The Only Purple House in Town (Fix-It Witches, #4)(56)

Everyone except Iris. She was always the exception to his rules.

Without realizing it, he flew the whole perimeter of town and back again until he found himself circling above the house. Thoughtful now, his wings pulsing with a gentle ache, he perched on the edge of the roof, gazing up at the indistinct stars. It wouldn’t take an expert to identify why he preferred to be alone; it was safer. Easier.

Because people left. It didn’t matter how much he wished otherwise. Endings were inevitable, and he survived by avoiding those moments. He’d become successful, but he was still alone. And then he heard her, moving about in her room beneath the eaves.

I’m not alone. Not unless I choose to be.

Comforted, he swooped off the roof and glided through his room, flowing into his human form with an ease born of familiarity. It was chilly, so he dressed quickly and closed the window. Once, he’d considered simply living as a hawk and letting Liz administer his worldly goods in a philanthropic fashion. Now, though? Eli wasn’t ready to let go.

He heard footfalls, so the knock didn’t startle him. He found Sally outside with a hot cup of tea. Chamomile, which was the kind he’d asked her to make the night after the first dance lesson. It touched him that she recalled his preferences, looking out for him as soon as she got home. “I brought tea and Bundt cake. Can I come in?”

“Absolutely.” He stepped back to allow her access.

Sally paused, glancing around the space with a surprised expression. He followed her gaze to the black bag by the wall. “Your room is so tidy. Are you still living out of your suitcase?” she asked.

A pang of guilt stabbed him. “I’ll put things away sooner or later.”

The older woman eyed him, but she didn’t verbalize her doubts. “Hmm.”

“Did you need something?”

“It’s more that I had a question. Iris told me that you ran into my ex at the community center recently. And I…”

“What?” he prompted, sipping at the delightfully warm and lemony drink.

Though Sally had her own reasons for popping in, it still felt incredible to come back to a hot beverage after a long flight. Plus, there was cake. Maybe this was even why hawks and falcons let humans tame them to some degree. They don’t get reward cake. I’m sure it’s mice or raw meat.

“Did Howard make things awkward?” she asked in a rush. “Or suggest that you should talk me out of this ‘nonsense’?”

“Not even slightly.”

“Oh, thank goodness. For a while, that was all I heard from the family. They even tried to get me checked for dementia!”

Eli nearly dropped his teacup. “Really? Just because—”

“Because I wanted to make big changes. Because I wanted to live my last years as I choose. I had a husband. Now I want a girlfriend! But not a life partner. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else. I want to be able to go home to my own bed. I want to travel and learn new things and—”

“Do it,” Eli cut in, sensing that Sally was getting upset. “Do it all.”

“Bless you. I’m so glad. I was afraid that Howard was up to his old tricks again, but it seems he’s finally realized this isn’t a phase.”

He wondered if this info would make things better or worse, but he decided to loop Sally in anyway. “Full disclosure, he was on a date with someone named Hazel.”

“That’s good news,” Sally said with a relieved smile. “She’s a nice person, so maybe she can put up with his quirks.”

“Maybe. Thanks for the cake.” Eli lifted the spoon.

“My pleasure, dear. I hope you enjoyed the flight.”

Sally breezed out, leaving Eli staring after her. He didn’t think Iris would’ve told anyone, so how…?

How does Sally know? He followed her, unable to refrain from asking. “How did you find out?” Eli called.

Sally laughed and answered without breaking stride. “Eli, you silly goose. I’ve seen a bird flying into your room so many times when I was coming home from Ethel’s. You don’t own a bird. No pets allowed, remember? Ergo, you must be the bird. Most explanations are simple when you let go of your preconceptions.”





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN





A couple of peaceful weeks passed with Iris’s store slowly getting more orders and Mira settling in.

Since Mira preferred having things formalized, everyone got together and agreed on a work schedule for basic cleaning in the common areas. If they stuck to it, there wouldn’t be a problem, and so far, Henry Dale was the most finicky of residents. The man turned up his nose at a dust mote, let alone a dust bunny. Sally sighed a little over being assigned to the first rotation of kitchen chores, but she didn’t complain. As for Eli, he seldom revealed his true thoughts.

Man of mystery, that’s you. Iris gazed at him wistfully while trying not to reveal just how intrigued she’d become in the time they’d been living together. The dance lessons granted her his attention one night a week, and she’d started looking forward to those evenings, doing her hair carefully, picking out the cutest dress.

It’s not a date, she’d told herself, more than once. We’re not dating. But her reckless heart wouldn’t listen. Anyway, there were two more days until the next lesson.