Chapter 4
When Freya rejoined Devon at the table, he held up the town’s weekly newspaper and said, “Hey, guess what I found? There’s a holiday dance tonight at the Elks club in your town.”
“Really? That’s walking distance, about a mile from my house.”
“Want to go?”
“Sure. If you think you’re up to it.”
“My leg feels great, and I can’t wait to test it out.” He grinned, and the lines on his face seemed to have disappeared.
“It’s a date then,”
“Great! So, how was your, uh… phone call?”
“Well, your Great-Aunt Elspeth thinks it might not be where they are, but when they are.”
Devon sat up straighter and hesitated for a moment. “Are you talking about time travel?”
“She suggested it as a possibility. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes, sort of…”
Devon thoughtfully stared into his teacup and fiddled with the handle. “Is there a portal around here?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of any, but that doesn’t mean anything. I don’t know a lot about time travel.”
“Is there anyone who would know?”
“People in this area are fairly scientific in their thinking. The occult is something most of them want nothing to do with.”
“Ah. That’s too bad.”
“So, if there is no one to ask, I’ll have to do my research and see if there is a way to discover that kind of portal, perhaps with a location spell. Although when I did a location spell on my grandmother and sister, it came up empty.”
Devon nodded. “Time travel would explain that. If they aren’t here, in this time…”
Freya leaned back against the bench and let out a long sigh. They just stared at each other thoughtfully, and then one side of his mouth curled up.
“What?”
He smiled. “Could you hear me thinking over here?”
She chuckled. “No. There’s no mind-reading or telepathy in my repertoire. I’m not sure I’d even want that.”
He leaned back, smiling. “I know what you mean. I’m not sure I’d want it either. What I would like to do now is something physical. Sometimes, that loosens up my thinking.”
Her eyebrows shot up. Freya wondered if he knew what she thought when he said, ‘physical.’ He’d probably be surprised. Or maybe not… After all, he’s a guy.
He chuckled. “I meant something like dancing. If you don’t like the Elks Club, we can use my rental car to get to a nightclub.”
She shook her head. “The Elks Club is fine. But how is your leg?”
He massaged his right leg and said, “It’s much better, but not perfect. Can I get another appointment for one of your stellar massages?”
“Of course. I have an opening late this afternoon. Say around four p.m.?”
“That would be great. If you allow me to buy you dinner afterward…”
She grinned. “Never turn down a free meal. That’s my philosophy.”
Just then, their lunch meals arrived. Freya guessed her friend Polly must’ve been eavesdropping because she said, “Well, then you’re going to be thrilled with this meal because I put it all on his tab.” All three of them laughed.
Over lunch, Freya subtly asked about his plans, hoping to get more insight into his life. “So, how long are you here for?”
“A few more days. I usually take a week’s skiing holiday in the winter, but this year, well…”
“Understood. By the way, I never asked what you do for a living.”
“Ah. I’m a financial advisor.”
“What does that mean?”
“We provide our clients with comprehensive strategies around financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, taxes, estate planning, and insurance, all to elevate their wealth potential.
Knowing that she couldn’t leave until her family returned and not knowing how long he could stay away from his business, she wondered how on Earth a relationship could blossom.
“Will you be around for Yule?”
He smiled. “I can be. Are you inviting me?”
Oh, Goddess, yes! That’s what she was thinking. Of course, she had to play it cooler than that. “If you have nowhere else to be, I’d enjoy your company.”
Freya’s last patient went home at about 3:30, and she had time to take a quick shower, pick out a nice dress, and maybe style her hair. If she didn't have time for all that, it would be fine. She usually let her hair dry naturally. She could do that while she gave Devon his massage.
He arrived at exactly 4:00, and she opened the door before he knocked. He strolled into the kitchen, and while taking off his coat, he said, "Did your psychic senses know I’d arrived before I got to the front door, or were you watching for me?"
"Now what fun would it be if I admitted to either of those?"
He smiled and asked, "Same room as before?"
"Yes, please. Just give me a shout when you're ready."
He walked into the massage room, and his limp was much less pronounced than it was the first time she noticed it.
She got those fluttery feelings every time she saw him now.
It didn't matter if it was professionally or personally; she couldn't shut off the attraction.
It would have been difficult for her, even if she didn't know the background that Great Aunt Elspeth mentioned.
Freya didn't really know what to do with that.
She promised her she wouldn't tell him, and she wouldn't. But how would this work? She’s here in the United States, and he lives over in England.
I can't leave because I hope to be here if my family returns.
No, I should say when my family returns.
She didn't know exactly when he had to go home.
She should push for an answer to that pretty soon.
Just then, he called out, "Ready."
Freya breezed into the room, and he was lying on his back with his hands tucked behind his head, looking very casual and comfortable.
The robe only covered him from around his waist to the top of his thighs.
He must have been built much like an athlete before his accident.
Not musclebound, but fit and muscular in the right way.
Now she was thinking of what all those flexible limbs might be able to do in bed later.
Stop it, Freya! You're in your professional capacity, right now.
She took a deep breath, examined his right leg, and asked, “Is there anything that's still hurting more than anything else?
" Well, that was smooth, Freya. How intelligent you sound.
He didn't seem to notice. Sitting up, he pointed to a line of stitches in his calf. “It still catches here. I don't know quite how to describe it other than that it's just a momentary grabbing sensation or something."
"Okay, I think I know what you mean.” She placed her hands where he mentioned and ran them up and down that line of sutures. Whoever stitched him up must not have been a medical professional, maybe the Marquis de Sade, or someone with butchering knowledge.
It was probably just something done as a lifesaving measure to stop the bleeding. Nerves were involved for certain. At one point, he winced. Freya removed her hands but kept them hovering over the spot.
"Did that hurt?"
“It was just that momentary grabbing sensation I told you about."
"Okay. Let me put some energy in there without touching it."
"That's Reiki? Isn't it?"
She tried to hide her smirk. "Something like that, yes.
" She closed her eyes, focused her will, and shot her magical healing energy into that particular line on his leg.
Then she tried to follow along the nerves with her hands.
Spreading one hand down, she tried stitching and stretching the nerves beneath.
He jumped, and she lifted her hands.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, I think so. I felt that same tingling sensation I had the last time. Whatever it is you’re doing, you mustn’t be afraid to use it. There’s a moment of discomfort, like a sharp twinge, but I feel completely restored afterward.”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Completely. Let me show you how much…”
He grabbed her around her waist and dragged her as close to him as she could get with the edge of the massage table between them.
He kissed her. Long and slow.
She couldn’t say she was surprised, but the timing might have been unique. She enjoyed the kiss thoroughly, then backed away and said, “I’ll let you get dressed.”
As she backed out of the room, she thought, so, that happened…