Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

M aeve spent the rest of the day working through recipes for the antidote, testing them on herself, but none of them worked to dispel the fizzy feeling she had in her stomach every time she thought about Saul. Aunt Geillis occasionally wandered in and sat on the white wicker loveseat, cuddling with Hazel. She watched her with a knowing smile and then would walk out shaking her head, amused by Maeve’s attempts at avoiding what she clearly thought was inevitable.

Maeve finally gave up after dinner and fell into bed exhausted. She spent a restless night dreaming about a bear stalking her through the forest, yet she wasn't afraid. She was oddly excited, and she felt safe with the bear, which was weird. Who felt safe when a grizzly was chasing them?

When she came down to breakfast the next morning, her father was sitting at the table scribbling in a notebook, his cup of coffee and breakfast already cold. He glanced up at her absentmindedly, as if surprised to see her.

“Where are you off to today?”

She knew he didn't really care. He had not really cared in years, as long as she stayed out of his way. His research had always come first, and he made it clear that her main priority was to be quiet at all times. “I’m going out with a friend, father.”

He didn’t ask who it was or where they were going. She tried to hide the pang of hurt, but it still bothered her after all these years. She wanted him to ask who was the friend? Where were they going? She wanted him to be the father who protected his little girl against the man who wanted to date her. Instead, he barely knew who she was. She stifled a sigh and poured some juice.

At that moment, there was a bang at the front door, and her father scowled. “Who could that be at this hour? Don't they know that I have work to do? Tell them to go away.”

She wanted to point out that he was sitting at the table and not actually working, though in her father's mind he was always working and everything and everyone was a bother. “I’ll get the door. You don't have to be interrupted.”

He waved his hand, already refocusing on his notebook.

She headed to the front door and opened it just as Saul was lifting his hand again to knock. He looked sexy standing there a dark blue T-shirt that matched his eyes. The t-shirt stretched tightly across his broad chest and was tucked into dark blue jeans. Crap, she had overdressed for today, in her bright yellow sundress.

“I didn’t expect you so soon. I need to change,” she stammered.

He leaned against the door and let his heated gaze run over her body. “Why? I think you look good enough to eat, little mouse.”

“Too bad for you that I’m not on the menu,” she replied tartly.

He laughed, the sound echoing down the hallway. “I like when you’re feisty, mouse. Are you ready to go?”

“Maeve? Who is that?” Her father’s voice echoed down the hall, coming closer.

Oh hell no. She wasn’t ready for this shitshow. She needed him out the door before her father made an appearance, pronto dente. She grabbed her sweater hanging by the door and pushed Saul so she could squeeze by him and slammed the door shut.

“Was that your father?” Saul craned his neck to look before she closed the door.

She tugged his arm, but it was like moving a boulder. “Yes, but he’s busy. He hates to be interrupted.”

“Even for his daughter?” Saul sounded unconvinced, and Maeve laughed.

“Especially for his daughter. Now, where are we going?”

Maeve stared at the giant black pickup in dismay. There was no way she could climb her ass into that truck, even with a ladder, not without significant help. Saul chuckled next to her.

“That’s easily remedied. Up you go.”

He set his hands on her waist and effortlessly lifted her into the passenger seat. He pulled the seatbelt across her body and clicked it into place, brushing against her chest, sending thrills through her body. “Safety first, right?”

She swallowed and nodded, saying nothing else. He leaned over her, caging her with his larger frame. He settled his lips over hers, gently, as if testing to see how she would react. Maeve was stunned for a moment, then relaxed into the moment, her lips softening under his, opening when his tongue swept against hers. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach and she shuddered.

He pulled back and smiled. “Ready for a picnic?”

When they pulled up to an imposing twelve-foot high wrought-iron gate, Maeve gasped. “Saul, we can’t go in here. This is Cornelius Digby’s Botanical Gardens. He doesn’t let anyone in here.”

Saul shot her a smug look. “He’ll let us in.”

She tugged at his sleeve. “You don’t understand. He hates people interrupting his work. I know that because my father is just like him. Never interrupt a genius when they’re working.”

Saul held up a finger, ignoring her. He waited at the gate, with the driver’s window rolled down. A crow flew down and landed on the tangle of vines and cawed at him, flapping its wings rather aggressively. Saul remained calm, one hand draped over the steering wheel and the other hanging out the window. The crow flew away toward the historic old mansion in the distance.

“Saul, we can just go to the park in town. It’s fine.”

Though she’d always wanted to see Cornelius Digby’s gardens, not that she’d ever be invited. No one was invited to the Digby Gardens. Never. Her mother mentioned seeing them once, years before when she was studying in the academy, but he’d become a recluse shortly after that. Maeve didn’t think she’d ever even met the man, though she’d read his first volume of medicinal plants and herbs cover to cover multiple times. In fact, she needed a new copy. Hers was falling apart.

Suddenly, the gate creaked open. Saul’s truck rumbled up the driveway to the historic, imposing mansion. He put it in park and said, “Wait here. Be right back.”

He got out and grabbed a large, covered tray from the back seat. He walked up the front steps to the dark wood door. The door opened just a little and Maeve strained to see who was on the other side, but it was too dark to tell who or what was standing there. A pair of hands reached out, the arms encased in brown tweed, and took the tray. The height of the person was no taller than Maeve and seemed tiny compared to Saul. The door slammed shut, but it didn’t seem to bother Saul. He ambled back to the truck and got in, heading around the back of the house.

“Where are you going?”

He shot her an amused look. “I told you. We’re having a picnic. Cornelius Digby said we could have it here, and that you were welcome to explore his gardens all day, if you’d like.”

Hope blossomed inside of her, along with a healthy dose of skepticism. “Cornelius Digby doesn’t let anyone in. Why would he do this?”

“Because he owes me.” At her look, he sighed. “Cornelius has several bee hives with some of the most delicious honey from bees from all around the world. He’s created their own ecosystem so he could enjoy their honey. They’re delicious.”

Saul’s voice had taken on a dreamy quality, and Maeve rolled her eyes. “Bears and their honey.”

He grinned at her. “Honey badgers too.” She gasped. “Yup. Cornelius is a honey badger, like Hazel. One night, he showed up at my bakery, really late. He asked if I could use his honey for some special treats for him. Honey rolls, honey cakes, honey apple bars, biscuits, cookies. You name it, he wanted it. And I got to keep some of the honey for myself. Maeve, the honey was so good I could weep. The African honey alone…”

“You’re drifting again, Saul,” she said sharply.

He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. But it was really good honey. Anyway, I’ve never made him baklava, thinking I would save that for a special occasion. Ta-da!”

“You used a favor on me?” There went that tingly feeling again.

He turned off the truck and faced her, a puzzled look on his face. “Well, who better to use it on?”

Maeve felt her face burn, and she looked out over the acres of greenhouses and habitats. Her eyes widened at the wonderland in front of her and her jaw dropped. “We could be here all day.”

“All week probably. Where would you like to start? I’ve been told the only area off-limits are the hives, because apparently I can’t be trusted as a bear.” Saul growled the last words, but it was good-natured.

Maeve was overwhelmed. She had no idea where to begin and sat in the truck, paralyzed. She didn’t know how long she sat there when she realized Saul was next to her, and the passenger door was open. “Let’s just start walking, okay?”

She nodded and let him lift her out of the truck. “You really should have a stool for this thing.”

“And miss the joy of touching you? Not a chance.”

She rolled her eyes again but had to admit, deep inside, she liked the feeling of his hand circling her waist, especially when he brought her against his body before setting her down. Without letting go of her hand, he grabbed a large picnic basket in the back that could have easily fed a family of eight and said, “Lead on, mouse.”

She scowled at him, but decided to let the nickname go in favor of exploration. Each section of the garden was labeled including fruits, seeds, herbs, poisons, and other categories. She veered directly for the herbs, almost dragging Saul behind her since he refused to let go of her hand. She stood in front of the fenced-in area, waiting for someone to yell at her. Saul reached in front of her and gently opened the gate. She stepped inside and paused, but when nothing happened, she went in further and became lost in the plants.