Chapter 64
“Magic?” Tricia stared up at Nell from the couch, a look of confusion on her face. “Did you drink some fermented tea at the festival?”
“He healed the cat. The book vanished in front of me. Twice. The birds strung the lights, and those kittens lined up in a perfect row.” Nell ticked off each encounter on her hand.
“I’m telling you, Thomas is a witch. Or wizard.
Or whatever the politically correct term is for this sort of thing.
” She flung herself onto the couch next to Tricia and tilted her head. “It is crazy, but I know what I saw.”
Tricia blew a long breath from her mouth and clasped her hands over her stomach. “You’ve never been one to exaggerate, so, if you say it’s magic, it’s magic. Hard to believe it’s been under my nose this entire time, but whatever. I’ll get over it.”
Nell peeked at her friend. Her shoulders relaxed when she saw no “you’ve lost your mind” expression on Tricia’s face. “Thank you. For believing in me.”
Tricia waved away the comment. “What are you going to do now?”
Nell furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
“You clearly like him. Sounds like he’s interested in you. So why are you sitting here when you could suck face with the cute vet who also possesses magical abilities?” Tricia studied the ceiling. “I wonder what magic he can perform in the bedroom.”
Nell playfully hit Tricia’s arm. “Focus, please. I can’t be with someone, magic or otherwise, if he isn’t telling me the truth. Why wouldn’t he be honest with me?”
“Think about what you’re asking.” Tricia straightened up on the couch and tucked her feet under her.
“This situation is not like the one with Darren. Thomas is not sleeping around with your friends. Or Andrea’s friends.
He may have a few things to explain to you, but you won’t know the details if you don’t give him a chance.
But I’m warning you, if you have your way with him and then flee town, I’m never talking to you again. ”
Nell squeezed her friend’s hand. Tricia was right. But fear weighed down Nell’s chest. “Don’t worry. I’m staying regardless.”
Tricia squeezed back. “But?”
Nell sighed. She couldn’t fool her friend. “I’m scared.”
“Of what exactly?” Tricia asked. “Thomas and Darren are completely different people.”
She stood up and paced. “Yeah, but… it’s hard to explain.”
“Well, figure it out, because I have to leave to shut down the packaging machine.”
Nell stopped mid-step. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“You wouldn’t have gone to the festival.” Tricia threw her hands in the air. “What are you scared of?”
Nell’s face heated. Darren’s lies had taken everything from her. Her home. Her business. Her trust. If she couldn’t tell Tricia, who could she tell?
“Needing someone. Being vulnerable. Being lied to. Pick one.”
Tricia pulled her into a hug. “I think it’s number three. And I know how you fix it. Go back to the festival and talk to Thomas. Don’t let Darren ruin a good thing.”
Nell dropped her head on Tricia’s shoulder, exhausted by the idea of facing Thomas. “I don’t know what to say to him.”
“Well, don’t sit here all night and stew about it.” Tricia slipped on her shoes and grabbed her purse. “I’ll be late.”
The quiet of the house made Nell uneasy after Tricia left. She didn’t know if Thomas wanted to talk to her, but Tricia was right. She didn’t want to sit here either. Nell wanted to be around other people, and she knew exactly where that could happen.
When she walked into the Hex & Hearth for the second time, she strode straight to the bar. The same bartender was shaking what she knew would be a rosemary gimlet. Nell didn’t question it. This was the way things were going to be from now on.
“Nellie.” He nodded and placed her drink in front of her.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.”
He was silent for so long she didn’t think he was going to answer, but he finally said, “Rowan.”
“Thank you, Rowan. You make a great gimlet.”
“It’s a Rosemary Reckoning. But you’re welcome.” He walked to the end of the bar to serve the woman who had been talking to Thomas at the shelter booth.
Before she lost her nerve, Nell called out, “What goes on in this place?”
The woman and Rowan shared a look, as if deciding whether they could trust her.
“That’s something you’ll have to find out for yourself,” the woman said.
Disappointed but not surprised by the response, Nell wandered to the same table she’d sat at before. It felt even more welcoming than it had on her first visit as she settled into the comfortable chair. A fire crackled in the hearth, sending out warmth and a sweet, fruity scent.
The woman at the bar was reading her thick leather-bound book.
It didn’t disappear this time. Instead, images swirled an inch above the pages.
Rowan served customers, their drinks always in progress before they asked for them.
The man who had given her the herb wreath came, and Nell swore he pulled out a barstool with a nod of his head.
She turned her attention to the fire and let her mind wander.
Whatever was happening in Driftwood Pointe, Nell didn’t care.
She felt whole for the first time in years.
She was happy to embrace whatever differences she had with the town.
As long as they were honest with her, she would make this work.
Someone tapped her shoulder, and Nell looked up to find the woman with the enormous book tucked under her arm.
“Welcome to Driftwood Pointe, Nell. I’m Evelyn.”
Nell didn’t bother asking how the woman knew her name and smiled back.
“Things here might not be what they seem. But I promise you, they are never a lie,” Evelyn explained.
Nell felt her mouth drop open as she watched the woman disappear in front of her.