by Cate Masters
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything’s great.” Since she’d ensured the safety of the town. But what about her?
“Maybe not everything.”
No reply necessary, she knew. Annie might not wield real magic, but her friend understood the most important things. A sort of mini-superpower in her own right.
Annie brightened. “Hey, I know what we need.”
Joss bet. Still, she found her friend’s enthusiasm infectious, as always. “What?”
“Another picnic. We don’t have to wait until Labor Day. Let’s make up our own holiday. Give people a reason to celebrate.”
“You’re absolutely right. We’ll have a Midsummer Festival. Or something.” Another picnic would draw people to the inn again.
And Eric too.
Only a few days had passed since the battle. From across the road, his emotions emanated stronger than ever. More tumultuous than ever. Of course, he had to be rattled after escaping the gates of Hell. So she’d stayed away, waiting for him to settle on a more even keel. And herself too.
“You’re a genius, Annie.”
Her friend waved her off. “Nah. I just hate to see you mope again.”
“Was I?”
Annie widened her eyes in a duh expression, then her face softened. “Stop worrying. Everything will work out. I feel it in my bones.”
Joss smiled. “Your bones have always been right.”
* * * *
Reading the chart notations, Eric strolled down the hall of his veterinary practice. The storm a few days ago had toppled trees in nearby fields, yet his home—and the inn—stood perfectly preserved, following a straight line. Like the storm couldn’t touch a certain corridor along the earth. Very strange, especially since people said the heaviest outbreak concentrated in town. He tried to recall the thunder claps or howling winds his staff talked about, but he must’ve slept through it. The sleep-walking incident still disturbed him. He’d never done anything so weird before.
Nor had his memory blanked before. He recalled nothing about the earth rumbling or the constant lightning, nothing about that day. Like he’d been plucked out of his life, then re-deposited to pick up where he’d left off.
Except he couldn’t. Yes, he’d returned to work without any problem. One thing remained for him to do, if he could only remember exactly what.
And though he’d completed every examination like a professional, he did so only by fighting the overwhelming urge to abandon his practice and run across the road to the inn. To Joss.
She’d think you were a lunatic. Maybe she wouldn’t be far off. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Wanting her.
But how do I approach her?
“Dr. Hendricks?” Terry spoke softly from the doorway.
He turned away from the window. Caught staring. “Yes?”
“New patient in room two.”
“Thanks.”
“Oh, and Annie asked if she could hang a flyer in our window. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“What’s it for?”
“The inn’s having a picnic this weekend. Kind of last minute.”
“Oh.”
“You don’t mind, do you?”
Mind? “Not at all.” Not one little bit. Now, he had the perfect excuse to see her.
Chapter 24
Blooms and herbs filled the summer kitchen, one of Joss’s favorite places at Lavender Hill. If she could choose a favorite. Each room held its own coziness and warmth. She had no trouble referring to the inn as home, even knowing it sat atop a hotbed of Underworld activity. Since the battle, she’d guarded against errant thoughts that could lead to misuse of the ley line.
Not an easy task. After glimpsing Eric climbing in his truck and driving away, her mind whirled uncontrollably. He’s back. He’s safe. Hallelujah! Why did he avoid her? Didn’t he have any wish to see her? Did he hate her for putting him through Hell, literally?
Gathering tea balls, she carried them the short distance down the path to the back screen door where the tangy smell of barbecue drifted through. Clangs and humming sounded inside, Annie standing at the stove, stirring two large pots at once.
Inhaling, Joss smiled. “Smells delicious.”
With a grateful glance, Annie said, “Let’s hope everyone likes barbecue.”
“They’ll like anything you cook. Oh, and I found the old croquet set, and lawn tennis.” Mostly because she couldn’t sit still and kept herself busy with any possible activity.
“It’s a perfect day for it,” Annie said. “People will love it. This was such a great idea, having an early August picnic.”
“And you’re sure we have enough of everything?” The notion she’d forgotten something niggled at her more than usual. Worrying about Eric, she found it difficult to concentrate on anything. Hopefully, he’d follow the line of cars to the inn.
Ticking off the items with an oven mitt, Annie seemed to reassure herself. “Sweetie, we have barbecued beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp, and five side dishes. With blueberry cheesecake and lemon cake for dessert, we’ll be fine.”
Joss chuckled. “Mm, I’m going to have to buy a treadmill soon.”
“Or you could go running…” Annie flashed a devious smile.
Depended on the direction. “On second thought, I’ll stick with gardening.”
“Any idea who’s coming today?”
“Hopefully everyone.” To quiet the small voice in her head, she bent to retrieve a pot and filled it with tap water.
“Kyle too?” Annie asked.
“No, he’s at a friend’s. He didn’t want to travel this far so close to the start of senior year. Summer classes kept him busy.”
Wide-eyed, Annie shook her head. “I can’t believe he’ll be graduating.”
“He hasn’t mentioned any job offers yet. If he needs me, I’ll be here for him, waiting with open arms.”
“You always are.” Annie looped her into an embrace. “He’ll find his path.”
Patting her friend’s back, she leaned away. “I’d better go change. People should start arriving soon.”
Taz hobbled behind her as she went to her room. He’d taken only two spills since coming home so Joss tried not to coddle him too much.
Quickly changing into her knit sundress, she surveyed her image in the mirror. “Not bad for an old lady, huh Taz?”
The dog tilted its head and whined.
“You’re right. It needs a little something.” Opening her jewelry box, she drew out the carved shell necklace and bracelet. John’s promise to buy her another from an island vendor slowed her hand as she fastened them. Since their journey to The Underworld, the image of John sometimes haunted her. She closed her eyes and clasped the necklace, stilling her mind. When a vision of John’s glowing smile appeared, calm replaced her anxiety.
The crunch of tires on the driveway hurried her. “Customers. Let’s go.” Stepping into her sandals along the way, she entered the kitchen. “Guests are here,” she said to Annie on her way to the window. “Oh, isn’t he the new trainer? Did they ever find out what happened to Tom Larsen?”
Wiping her hands on a dishcloth, Annie shrugged. “No one seems to know. He and Sheree just…” She snapped her fingers. “Vanished. Like magic.”
Not exactly magic. Not the good sort anyway. “This new trainer seems nice.” And sometimes the rumor mill came in handy.
Hurrying back to the stove, Annie lifted a pot lid. “He does. The horses seem to like him too.”
“Yes.” As much as they did Eric. Even Maya, the finicky former race horse, nickered gently on the vet’s visits, head lowered, unflinching at his touch. Joss loved to hear him speak to the animals as if they could respond, asking how they were.
When Taz lumbered to the water dish, Annie paused to watch. “He’s recovering so fast. It’s amazing.”
Joss lost her grip on a mug but caught it. “He is.” Hopefully no one else would notic
e how quickly and think it unnatural.
Grinning, Annie pointed an oven mitt at her. “It’s because of you.”
Unable to hold her false smile, Joss could hardly ask, “What?” Annie couldn’t have seen the small indiscretion that day, she’d gone home.
“He loves you so much. He’s working extra hard to get well, and your love is helping to heal him.”
“Oh.” A fluttery laugh escaped. “I guess.”
“You know it’s true. Love is the most powerful force in the world. It can overcome anything.”
“Anything,” Joss repeated. Even those in The Underworld. If Lydia or Gram had said the same thing, Joss would have let it breeze past. Annie’s words held weight, and they hit her hard. Since they’d healed The Mark and nothing forced Eric away from her, would he believe it too?
With a breezy tone, Joss turned. “I’ll greet our guests.”
Two more cars pulled in as Joss went outside. “Welcome. I hope you’re hungry. We have every kind of barbecue, plus an assortment of desserts.”
Mrs. Albright smiled at her husband. “I’ve heard so much about your wonderful lavender lemonade.”
“I hope you enjoy it.” Joss pointed them to the patio, where chafing dishes lined the table against the wall. “Please help yourselves to the buffet. We also have lawn games.”
In greeting the owners of Quincy, the quarter horse, Joss caught the gleam of another vehicle in the late afternoon sun. Aunt Lydia’s car.
“Jocelyn darling.” Lydia threw her arms wide, her gait awkward in her tight skirt, her blouse ruffles flouncing in the breeze. “The drive was so tedious. I could use a lovely glass of your special lemonade.”
“I’m so happy you could join us.” Though she’d be happier if her aunt would give her a heads up now and then. Joss didn’t read cards to see the future, and the inn’s limited number of rooms could pose a potential problem. “How did you know about the picnic?”
“The universe, darling. It speaks to me all the time, yadda yadda yadda. But on such occasions as this, it supplies useful information.” Opening her oversized bag, Lydia made a show of pulling out her wallet. “How much is a ticket?”
She nudged her aunt’s offering away. “Why don’t you go freshen up? Then maybe you could help us out.”
“Why certainly, dearest.” Hips swaying, Lydia bustled into the house.
Joss greeted the family who owned Triple Power, and Jim Turner. When her aunt returned, she handed her the tickets. “I need to bring out food. Can you check these next guests?” She nodded to the van winding down the driveway.
Trouper that she was, Lydia took over with panache. Joss filled the stainless steel trays and lit the sterno. Jim asked if Joss hired her aunt as a hostess, making her laugh. “Oh, no. She’s only temporary.” Though, she somehow appeared at critical times. Joss hoped tonight wasn’t one of them.
Returning the empty pans to the kitchen, Joss lingered at the window. Her nerves tingled, usually a sure sign the vet was near, but no blue SUV sat in the driveway.
“Looking for someone?” Annie teased.
“I’m checking to see who’s arrived. It’s getting to be a nice-sized crowd.” She removed the chilled pitcher from the fridge and hurried through the dining room.
A zing shot through her, so she searched the parking lot and driveway. Still no blue SUV. More vehicles arrived, keeping Aunt Lydia busy. Good. It proves me wrong about— “Oh!” Bumping into a man’s chest, the lemonade sloshed out onto the plate. Held by Eric.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” Too busy looking for him, she managed to miss him standing right in her path. So close, the air between them filled with crackling energy.
“Ow, you gave me quite a shock.” He flicked his hand as a crooked smile lifted his mouth. “And I wanted some lemonade with my food, but not like this.” His faded pink polo set off his dark hair and steely gray eyes.
Oh, no. The effort of keeping her energy pent up collapsed in one jolt. Without meaning to, she’d zapped him. Other than a flinch, hardly noticeable, he hadn’t reacted. If anything, his eyes burned brighter blue.
“Here, let me take your plate.” When she reached for it, the pitcher tilted and a few drops escaped.
He grasped the bottom to straighten it, still holding his dish, as was she. “I never was good at juggling. I’ll take the pitcher. You take the plate.”
Lost in his gaze, her grip refused to relax. Finally, she laughed. “Sorry. My coordination’s off today.” Or any day she was around him, it seemed. To ease the awkwardness, she took a tumbler off the table.
“Real glasses?” He reached for it.
His fingers brushing hers swept away her response. “Pardon?”
“I noticed before you don’t use disposables.”
Why was he asking such impersonal questions? “They’re inexpensive Dollar Store glasses. We practice the three Rs whenever possible. Landfills hold enough throwaways without us adding to it.” Why was she babbling? Held by his attentive gaze, words spilled forth uncontrollably. “And we’re growing our own organic vegetables and herbs. And the lavender, of course. I couldn’t make those special recipes without it.” The tingle branched through every vein, setting her body abuzz. She ground her toe into the patio to cut off the flow.
She met Aunt Lydia’s amused gaze. How foolish she must appear. “Excuse me.” And rude, leaving so abruptly. “Help yourself to another plate.” She rushed inside.
Cocking her head, Annie asked, “What do we need?”
“Oh, well…” She hadn’t actually noticed. She didn’t want to go back out yet. “I’ll come for refills when we need them.”
“Okay.” Annie blinked in confusion. “Wasn’t that why you returned so fast?”
Waving off Annie’s worries, Joss busied herself. “I’m nervous. I want today to go well.”
“It will. Can I do anything else to help?”
Joss shrugged. “Go have fun? Mingle?”
“Maybe I will for a bit.”
By the time Joss went back out, Annie had joined a four-person lawn tennis game. Whacking the birdie over the net, she whooped when the opposite team missed it. “Score,” she yelled, her feet in a happy dance. Onlookers cheered.
Joss yelled, “Go, Annie.” Glancing at Eric, her laugh faded. The rest of the world fell away as he rose, gaze locked on hers, and strode toward her with a surety that unnerved her. A shiver passed over her, both hot and cold. “Excuse me. I have to check the other guests.”
He blocked her path. “Can’t it wait a minute?”
“I still have so much to do. And I haven’t even taken Taz for a proper walk.” The realization hit her. She’d forgotten him. “If I don’t walk him on the harness, he just plops down in the shade.”
“Where’s his harness?” He extended his hand, palm up. “I’ll do it.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What? No, you’re a guest.”
“I’m a veterinarian. And a friend who cares about Taz.” His arched brow challenged her to disagree.
Her heart sank. A friend. After a beat, she said, “All right. It would be a huge help.” Taz licked her face when she fastened the harness around him. “Time for a walk, sweetie.”
Eric’s hand closed around hers, but she slipped from his grasp, leaving the leash in his hold. He held her gaze. “We’ll be back.” Eric and Taz strolled leisurely to the pasture fence, and two of the horses bent to sniff at the dog.
Joss tried not to check for them too often. Minutes dragged on. The sun slipped low, and guests began to leave. Her heart did a somersault when Taz and Eric were nowhere in sight. She hurried outside. Scanning the yard to the barn found nothing. When she gazed to the field, her heart flip-flopped again.
Eric stood in the lavender field, surrounded by flickering lights. The intermittent glow dappled his figure. Beside him, Taz sat contentedly.
Struggling to understand its meaning, Joss halted in amazement. Rare
ly did they appear during the day, and they’d never let anyone else so close. Only her, because they knew her family, and knew she wouldn’t reveal them to others.
What, she wondered, were they revealing to Eric? Whatever it was, she shouldn’t intrude, so slipped back to the patio.
* * * *
Humidity hung in the air, balmy and sweet. Lavender scented, thick and intoxicating. After a long stroll under the leafy canopy of Yellow Breeches Road, Eric steered Taz back toward the inn. As dusk gathered, the dog tugged him toward the field, and now they both stood in wonderment at the glimmering insects around them. Although larger than normal fireflies, Eric couldn’t quite make out distinct shapes. Not unusual, he supposed, yet something about these seemed different. They seemed friendly enough. His tension ebbed in their presence. He inhaled the soothing scent. The lavender must be working its magic too. All that remained was confusion. Joss acted aloof, but when she looked at him, he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
At the tug of the leash in his hand, he turned. “Ready to go in?” He walked Taz back to the house, surprised to find the rest of the guests had already left.
Joss held the kitchen door open. “There you are. I was beginning to worry.”
“We were getting some exercise.” He walked Taz inside.
She reached for the leash. “I appreciate you taking the time.”
Stepping closer, he ran his hands along her arms. “I had selfish motives.”
“Eric,” she whispered, the worry leaving her face as she gazed up at him.
It was the only encouragement he needed. His mouth found hers. Every muscle ached for her, yearned to wrap around her. Clutching his shirt, she returned his kisses. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bedroom and lowered her atop the mattress. Like a fever gripped him, he whispered her name. Wherever their bodies touched, it was as if some force pressed them closer, like a magnetic field surrounded them. A cyclone. With he and Joss at the center, the whirlwind crackled like some crazy science exhibit gone awry.
“Oh, no,” she whispered, turning her face away, eyes wide with fear. She squeezed them shut. “Stop.”
A zap like a lightning strike stung him deeply, more than her rejection. Stunned, he tensed, every cell ready to burst. “What was that?”
