“Let me see,” Landon prodded, refusing to back down. “I’ll run and get the next round of hot chocolate if you do.”
I blew out a weary sigh, but lifted my hands, pressing the middle digit of each hand to the forefinger and the ring finger to the pinky, creating two vees.
“You can do it with both hands?” Landon was delighted. “I am so turned on right now.”
“I thought you were appalled when you thought I was a Trekkie,” I challenged.
“That was before I pictured you in one of those role-playing outfits,” Landon replied. “I’m totally ordering one of them, by the way. I’m going to make you serve as my communications expert.”
“And then what?”
Landon’s lips curved. “Then we’ll boldly go where … .” Landon didn’t get a chance to finish his filthy double entendre because Mrs. Little picked that moment to swoop in and interrupt us.
“Bay, we really need to get going,” she said. “It’s cold out and I want to make sure my hair looks good for the photographs. If snow starts falling it’ll melt on my hair and then freeze. Nobody wants that.”
I exhaled heavily as I regained my faculties and patted Landon’s shoulder as he scowled in Mrs. Little’s direction. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Let’s do it now.”
“Sure. I can’t wait. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.” I flashed Landon a resigned smile before gathering my notebook from the picnic table. Landon grabbed my wrist before I could wander too far away.
“If I had a phaser this is where I would totally stun her,” he offered, causing me to grin.
“I could always try the Vulcan neck pinch on her.”
“Oh, that’s my little geek.” He playfully swatted my rear end. “Hurry this along, because I have some positively marvelous ideas for reenacting The Trouble With Tribbles. By the way, you’re the tribble.”
And he says I’m the geek.
I wish … I wish … I wish … um, I don’t know what to wish for. Everything that pops in my head is mean, and I promised I would never grow up to be you, so I have no idea what to do with this new development.
– Clove, 16, explaining to Aunt Tillie why she can’t think of anything to wish for
Five
Mrs. Little was born to be the center of attention. She took her spot in front of the wishing well, launched into a speech even I couldn’t follow despite the fact that I was there to do just that, and then yanked the plastic tarp off the newly constructed downtown landmark with a flourish that would’ve made Las Vegas performers jealous.
The crowd gathered to see the unveiling was small, so only a few people supplied the appropriate gasps – and I was fairly certain Landon was one of those individuals and he was only making noise because he burned his tongue on his hot chocolate. By the time Mrs. Little wrapped things up, which was fifteen minutes after a normal person would’ve stopped talking, the crowd was seriously losing interest.
I took advantage of the situation and grabbed two women in rapid succession to gather quotes, tamping down my irritation when they both admitted they followed the smell of doughnuts, and then found Landon sitting exactly where I left him.
“I’m done … kind of.”
“What’s ‘kind of’ mean?” Landon grabbed his tongue with his fingers and tried to stare down his nose and get a gander at it. “I burned my tongue, by the way. It hurts.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “I’ll kiss it and make it better later.”
“I was thinking ice cream.”
“You’re going to fall into a sugar coma if you’re not careful,” I warned. “You’ve had so much food this morning that I’m going to have to let out your pants before you leave for work Monday.”
“You can sew?” Landon was understandably dubious. I wasn’t known for my homemaking skills.
“I can online shop.”
Landon snorted. “Duly noted. I was hoping to work off the extra calories when we get home and into our pajamas.”
“Well, I don’t see why we can’t leave now,” I offered. “The article will be dull, but it will be the most boring thing in next week’s edition anyway, so I’m not overly broken up about it.”
Landon ceased messing with his tongue and fixed me with a serious expression. “If you’re going to change your mind and insist we come back down here in an hour I’m going to be very upset.”
“I won’t.” I was almost positive that was true.
Landon didn’t look convinced. “What did you want that you didn’t get?”
“Color quotes.”
“I saw you questioning two women as soon as Mrs. Little stopped talking – and that was freaking painful, honey, so you’ll have to rub the crap out of me later to make up for it. Didn’t they give you color quotes?”
“They came for the free hot chocolate.”
Landon snorted. “I can’t blame them. The hot chocolate is downright tasty.”
“Yes, you’re practically buzzing from all of the sugar. How many doughnuts did you eat?”
“One. I’m not a glutton.”
I arched a challenging eyebrow. “Really?”
“Fine. Three. They had sprinkles, though. You know how I feel about sprinkles.”
“You love them almost as much as bacon,” I filled in. “You’ve told me on numerous occasions.”
“I love you more than both of them.”
He was feeling cute and frisky, which I didn’t want to dissuade. “Duly noted.”
“That’s why I don’t want you to leave until you have your quotes,” Landon announced, hopping off the table. “I want you to get everything you need so we don’t have to worry about leaving the guesthouse. I’m not joking about having a pajama day. I’m willing to forego bacon at the inn tomorrow morning to do it.”
“Oh, you’re definitely serious.” I rested my gloved hand on top of his. “Okay. I just need two quotes. I’m chilled to the bone thanks to the world’s longest speech, but you’re right. If I get the quotes now we can spend the rest of the day getting warm.”
“Yes. I’m thinking a bath, a big fire and more hot chocolate.”
“You’re having tea,” I corrected. “No sugar or honey, either. You can have lemon and that’s it.”
“You’re being awfully bossy.” Landon’s eyes lit with playfulness. “I kind of like it.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re getting more sugar.”
“I’m fine with that.” Landon gave me a soft shove as he moved behind me. “Get your quotes and let’s get out of here. I’m not joking about this being a lame festival. They don’t have a kissing booth or a bonfire. I’m so disappointed. The town let me down.”
“You’re so dramatic.”
“I learned it from the Winchesters, so what do you expect?” Landon happily followed me toward a group of teenagers. Even though I didn’t want to drag this out, I knew he was right. If I didn’t get the quotes it would bug me.
“That’s Nelson Lyons over there.” I pointed toward the slim boy standing in the middle of five bubbling females. “He’ll give me a quote. I think he has a crush on me.”
Landon ran his thumb over his bottom lip as he studied the teenager in question. “Are you sure? He looks like he has plenty of options in his own age group.”
Wait a second … . “Did you just call me old?”
Landon realized his mistake too late and averted his eyes from my accusatory gaze. “I think you’re lovely and beautiful.”
“But old.”
“Oh, geez. Talking to a woman is like navigating a minefield. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Now my pajama day will be ruined.”
I took pity on him. “You can still have your pajama day. The massage is off the table, though.”
“That’s fine. I’ll massage you. We’ll get to the same ending no matter who is rubbing who. Wait … that came out a lot filthier than I expected.”
“Yeah, maybe you should lay off the sugar,” I sugg
ested. “I’ll talk to Nelson and get a quick quote – and he does have a crush on me – and you can wait here and think about how old I am. How does that sound?”
“You think you’re punishing me, but all that’s going to ensure is that someone shoves another cup of hot chocolate in my hand when you’re not looking,” Landon pointed out. “I can’t be left to my own devices. The women here love me, and I have no willpower when it comes to food.”
He wasn’t wrong. I’d seen him in action too many times to discount the possibility that every single woman in the immediate area would descend on him with chocolate goodies the second my back was turned. “Fine. You can go with me. If you flirt with those girls, though, I’ll make you pay.”
“Yes, because I often hit on teenagers.”
“I didn’t say you’d hit on them. But the second they see you, they’ll forget poor Nelson. If he cries, I’ll have to hug him. Don’t take it the wrong way if he tries to look down my shirt.”
Landon guffawed loudly. “Oh, we’re such a fun couple. I don’t know why we don’t spend weekends doing things like this more often.”
“Because you would rather have pajama weekends.”
“Oh, once it’s just the two of us, we’re going to turn it into naked weekends,” Landon promised, brightening at the picture he was painting in his head. “We’ll take it one step at a time, though. I don’t want to get you excited before we can actually enjoy the activity.”
“Yes, well … um … what was I going to do again?” My cheeks flushed with color as Landon smirked.
“You’re going to interview that kid.” Landon pointed at Nelson. “Then you’re going to make a wish so we can get out of here.”
I studied the handsome planes of his face for a moment, my heart warming. “I don’t need to make a wish. I have everything I want.”
Landon’s expression softened as he lowered his forehead to mine. “Me too.” He kissed the tip of my nose before pulling away. “Now hurry up. The longer you screw around the longer we’ll be kept away from the fireplace.”
“You’re the one who keeps distracting me.”
“Yes, but it’s cute when I do it. Go.”
I pasted a bright smile on my face as I approached Nelson, hoping the normally shy boy wouldn’t balk at answering questions. I had to pick my way through the gaggle of girls surrounding him and I couldn’t help but wonder why Nelson was suddenly so popular. That seemed to go against what I saw daily when he walked through town alone.
“Hey, Nelson, can I get a quote from you for the newspaper?”
Nelson jerked up his head, his strawberry blond hair flopping to the side as his face registered surprise. “Bay, I’m so happy to see you. Of course you can interview me for the newspaper.”
“You should take his photo, too.” One of the girls, I was fairly certain her name was Hannah Freeman, giggled as she smiled adoringly at Nelson. “If you put Nelson’s face on the front page of the newspaper you’ll sell out every copy in, like, five minutes.”
“Definitely,” one of the other girls agreed, bobbing her head. “I know I would buy ten of them myself … and put them in frames … and kiss them before I go to sleep every night.”
“I would rather kiss the real Nelson every night.” Hannah sighed wistfully. “Numerous times.”
“Me, too.”
Huh. That was weird, right? I stepped between the two girls to cut them off from one another in case they decided to attack and start pulling hair. I glanced over my shoulder and locked gazes with Landon, hoping he was as baffled as me. He looked more amused than annoyed, so I shook myself out of my reverie and focused on Nelson.
“I just need to know why you attended the wishing well dedication,” I prodded.
“Oh, sure.” Nelson flashed a benevolent smile as his gaze bounced between the members of his odd little harem. “Ladies, if you go over to the hot chocolate stand, I’ll be happy to join you there in a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
The girls giggled in unison as they scampered in that direction, exchanging heated whispers as they made cooing sounds that made my stomach twist.
“They seem … energetic,” I offered, unbelievably confused. Nelson was a ridiculously sweet kid, but I’d never thought of him as the sort of boy who would attract vapid female attention. “Are you tutoring them?”
Landon slapped his hand to his forehead and shook his head as realization washed over me. That was a mean and insulting thing to say. Hmm. Perhaps I was channeling Aunt Tillie.
“I mean … are you um … dating all of them?”
If Nelson was bothered by the question he didn’t show it. “I like to keep my options open.” Nelson’s neck was so thin it almost looked transparent when he shifted under the bright sun. “I sometimes find that I’m in the mood for a blonde … other times a brunette. I don’t like being forced to settle for one thing.”
“Uh-huh.” Nelson’s reaction was beyond odd. I cast a furtive glance at Landon and found that he’d sobered, although only marginally. “So, um, why did you come to the big unveiling?”
“I’ve always been a fan of town activities,” Nelson offered.
I narrowed my eyes. “Why really?”
“My mom is running the hot chocolate stand.”
“Mira?” Landon brightened. “Lovely woman.”
“Don’t push me,” I muttered, annoyed. “So, Nelson, did you at least enjoy the unveiling?”
“Oh, I had a great time,” Nelson replied. “It was cold, but my girls kept me warm and filled me with hot chocolate. I have no complaints. It was much better than last night when I stopped by to polish the plaque – Mrs. Little conned my mother into volunteering my services – and I was here alone. I swear I kept thinking I heard something in the woods.
“It turns out I did hear something in the woods,” he continued. “Some of the other kids from my class were out here drinking, and everyone decided to start making wishes on the well because … well … it’s Hemlock Cove and there was nothing else to do on a November night.”
I could see that. “Oh, so you made the first wish last night?”
“I think I was actually the third or fourth wish. There were a few kids before me. Still, it was kind of fun. But this was better.” He cast a longing look in the direction of the girls, who seemed to sense his eyes on them, because they all started waving in giddy unison. “So much better.”
I didn’t know what to make of the situation. “Okay, well, can you give me a clean quote for this week’s edition?”
“Oh, right.” Nelson shook his head and turned his eyes to me. “I think the wishing well was a great idea and I’m very thankful to Mrs. Little for making it happen. It’s a great addition to the Hemlock Cove downtown area. Does that work?”
“That’s perfect.”
“Great.” Nelson patted my arm before moving toward his girls. “You’ll always have a special place in my heart, Bay. I really want you to know that.”
I jutted out my lower lip as I watched him bounce toward his girlfriends, shifting my chin in Landon’s direction when I felt him move up beside me. “That was weird, right?”
Landon shrugged. “I don’t know. If I knew girls did that in high school I would’ve totally taken advantage.”
“Yes, but … why are the girls doing that?”
“Maybe he paid them.”
I made a disgusted face and flicked the red ridge of Landon’s ear, causing him to grumble as he jerked away from me. “Hey! It’s cold out. Are you trying to break my ear?”
“Whatever,” I muttered. “Nelson is a good kid and he has real friends. I’ve seen him with them. What I haven’t seen is … that.” I gestured toward the girls as one of them threw her arms around Nelson’s neck and pressed her ample breasts to his chest. “Seriously. What is going on?”
Landon snorted, my discomfort clearly entertaining him. “Maybe geeks are in. You can never tell what a girl will like from day to day. I’m thankful you even remember
my name when we wake up each morning.”
“Oh, puh-leez.” I rolled my eyes, shifting my attention to a group of women on the other side of the well. There had to be at least eight of them, all grouped around Mrs. Little as she told some story that looked to be as boring as her speech. “And what’s up with that? That can’t be normal either, right?”
Landon followed my gaze, his face blank. “Yeah, that’s definitely weird. I can’t think anyone would put up with that woman without being paid.”
“She looks … popular.” It took me a moment to find the proper word, and when I did it seemed alien in reference to Mrs. Little.
“The same with your boyfriend Nelson,” Landon added. “I especially liked how he told you that you’d always have a special place in his heart.”
“Yeah, that did make me feel old.”
“Oh, my poor sweetie.” Landon slung an arm over my shoulders. “Do you have enough or do we need to find another person to quote?”
“I’m good. Nelson gave me more than I needed. Wait … that came out wrong.”
Landon snickered. “Don’t worry about it. I think he’s getting his own load of dirty suggestions from his friends.”
I cringed when one of the girls stuck her tongue in Nelson’s ear. “Okay, yeah, we’re done.”
“I’ll let you do that to me if we go home right now.”
“You still have to massage me.”
“I figure we can find a way to do both.”
“Deal.”
Clove is putting together her list for Santa, which is a crock because he’s not real. She says she wants new shoes, a new computer and world peace. I think she just threw in that “world peace” crap because she’s a suck-up. I wish people weren’t allowed to suck up, because then I would totally be normal.
– Thistle Winchester, age 13, explaining why Clove isn’t downstairs helping with chores
Six
“This wasn’t what I had in mind when I pictured us spending the day together.”
Landon, my feet propped in his lap so he could rub them, reclined on the couch in The Overlook’s library and gave me a dirty look as I tapped my article into my laptop.
Once Upon a Witch: A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy Books 1-3 Page 41
