The waiter returned with their meal and another drink for each.
“Will there be anything else?”
Drake glanced at Halona, and she shook her head. Drake addressed the waiter, “No, I think we’re good, thanks.”
As Halona continued to glance through the book, she said, “This is a nice sentiment.”
“Which one?”
She read from the journal. “Embrace the here and now.
He leaned in. “I’m sorry, what?” Drake asked
“Embrace the here and now. That’s what it says.”
“Really? Let me see.”
She turned the page to glance at the next one, but it was empty. Then she passed the journal back to Drake. As he looked at the words, he pursed his lips. He, too, turned the page and then looked at it again.
“Huh.”
“You didn’t write that?”
“No, it must have been there. Guess someone wrote in it after all.”
Halona shook her head. “But I…” She stopped herself and shrugged as she picked up her fork.
Drake set the journal aside and began to eat his meal.
“This is really great food. This may have to be our place.” He winked at her. “How’s yours?”
She smiled. “It’s delicious. Speaking of places, I never asked, where have you been staying in town?”
“I have a place on Gypsy Street. Me and my business partner, Moss, who, by the way, agrees you’re gorgeous. Maybe we could swing by today so you can meet. Mayor Blansett put up all the folks in the production. Great lady.”
“Helena-Marie?” Halona’s eyes widened. “Oh boy, now it’s just a matter of time before the whole town knows about us.” She laughed as she rolled her eyes.
“The way we walked through town today, I think they already know.”
Halona blushed. “I guess that’s true. I should probably get back soon though. I, for one, could use a nap.” She laughed. “Someone kept me up late.”
“You’re right. You can always meet Moss another day.”
She gave him a flirty smile. “Then again, you do have me now, and it’s not that far.”
“Now and always, I hope,” Drake replied.
“So what do you think? Do you wanna do it?”
He raised his brows. “Yeah, I wanna do it.”
Halona laughed. “Oh you’re bad.”
Drake smiled as he signaled for the waiter.
After picking up Scamp, Drake carried the pup as they walked the boardwalk. They were enjoying the Carolina willows that swayed in the breeze and the waves that crashed on the shore as they looked out at the endless horizon. They walked hand in hand, quietly in step with one another. Halona knew, to others, they would appear to be in love. And she began to wonder if she was.
* * * *
They walked toward the pavilion. Drake waved his arm as he called out and quickened their pace.
“Hey, Moss!”
Moss held his hand up and stepped down from the stage. Drake noticed his friend carried a look of someone who had just lost all his money at roulette.
“I didn’t expect to see you today.” Moss spoke as he approached, but his posture changed as he tousled Scamp’s fur. “Hi, little guy.”
His gaze moved to Halona, and he continued in his Texan gentleman’s drawl. “And who are you?”
Drake lifted her hand and kissed it, feeling as though he held in his hand the world’s most precious gem.
“Moss Bentley, meet Halona Jacobs.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Halona.” He bowed his head with all the formality of meeting royalty.
Halona gave a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Moss.”
Drake put his hand on Moss’ shoulder. “I wanted to tell you about a plan.”
Halona politely interrupted. Looking over her shoulder, she pointed in the direction of the walkway. “I’ll just be over there.”
“You don’t have to leave,” Drake said, furrowing his brow.
When a look flickered over Moss’ face, a look Drake didn’t quite understand, she seemed to sense it as well. She tilted her head back. “No, you guys talk.”
Drake and Moss stood there for minute, hands in pockets, jackets scrunched in the front, their shoulders curved in. Drake knew they looked like two smitten boys in a schoolyard as they watched her walk away. Drake’s head tilted back as he sighed. He bit his lip, as if doing so would allow only the correct words to make it through.
“I’m thinking of moving here. Actually, I told her I would.”
Moss inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. “Now why would you do that? Why tell her that? A woman you just met. Let me be blunt, Drake. You have a successful business back home. Hell, we have a successful business.” Shaking his head, his tone gruff, he continued, “Now you want to up and move?”
Drake held his arms out. “I know. Don’t you think I worry how this will affect you? But, hell, I’ll walk away from everything. I’ll risk it all if I have to.”
“And you just might have to,” Moss said.
“This is special. I know I’m right about this. Look, it’s nothing that needs to happen right away.”
“Drake, remember what town we’re in? I sense magic on her. She has powers.”
“Yes, she has powers. I know. She can read the history of objects. Probably everyone in town has some sort of power or another. You said yourself, look what town we’re in.”
Moss shook his head. “What I’m saying is how do you know you’re not caught in some spell or web?”
Drake threw his hands up in the air. “Web? Come on, Moss, she’s not some wicked witch.” He then tugged on the cuffs of his jacket. “I’m sorry I even mentioned it. Look, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Drake ran off to catch up with Halona, leaving Moss just shaking his head.
Halona sheepishly asked, “So everything okay?”
“Everything’s great.”
Halona leaned into his shoulder. “If you don’t have any place you need to be, would you want to go back with us?”
Drake said playfully, “Can I get that nap?”
Halona’s eyes squinted as she tilted her head. He chuckled.
“No funny business, no passes, I promise.”
* * * *
Halona and Drake drifted off to sleep. Upon awakening several hours later, they smiled, as they found themselves still in an embrace. He kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m glad it’s not morning. More time with you.”
* * * *
The next morning, Halona and Drake met at the apartment and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. They had been sitting at the window, listening to the rain ping the glass.
Drake asked, “Are you planning on going to your shop?”
Halona leaned back. “Yes, Saturdays are usually busy. Are you going to the park?”
Drake answered, “Yeah, I have to. The good news is, it looks like the rain stopped.”
Halona smiled. “I’ll take Scamp on a walk before work.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Stay as long as you like and have a great day.”
“Can I see you tonight?”
“It’s a date.”
* * * *
As they were walking, Halona stopped when she saw Sydney come toward her. Sydney looked unusually quiet, as though she was trying to gather her thoughts, almost staring right through her. Halona sensed worry and discomfort from her cousin and suddenly felt like one of Sydney’s students. If Halona didn’t know better, she’d think Sydney was going to chastise her for something. That couldn’t be it, so Halona smiled when Sydney did.
“Hey, Halona!”
“Hi, Syd.”
Sydney increased her pace to catch up to Halona and Scamp.
“Hey, that’s cute,” Halona said as she reached out to feel the fabric on the soft, fashionable blazer Sydney wore.
Sydney smiled and twirled. “Thanks. It’s new, one of Grey’s newest collections.” Just as quickly Sydney’s smile faded, and she change
d the tone of the conversation. “I was hoping to just talk to you for a minute, away from anyone else.”
“Okay, what’s up?” A feeling of apprehension settled over Halona, blanketing her good mood.
With concern in her voice, Sydney said, “Please, don’t take this the wrong way. I’m just trying to help here.”
Nervous now, Halona tried to offer a smile. “Oh, boy, I don’t like the sound of that.”
“It’s been a long time since you felt anything for a man. I don’t think you should rush into anything.”
Laughing, Halona playfully said, “All the more reason to rush. Look at all the time I missed.”
“I’m serious, Halona. You don’t know him that well. Give it time, and have fun, just don’t get wrapped up too fast.”
Annoyed, Halona felt the heat flash through her body. “First, he has a name. His name is Drake, and he’s a good guy. This is real, Sydney. I’m the one who can feel others’ emotions, remember?”
Sydney continued, though now she appeared a bit apprehensive, which was very strange to see on Sydney. It almost made Halona decide to just agree with her.
“I know that, but he’s not from here. What do we really know about him? There have been some strange occurrences over the last few months. Why don’t you let my dad look into him for you? Just to be sure.”
Angry now, Halona raised her voice. “Don’t you dare! Stay out of it, Sydney.”
As people walked near them, Halona noticed they turned their necks as they passed. She was used to stares. Only this time, Halona knew the stares weren’t prompted by their beauty. Most of the people looked concerned to see two women arguing, with the exception of the occasional man, or group of men, that stared as if they were about to see the catfight of their dreams.
Sydney wouldn’t let it go. She put her hand on Halona’s arm. “I think we should do this. We love you and don’t want to see you get hurt if we can help it.”
Halona threw back her head and clamped her lips tight to keep the scream inside. “Oh, now you’re bringing them into this? So what… You guys have been sitting around talking about me!” Halona held her hands out. “All of you just need to leave me alone!”
“You know we can’t do that,” Sydney said tenderly.
Halona felt her body stiffen as her muscles tensed. “And stop pushing me. I know you’re trying your push on me.”
“No, no, never.” Reaching out, Sydney grabbed Halona’s arm, her tone soft, almost embarrassed. “Stop it, you’re making a scene, and I’m just trying to help you.”
“Don’t! I’m telling you to back off!” She ripped her arm away from Sydney’s hand and scooped up Scamp, carrying him as she stormed off.
Halona returned to the shop and, on entering, began to pace the floor. She grunted as she quickened her pace.
Why do I feel this way? Why do I feel anything for that matter? What if she’s right? What if something isn’t right?
She took a deep breath and picked up Scamp as she made her way up the steps to the apartment. Drake was at the table, quietly writing in his journal. He looked up and gave a big smile.
“Hey, you’re back. Did it start to rain again?” He glanced out the glass door.
He picked up Scamp, who had come running over.
“No,” she quietly answered.
“Everything okay?”
She tightened her lips. “Yes. I mean no.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. I just had a run-in with Sydney.”
He gave Scamp a kiss on the head and placed him on the floor. “Oh, do you want to talk about it?”
Taking an exaggerated breath, she sat across from him. “No, not really.”
He got up and made her a drink. He returned and held out a glass of orange juice. She scrunched her mouth as she reached out. “Have anything stronger?”
Drake handed her the drink. “Give it a taste.” He smiled as he slightly shrugged his shoulders. “Let me know if you want to talk. I added to a scene. Do you want to see it?”
“Sure.”
He handed her the journal. She read the passage Drake had written. “Oh, that’s great. It fits the town.”
“Thanks.”
She turned the page and squinted as she read. Then she read it again, though aloud, with a furrowed brow. “He’s the one.”
Drake looked up. “Who’s the one?”
“I don’t know; you tell me. That’s what it says in the book.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean? There’s more written in there? Let me see.”
Halona leaned in with purpose. “You didn’t write it?”
He shook his head. “No.”
Tense, keyed up, and confused now, she spoke firmly. “Drake, did you write that and the other? I looked through that journal for days before I put it in the shop. There was nothing written after that first page.”
He shrugged as shook his head again. “I don’t know what to tell you. I didn’t write it.”
She gave an exasperated sigh as she handed the journal back to Drake and then rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry. Maybe I’m just upset with Syd, with something she said.”
He waited, as Halona had trouble keeping eye contact.
“She thinks we’re going too fast. She worries…” Halona placed her elbow on the table as she scrunched her hair.
As she hesitated, Drake leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his hair.
“Oh, I see.” He glanced out the window for a moment before returning his attention to Halona. “She’s just worried about you. Truthfully, I’d be more concerned if she wasn’t. I’m glad they care.” He stroked his chin. “They don’t know me, but they’ll come around. And when they do, their concerns will vanish.” He snapped his fingers.
Halona shook her head, her hair moving ever so slightly.
“Sometimes I wish I had the power to vanish them.” Her words made Drake smile.
He leaned in toward her. “You don’t mean that. Besides, when they see I love you, they won’t be able to argue with that.”
Her eyes widened. “You love me?” She felt herself get warm inside. She smiled nervously. “Drake, I have the gift of empathy, and while I do feel that you care, you haven’t known me but a couple of days. You know little about me. I know even less about you. I care too…but it’s just…”
“I have nothing but time.” He offered her a slow, sexy smile.
She returned in kind, as her fingers gently stroked her collarbone.
The phone rang; Drake saw the incoming caller ID and gently pushed it toward Halona.
“Did you want to take this?”
Halona looked down to see the call was from Sydney. She shook her head. Drake slid the phone closer toward her.
She reached for it and said, “Fine.” She answered, “Hello.”
“Halona, it’s Syd. I wanted to apologize. I love you so much, and none of that went very well.”
Halona got up and walked out on the balcony.
“No, it didn’t. I love you too, and I know you’re concerned, but please don’t be.”
Sydney said, “I understand, and I’ll try not to be. I’ll do what all of us have said we’d do. Live our lives and just be there for each other.”
Halona whispered into the phone, “I’m a big girl. It will be okay.”
“He’d be crazy if it didn’t go well, and I don’t think he’s crazy.”
“No, just crazy about me, and I think I may be crazy about him,” Halona said.
“I’m actually happy for that, Halona. Forgive me?”
“If you’ll forgive me. I said some pretty mean things.”
“Done!”
Halona hung up the call and went back inside, holding the phone to her chest.
Drake raised his chin toward her. “Everything okay?”
She nodded. “Yes…and…”
She leaned in to kiss him, and as he pulled her into his lap, he said, “This evening, let’s pick up right there.”
* * * *<
br />
Halona, and the staff of Beachcombers, had a busy day. The team was pleased that they had to offer everything someone inquired about. They were even more pleased they had items that even many nautical enthusiasts had never seen. They were, however, most pleased to call it a day, and soon would.
Halona was placing Drake’s play announcement in the window when she felt her fingers get ice-cold and become stiff. It was so sudden, as if a quick vapor had blown across them. She glanced up to see two young women about to enter the store. Halona noticed one was wearing a chain with a stone encased. Before the threshold music could play, she walked over to them.
“Miss, forgive me for asking, but can you tell me where you got that stone you’re wearing?”
The young woman fingered her necklace, which made Halona’s own fingers twinge.
“I just inherited it from my grandmother.”
Halona bit her lip. “And she from hers?”
The woman wrinkled her forehead. “Yes, how did you know?”
Halona gritted her teeth as she shook her head. “I don’t know how to ask this, so I just will. Were they both sickly?”
The young woman gasped. “Yes, both, most of their lives, from what I understand.”
Halona nodded. “Since getting the stone, have you felt different?”
The woman looked at her friend, who answered for her, “She could barely make this trip because she’s been so tired. Doctors don’t know why.”
Halona took a deep breath. “You don’t know me, so this will probably sound crazy, but I have to tell you that stone’s cursed.”
The woman touched her necklace. “Cursed?” The two friends exchanged looks again.
Halona held her hand out. “Not from them, but from generations before.” She shook her head. “I know this is hard to hear, but my advice is to get rid of it.” With her hands steepled in front of her, Halona pleaded, “If you keep it, lock it up.”
When the woman looked even more confused, Halona managed a smile. “Let me do something for you. I’m going to get you a similar stone, a charmed stone. No charge, it is a gift. I will only be a minute.” She then yelled out, “Jenn, I’ll be right back.”
Mystic Tides Page 22
