She saw a world taken over by technology. Cameras on every street corner, portable phones that people can make their own films with and take pictures. There is no privacy in the future. With that, it will become more difficult for the supernatural population to remain hidden.” Elsmed paused, and he was suddenly speaking directly into Daniel’s head. A tickling sensation, like fingers stroking his brain, sent shivers down his spine. Your father’s fears are rooted in truth. Humans, corporations, and governments will seek to either control or destroy us. They will fear us. You don’t want to know what experiments they’re conducting on aliens they have in custody.
Just as quickly as Elsmed entered his thoughts and probed his innermost secrets, he was gone and picking up the conversation out loud. “My sister said more supernaturals will seek out Havenwood Falls. They will be drawn by the magic and will stay for protection from the threats of the outside world. We already have a housing shortage, and more homes will need to be built.”
“There definitely is a need for more homes now. Did Patty tell you about Herschel?”
“She did, which is why I’m here. I have a proposal for you.” From one of the large pockets on his tan field jacket, Elsmed withdrew a scroll. He unfurled it and presented the fibrous paper to Daniel. In flowing cursive, written in what appeared to be gold ink, was a proposal to enter a business agreement. Elsmed would be an investor in the construction business, just a silent partner. There were a few clauses. The Court occasionally had construction needs, and they preferred a supernatural to do the work.
“Explaining to a contractor why a building can’t have any iron or needs secret underground passages can risk exposure. You’ll be able to accommodate these special requests.”
Daniel scratched the back of his head as he read the rest of the proposal. It all seemed straightforward.
“Good,” Elsmed said, either picking up the thought directly or seeing it on Daniel’s face. “Now, back to the housing shortage. I own all this property, and I’ve been reading up on these developments called subdivisions that are built around a golf course. I want one of those built here.”
“A golf course?”
“Yes. Oddly enough, I’ve quite the affinity for the game.”
“Okay, but if we’re building a subdivision, I want to utilize the natural environment, conserve the local ecology as much as possible.”
Elsmed beamed at him. It was an off-putting smile, more predatory than friendly, and his piercing blue eyes flared brighter. “What a marvelous idea! Being fae, I believe taking care of nature is a priority. I think we’re going to get along famously.
“Now, there’s another matter I want to discuss with you,” Elsmed said as they started walking back toward town. His walking stick made a rhythmic thunk-thunk sound on the asphalt. “The Court likes each species to have a leader or representative for their kind. Someone who helps enforce the rules and such. Sheriff Kasun’s wife is alpha of the Kasun wolf pack, and there’s the Blaekthorn alpha. Each coven has their own leaders.”
“And Jerome is the alpha of the mountain lions, right? That’s why you sent him to welcome me to town.”
“Well . . .” Elsmed paused with his hands crossed over the top of his walking stick and looked Daniel straight in the eyes. “He’s not—not officially anyway. We approached him, and he declined. None of the other mountain lions are interested either. Your kind tend to keep to themselves.”
“Why me? I’m an outsider, and young.”
“Ah, you’ve made quite an impression in your first two weeks here. You’re a natural leader, and I’ve been told youth will lead us to progress where some, myself included, are resistant to change.”
“Natural leader? How do you know?”
Elsmed grinned again and started walking. “People talk and people watch. I listen and pay attention.”
“Well. Let me think about that—one step at a time.” Daniel’s thoughts went to Colleen. She was his next step. He’d consider the leadership role later.
“Ah yes, your mate.” Elsmed nodded, picking up on Daniel’s thoughts—an unnerving ability Daniel probably would never get used to. Don’t think anything crazy around Elsmed. At this, the fae laughed. Crap, he heard that too. “Don’t worry about Miss Campbell. She’s your mate, and while she’s human, her subconscious recognizes you as such. When the time comes, approach the Court, and we’ll assist with the reveal. There’s a protocol in place for letting humans know about our existence.”
Everything was falling into place. It almost seemed too easy, but after a lifetime spent moving, he was done, and he wasn’t willing to turn down the opportunity to establish roots.
Since it was well past the end of the lunch break, Daniel brought Elsmed by the Miller’s Plaza jobsite. His crew was already back to work, but they all came to a sudden stop when they saw him approach with Elsmed. Not all of them knew the fae’s true nature or his role in town. He was seen as an eccentric man of wealth. He was a Fairchild, and the Fairchilds were one of the founding families.
“Hey, guys, I have something to run by you,” Daniel called out, gesturing for the crew to join them. They gathered in a loose semicircle formation around him. “Herschel stopped by while you were at lunch,” Daniel began and then filled them in on the opportunity to buy out the business and the proposal Elsmed had made. When he pulled the scroll from his back pocket, he almost dropped it, because it was no longer a scroll but rolled up regular paper, and the gold ink was now typewritten in black. He glanced over at Elsmed, and the fae winked at him, his blue eyes twinkling.
“I want to sign, but want your opinion first, since this is your livelihood, too.”
“Do it, daddy-o!” Mickey shouted out, and the rest of the guys cheered in agreement.
“I know at least three other guys looking for work. They didn’t want to work for Herschel, but they’ll work for you, as they know you treat us well,” Drew added.
“All right, I’ll sign with you all as witnesses.” Daniel took a deep breath and grabbed the pen from the breast pocket of his shirt. “I need someone’s back.”
Mickey volunteered and bent over so his back was straight. With a shaking hand, Daniel signed the contract and then handed the pen to Elsmed, who signed on the line next to Daniel’s signature.
“It is done, Daniel McCabe. Now, let’s go to the bank so we can finish this transaction.”
&
nbsp; After going around and shaking the hands of his crew, he and Elsmed left. Dizzy with excitement, Daniel barely remembered the walk to Havenwood Falls Savings and Loan. He registered the cool air from the air conditioning and the lemony scent of wood polish, right before Elsmed withdrew twenty thousand dollars and handed him the cash in large bills.
I’m glad you decided to stay in Havenwood Falls, Elsmed said directly into Daniel’s mind. Don’t forget to get your tattoo upgraded to permanent resident status, and your mother needs one too.
“I’m going to rename the business to McCabe Construction. Is that okay with you?” Daniel asked, out loud.
“Of course. It makes sense. Besides, I’m the silent investor. Do what you want.”
That afternoon, Daniel tracked down Herschel, who was discreetly hiding out at the bottom of a bottle of whiskey in the Haven Saloon. Patty Parker had assisted Daniel in drafting the paperwork to buy the business off of Herschel, incorporating all the line items Herschel had listed out on the slip of scratch paper.
Daniel showed up at the saloon with the purchase agreement, notice of sale, and the cash. With the bartender as a witness, Herschel signed his business over without bothering to read anything, his eyes focused on the stack of cash. Before the ink was even dry, Herschel grabbed the money and bolted out the door.
“Hey! Are you going to pay your tab?” the bartender shouted after him, but Herschel was gone.
“Here.” Daniel slapped a twenty-dollar bill down on the sticky bar. “Thanks for witnessing.”
“Guess we won’t be seeing old Hersch around anymore. Congratulations on your new business.” The bartender poured them each a glass of Warded Whiskey, and he raised his shot glass for a toast.
“Just this one. I have a date tonight with a special gal,” Daniel said when he reached for his glass.
“We’ll make this a special toast then. To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings,” Daniel repeated and tipped the glass back.
Chapter 13
Approaching the front door, Daniel held a bouquet of flowers in one hand. He had handpicked the colorful array of wildflowers from the meadow behind his cabin, and his mom had tied a pale blue ribbon around the stems. Clearing his throat, he ran his free hand through his hair before knocking. Taking a step back, he waited for someone to answer, hoping it would be Colleen and that her parents had changed their minds about meeting him.
No such luck. Her father opened the door. He was shorter than Daniel, and he adjusted his glasses when he looked up. His brown hair was graying at the temples and thinning on top, and he wore khaki pants, a white button-down shirt, and a green tie. He took a few moments to examine Daniel as if sizing him up, his eyes pausing on the bouquet that was already beginning to wilt.
“Callum Campbell.”
“Daniel McCabe.” He shook the offered hand. Callum didn’t invite Daniel in right away, but stood in the doorway, barring entrance.
“What are your intentions with my daughter?”
“Daddy!” Colleen admonished from somewhere behind her father.
“Callum, let the man in,” said another woman’s voice.
Callum Campbell stepped aside so Daniel could enter. Colleen rushed forward and grabbed his hand. He swallowed hard when he saw her. She was a vision in curve-hugging black pedal pushers and a pale blue sleeveless top. A gold pendent sparkled around her long neck. Colleen tucked her arm through his and led him into the living room where the rest of Colleen’s family waited.
The living room looked like the heart of the home and not one of those for decoration only. An oak coffee table had a bottom shelf covered with magazines. He recognized the recent cover of Good Housekeeping, as his mom had the same magazine at the cabin. Two low-sitting, deep purple chairs were positioned on one side of the coffee table, while a floral sofa with purple accent pillows was positioned on the other side, against the wall underneath the front picture window. Sheer ivory drapes covered both windows in the room, allowing for plenty of natural light. There were two matching end tables, and each had a lamp and one had a telephone.
A boy possessing the lanky limbs of adolescence sat in one of the chairs, and he regarded Daniel with cool blue eyes, sizing him up just like Colleen’s father had. Two petite blondes, one an older version of Colleen and the other a younger version, sat on the sofa. Well, the younger one perched on the edge and grinned at Daniel. A giant family portrait hung above the fireplace mantle caught Daniel’s eye.
“Colleen was seventeen when that was taken,” the woman, who Daniel assumed was Colleen’s mother, said when she stood up from where she was sitting on the sofa. She wore a pale-yellow dress with a full skirt that flared out the waist. A string of pearls decorated her neck.
“Daniel, this is my mom, Ellen.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Campbell,” he said and shook her hand.
“Colleen, why don’t you put those flowers in some water? There’s a vase in the hutch in the dining room.” Ellen handed the bouquet to her daughter before turning her attention back on Daniel. “Please, sit down.”
She directed him to the chair next to where Colleen’s brother sat. Callum followed them and continued on to sit down beside his wife on the sofa.
“Hello, I’m Daniel and you must be David?” he asked, extending his hand.
“Yeah, that’s me.” David shook his hand and at the same time snapped his gum. The loud crack sounded like a firecracker.
“I’m Kelly,” Colleen’s sister said with a giggle and waved from where she was sitting. “Do you have a younger brother?” she asked, eyeing him up and down.
“Kelly Marie!” Ellen scolded and shook her head. “Sorry Daniel, she’s a little boy-crazy.”
“A little?” David teased. “Try a lot crazy.”
“Who’s crazy?” Colleen asked, walking into the room. She set the flowers down in the middle of the coffee table before coming to stand beside Daniel. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and he felt himself lean into her touch. Her father noticed and scowled.
“Your sister is—never mind.” Callum looked at Daniel. “So, what are your intentions with Colleen?” he asked again, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Daddy, cut it out,” Colleen pleaded.
“It’s okay, I get it,” he told her. “I’ll probably behave the same way when it’s our daughter.” As soon as he said it, Daniel realized his mistake, because the room went dead quiet with the exception of a surprised gasp from Colleen, and her hand tightened on his shoulder. “Er, I mean when I have a daughter.”
An awkward silence filled the room, and Callum narrowed his eyes at Daniel. Ellen cleared her throat and changed the subject. “Colleen said you’re taking her to dinner?”
Grateful for the change, he told them they were going to Burger Bar, and after, hopefully Colleen could show him around town a bit, since he was new to town. A few minutes later, the inquisition was over.
After closing the passenger door behind Colleen, Daniel walked around the front of his truck and slid into the driver’s seat.
“Well, that was . . . terrible,” he said, shaking his head and starting the engine.
Colleen threw her head back and laughed. “That was the most awkward . . . my poor father . . . the look on his face when you said ‘our daughter.’ Oh, my word.” She paused and caught her breath, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “You certainly know how to make a first impression.”
She dissolved into another bout of laughter, which was so infectious that Daniel joined in. Yeah, that was one heck of an impression. He hoped that was the only rough patch for the night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Chapter 14
While the date wasn’t off to an auspicious start, the moment they were alone, things started to improve. Daniel drove them to Burger Bar, which was the place to go in town on a Friday night, if you were under thirty. Colleen was relieved he didn’t take her to the Fallview Tavern & Grille, as it was kind of stuffy and the more refined
, older crowd dined there. He parked off to the side and walked around to help her down. She placed her hand in his and stepped down onto the parking lot. Expecting him to let go once she was on her two feet, she was pleasantly surprised when he kept holding her hand. His touch was calming, and any concern she had been feeling about how it went with Daniel meeting her parents faded away.
Outside Burger Bar, all of the parking spots were taken where waitresses on roller skates came to take orders and brought trays of food right to the cars. She and Daniel walked past the rows of cars, and Daniel released her hand so he could open the door. He ushered her through, his hand on the small of her back, which sent a whole other feeling into her body that was the opposite of calm.
Inside, it was crowded and loud, and the delicious greasy smell of fresh French fries hung in the air. Music from the jukebox competed with the chatter of excited voices. Colleen noticed her friends, Peggy and Sally, sitting in one of the booths. She headed in that direction, with Daniel at her back. Peggy was facing them, and she grinned when she saw Colleen.
“I didn’t know you girls were going to be here. What a nice surprise,” Colleen said after introducing Daniel.
“Peggy needs help deciding on a china pattern, and decisions like those should be made over milkshakes,” Sally said, taking a long suck on the straw sticking out of her chocolate shake. She looked Daniel up and down in the process.
“Oh, did you pick one?” Colleen asked Peggy.
“No. I like them all. This isn’t an easy decision.” She spun the catalogue that was open in the middle of the table toward Colleen. “Which one do you like?”
Colleen looked over the various patterns and descriptions in the catalogue. “I’m partial to the Noritake Edgewood pattern. The floral design that decorates the edge along with the silver trim is elegant and not too flashy.”
With her input provided, Colleen and Daniel moved on to an empty table tucked in the corner.
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