Björn and Maisy were now listening intently, but they both shook their heads when I gave them querying looks. They didn’t know, either.
The waitress returned with our hot chocolate. While she set the mugs down in front of us, I glanced over to the other table where the students were all having quite the party.
Pike looked so happy, but underneath it all, there was still something. I didn’t know what it was, but I could feel it. A mother’s instinct, perhaps? Or a witch’s? I dunno. I thought this dragon business had resolved all her woes, but now my gut told me this was just a temporary reprieve. Great. Just great.
Annoyed, I chose not to look at Carter. His timing was crap, because now I’d be wondering all through the entire meal what on earth was going on. I’d have hit him with my handbag if I’d had one. But I didn’t. Instead I picked up my chocolate and licked the cream off the top. Sometimes, men were amazing. And sometimes they could be idiots.
15
A Glass of Cognac
It took forever for the kids to settle down, but at last they did, and I stood outside my cottage, my arms wrapped around me as I fought against the cold. Something was going on with my daughter, and I wasn’t going to wait for the cold light of day to find out just what it was. I hadn’t enjoyed a single bite of my goddamn lasagna!
Carter came out of the student cabin, and seeing me standing there, he came over to join me at once.
“Why aren’t you waiting inside?” he asked, looking around me at the cottage. “You must be freezing.”
“Maisy’s asleep and I didn’t want to wake her.”
“Well, come over to mine. I have the heating on.”
I felt a pleasant little jolt, liking the idea of being alone in a cottage with Carter, whatever the reason. And it was freakin’ freezing.
“I suppose it’s either that or the dragon’s lair,” I said. “But yours is closer. Lead on.”
We walked the short distance to Carter’s cottage. He opened the door, which was a little stiff, so he had to kick it, then stood aside to let me pass through.
Inside it looked exactly the same as ours, only Carter had an open suitcase on the spare bed, and his clothes were neatly packed inside it. Neat freak. I thought of my bag hanging empty on the wardrobe door and my clothes scattered on my bed and across the floor. I took off my coat and tossed it beside his case.
“So, what’s going on?” I asked, anxious to get to the bottom of this.
To my surprise, Carter pulled a silver flask from his jacket pocket and offered it to me.
“Cognac. It will warm you up.”
“I didn’t know you were a secret drinker,” I said, taking it from his hand.
“How do you think I get through the day?”
I laughed.
“It’s a good vintage, I think you’ll like it. Have a seat.”
He pointed to the small writing desk slash dressing table they appeared to have in each cottage, which came with its own neat stack of watermarked writing paper, plus nib pens and inkwell—a lovely touch—and I sat down in the swivel seat. Carter disappeared into the bathroom but soon returned with a small glass. He handed it to me and sat down at the end of the bed.
“I don’t suppose you have any ice in that jacket?” I asked.
He shook his head.
I pulled my wand out of my pocket. “Volo glacies!” I said, and a couple of ice cubes chinked merrily in the bottom of the glass. Carter smiled hugely, impressed by my practical witchery. I opened the flask and poured a small measure, then handed the flask back to him. He took a swig, then returned it to the table beside him.
“Are you trying to get me drunk, Principal Wells?” I asked flirtatiously.
“Would I need to?”
I snorted into my glass. He had a point. I straightened and put my drink down on the table, wiping my nose with my other hand.
“Okay. So here I am. Tell me before I go berserk. What’s going on with my daughter?”
Carter sat up straight, adopting his more formal Principal’s posture. I’d noticed he always did that when he had something important to say. “Nothing, and that’s the problem. You are aware, I would hope, your daughter received top scores in her Para-plus exams?”
He recognized my blank stare for what it was. Total ignorance.
“Well, she’s received at least three scholarship offers from the highest colleges, and as far as I can tell she hasn’t responded to a single one.”
I realized my mouth was wide open and I finally remembered to close it. “Wait, what? Err––no. This is the first I’m hearing of it. Scholarships. Oh, jeez. I wonder why she didn’t say anything?”
“Well, I asked her that myself at the PTA meeting, but she told me not to mention it, she said she would. I wouldn’t tell you now, but time is running out, and if she doesn’t respond to them soon, she may miss out on some wonderful opportunities. I think you should have a word with her, and the sooner the better.”
I picked up my glass and took another quick swig. I actually needed it this time. Dang, Pike. I knew my kid was smart, but I had no idea she’d done so well. And damn her for being so modest about it!
I set the glass down beside me and stood from the bed, perplexed. She used to tell me everything, so why not this? I resolved to ask her about it first thing in the morning.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said, retrieving my coat from the end of the bed.
“You’re welcome.” There was a little twinkle in his eye that had nothing to do with the cognac. “Are you sure you don’t want another?” He motioned toward the empty glass.
Tempting. “It’s getting late,” I said. “I’d better go.”
Carter stood. “I’ll walk you back.”
I liked the sound of that, but right now, I needed to be alone. “Err, it’s okay, I’m a big girl. I think I can make it on my own. Unless that dragon’s out there somewhere, and if it is, I’ll be banging back on your door in a heartbeat.”
He walked me to the door, and grown-up that I was, I could sense he wanted to kiss me. Sadly, now was neither the time nor the place. I had too much on my mind. I squeezed his arm, feeling the bicep there, my resolve quavering for just a second.
“Thank you for the drink.” I tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge, so Carter had to step in and wrench it open with all his strength. There were those muscles, again. Hot damn!
“Thank you, again.”
I ignited my wand to light the way and to ward off anything that might be flapping in the night, then marched quickly back to my cottage and a warm and toasty bed.
16
A Cold Morning
Somewhere ahead of me I could hear the tap-tap-tap of the woodpecker as it hunted for its breakfast. My breath danced on the cold air in front of me, and I was glad I’d thought to wear gloves and a hat, because it was bitter cold this morning, and my ears and fingers would be red-raw without them. Not my hottest look.
Apart from the stirring birds and the gentle hum of the ocean, everything was quiet. It was too early for the students to be up for breakfast, and heck, I liked a little alone time. This group thing was fun for a short while, but I was beginning to miss my space. We were all leaving for home in a few hours, and frankly I was glad of it. My own bed was calling my name.
I wandered over to the cliff’s edge, and found a bench overlooking the bay. It was dedicated to a G. Darcy, 1972. I parked my butt on it and looked wistfully out across the ocean.
I’d been sitting there for a few minutes when I heard familiar footsteps behind me. Turning, I saw Pike walking my way. She was dressed in a faux-fur Parka, and she carried her dad’s tartan thermos flask in her hand.
I turned away, staring over the water to the pretty island in front of me. I thought it best to keep my mouth shut and see where my daughter took the conversation.
She sat down beside me and followed my gaze out to sea. After a little while, she opened the flask and the smell of peppermint hot chocolate, her favorit
e, invaded my nostrils. She poured a little into the cap and handed some to me.
“Thanks,” I said. It was hot and I sipped it carefully. The chocolate tasted so good and made me feel comfortable and warm. Thank you, Oliver, I thought, remembering him fondly. I knew I’d always miss him, but the memories weren’t so painful now, just... comfortable, as they ought to be.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Pike said at last.
Even though I kind of knew what was coming, I caught my breath anyway. All I had were facts, that was all, nothing about how my baby was feeling. I felt a sense of relief, too, now I didn’t have to bring the subject up and confess that Carter had confided in me, despite promising her he’d keep his mouth shut. The last thing I wanted to do was make Pike angry, at Carter or me.
“I’ve been offered some scholarships,” Pike said. “To some really good schools.”
“When you say ‘some’ scholarships, you mean more than one? Oh, that’s great, that’s terrific!” I said, thinking I should show at least some kind of reaction. “I’m not surprised at all, you’re a really smart kid, just like your dad.”
She nodded for a second. “The thing is… well, these are the best schools in the country.”
The money thing popped into my head, and I wondered if that was at the bottom of everything after all. It was on the tip of my tongue to say as much, when Pike continued.
“The truth is—” She paused and inhaled deeply. “Well, the thing is, I just don’t know what to do. None of these schools are around here. If I accept, I’m gonna have to leave, and Mom, I really don’t want to leave…”
I turned my head to see Pike’s eyes were full of tears. She looked wretched, and I felt just awful this had been a weight on her mind all this time.
“Oh, baby, I understand,” I said. “But it’ll just be for a short time. I’ll be waiting for you when you come back.”
Pike shook her head. “I don’t want to leave all my friends, and all the people I know. I love Misty Cedars. I know I’ll hate it if I have to go to a new school, and we’re not talking minutes, we’re talking years. All my friends will have left by the time I come back, it’s just not fair.”
I wasn’t going to give her the wise-old-woman talk on that one. Instead, I wrapped my arm about my daughter’s shoulder and pulled her close to me.
After a while she pulled away, and though she turned her head, I knew she was secretly wiping her tears.
“What do you think I should do?” Pike said.
“Oh, baby, I don’t know,” I said. “I went to the school around here, but I had nothing like your grades and didn’t have to make the choices you’re making. This really is an amazing opportunity for you. You’ve worked so hard for it.”
She sniffed, and instinctively I pulled her back toward me.
“Maybe give it a try?” I suggested. “Nothing is forever. If you don’t like it, there’s nothing stopping you from turning your scraggly little witch butt around and marching straight back home. And you’re wrong. Your friends will still be waiting. You guys are good together. It’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
I pulled a tissue out of my pocket, and checking it was clean, gave it to her to blow her nose.
“What if I want to stay?” she asked.
“Well, I’m not going to say that it doesn’t matter, because these scholarships are a big thing. They’re hard to come by, not every student gets one, and I’m not going to say the money isn’t going to be reaaaaally helpful. But here’s the rub. When all’s said and done, I want you to be happy. That alone matters more to me than all the scholarships in the world. You have a good heart, Pike, and a smart mind. Listen to them both. They will guide you to the answer.”
Pike helped herself to some of the chocolate, and I watched as the warm liquid battled with the cold air. She swallowed hard and smacked her lips.
“Come on,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but before I left the cabin, someone mentioned breakfast, and I’m starving.”
I was pretty hungry myself. I stood up, brushing the morning frost off my backside, when I heard someone approaching us along the path. It was Mr. Reynolds, and he wasn’t alone.
The young man at his side was probably a couple of years older than Pike. His hair was dark brown, and a little longer than most young men wore it these days. He had deep, dark-set eyes and a cheeky mouth that carried an easy grin. He was damned good-looking.
Pike and I exchanged knowing glances, and we waited for the two to catch up.
“Mmm, must be that hot chocolate that’s warming me up.”
“Mom, really, he’s young enough to be your son.”
“I’m just saying, he ain’t fugly.”
“Thank you, I had noticed.”
“Well, I know I would.”
“Mom.”
“Good morning, Mr. Reynolds,” I said as they reached us.
“Well, hello,” he said. “I see you’re both early risers, like me. Let me introduce you to my grandson, Zach.”
“Hello, Zach,” I said. “I’m Tamara, and this is my daughter, Pike.”
“Nice to meet you,” Zach said. He politely shook my hand, then offered it to Pike. His grasp was firm, but not aggressive, and I liked the look of him. What was not to like?
“Zach’s just down for the weekend,” Mr. Reynolds said. “He’s at Graystone Academy, studying dragonology. He plans to take over from me when I retire.”
“I’ll be waiting a long time, then.” Zach laughed.
“Graystone?” Pike asked. “Do you like it there?”
I knew Graystone was one of the top schools in the country, but though Pike hadn’t mentioned it by name, I suspected it was one of the schools on her list.
“Love it. Best school in the world. Why? Do you go there?”
“Thinking about it,” Pike said, sounding cool. “I have a few options, and I’m still checking things out.”
“Cool, well, if you go to Graystone, come and look me up and I’ll show you around. I’ll give you my number if you like. Have you got something I can write it on?”
Pike fumbled around in her pockets and pulled out a pen. Of course she did. This was my daughter Pike after all.
She handed Zach the pen and an old receipt she’d found in her pocket, and he took off his gloves and scribbled his number down on the back. Mr. Reynolds rolled his eyes but smiled.
“How’s the baby dragon?” I asked.
“Much better,” he said. “He should be leaving the lair anytime now. In fact, that’s why we came up here. To set the watch. The paste I gave him did its job on his leg, now I just want to be sure he can fly. If you can wait a minute or two, you should be able to see him take off.”
“I’d love to,” I said.
I sat back down on the bench, and this time, Mr. Reynolds sat beside me. Pike opted to stand behind us and started talking to Zach. I looked down to the sea and waited for the baby dragon to take flight.
There they were! Early morning sunlight reflected brightly off the she-dragon’s scaled wings, and alongside her flew a miniature version of herself, except the baby dragon’s wingtips were black, perhaps signifying his gender. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before—they seemed to belong to nature, seemed to be part of the gorgeous vista that stretched before us. Higher and higher they flew, their powerful wings carrying them aloft, until they became bright specs in the distance. The larger spec peeled away from the smaller, and the wind carried a loud screech to us. The she-dragon, having made sure her baby was flight capable, was letting him leave the nest. Soon I would have to do the same. I swallowed hard, not liking that thought.
“Where will he go?” Pike asked.
“Wherever his heart takes him, I suppose,” Mr. Reynolds said. “Some place he feels safe. Somewhere he calls home. You just never know.”
“Yep, you never know,” Pike said, and I knew she’d made a decision.
I grinned. Just like the baby dragon, my Pike was going to be jus
t fine.
17
Two Hot Dates
“Don’t put it there, Mom, put it over there by the window.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, grappling with the oversized bird perch as I tried to maneuver it around our existing furniture. “Don’t you think that will be too much light?”
“No, it’s perfect,” Pike said, feeding the huge woodpecker on her shoulder a peanut from her bag of trail mix. “You’re gonna love it, aren’t you Reggie?”
The huge bird took his prize and flew to the top of my bookcase where he pinched it between his talons and started tapping at the nut. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw MacGuffin jump down from his cat condo and walk off with his tail rigid in the air. He was none too impressed with our newest arrival.
He’d better, I thought, aware of the damage the bird had already done to half my furniture. He’d flown into our coach just before we’d left Maine, and after landing on Pike’s seat, the thing had refused to budge.
Carter had called Mr. Reynolds, hoping he’d be able to summon Reggie back, but the man had reminded us the bird was a free agent. And so here he was, keeping my neighbors up half the night with his tap-tap-tapping and making holes in everything I owned made of wood.
I was already counting the days before Pike and her new familiar went off to Graystone, her new college. I deserved the peace and quiet of an empty nest.
At the same time, conflicting with these selfish little bitch thoughts, I was overjoyed that Pike had found Reggie. Or had Reggie found Pike? A little of both, perhaps? Only a couple of days ago, Pike had been down in the dumps, feeling left out because everyone else had their shiny familiars. Now she had one of the most striking familiars in Misty Cedars, even if it didn’t talk. I wondered how Mr. Reynolds would open his tree now. He’d find a way, I was sure.
Pike crooked her elbow at an angle, and Reggie flew right down onto it, happy as a bird, no pun intended. They went off into the kitchen, leaving me to grapple with the perch on my own for a bit.
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