I pressed on. When I was within a few feet of him, he took off farther into the foliage.
“I am following a giant wolf into the woods. What is wrong with me? He's probably leading me back to his pack, and they're just going to eat me,” I chastised myself, my imagination running a mile a minute with all the possibilities.
Just as my nerves were on the verge of convincing me to turn and head back home, a building came into view. It was a house, modest in size, two stories tall with a sloping roof. The wooden pieces of the house locked together in a way that made it look perfectly at home here in the trees. Along one side was a tall fire stack made of bricks that were aged and worn, now nearly the same color as the untreated wood.
This definitely hadn't popped up as a possible scenario.
“This is what you wanted to show me?”
The wolf stood beside me as I took it all in. He whined and took another few steps, urging me forward. Clenching my fists at my sides, I steeled myself and trudged forward. I wasn't sure what to expect, but at least the house was better than a pack of wolves ready to devour me, right? As long as he didn’t have a master waiting inside to murder me…
As I reached out for the doorknob, my phone screeched loudly. I screamed, much to my own personal embarrassment. A few birds crooned their displeasure at the noise. I sucked in a breath, pulled my mobile from the hidden pocket in my dress, and swiped the screen to turn off the alarm I’d set to remind me to finish up dinner.
Biting my lip, I put my phone back into my pocket. I was two steps from being inside the house. Two steps from finding out more about what was going on in this town… But I needed to head back.
“I have to go...” I was flooded with a sense of guilt without really knowing why.
I looked back at the house, just imagining all of the secrets it could contain. The wolf nipped at the edge of my skirt to get my attention.
“I’m sorry, big guy. I really have to go. I’ll…”
He sat in place and whined, ears flattening against his head.
“I’ll come back tomorrow.”
He perked back up and wagged his tail. Satisfied, I tramped back through the woods to get back to Grandpa’s house. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
~~~
My frustration grew and grew as I finished up dinner. Mistake number one had entered the picture when I’d decided it was a good idea to change clothes before trying to set things up. Almost immediately, I’d gotten a large dollop of sauce on my chest while trying to stir it, and it had left a slick trail that was definitely going to stain, no matter what I did. Why did I think it was a good idea to wear white? Did I not know myself for well over twenty years?
The second mistake had been changing into new clothes as soon as it happened, because I then managed to ruin my brand-new mint cardigan that I'd found for a steal, and somehow perfectly matched my dress I had picked out, by stumbling while I carried the pot of sauce to the table. Grandpa hid his laugh behind a cough at my frustrated screech.
“I just bought this!” I whined, looking down at myself.
Groaning, I made my way to my room to change... again. I rinsed my sweater before placing it to the side to stain treat later.
I stood before the mirror, hands on my hips. I was completely unhappy with how everything looked for no real reason. Ripping my dress over my head, I threw it onto the ground. I cupped my face in my hands. “Ugh, what is wrong with me?”
Moving to my opened closet, I blankly stared at the clothes hanging closely together and organized by color. I was a little meticulous when it came to my closet, something my old roommate had teased me about until I’d organized hers and then she’d understood how amazing it was to see exactly what you had at a glance. Though I had no doubt if I looked in her closet now, it would be a disaster again.
“Okay, that’s it,” I told myself. I couldn’t stand up here all night. “I should just wear jeans.”
“Perhaps I can offer a helping hand in this most dire situation,” Johannes purred as he stood in the doorway to my room. Being alone on the second floor had spoiled me on not closing the door.
I barely managed to keep myself from jumping at his sudden appearance.
“Did you buy those for me?” He gestured with a long slender finger at the purple lace panties I was wearing.
“Maybe I did.” I shrugged playfully at him, though I’d be a liar if I said I had. My roommate had insisted I buy something nice for a blind date I went on a couple years ago, but they went unworn as the date never happened. Maybe they could get some use now. Especially if he ended up wanting to pick-up where we’d left off at his house…
“You're in luck this evening, my sweet. I have a solution to your troubles.” I went to grab my dress to cover up, but he stopped me with an outstretched hand. “I brought you something to wear for our date.”
Johannes unzipped a garment bag he had slung over his shoulder to reveal a beautiful midnight-blue bodycon dress. Its neckline dipped into a sharp V that would surely accent my décolletage in a flattering way. It reminded me of something a gorgeous pinup girl would wear. During my admiration, I spotted the label emblazoned with Medusa.
“Versace?” I gulped. This dress probably cost more than I made in half a year. “I can’t accept this, Johannes. This is too much.”
“Nonsense. Think of it as an apology for the other night at your father’s place. Plus, I don't think I'd look nearly as good in this as you.” He winked at me.
“You never know until you try,” I joked to try and defuse some of the anxiety I felt at accepting such an expensive gift from him. “I think you’d suit more of an opulent, floor-length gown… satin, all black with a long slit and train flowing behind you. And maybe some icy-blue stone jewelry to match your eyes.” I put my finger on my chin and pursed my lips. “Definitely a pair of spiked Louboutins.”
I added with a decisive nod, “Ooh, and one of those vodka martinis, two olives.”
Johannes was silent for a beat before he was laughing harder than I’d ever heard him. It was so infectious to see him that free with an emotion that I couldn’t help but to giggle. The whole situation was so absurd. I was standing in the middle of my bedroom in my underthings telling the mayor what sort of dress I’d put him in, complete with cocktail.
“You seem to have given this some thought,” he teased.
“I mean just a little bit. Mm, especially right before bed,” I taunted right back.
“Well, make it with a splash of grenadine, and maybe we’ll talk.” Johannes pressed the dress into my hands. “I’ll be downstairs.”
“Wait, Johannes.” He stopped in the doorway and turned to look at me. “Thank you so much for this. It’s truly too much, but I appreciate it.” I was genuinely shocked by such a gift, but a trill of excitement still shot through me at the thought of him having picked it out especially for me.
He smiled at me. It seemed more raw and real than any other look he’d ever given me. Johannes grasped my cheeks and kissed me. He poured so much passion that it left me dazed for a few moments after we parted. With one last fleeting kiss he left for the living room. Wow was the only word swimming in my mind.
~~~
Johannes rose from his perch in the faded brown armchair in the living room when he noticed my arrival, cutting himself off mid-sentence while talking to Grandpa. His blue eyes appraised me from head to toe in a way that simultaneously made me curl my toes in my black pumps and flush in approval. Hopefully my makeup did its job to hide the redness on my face.
“Absolutely breathtaking, Alice.” He pressed a brief kiss to my cheek.
Grandpa cleared his throat. “Yes, well, if you need me, I'll be in my room.” He wheeled his chair away, leaving the two of us alone. The plan was to get him out of the house for the evening, but that fell through the cracks when we’d realized our date was on Suzanne’s anniversary.
“The food smells lovely,” Johannes complimented as we moved to the kitchen.
&n
bsp; “I hope you like it, but please don't feel obligated to eat it if it's awful. I’ll order takeout, and we can watch a movie or something.”
Johannes laughed, and it was a smooth, seductive sound. “Don't get so worked up. No matter what, we'll make this a memorable night.”
With no amount of uncertainty, I knew he wasn't talking just about the food. I swallowed heavily. Trouble was surely just around the corner.
Unlike it had at the dinner with my father, conversation came easily when it was just the two of us. Maybe it was the familiar atmosphere. Maybe it was from all the hard work I’d put into prepping for the night. Or maybe it was just how empowering it felt to know the mayor was nearly jumping out of his seat to be able to touch me. He would press his leg to mine under the table and brush his fingers against mine while reaching for something he’d asked for. I hadn't felt this sexy in a long time.
When we were finished with our meal, I checked on the cobbler in the oven. So far, so good. I cleaned up the dishes, making a mental note to remember to wash them before too long.
Johannes came up behind me, gripping my waist and then smoothing his hands over the swell of my hips. “Shall we tuck into a movie until dessert is ready?”
I bit my lip and nodded. “And then back to your place?”
“Of course, sweetheart.”
He backed me up into the counter, pinning me with his body. I was caged, his arms wound tightly around me.
“I've waited for this for so long.” He moaned, then kissed me deeply. His tongue traced the seam of my lips before I gave him admittance.
I gripped his shoulders to ground myself. He kissed like sin incarnate. It was addictive.
He pulled away just long enough to whisper, “That's it, Alice. Let yourself give in.”
I was intoxicated by it all, by being able to make such a handsome and powerful man want me as much as I wanted him. The small sounds he was making sent electric shocks of arousal straight to my core. Managing to break away from the intensity of it all, I grasped his hand in mine to pull him from the kitchen. I know we had intended to end up back at his place, but I just couldn’t wait. I wanted him now.
As I rounded the corner of the kitchen, a loud thump caught my attention. The agonized wheeze afterward had me pushing away from Johannes to rush to my grandfather.
“Grandpa, are you all right?” I pushed his door open and gasped as I found him in a crumpled heap on his floor. His chair was a foot or two away, on its side, one wheel spinning.
“I'm okay,” he rasped, gripping his arm tightly. “No worries. Just help me up, and go enjoy that date.”
“No, you're not okay. You're obviously hurt!” When I went to help him, I spotted blood leaking from a wound on his head. “Grandpa!”
Johannes appeared beside me. “Mr. Barlow, please lie down. I'll call an ambulance.”
Tears filled my eyes. I gripped my hair and took a few deep breaths. I needed to remain calm, or I would only make everything worse. Already I couldn't stop the negative thoughts—how, if I hadn't been on this date, I could've watched Grandpa closer, been here to help him into bed. I'd never forgive myself if my grandpa was seriously hurt because of me.
Johannes came back into the room and gripped my shoulder in a comforting squeeze. “They're sending someone out. Everything will be all right.”
~~~
At the hospital, I felt stupid in the dress I’d thought was so beautiful. It showed too much cleavage for this conservative town, and the locals were not shy about letting me know it. I could see the judgmental look from an older woman who happened to also be in the waiting room, no doubt picking apart my mussed hair and lipstick as well as my disheveled dress. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, wishing I had brought a sweater, when Johannes returned with a steaming paper cup of coffee in hand for me.
When the woman realized I was with the mayor, she leaned over and whispered to the person sitting beside her, a middle-aged woman with the same eyes and nose, likely the first woman’s daughter. Looked like there would be something else for the town to be scandalized over. If I was being honest with myself, who didn't already know we were dating? I shouldn't have been so worried about what everyone thought, but still I couldn't wait to hear what the story floating around was.
Granddaughter makes out with mayor while grandfather lies on the ground bleeding! What a headline.
I missed living in the big city, where people around me didn't care who I was or whom I dated. I liked being another nameless face in the crowd. I liked my business being mine and mine alone.
Johannes’s shoulder brushed mine. “Don't worry about them, darling,” he said. “Some people just don't know how to be anything other than trashy.” His eyes flashed in their direction.
They both quickly feigned interest in the magazines in their hands. The distaste was written across his face plain as day. There was something endearing in how he didn’t let others get to him. I could learn a thing or two from him.
“You can take my sweater if you're cold, sweetheart.” He draped the piece of clothing over my shoulders. I was instantly warmed from the body heat that had stayed within it. Plus the sweet scent of the sugared coffee he gave me felt like it was warming me straight through to my soul.
Johannes stayed at my side for hours while I waited to be let back to see my grandfather. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, thumb idly rubbing patterns into my arm as he watched people pass through—patients, doctors, nurses. As soon as I leaned my head against him, he placed a sweet kiss on my forehead.
“Ms. Barlow?”
I shot up before the nurse had even finished saying my name, nearly head-butting poor Johannes in the process. “Yes? Is he okay?”
“You can go back now, miss.” She caught sight of Johannes shortly after. “I'm sorry, but immediate family only.” She had a sympathetic smile on her soft features as she looked at the mayor.
He sighed and ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. After looking at his wristwatch, he grimaced. “All right, well, Alice, please call me if you need anything, anything at all.”
I thanked him as he hugged me tightly.
Once in the room with my grandfather, I couldn't stop the flood of tears at seeing him hooked up to so many monitors and machines. His breathing was haggard at best.
“It's a bit chilly in here, I'll go grab a blanket for you real quick,” the nurse, whose tag read ‘Bonnie,’ said.
I had nearly dozed off in the hard vinyl chair next to Grandpa’s bed when I heard someone reenter the room. Looking up and preparing to thank the nurse for the blanket, I came face-to-face with a man in uniform. I frowned in confusion. He didn't look like any of the emergency technicians I had talked to earlier.
“Ms. Barlow, I'm Officer Alvarez with the police department.” He paused before continuing. “We were called out to your home this evening—”
“Yes, my—Mayor Dodgson called about my Grandpa.” I instantly felt bad for cutting him off. “I'm sorry, I’m just stressed and tired.” I rubbed at my temple.
“We were actually called out again for a fire, miss.” He gave me a look of pity.
“A fire?”
Oh—Oh, the cobbler. I’d been so concerned with my grandfather, I hadn’t taken it out of the oven. How could I have been so stupid?
My voice wavered as I spoke. “Please tell me the house is okay.”
“We were called out for a noise violation. One of your neighbors complained of loud barking and howling. We went out with animal control and found your house filling with smoke. Luckily, they noticed the fire before things spread too far, but there is substantial damage to the kitchen, as well as some smoke damage in other parts of the house.”
Substantial damage. I put a hand over my mouth. What could I even say, knowing I had ruined Grandpa’s house? The home he’d built with my grandmother? The home my dad had been raised in?
Now it had been burned. Because of me.
The police officer handed me his card along
with some paperwork. As soon as he left, I put my face in my hands and sobbed deeply.
What was I going to do now?
Chapter Six
I’d already asked too much of Johannes for one night, so I scrolled through my contacts to see if anyone else I knew in town might be inclined to help me and would be up late. I knew he told me to call him if I needed anything else, but it didn’t feel right to request more. I hovered over Suzanne's name before finally tapping it to send her a text. My phone rang shortly after.
“Alice, are you all right? It's not like you to be up this late.” She yawned.
“I didn't wake you, did I?” I worried my bottom lip with my teeth.
“Not even close. Two of the kids are sick and needy. Finally got them to bed. So much for having time for Mark and me. Now, you wanna tell me what's up?”
A tearful recount and lots of pacing around the hospital’s exterior later, and Sue was trying to soothe me down from a panic. It was hard to even breathe.
“Sugar, are you at the hospital still?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleepiness.
“I’m sitting in the little garden outside the entrance.” I sniffed and wiped at my nose. I really needed to wash this sweater before I gave it back to Johannes…
“You shouldn’t be outside this late. They still haven’t caught that creep kidnapping people.” Sue’s voice was laced with worry. “Call Johannes right now.”
“Sue—"
“Alice, is that you?” a voice shouted.
In the street, a little red Mazda sat with the driver’s window rolled down. Speaking of creep… Cole waved enthusiastically at me.
“Um, Cole just pulled up.” I waved back awkwardly. At least it was dark enough for him to be unable to see my tear streaks… or snot.
“Ooh, ask him to give you a ride to Granny’s Inn. I’ll give her a heads-up that you’re coming. Love you, sugar. Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Thanks, Sue. For everything.” I hung up the phone and slid it into the pocket of the borrowed sweater to rest among the half-dozen used tissues. I made another mental note to take care of those too. Thanks for letting me use your sweater. Please enjoy my used snot rags as a thank-you gift...
Eyes Like Autumn (Seasons of the Magi Book 1) Page 7
