by Deanna Chase
But she couldn’t stay away from the family business indefinitely, and she needed her supplies if she was going to keep her own business running. The pub was busy, and Abby was both disappointed and relieved when she didn’t see Clay behind the bar. It’s probably for the best, she told herself and hurried out to the brew shed.
The door was slightly ajar, and she heard a young voice inside. She poked her head in. “Hello?”
“Hello,” Olive said from her place on a small step stool at the counter. She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and had one of Abby’s aprons tied around her waist.
Abby’s heart melted at how cute she was. “What’cha working on?”
She waved at the box in the corner. “My bunny isn’t feeling well. Daddy said I could use the shed to make her an energy potion.”
“An energy potion, huh? You already know how to do that?” Abby asked, crouching down to inspect the solid white bunny. The creature lay perfectly still in the box as she petted its head.
“Sure. My daddy taught me.” She held up a bundle of herbs. “I just need to grind these herbs and add hot water.”
Abby stood and peered over her shoulder. It was a simple energy potion. More like a vitamin boost for the bunny, but since Olive was an earth witch her magic would no doubt give it an extra boost that would have her bunny hopping around in no time. “What’s got your bunny feeling so blue?”
Olive grinned. “She just had babies, and she’s a little tired.”
“How many?”
“Eight.”
“Woof,” Abby said. “No wonder she’s tired. I bet they keep her busy.”
Olive nodded. “They eat allll the time.”
“Need some help?”
She glanced at the door. “Daddy was supposed to help me with the simmering, but he’s taking a long time. Do you think you can do that part?”
“Sure.” Abby grabbed one of her copper pots and got to work filling it with water. Before long she had it on the stove, the water bubbling. “Okay, we’re ready for the ingredients.”
Olive carefully scraped her mixture of herbs out of the mortar while Abby used a wooden spoon to stir.
“Let me know when you’re ready to take over,” Abby said.
“You’re doing fine,” Olive said and went back to the sink to clean the mortar and pestle.
Someone’s been carefully training this little witch, Abby thought. She was careful and precise. Better trained than she’d been at eight years old, that was for sure. Abby glanced down at the mixture and said, “Olive, I think it’s ready for your magic.”
Olive pushed her step stool over, climbed up, and peered into the pot. “It needs about a minute longer.”
“Really?” Abby gave the mixture another stir and nodded. It still wasn’t quite as thick as it needed to be. “Impressive.”
Olive beamed and took over stirring her potion. Abby stayed right behind her, letting her do the work, but keeping a careful eye out. The stove was gas, and anything could happen when one started infusing herbs with magic. Though judging by her obvious magical skill level, Olive didn’t need any help from Abby. Still, she was only eight, and Olive had even said her dad was supposed to help her at the stove.
“Now,” Olive declared. She squeezed her eyes shut and said, “Magic of my heart, infuse these herbs so bunny gets a jump start.”
Abby chuckled at the sweet little incantation, but as soon as magic poured from Olive’s hands, her laughter vanished. The magic was erratic, and instead of fusing with the herbs, it started to climb out of the pot and was heading straight for the flames. If her magic joined with the fire, all hell would break loose. On instinct, Abby wrapped her hands around Olive’s and used her own magic to help the little girl direct her power into the herbs. Joy suddenly washed over Abby, and she felt something she hadn’t felt in years. Pure happiness derived from magic. Olive’s happiness as she connected with the earth filled up all of Abby’s empty places and for once, she felt completely whole.
Olive’s magic instantly reversed course and settled into the herbs, turning the potion grass green.
“It worked!” Olive exclaimed. “Yes! I told Daddy I’d get it right this time.”
Abby continued to stir the potion while Olive retrieved a glass jar for storing the rabbit’s energy drink. When Olive returned, Abby helped her get as much of it into the jar as possible. Then Abby waved a hand over the small amount left in the pot. The heat vanished from both the pot and the liquid, and Abby grabbed a dropper. “Ready to test it?”
Olive nodded, her enthusiasm contagious.
“Okay.” Abby filled the dropper and handed it to Olive. “Go on. See how she handles it.”
Olive sat on the floor, picked up her bunny, and gently fed the potion to the new mother. Within moments, the bunny’s ears were twitching and she wiggled to get out of Olive’s grasp. Olive put her on the floor and clapped in delight as her pet started to explore the space.
“Oh, nice,” Abby said as she snatched the bunny up into her hands and handed her back to Olive. “But we can’t let her have free reign in here. Too dangerous. Better keep her in her box until you get home.”
“Right.” Olive carefully tucked her bunny into its box then picked it up and started for the door. “Dad! Did you see? It worked. I did it!”
Clay held his arms out to his daughter and gave her a big hug. “I did see. Very impressive. But still, you should’ve waited until I got back.”
“Abby helped me.” She squirmed out of his embrace, handed him the bunny, and ran back to Abby, crushing her with a hug. “Thank you, Abby. Thank you so much.”
Abby wrapped her arms around the little girl and gave her a big hug. “Anytime, Olive. Truly, it was an honor to help.”
Olive gave Abby one more giant grin and released her. She ran back to her father, took the bunny, and as she flew out the door called back, “See you at home, Dad!”
“How’s she going to get there?” Abby asked.
“My mom’s waiting for her out front.”
Abby chuckled. “You have your hands full with that one.”
He stepped into the shed and closed the door behind him. “I think you were the one with your hands full. I saw what you did. You saved her from burning the place down. I’m sorry. She really doesn’t have the best control yet. She was supposed to wait so we could do it together.”
“It’s fine, Clay.” She gave him a smile that felt as big as the one Olive had just given her. “Your daughter is… special.”
He chuckled. “More like rambunctious.”
“That, too. But I’m talking about her magic. You must’ve felt it. She’s powerful. One day she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
He sobered. “You’re right about that. It also means I try to keep her in check as much as possible. Like I said, she should’ve—”
Abby held her hand up. “No. She asked me if I’d help, and I was happy to. She wasn’t going to do anything without someone here to help her at the stove, so if that’s what you’re worried about, forget it. She was careful even though she’s still learning.”
“Okay.” He blew out a breath. “I just worry.”
“As all good fathers do.” She turned back to the work station and finished cleaning the pot they’d used.
“Abby?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
“There’s something different about you. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s like… I don’t know. Like—”
“Like I got my magic back,” she finished for him.
“Really? When?”
“Just now.” She turned around to face him. “I know this sounds a little crazy, but as I was helping Olive, I realized what’s been missing when I cast my spells. And now that I’ve felt it again, it’s living right here.” She pointed to her chest. “I’m certain the next time I make a potion it’s going to turn out just fine.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And what’s the thing you were missing?�
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“Joy. Pure unadulterated joy for connecting with the earth. That sweet little girl of yours is overflowing with it. She reminded me what it feels like to truly love what you’re doing. I won’t forget this time.”
He glanced back at the door as if he could still see her standing there. When he turned back around, he stepped up to the counter. “Prove it then.”
“Are you challenging me, Garrison?”
“Yes.” It might have been a challenge, but it wasn’t an order. She knew what he was doing. He wanted her to use her magic, solidify what she’d felt so she didn’t lose it. It was a technique they’d learned as kids in magic class. He pulled down a clean copper pan and handed it to her. “Make your dad that potion.”
“Gladly.” Abby was careful to follow her recipe to the letter, and thirty minutes later when she spelled her herbs, magic flowed free and strong from her hands. Her heart was full of love and joy, and everything about it just felt right. The potion turned a brilliant gold and had the scent of calming vanilla.
“I’ll be damned,” Clay said as she poured it into a jar to take home. “You were right. It worked.”
“Thanks to Olive,” she said, smiling softly at him.
He took a step closer and wrapped one arm around her waist. “You know what I said last week at dinner?”
“Which part?”
“The part where I said Olive needed time to adjust.”
“Yeah.” She stared up at him, her pulse racing.
“I think she’s adjusted. Now that she knows she’s home for good, she’s not only getting by, she’s thriving. And seeing you two together today… Abby, I have to tell you my heart almost burst right out of my chest.”
She lifted her hand and swept her thumb over his lower lip.
He closed his eyes for just a moment. “Stop distracting me. I’m trying to tell you I don’t think I can live another moment without you by my side. Without you by Olive’s side.”
“I know,” she said and pressed up on her tiptoes so she could kiss him.
He pulled her tightly against him and held on, burying his face in her neck. “Is that a yes?”
“You didn’t ask me anything, did you?” she said with a laugh.
“I’m trying to ask you to be my girlfriend. And when the timing it right, I’m pretty sure I’m going to put a ring on that finger of yours. What do you have to say about that?”
She pulled back to stare him in the eye. “Don’t say things you don’t mean, Clay Garrison.”
“Have you ever known me to do that?” he asked, brushing his thumb over her cheek.
Her heart thundered against her ribcage, and her muscles felt as if they’d turned to jelly. If he let her go, she was certain she’d be a puddle of flesh and bones on the floor. But when she spoke, her voice was strong and steady. “No. But that’s a big promise. Not one you can just take back without hurting us both.”
“I’m not taking it back. But don’t get ahead of yourself, Abs. I haven’t asked you yet.”
“Yet,” she echoed. “That sounds an awful lot like an implied promise. Are you sure you mean it?”
“I’m a thousand percent sure. All this week, all I thought about was you and my dumbass speech at the restaurant. You know what I should’ve done?”
“What’s that?” she asked, relaxing in his arms.
“I should’ve kept my big mouth shut and trusted my daughter. You know what she said to me that night when I got home?”
“What’s that?” Abby asked, intensely curious.
“She asked when our next date was and if she could come.”
Abby laughed. “I’d be honored to go on a date with you and Olive.”
He shook his head. “Three’s a crowd. As much as I love her, she’s not invited on my dates with you. Not when all I want to do is this.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. Then he moved to her neck and slid his hand down to her hip, digging his fingers into her flesh. Abby leaned into him, craving his touch, but he pulled back and added, “We can have family day. Picnics in the park. Bike rides by the river. Days at the beach. But our dates? They’re all mine.”
“That sounds just about perfect, Clay Garrison,” Abby said, staring up into his soulful eyes. “When can we start?”
“How about now?”
“Works for me.”
Clay grinned, clasped his hand around hers, and tugged her out of the brew shed. As they made their way to his Jeep, he said, “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Abby climbed into the passenger seat. Once he was in the driver’s seat she asked, “Where are we headed?”
He glanced over at her and gave her a wicked smile. “Sunset Cove.”
She should’ve known. It was the site of their first kiss, their first fight, their first… well, their first everything. It was fitting it would be the site of their first reunion. She gave him a wicked smile of her own and said, “Hurry.”
Chapter 26
One Month Later
Abby stood in her father’s kitchen watching Olive and Daisy play cards in the middle of the living room. Olive’s new golden retriever puppy, Endora, was curled up on her lap. Clair was sitting on the couch browsing a holiday catalog, and Clay was over by the fireplace chatting up her father. Her three sisters were in the corner, presumably plotting her dad’s birthday celebration for the next weekend.
Everyone was happy and full of energy, even her father, who’d had a chemo treatment the day before. Abby had finally perfected her potions, and they were doing wonders for her dad. Ever since the day she’d spent with Olive working on the energy potion for Olive’s bunny, Abby had been able to execute just about anything she put her mind to. The difference was now she did it out of love, not guilt. And after talking with Mrs. P, the therapist, Shannon, and even Clay, Olive was to thank for her transformation.
Sure, talking to everyone else had helped her on her road to recovering what she’d lost, but Olive had unknowingly found the missing link. She’d be forever grateful to the little girl for helping her rediscover the joy in her magic. Plus, Abby just loved her more than she ever thought possible. They’d formed a bond Abby couldn’t even put into words. And every time she looked at Clay’s daughter, she thought her heart would explode.
“Hey,” Clay said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “What are you doing over here alone in the kitchen?”
“Making hot cocoa.” She leaned back and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “What were you and my dad talking about?”
“Oh, I was just asking him something.” He ran his hands lightly over her arms.
“About what?” Abby poured the hot cocoa from the sauce pan into three cups.
“You, me, and New Year’s Eve.”
Abby frowned as she added the marshmallows to the hot cocoa. “What were you doing? Asking him if I could stay out past curfew?”
He laughed. “Something like that.”
She glanced over her shoulder and gave him an odd look. “What are you up to, Garrison?”
He kissed her nose and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Daddy!” Olive called from her place on the floor. “Is it time now?”
Everyone in the room stopped talking and turned to stare at Abby and Clay.
She stiffened and whispered, “Clay, what is happening right now?”
He leaned in and whispered back. “You’re about to find out.” Then he nodded to his daughter. “Yep. You ready?”
“Yes!” Olive handed her puppy to Daisy, jumped up, and ran over to them. She grabbed Abby’s hand and pulled her out of the kitchen and into the living room. Clay followed close behind.
Abby’s sisters started to giggle and moved closer, fanning out so that they could all better witness whatever was about to go down.
“You stand here,” Olive said, pulling Abby even further into the middle of the room. She stood back and studied Abby. Then she grinned. “Perfect.”
Abby watched as Olive th
en slipped her hand into her dad’s and the pair of them positioned themselves right in front of her. They glanced at each other and when Clay nodded, they each took one of her hands.
“Olive, Clay, what—”
As if they’d counted down, the pair of them dropped to one knee at the same time and Olive held out a small, black velvet box.
Abby let out a gasp and had to blink rapidly as her eyes filled with tears.
“Remember when I told you that when the time was right I wanted to put a ring on your finger?” Clay asked.
Abby nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, I was pretty certain I was ready to do it that day. But as you know, it’s not just me. I come as a package deal.”
Abby’s gaze landed on Olive and there was no stopping them; the tears spilled down her cheeks. She couldn’t help it. Her love for the two people in front of her was too overwhelming. “You know I—I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she managed to force out in barely a whisper.
“That’s good, because Olive has something she wants to ask you,” Clay said.
“Olive?” She returned her gaze to his daughter. “What is it sweetie?”
It was then she noticed Olive also had tears in her eyes, but her grin was huge when she asked, “Will you marry my dad so that you can be my real mom?”
Panic filled Abby’s chest, and she glanced at Clay, unsure of how she was supposed to answer that question. But he was no help. He was grinning like a fool, just like his daughter.
Abby, needing to feel like she was close to them, fell to her knees and focused on Olive when she said, “I’d love to marry your daddy and be your stepmom. There is nothing in this world I want more than that. Truly. But sweetheart, you already have a real mom. I’d never dream of trying to take her place.”
