In the long run, the time spent practicing would be worth it.
Emma and I finished as it was getting dark, and I felt much steadier in my magic. It would still take a lot of practice to fully come into my power, but I had faith I could do it. I’d learned so much from her in such a short time, and she’d even told me about Avalona, a tiny island just off the coast of Cornwall where my magic would be enhanced, if I wanted to try it there.
I definitely did.
On the way back to the house, I stopped at Codswollop’s and ordered two fish and chip dinners with an extra piece of fish for Poa. Then I headed toward the boathouse. Lavender House was lit with lanterns, no doubt because Rafe was still up there working. I parked the car, planning to bring the fish up to him, when I spotted the vase of red roses on the ground in front of the door.
I frowned. “What the heck?”
I climbed out of the car and knelt by the flowers, pulling the card out. My heart pounded as I flipped it open, finding a message that made me grimace.
I was the worst sort of sod. Please call me. I still have my old phone. I want to explain. Love, Tommy.
“Ugh.” I crumpled the note up. Why was he trying so hard? He’d spent most of our relationship ignoring me or telling me the laundry needed to be run. Why did he suddenly have to have my attention?
Was it because I was withholding it?
Probably.
And I was going to keep withholding it. I’d do one better, actually. Two better.
First, I dumped the roses in the trash, then called Mr. Ludlow, the solicitor. He had no news about the deed to the boathouse, but he did agree to send a letter to Tommy threatening him with legal action if he didn’t leave me alone. I didn’t know what kind of legal action I would take, and Mr. Ludlow didn’t seem particularly bothered by the details.
“I dislike the idea of this bounder harassing you,” he said, his tone stiff. “I will take care of it.”
I smiled down at the phone as I rang off. That Mr. Ludlow was a good sort.
My last call was to Emma, requesting that she and the coven put a spell on the boathouse to hide it from Tommy. I didn’t know how he’d found me, but Emma said that she’d see to it he forgot.
My smile was even bigger as I put the phone away, and I was more grateful than ever for finding my way to Charming Cove.
I left the boathouse and headed toward Lavender House, the takeaway bag gripped in my hand. I’d only made it a few steps when the door opened and Rafe stepped out. He was clearly leaving for the night, so I turned around and went back into the boathouse to set out dinner. I found plates and silverware in his small kitchen and laid the food on the table just as he was walking in.
He was soaking wet from the top of his head almost down to his knees, with his shirt plastered to the broad planes of muscles on his chest.
I laughed. “What happened to you?”
“Your house had some opinions about how I did the plumbing on the new kitchen sink.” He sounded grumpy, but I could see in his eyes that he wasn’t. Not very, at least.
“You were there all day without me? And you even did some plumbing?”
“Not well, it seems.” He gestured to himself.
“Thank you, though. I really appreciate it.” I gestured to the food. “And I brought dinner. But don’t—“
“Get used to it, I know.” He shot me a smile, then headed toward his bedroom. “I’m going to get cleaned up, and I’ll be out soon.”
“All right.” He hadn’t mentioned the roses, so I had to assume he hadn’t seen them. Thank fates for small favors.
Since it felt weird to sit and eat without him, I walked to the side of the building that contained his tools and the two unfinished boats. I lifted up the tarp that covered one of the two boats, then gasped. It was gorgeous. I’d never seen such beautiful and precise woodworking. And even though I wasn’t an expert, I could tell that this was something special.
No wonder my kitchen was coming along so quickly. It was child’s play for him.
“Finding anything you like?” His voice drew my attention toward the kitchen, and I looked up.
“Sorry, I was snooping.” I let the tarp drop back down. “But you’re crazy talented, Rafe.”
“I do all right.”
“Sorry I called it a hobby. I can see it’s not.”
He shrugged, but there was half a smile on his face. “Dinner smells great, thanks.”
“It’s the least I could do.” I used my power to call on Poa, knowing that she’d want her fish to be at least a little warm. If I let it cool too much, I’d surely face her wrath. When she didn’t come right away, I added the mental note that there was fish for her.
She appeared in the kitchen immediately, sitting on a chair.
“Seriously?” I asked her.
What? You expect me to eat on the floor?
“I would never. But don’t put your feet on the table.”
She harrumphed but did as I requested, keeping her feet on her plate as she dug into the fish. Rafe smiled down at her, and there was a genuine fondness in his eyes that I hadn’t noticed before.
“You like her, don’t you?” I asked as I approached.
Everyone likes me. She spoke without once slowing her eating.
“I do,” he said. “Always liked cats, but she’s special.”
Poa did a little shimmy.
Rafe and I ate, the table characterized by the initial silence of a good meal. Codswollop’s really was excellent, I realized. What did Charming Cove not have?
“Where were you today?” he asked after he finished his fish. “I thought it was just an errand.”
“It was, but it took longer than I thought.” I drew in a deep breath, both excited and nervous to tell him what I’d learned. “I think I can help you.”
“Help me?” He looked up, and then understanding dawned. “Last night wasn’t a dream.”
“Um, no. You told me everything. At least, I think it was everything.”
“It was.” He sighed heavily. “I really didn’t want to lay all that on you. It’s a lot.”
“It’s a hell of a lot, and it’s horrible. I can’t believe you’ve been living through that.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine, and pretending otherwise doesn’t help.” I’d been pretending the same thing with my life, and it sure as hell hadn’t worked for me.
“Wait,” he said, his brow creasing as he thought. “If I told you the truth, does that mean your story was also true? I didn’t just dream that?”
“Unfortunately, you didn’t.” I winced.
“That bastard.” His words were a growl, and I smiled. I quite liked having a werewolf on my side.
“Ignore him,” I said. “He’s old news, and we’re focusing on you.”
“I’d rather focus on you.”
His tone made me blush. There was something more to it that made me think of long kisses and longer nights. His expression turned slightly chagrined, as if he realized how the words could be interpreted.
“Anyway,” I said, “let’s talk about what I did today.”
“All right. It was about me somehow?”