Chapter 18
As I walked from the cemetery, I found Brexton waiting outside it, his lips pulled into a frown.
“I heard what happened to your mom,” he said, worry clouding his expression. “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”
I shook my head a little too quickly. “No.”
He shot me a knowing look but didn’t press. “If you change your mind, remember that the chapel doors are always open.”
The wind lifted his sandy locks, his reddish-brown eyes somehow looked even more red as the sun shone off of them. “You’re a good assistant pastor. What you said helped me.”
“I strive to do that every once in a while.” His grin widened, and then he sobered. “And if things end up not working out with Frank, be assured there is a half-fae, half-dragon shifter who would gladly take his place.”
My mouth fell open, a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Oh.”
He held up his hands. “No need to respond. I understand that was hugely awkward, but now that you know the truth about me, you should be aware that dragons aren’t always tactful. And it’s clear to me now that I should have made a move sooner rather than waiting.”
My teeth sank into my lip. How did I go from being unnoticed by men to having two interested in dating me simultaneously?
But Brexton didn’t seem put off by my lack of response. He presented me with a small smile. “Have a good one, Mary. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, he turned and walked back to the church.
That night, Lizzy and Jane came over. Lydia was unusually tight-lipped, and I wasn’t in the mood to give another rundown, so Kitty was left to explain the news about Mom.
“This is silly,” Lizzy stormed. “They really think Mom killed someone again?”
I’d forgotten Mom’s previous murder accusation not long ago. They’d even arrested her for it. Except that time, she’d been innocent.
“I’m sure they must have made some sort of mistake,” Jane said, wringing her hands. “It has to be a mistake.”
Kitty didn’t seem inclined to argue with them.
I ran my palms over my coat, uncertain whether it was wise to shatter their idealistic views of Mom or permit them to stand.
Knowing Lizzy, she’d demand every little detail until I’d be forced to give it all.
Even the parts I’d sworn not to tell. No, let them believe whatever they wished, for the present.
Besides, I had something else to do tonight.
A knock came at the door.
I hurried to open it. Frank stood there, looking as handsome as ever in a stylish gray sweater and jeans. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Grabbing my purse off the table next to where my sisters sat, I said, “I’m going out.”
“Now?” Lizzy asked.
“Yes,” I responded.
“If I had a hot boyfriend, I’d be getting out of here too,” Lydia muttered. She wasn’t too bad sometimes.
Kitty was the one least surprised by this turn of events. “Enjoy your date.” Our gazes met. She didn’t say anything, and yet I saw the apology in her eyes.
Despite the stress on Lizzy’s face, she nodded, a smile coming to her lips. “Have fun, Mary.”
“Thanks,” I whispered, and after that, I hastened to join my date.
“Was this a bad time?” Frank asked after we’d left the shop and gotten into his car. Inside was already warm, like he’d spent the ride over blasting the heater.
“No, no,” I blurted. “I had to get out of there. Your timing was perfect.”
“I realize this is a challenging time for your family. If you want to postpone—”
I took his arm and snuggled close. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than with you.” I needed Frank near me to ground me, to take my mind off of the heavy moments.
“I’m here for you.”
“I know.”
He started the car and pulled out onto the street.
“Where are we going this time?” I asked.
A grin spread on his lips. “Some place a bit more public. After all, a girl needs her moment.”
I laughed. We drove out of town and stopped at Willoughby Acres.
After leaving the car in a gravel parking lot, we walked in.
The pumpkins were lined in rows and rows.
Kids in scarves and earmuffs ran around, trying to pick out their favorite ones.
One child staggered about carrying a pumpkin twice her size.
“Do you prefer to start with the corn maze or the hayride?” Frank asked.
I smiled. “I like a challenge.” We headed toward the corn maze, but a long line of people caused me to frown. “Maybe not.”
“What about your moment?”
“A girl can have her moment somewhere less crowded.”
His grin grew wider. “As you wish, my Mary.”
A shiver of pleasure ran down my spine. I loved it when he called me that. We moved over and climbed onto the large wagon. Nobody else joined us.
“Seems like only the two of you will be going,” the driver commented.
I looked into Frank’s eyes. “It’s perfect.”
As the hayride jostled along the winding path through the farm, the crisp autumn air filled my lungs, carrying the sweet scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke. Stars shone above as night descended. A soft breeze tugged at my scarf, and I pulled it tighter, leaning in closer to him.
Frank looked up at the sky. “Only in the darkness can you see the stars. Martin Luther King said that.” He glanced at me with adoring eyes, taking my icy fingers in his warm ones.
“The darkest moments of the past few weeks is when you have shone the brightest. You’ve brought light into the dark, beautiful Mary. ”
“I’m glad I could help,” I replied softly.
An amused grin crossed his face, and he squeezed my hand. “And I love how I can readily throw out nerdy quotes from history and you find it perfectly normal.”
I stared back into his warm eyes. “What’s unnatural about loving history?” I bit my lip and glanced at Duchess. It was time. “I have something to confess… we aren’t alone.”
“I don’t think the driver cares if we cuddle.” He gave me a soft smile.
“No, not him,” I sucked in a large breath. “Duchess is here.”
His eyebrows rose in shock. “My dead cat?”
Oh hex. I knew it. I sounded crazy. But I trusted Frank. Once he understood, he’d get me. “Yes. It turns out I’m a medium, and for some reason, she has been following me everywhere.”
“Are you joking?” He looked at me closely and blinked. “You’re not joking.” He turned a little pale.
Releasing his hand, I stared at him. “I don’t want to freak you out, but I felt like I should tell you.”
“You saw me turn into a werewolf, and you’re worried you’ll freak me out?” He chuckled. “Honestly, I’m all the more impressed. You spoke with Isabella, didn’t you?”
I nodded. “But she’s gone now. I helped her and she’s moved on.”
His expression was full of awe. “You’re incredible.” He glanced around him. “Where is she? Duchess?”
Duchess looked at Frank, then nuzzled against his leg, purring. “Between our legs.”
He reached out, and I gripped his hand, directing it so that he was petting her head. “Hello Duchess,” he said. “Thanks for looking out for her, old girl.”
The cat purred louder in response.
Frank patted his pet and then encircled me with his arms. He urged me closer, our breaths intermingling in the frosty air. He lifted his hand and his warm fingers brushed over my cold skin. “I love you, Mary Bennet.”
My heart swelled, and I ran my fingers into his hair. “I love you, Frank Churchill.”
His lips met mine. The world seemed to disappear, leaving the two of us nestled in the hay with the sound of our kisses mingling with the whispers of the fall wind. For an instant, nothing else existed but the feeling of being completely, perfectly right here, with him.
When we pulled apart, our foreheads rested together.
“I could stay here forever,” I whispered in quiet wonder.
“Me too,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Me too.”
Surrounded by the hushed hum of the autumn evening, it was as if the universe had paused to let us be together. And as the stars winked at us from above, we sat in the serene warmth of each other’s embrace, knowing that this moment, this feeling, would stay with us long after the ride was over.
The End
Thanks so much for reading Pride and Prejudice and Potions: Mary's Story.