“Don’t you think it’s a bit strange that she moved into the Baxter house, a stranger and all?” he asked, surprised that Michael wasn’t more concerned.
“Mrs. Baxter may be old, Gabriel, but she’s no fool,” Michael said.
“Well, I don’t like it,” Gabriel said. “We suddenly had a drop in patients, and Marlie thinks it’s those teas that woman is selling.”
Michael burst out laughing. “Gabriel, even you couldn’t be that gullible; it’s just a sales pitch, nothing more.”
“Not if people don’t see their doctor when they need to because they believe those teas are curing them,” he grumbled.
“Has that happened?” Michael asked, a bit more alarmed.
“Well, no, not yet, but it could,” Gabriel said. “I’ve seen it happen before, and it’s a well-documented phenomenon. People think they’re cured, and for a while, they feel better, but eventually, the disease comes back, and usually worse.”
There was a long silence, then Michael said, “We’re just talking about a little tea, Gabriel, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll go over there and check her out.”
“I’m on my way over there now,” Gabriel said. “If she’s up to no good, I want to stop it before it goes any farther.”
“Wait for me. I’ll go with you,” Michael said. “If this woman hasn’t done anything, you can’t just go in there making accusations. Let me run her through the system first.”
“I’m going now; you can meet me there if you want,” he said, then disconnected the call.
When he pulled up in front of the old house, he knew right away that something had changed, but it took him a few minutes to realize what it was. Instead of looking deserted as it had for so long, the windows sparkled in the morning sunshine, the curtains fluttered in the breeze, and he could hear music coming through the open front door.
Stepping out of his car, he walked up the front path, noticing the late-blooming flowers that lined the brick walk. On the porch, more blooms had been scattered around the benches and rockers that used to be piled in a back corner, but now stood gleaming in the early morning light. A kerosene heater stood not far from the front door, and several small tables had been scattered around, creating an inviting scene.
When he opened the front door still staring at the porch, he nearly collided with a woman coming out. In her hands, she had a tray of flower-filled vases, and they nearly went crashing to the floor, but at the last second, the tray righted itself, and with a tinkle of glass, the vases shifted, then stilled. The woman looked up at him, he could feel her eyes on him, but he was still staring at the tray, trying to figure out what he’d just seen.
A creeping sense of warmth began to spread through him, and he finally looked up from the tray and into the greenest pair of eyes he’d ever seen. His breath caught in his throat, and it took him a moment to find it again as the crackle of energy filled the space between them and made his body begin to hum with attraction.
***Chloe***
Chloe could only stand, tray in her hands, staring at the man who’d nearly knocked her down as the attraction between them flared to life. It happened so unexpectedly, so swiftly, that for a moment, she couldn’t breathe, and nearly dropped the tray. He grabbed it from her hands and set it on a table by the door, then turned back to her, still immobile just inside the house.
“I’m sorry,” she finally managed to stammer. “I didn’t see you coming inside. We’re not open yet.”
“Where is Mrs. Baxter?” the man demanded. “Does she know about all this?”
Chloe was a bit surprised by the harsh tone of his voice. “She’s in the kitchen,” she said, pushing through the door and making the man step back onto the porch. “Making scones.”
“Scones?” he asked, still studying her intently, making goosebumps rise on her skin.
“Yeah, you know those things you put clotted cream and jam on,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“I’d like to see Emma Jean,” he said, his voice full of exasperation. “I need to make sure she’s okay.”
Chloe felt a burst of anger at the insinuation, but before she could reply, Emma Jean’s head appeared at the screen door, and it swung open. “Chloe, you have to come taste this batch. I think I finally got it right,” she said. Then she noticed the man. “Oh, Gabriel, I didn’t know you were here. You should come in and taste my scones. I need an impartial opinion.”
“That sounds great,” Gabriel said. “Maybe you can explain what’s going on here.”
“We’re opening a tea house,” Emma Jean said, clapping her hands together. “Isn’t it exciting? Oh, dear, I forgot to introduce you. This is Chloe, the mastermind behind all of this.”
Gabriel looked over at her, his face full of suspicion. “I see,” he said. “I’d love to try those scones now.”
They followed Emma Jean into the house and down the hallway to the kitchen. “Chloe will make us some tea to go with the scones. She’s really quite gifted, you know,” she said over her shoulder on her way to the stove. “Gabriel, sit down at the table.”
As she readied the tea, Chloe kept stealing glances at Gabriel, wondering why the man seemed to have taken an instant dislike to her, especially when she’d felt the pull of attraction coming from him. After choosing a blend for Emma Jean, she stood staring at her collection of tea, then finally made a bold choice for Gabriel and pulled down something soothing for herself.
When she brought the tray to the table, she couldn’t hide the slight tremor in her hands as she unloaded the cups and saucers, then the carafes of hot water, followed finally by the tea loaded in cute little infusers. The scones were sitting in the middle of the table, a small dish of clotted cream and another of jam completing the picture.
“Just like a real English tea,” Emma Jean said, a huge grin on her face.
She joined them at the table, trying not to laugh at the look on Gabriel’s face. “I’m not much of a tea drinker,” he said, his eyes darting around the table uncertainly.
Emma Jean patted him on the arm. “Give it a try just this once; I’ll show you what to do,” she said. “I bet you’ll like it.”
Gabriel looked at her like he didn’t believe her, but followed her lead, and soon had a steaming cup of tea in front of him. “That blend would be better with honey,” she said, sliding the pot across the table.
He stared at the pot of if he wasn’t sure what it was, so she reached out and expertly drizzled honey into his tea, then sat back in her chair. Gabriel picked up the cup, sniffed it, then took a sip, a look of distaste already on his face. But it disappeared instantly, and he took another experimental sip. This time, he looked down into the cup, took a longer drink, then set it down.
“Okay, it’s not bad,” he said, grinning at Emma Jean. “It’s a bit fussy for me, but I guess there might be people out there who would enjoy it.”
“Try one of the scones,” Emma Jean said happily, shoving the plate into Gabriel’s face.
The smile that spread across his face made Chloe’s heart pitter-patter dangerously in her chest, and she felt the attraction blossoming once again deep inside her. When he looked up at her, his mouth full of scone, a drop of jam on his bottom lip, the dizziness returned, and she knew that something was stirring between them: a powerful force that could destroy them both.
Confused, she jumped up from the table. “Will you excuse me for a second?” she said, then fled the room, her heart pounding painfully in her chest.
Chapter Three
***Gabriel***
Gabriel watched Chloe run from the room, his instincts telling him to go after her, but he resisted, confused by the pounding attraction that erupted deep inside him when their eyes met. Trying not to choke on the considerable bite he’d just taken, he chewed, then washed it all down with a huge gulp of the tea, then sat back in his chair.
Emma Jean was looking up at him expectantly. “Well, was it good?
Do you want another one?” she asked.
“It’s fantastic,” he said, “but I think I’ll stick to just one. Gotta watch my figure, you know.”
“Big man like you could handle two,” she said, putting another one on his plate.
As he was finishing the second one, Chloe slipped back into her chair, her face flushed. He noticed that her hands were shaking just a little and that she wouldn’t look at him, and he remembered why he was there. Emma Jean looked happy as could be, better, in fact, than she’d looked the last time he’d seen her, but the situation still bothered him.
“So, tell me about this tea room you’re opening,” he said, looking directly at Chloe.
“Oh, it was really my idea,” Emma Jean said. “We got to talking the day I showed her the house, and it just sort of popped into my head. Chloe already had a business selling teas and other natural remedies, so it seemed like a good idea. This town needs something new.”
“And how much is all this costing you?” he asked, wishing he’d been a little more circumspect when he saw the look on Emma Jean’s face.
“You should know that a lady never discusses her finances,” Emma Jean said, a slight reprimand he knew he deserved. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to visit the powder room.”
He helped her out of her chair, then sat back down, picked up his cup, drained the last of the tea, and looked over at Chloe. “So, natural remedies and healing tea?” he asked, unable to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
“Is there something wrong with that?” she asked, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest.
His eyes were drawn to her ample breasts, and it took him a second to drag them away. “Only if people don’t go to their doctor because they think they’ve been cured by some roots and leaves,” he said.
Chloe smiled at him. “There’s a bit more to it than that,” she said, “but I promise you that I make it very clear to my clients that they should continue to see their regular doctor.”
Gabriel bristled. “Then tell me why I suddenly have no patients in my waiting room?” he demanded. “Word around town is that you’ve been peddling your remedies, and I’m not going to let you poison this town.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s an awfully strong word,” she said. “All I offer are herbal teas, essential oils, and a few other products that are useful tools, nothing more. If you’ve heard anything different, then you’ve been misinformed. And just so you know, the money to open the tea room is mine. I not only paid my rent, but I’ve invested my own money, so you can quit worrying about Emma Jean.”
“We look after our own in this town,” he said.
“Really?” she asked, anger making her eyes flash. “Is that why I found her here in a dark, dusty house, barely any food in the kitchen, all alone?”
“Well, I’m sure someone was...I’ve just been really busy...” he stammered, realizing that she was right.
“Look, I get it, you think I’m up to no good, but the truth is, I like Emma Jean. She’s a sweet woman, and she deserves more than to just sit in an empty house all day long by herself,” Chloe said, her shoulders relaxing. “I didn’t plan on any of this. I was just looking for a place to live where I could grow my herbs and mix my teas, but suddenly, here I am, opening a tea house. I’m just as surprised as you are.”
Gabriel studied her, she seemed genuine enough, but something about her still bothered him. “I guess we’ll just have to see,” he said. “I’m still going to keep an eye on you.”
“You’re welcome to stop by any time and check on us,” Chloe said, getting up from the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do if we’re going to open on schedule.”
Gabriel watched her stomp out of the kitchen, unable to stop his eyes from drinking in the curve of her hips and her tight little behind. When she finally disappeared from sight, he discovered he’d been holding his breath and let it out in a whoosh of air, then sat back in his chair, his heart pounding in his chest.
Stunned by his reaction to Chloe, he sat staring at the empty doorway, afraid to even think about what he was feeling, afraid to name the warm feeling that spread through him when he saw her for the first time. That was dangerous territory, a place he didn’t want to go, a place that he’d closed off long ago and wasn’t ready to open back up yet.
It was a relief when Emma Jean finally came back into the kitchen, and he could push Chloe from his mind. But as they drank more tea, he was all too aware that she was close; he could smell her, could sense her presence, and finally gave up. He said goodbye to Emma Jean and headed for the front door, hoping that he wouldn’t see Chloe on his way out.
***Chloe***
Chloe had never been so angry. She’d spent the last three days cleaning and stocking the house, only to be accused of taking advantage of an old woman like she was a criminal. Her anger took her to the front of the house, but when she walked into what once must have been the dining room at the inn, the bright sunshine pouring through the huge windows and the smell of warm wet earth calmed her instantly.
Taking a deep breath of the fragrant air, she walked around the room, examining the plants she’d bought the day before. Pinching a dead leaf off here and there, testing the soil with her finger, she made a full circuit of the room, pleased with the condition of the plants, her anger all but forgotten. But then she heard heavy footsteps coming down the hallway and Gabriel was in her thoughts again, her aggravation returning instantly.
Feeling juvenile, but doing it anyway, she jumped behind a cluster of tall plants and crouched down. The footsteps came closer, then stopped at the door, but all she could see was a pair of legs, Gabriel’s legs, and her heart began to pound. Wishing she hadn’t decided to hide, knowing how embarrassing it would be to get caught, she held her breath and waited. Finally, he turned, and she heard the front door open and close, then the sound of footsteps on the stone steps.
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, she stood up, then knowing she shouldn’t, went to the window hoping to catch a last glance of the man who’d sent her world spinning. But when she stepped in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, Gabriel was standing on the front walk staring at the house, a strange look on his face. He saw her before she could back away, his eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe as something deep inside her stirred to life.
Gabriel was the first one to turn away, an almost panicked look on his face, and despite the tumble of emotions cascading through her, she managed to laugh. He’d felt it too, she decided, and the big tough guy was scared. The very idea of it made her laugh even harder, and soon, she heard Emma Jean calling her name, her voice full of concern.
“Chloe, are you okay?” she asked, coming into the room. “What’s so funny?”
She managed to get herself under control. “Who was that?” she finally asked.
“You mean Gabriel?” Emma Jean asked, still confused. “He’s the town doctor and a guar...”
“A what?” Chloe asked, looking back out the window at Gabriel driving away.
Emma Jean didn’t answer right away. “Oh, you know, he’s kind of a town leader, that’s all,” she said, her voice quavering a bit. “His family has lived in this valley since it was settled.”
“Well, he didn’t like me very much,” Chloe said, then wished she hadn’t when she saw Emma Jean’s face. “I think he’s worried that I’m taking advantage of you.”
“Come, let’s go have some more tea,” Emma Jean said. “I think it’s time I told you about myself.”
When they were settled at the table with steaming cups in front of them, Emma Jean studied her for a minute, then said, “I’m going to tell you this story not so you’ll feel sorry for me, but so that you’ll understand how unusual all this is for me.”
Chloe reached out and patted her hand. “Honestly, Emma Jean, I know exactly how you feel; all of this is a bit unusual for me too. It’s a bit much when I stop to think about what we’re doing, but it feels
right.”
Emma Jean smiled at her. “There was a time not so long ago that I never thought I’d have any joy in my life, and then you showed up. I kind of gave up after my husband died, and you’ve given my life the spark it’s been missing,” she said. “But I want to tell you how I ended up alone in this big house.”
She studied Emma Jean for a second, letting her magic flow just a bit, and sensed a soul that had endured great sadness and hardship, a soul filled with the darkness of a terrible guilt she’d never shared. Reaching for the hot water, stalling just long enough to shut her magic down again, she filled both cups, then sat back and looked at the older woman.
“I suppose my story isn’t all that different than some you’ve heard: headstrong young woman falls for the wrong man and ends up in trouble,” Emma Jean began. “In my case, he was a dark-haired dream with these incredible green eyes that made my insides quiver. We met the first time at the Medieval Ball; he literally swept me off my feet, and we danced all night.”
Emma Jean paused, her eyes tearing up. “If I’d known then,” she said, then shook her head. “I saw him again at the festival, and it took little convincing from him for me to believe that we were in love, that fate had brought us together. I made the mistake that countless other women have made and when the dust settled, I was pregnant and alone.”
Chloe knew how hard it must be for Emma Jean to bare her soul but could sense that she needed to. “It’s okay, Emma Jean,” she said. “Take your time.”
Emma Jean looked over at her. “I had to choose, don’t you see,” she said. “I chose Simon; he’d been asking me to marry him for years, I told him everything, and he promised it wouldn’t matter. But in the end, it did matter. He drove my daughter away, drove his own son away, and after his sister was killed, my son vowed that he’d never come back here.”
Guardian Dragons of Prospect Falls: (A Paranormal Shifter Romance) Page 38
