Romance with a Bite

by Tamsin Baker

  As Rowena’s car pulled out of the driveway, Cassie picked up her phone to call the surgery. The clinic opened at eight, and with some fast talking, she secured an early appointment. She hated the idea of walking through town looking as she did, but the sooner she got medical assistance, the better. She would park as close to the clinic as possible. She grabbed a broad-brimmed hat and climbed into her car.

  She was in luck. She didn’t run into people she knew at close distance—or so she thought. She was almost at the clinic door when a familiar voice called out from behind.

  “Why aren’t you heading to work, Cassie Craven?”

  Amber. It had to be. Of all people to see her with a face that looked like it belonged in a leper colony, it had to be Amber. Cassie paused, and looked back over her shoulder. Amber stood, one hand on hip and a smirk on her face.

  “Oh, my—you don’t look so pretty now—not that you ever were a great beauty. I thought someone with the ‘Gift’ might be able to control any adverse forces or noxious substances. Seems I was wrong.”

  A feeling of horror seized Cassie. “Amber? The flowers came from you? You did this?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Perhaps you should ask the deer.”

  “What’s the deer got to do with it?”

  “You’re not the only one with Gifts bestowed by the Ancients. Have a nice day, Cassie.” She flounced along the sidewalk, heading to her mother’s café. Cassie watched her progress, the feeling of dread tightening bands around her chest.

  Chapter 10

  The doctor confirmed she had a classic but severe case of contact dermatitis.

  “You’ve got one of the worst reactions I’ve seen,” she said as she delivered a cortisone injection to Cassie’s upper arm. “You’re very sensitive. Avoid hot showers and over-heating, and stay away from those plants.”

  As if I’d go anywhere near them again. Who was to know what they could do?

  Cassie jammed on her concealing sunglasses when she made her way back to her car. Her thoughts whirled around her head. The morning sun was without heat, but the fractured light still danced on the leaves of the shrubbery lining the street. To all intents, it was a normal winter’s morning. Except it wasn’t.

  The breeze caught wispy strands of hair, trailing them across her cheeks. The resulting tickle was pure torture. Cassie shoved her hands in her pockets to avoid scratching at her face. She found herself looking around suspiciously at every unexpected sound, half anticipating an entire herd of deer to emerge from behind neighborhood fences.

  This is stupid. Toughen up, Buttercup. You can’t let every sound spook you.

  Her cottage, nestled behind a low hedge of lavender, was a welcome sanctuary when she reached it. Trouble was brewing. Cassie didn’t need the Goddess to tell her that. Amber was clearly antagonistic and if she’d managed the deer transition, her powers were on the ascent. With her erratic behaviour, that could be a problem. As she unlocked her front door, she could see Monty sitting in the front window, looking out. That was a relief. Her very own guard cat.

  After throwing down her bag and keys on the kitchen bench, she opened her laptop to research data on grevilleas and any other noxious plants she might encounter. If any other surprises were left for her, she wanted to recognize them for what they were. The phone vibrating at her elbow jolted her from the latest online rabbit hole she’d fallen down, chasing yet more detail.

  “Cassie, dear, just checking how you got on with the doctor.” Rowena’s voice held a concerned tone.

  “It was as you suspected. A severe reaction to the ‘gift’ left on my doorstep.”

  “You don’t know that anyone intended to harm you. Those plants are often used in public landscaping. You can’t expect everyone to know what touching them can do.”

  Cassie hesitated, her thoughts racing. To disclose what she had learned about Amber would create a division in the community. This was the first time someone in Harrow had used her gift to create harm, not good. It was a confounding development. Rowena was her aunt, though, and she had to tell someone.

  “I do know who was behind it, and it wasn’t a benign gift. It was meant to harm me.”

  She heard Rowena draw a sharp breath. “What do you mean? Who would do something like that?”

  “Promise me you won’t say anything to anyone else just yet, particularly not to the women. It was Amber. She left it hoping I would have an allergic reaction, and that’s not all.”

  “No? What else did she do?”

  “The deer I told you about—that was her. Amber has learned how to transition. A fox would have been more appropriate.”

  “How do you know this? Why would she do something like that?”

  “I bumped into her before I reached the surgery this morning. She laughed when she saw my face and inferred that she and the deer were one and the same.”

  “But did she actually admit what she’d done? You know that young woman likes to fanaticize.”

  “I know that, but Amber knew what was left on my doorstep and also knew about the deer.” Cassie knew it sounded crazy, but pressed on. “Rowena, she meant me harm. I know it.”

  The older woman was silent for a while before answering. “Cassie, we need to be very careful in how we approach this.” Her words were slow and hesitant. “The implications are enormous. I’ll give it some thought, and in the meantime, keep out of her way. I’ll call again tomorrow to see how you’re getting on. Stay safe. Blessed Be.”

  ☐

  Daniel peered out at the frosty morning, grasping his hot mug of tea between both hands. He looked out onto a winter sky of clear, icy blue. It was too cool to sit out on the deck, but he still liked to take in the view from his window. Sometimes birds dunked in the birdbath, which he ensured was topped up with water, and occasionally he saw an echidna. It trundled across the garden, its rolling gait almost comical. There was a hole under the side fence, and the animal squeezed itself under that before disappearing into the scrub.

  He decided to skip the morning walk. He was slipping behind on his schedule, and wanted to put in a solid day’s work, as best he could, anyway, before being distracted by thoughts of a certain woman. That was wrong. She wasn’t a distraction, but he hadn’t intended to get involved with anyone, and yet he knew he was. It didn’t fit with his plans at all. The only thing he was sure of was that it was meant to be.

  His eye was caught by a movement in the garden. He froze, trying to see what it was. There was something behind the citrus tree. Intruders? At this time of day? He’d give them some lemons if that was what they were after. He should put on some shoes and investigate.

  The shape emerged. Daniel caught his breath. A deer—it was a deer! He’d heard they ran rampant through the hills area, but had never seen one outside of a zoo before. This one didn’t look particularly wild. Emerging from behind the tree, it trotted towards the cottage, pausing briefly to nibble at some foliage.

  Very carefully, Daniel opened the back door and padded out onto the deck. The cold bit at his bare toes, but the opportunity to observe the animal close up was too good to miss. He could see it was a doe, and she didn’t seem in the least scared, taking dainty steps through the garden and looking this way and that. He was sure the animal had seen him. She was beautiful. What a gift.

  Daniel kept very still, hardly daring to breath. Come on, come closer. I won’t hurt you. The deer stopped, tilting its head sideways, eyeballing him. She was absolutely enchanting. He sensed a connection, which was weird. This was a wild animal. Just as he contemplated reaching out to it, the deer tossed its head and wheeled around. Moving almost at a trot, it rounded the side of the cottage and disappeared.

  When he slipped back through the cottage to throw open the front door and look out from that vantage point, there was no sign of the deer. It was gone. All he saw was a mopoke sitting in the gum tree in the front yard. That was equally strange. Those shy birds were usually only seen at night. His feet were now screa
ming with cold. He shut the door and went back inside.

  ☐

  Daniel had been sympathetic when she’d spoken to him on the phone. She rang him later that afternoon.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to see you, but I don’t want you seeing me like this. The medication I’m on makes me sleepy anyway. I’m off work for a few days, but I’m well stocked with books. It’s good to have some ‘me’ time, so in a way it’s a gift.”

  That was ironic. It certainly wasn’t the sort of gift Amber had intended.

  “Are you sure you don’t need a back rub? Say the word, it won’t take me long to be there.”

  “Thank you, but no. Touch is a sensitive issue at the moment, and anyway I know you have lots of writing to do. By the end of the week, I should be far more sociable. Friday night, here?”

  “Sounds great. Can I bring anything? Wine? Flowers?”

  Cassie shuddered. “Definitely not flowers. For some reason, I’ve gone right off them. Seeing you will be more than enough.”

  She did go back to work on the Thursday of that week. She still felt uncomfortable, but she couldn’t stay home forever. The library regulars were most concerned but she reassured them firstly that she was fine and secondly she was not in the slightest infectious. One of the other librarians took over the story time with the children though. The children might find her blotchy face a bit off-putting.

  Cassie still insisted on doing the library delivery service. She knew all the customers on the run, and what their reading preferences were. It was good also to get some normality back into her life. She enjoyed the visit to the retirement village and knew the residents looked forward to the interaction as well.

  “My, my—what’s been happening to you?”

  Ruby was one of the elders in the community, now resident in the village where she could get the ongoing care she required. Before that, she had owned the cottage that was now Cassie’s.

  “I got too close to some grevilleas. As you can see, that wasn’t a good idea. The reaction’s better than it was, though.”

  “I didn’t think there were any grevilleas in the garden. I wouldn’t plant them. Very nasty things for some people. Who gave them to you?” She reached out to grasp Cassie’s arm, concern reflected in her voice. Cassie could faintly smell violets, a scent she had come to associate with Ruby. Old she may be, but the woman still had her wits about her and her powers were still evident.

  There was no point in upsetting Ruby. Cassie chose her words carefully. “I don’t know, Ruby. They were left on the doorstep so I must have a secret admirer.”

  “Secret, my foot. I’ve heard there’s a young man sniffing around you, but this wasn’t him. That much I’m sure of.” Ruby closed her eyes briefly, retaining her grip on Cassie’s arm. “Be careful, lass. There is one who does not wish you well. She is motivated by envy and jealousy.”

  Ruby knew. There was not much that got past her, despite rarely leaving the village. With her free hand, Cassie slid her chair closer. “Ruby, what should I do? I’ve not done anything to cause this person any reason to dislike me. I don’t have much to do with her at all, actually.”

  “You don’t have to do anything. Just being you is enough. You have the respect of the community, and that is what she desperately craves. On top of that, this young man of yours prefers you to her.”

  “Ruby, how do you know all this?”

  Ruby let go of Cassie’s arm and tapped the side of her nose knowingly. “Same way I know anything. The ancients tell me what I need to know.” She laughed. “Of course, it helps to be old. People assume you’re deaf or senile. It’s amazing what others say in front of me, thinking I won’t understand.”

  “More fool them,” Cassie said. “You’re one of the sharpest people I know.”

  Ruby leaned close, the violets increasing in intensity. “Cassie, I will do what I can. The Boobook Man will watch out for you, and if I can do anything to divert this young woman’s intentions, I will. She is young, though, and her powers are strong. She needs a suitable diversion. I’ll consult the elders here about what that might be, but until then keep out of her way.”

  “No need to tell me, Ruby. She’s not my favourite person at the moment. Thank you. It’s good to know you have my back.” Cassie glanced at her watch. “I should be getting back to the library. Any preferences for next time? Di Morrisey has a new release available. It should come into the library next week.”

  “Sounds wonderful. Bring me that one. And mind what I’ve said. Blessed Be.”

  The rest of her book deliveries were uneventful, though everyone expressed concern about her condition. By the time she reversed the library van into the parking bay, Cassie was all talked out. She slipped out to Wilson’s bakery to buy some lunch, being sure to scan the street carefully for who else might be taking a lunchtime stroll. Given the hour, Amber should be busy in her mother’s café, but you could never be sure. She couldn’t be sure of anything. Except her feelings for Daniel.

  ☐

  With only two days of the week at work, it felt like a short week. Cassie peered at her reflection in the mirror, applying the ointment to the raised lesions on her face and body. The welts weren’t as angry as when they’d first appeared, but still quite evident. And itchy. Daniel would still be surprised when he saw her.

  Wonderful man, he didn’t wince or pull back when she opened the door to him.

  “Hi, beautiful. I come bearing wine and chocolate. No flowers. May I kiss you?”

  Cassie smothered a giggle. If he could call her beautiful when she looked like this, and bring chocolate, he was a keeper. She raised her face to his. “Sure. Carefully. On the lips only.”

  He dutifully delivered a kiss that was more than a peck, but not as amorous as what either of them might have wished.

  “So how was your week?” Daniel asked. “You haven’t explained to me how you got yourself into this predicament.”

  How was my week? Challenging, irritating, and worrying.

  “My week was fine. How about you open the wine and I’ll fetch the glasses.” Cassie deflected his question. “Then I’ll show you around my garden and my greenhouse. The cottage was owned by an elderly friend before me, and I’ve reaped the benefit of the wonderful work she did in establishing a haven for the local birds and smaller wildlife. There are many native plants and aromatic flowers here.”

  “Did that spark your interest in the orchids and your tinctures?”

  “No, my mother did that. She passed a lot of knowledge on to me, but Ruby’s garden was a bonus. I love living here. She’s in the local retirement village now, but sometimes I bring her back for afternoon tea.”

  There was still enough light for them to stroll through the garden, admiring the landscaping creating unique garden spaces, and the array of textures, and colours. It was well thought out and maintained.

  “You know more about gardening than I do,” Daniel said. “I’m no green thumb. I stick things in the dirt and then it’s up to them to survive or not. It’s wonderful when they do but my influence is minimal.”

  “I’ll have to teach you, won’t I?” Cassie flicked him a quick glance, checking to see if there was any reaction to this long-term proposal. Daniel merely smiled and tightened the grip he had with the arm flung around her shoulder.

  They wandered back inside and refreshed their drinks before sitting in front of the fire. Monty had already secured prime position, but there was enough heat for them all. The cat had been initially wary of Daniel, but after receiving a scratch behind his ears, emitted a loud purr, presumably giving a seal of approval. Daniel sat in a large armchair, and Cassie curled up on the floor in front of him, leaning back against his knees. The heat from the fire was bracingly soporific.

  “So how was your week?” Cassie asked conversationally. “Did you meet the milestones you were talking about?”

  “I did. I had to push myself, but knowing I had to give a progress report to the producer helped. We’re all
on a strict timeframe here. Thank goodness the internet connection is as good as it is. That was my one concern in coming to Harrow.”

  “So, the decision has worked out well for you then?”

  “In more ways than one.” Daniel reached out and kneaded the back of her neck. “You know I came here with work in mind, and work only. I never expected to find the nymph from Harrow as well. You’ve truly thrown my thoughts about the future.”

  Nymph from Harrow? Did he mean her? What a strange comment. “Do you mean a future involving us?”

  He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. “I do. I know our lives have been on different tangents so far, but I’d like to see how we might change that in the future. Wouldn’t you, or have I been misreading the signs?”

  Cassie sipped her wine and shuffled around slightly so she could look him in the eye. “No, we’re on the same track, even if on different tangents, as you put it.” This was the moment she’d been dreading. She had to tell him. It would be crazy not to.

  “Before we get too involved, more so than we already have, there’s something I have to tell you.”

  “That sounds serious. You don’t have a terminal illness or turn into a werewolf at midnight?”

  “No, nothing like that. It’s more of a lifestyle thing. You know I have strong ties to the town. I’ve lived here most of my life, and I’m deeply rooted in this community.”

  “I get that. My parents still live in the family home in Adelaide, and the place has many memories for me.”

  “I’m sure it has, but I’m talking about different ties.”

  His eyebrows rose a fraction, with the question etched on his face. He waited for her to continue.

  “Those who live in Harrow have a strong connection to the universe and to the deities who guide us all. With their help, I have developed certain gifts, which I use for the benefit of the community.”