10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

T aking Olivia on a date was a means to an end, or so he told himself. She was the best chance he had of getting this story. He’d been planning to ask her soon, which had nothing to do with how much he enjoyed spending time with her this past week. So, when she asked him, he hadn’t even thought about it before saying yes.

He had seen what she’d done with her teacup and the spoon. At least he was pretty sure he had. Something so small and sudden, he at first wanted to convince himself it was all in his head. Because, honestly, as much as he believed that magic was real, actually seeing it happen was something that still scared him.

A spoon stirring itself wasn’t supposed to be possible, even if he had always wanted it to be. If he hadn’t already been looking for something like this, he would have rationalized it away.

The question now was how did she do it? Was it a one-time thing? Was she the only one? Was it magic, or was there some weird explanation? He had to be sure. This was the break he was looking for. Because so far, all he had written of his story was a catchy headline. Not exactly the exposé he was hoping for.

But seeing her dressed up and looking so genuinely happy was bringing on the guilt. Because maybe she thought this was so much more than what it really was. Maybe that bothered him more than he wanted it to.

He would give anything to know for sure why she asked him out. But asking her meant she might do the same and he didn’t know how to answer honestly.

Being here with her tonight felt good. So much so that he almost wanted to blurt out the truth. But, at the same time, he didn’t really owe her anything. He was here to do a job and she was the best way to get what he wanted because so far, she was the only one he knew for sure was a witch.

He had no idea what to do.

They laid out the blanket he brought along and set about unpacking the picnic basket he had put together. It was nothing fancy, just food from the local grocery store. Chips, hummus, a cheese board, some fruit, and a special surprise for her.

She burst out laughing when he pulled out the desserts and drinks—the special surprise.

“Churros? And horchata to drink? You stopped by the bakery, didn’t you? Jill failed to mention that when I saw her earlier.”

“Ah, that’s my fault. I asked her not to say anything. I wanted to surprise you. Plus, I’ve never had horchata before, so I thought now would be a great time.”

She smiled. “Oh, well, you’re in for a treat. I didn’t actually know that I was Mexican until I was eighteen and got a look at my file from the foster care system. I guess no one thought it was important enough to mention.”

Shit. The foster system? It sucked that he didn’t have a dad growing up, but at least he had his mom and his brother. “I had no idea. I’m so sorry, Olivia.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. It’s not something I like to talk about. It’s in the past now, you know? Anyway, the food is definitely one of my favorite things about it.”

“What else do you like about it?”

“The strong sense of family. I never experienced that before, obviously. But Parker’s family is also Mexican, so I’ve picked up a lot from them. They helped me to feel more connected to that part of myself and I’ve tried to instill that sense of family in Daniel.”

She smiled and then turned to grab one of the horchatas.

For a moment, he simply admired her as she quietly sipped her drink while staring up at the night sky. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow and the sound of the waves from the nearby ocean was a comforting melody. She was beautiful and kind, and a damn good mother.

He had no right to want her this much. Seeing her like this, so at ease. The feelings he pushed away since the moment he first laid eyes on her were suddenly there in front of him, begging to be acknowledged. He wanted to tell her. To be the one to put a smile on her face.

He grabbed her hand closest to him on the blanket. Her eyes locked onto his.

“You’ve done a great job with Daniel. The family you’ve created for yourself here, well, it’s certainly something I envy. It reminds me of my mother. She raised my brother and me alone, but she always made sure we were loved. Even without my dad in the picture, I never felt like I missed out.”

It was still so difficult to talk about his mother.

“She died six months ago.”

“Is she why you came to town?”

He should just tell her. She might understand—at least part of it.

He nodded. “Yes. My mother never went far from home. Not after my dad left us; I think she wanted to stay where he left her in case he ever came back. I wanted to venture out the way she never could.”

Not exactly a lie. But definitely not the truth. What would his mother think of his motivations? He could pretend that he was doing this for her, in a way. But being here with Olivia now, letting her see this part of him? It was one of the more selfish things he had done in his life. That’s what his mother would say. He should at least admit that to himself.

“She sounds like she was an amazing person.”

He smiled. “She was. But enough about me and my sad story. Tell me about you.”

For a moment, he could swear there was fear in her eyes, but then it was gone.

“Oh, well, there’s really not much to tell. I’m a mom and I run the bakery.”

She stood up from the blanket, straightened out her dress, and reached down to pull him up beside her.

“Let’s go for a walk,” she said.

Was she nervous?

“Uhh, okay, sure.”

The night air had become chilly, but not unbearably so. He had an extra blanket in the car, should they need it.

But she was only in a dress. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself, shivering. Wordlessly, he pulled off his jacket, handing it to her. She accepted it with a grateful smile.

“Sorry. I didn’t even think to give you a heads up that we’d be outside,” he said.

She laughed. “That’s okay. I kind of sprung the date on you. I should have grabbed something warmer than a shawl. I’m always on Daniel to bring a sweater everywhere. Apparently, I forgot my own advice tonight. Thanks for the jacket.”

“It’s my pleasure. You don’t have any other family?”

He could have kicked himself. Smooth, that definitely wasn’t. But he felt this almost desperate need to know everything about her. Maybe because he felt a connection, their complicated pasts. He wanted to understand her. To see her and be seen by her.

She shook her head. “None but the family I’ve made here. But I’m lucky. They accept all of me. My disability, my background, and all the other parts of me.”

“What about Daniel’s father? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“No, it’s fine. Shawn just wasn’t interested in being a dad and, well, there were things about me he couldn’t handle. So, he’s never been in the picture. I do my best to make sure Daniel feels that absence as little as possible.”

“Seems like you’re both doing alright for yourselves. I know what it’s like to have an absentee dad and a mom trying her best. You should be proud.”

She blushed. He wanted to place his hand over that spot on her cheek, to feel the heat of it against his palm.

“Thanks. I do have help, though. From Jill and Parker and everyone here, really. Life is easier here. Not just for raising my son but also for managing my disability. I mean, I’m sure you noticed my legs, the way I walk, and my lazy eye. I swear I’m always making eye contact with you, even though it looks like I’m not,” she said with a laugh.

She seemed nervous. His heart ached for her.

He nodded. He had noticed and he was curious. But she would explain when she was ready. It didn’t change the way he thought about her. As for Daniel’s father not being in his life? The kid did not seem any worse for wear.

“I did notice. I think your eyes are gorgeous and neither of those things seem to slow you down. Can I ask? What is it that you have?”

She laughed. “I have Cerebral Palsy. While I’ve learned to live with it, it slows me down occasionally. Mainly it affects my balance. I need to always use a railing on stairs and I’m more likely than most to slip on ice in the winter. But I’m still a regular person, you know? Just living my life.”

A beat passed, and the air between them grew thick with everything they were both leaving unsaid, the good and the bad.

He hadn’t expected the way she opened up to him. He’d prepared for suspicion and deflection, as she had to have some idea of what he was really doing here. Maybe she knew about his mother? Or at least had some idea of his connection to the town. But then, what did she hope to gain by humoring him like this? Was she trying to do to him what he was trying to do to her?

Were they both in an endless cycle of trying to catch the other one out?

By now, they had reached the edge of the lawn surrounding the house. There were two directions they could go. One was the beach and the other a tree-lined path towards the gardens.

“Where to next?” he asked.

She hesitated at the crossroads for a moment before silently bending down to take off her shoes. That was all he needed. His shoes and socks were pulled off and they were out on the sand.

“Daniel and I have a tradition,” she said as they moved towards the water, taking in the view. “Every time we come here we have to find a shell to bring back home.”

“Any particular kind we're looking for?”

“Nope. Any shell works, but it has to be whole. That's the only rule.”

“I take it you've been here many times. How big is this collection you two have?” His focus split between looking for a suitable shell and gazing at Olivia. Her hair fluttered in the wind, sending the sweet scent of roses and vanilla his way.

“Oh, we've got dozens of shells at the house. We come here a lot. It's always been a special place for Daniel and me.”

“If you don't mind me asking, what is it that makes this place so special for you specifically?”

She laughed before bending down to pick up a purple shell that, while almost pristine, had the tiniest chip on the upper rim. She tossed it back to the sand gently.

“This was one of the first places Daniel and I ever came to when we moved here. It was a week after we got to Addersfield. Let's just say I was overwhelmed by the town and the neighbors and the general aura of happy, open, well-adjusted people. Definitely not like most of the people I knew. Definitely not like me. Everyone here just seemed so content I mean, I know everyone has problems. But in a town like this, the biggest crisis is when the grocery store runs low on vegetables.”

He could understand that. He had never experienced a tightly knit small-town community and had been taken him aback when he first arrived in town. He could only imagine what it was like for her to try and assimilate.

“I wanted to believe that Addersfield could be the kind of place Daniel and I needed after relocating from the life we'd had before. Still, I needed proof that if we did this, everything would be as good as people said it would be.”

“You're one of those seeing is believing people, I take it,” he said.

“How could you tell?”

“I can recognize the signs. In my line of work, you have to see the evidence before you jump to a conclusion. You can't craft the story to suit your tastes. You need every piece of the puzzle to be certain of anything.”

“Exactly. My first instinct is always to distrust. I wanted so badly to place my trust in something that would not let me down for once. But I was struggling.”

“What ended up changing your mind?”

“Daniel. We came here and he was so happy. It was like Christmas for him, between the beach and the telescopes. I could not understand it, because what started as a sunny day turned into a total wash. There were clouds everywhere and you couldn’t even see the stars, so what was the point? But he never let it bring him down. I mean, he was only three, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. So, I just followed his lead. Maybe that sounds strange. But it just felt right.”

“I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I've never met a kid like him before. He doesn't forget a thing and he's always got another ten questions up his sleeve. I've really enjoyed spending time with him lately and with you.”

He meant it. For the first time in a long time, he had a little bit of peace. Even before his mother died, he’d carried around a deep sense of sadness. His father’s abandonment of their family left a heavy weight on his heart. A feeling that often kept him up at night. Working was the one thing that was guaranteed to distract him. But lately, simply existing in the same space as Olivia and Daniel made things easier.

Maybe it didn’t make sense, but he couldn’t pretend that it wasn’t true.

“Look, Draven, tonight's been … well, it's been great. I had no idea what to expect. It’s been nice getting to know you more. But I have to be honest with you; I still don’t know what to think. I don’t trust you. At least not completely. Can you understand why?”

He nodded. He could not blame her for that. They were both keeping secrets and they both knew it. But it seemed like maybe she was willing to give him a chance. Not that he deserved it.

“I have more than myself to think about here. I have to think of Daniel and what getting involved with you would mean for him.”

Getting involved with someone had never been part of the plan. Especially not with a single mother. He did not do attachment and what would happen once the story came out? She would hate him; he was sure of that. But maybe this did not have to be a long-term thing. Would she go for that?

“What are you saying?” He needed to be sure. He needed to hear her say the words.

“I'm saying that this scares me—you scare me. I don't do this, Draven. I don't get close to people. I know what it's like to be burned and to have nothing but scars and heartache to show for it. I know what it's like to let someone in, only for everything to go wrong and for people to get hurt. As a mother, I never want to put Daniel through that. I don't ever want him to know what that's like.”

Everything she was saying gave him hope. Hope that she would understand his reasons for lying to her. But there was also guilt. She was trying to be honest with him about her feelings. He hadn’t expected that from her, hadn’t expected anything but more lies and unanswered questions until one of them broke and admitted their truth. But the fact that she was trying at all made him want to try too. It was that feeling that made him blurt out his next words.

“My mother was a witch.”

She stared at him for a moment, seemingly dumbfounded by his words. So, he waited. And waited. And waited.

After several very long moments, she said, “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

He took a deep, steadying breath. “I said my mother was a witch.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is this some kind of joke? Because if it is, it’s really not funny.”

Of course, she would think that. But that meant that he was right; she had suspected him this whole time of knowing more about the town than he let on. That thought was oddly freeing.

“No! No, it’s not a joke. My mother was a witch. I swear. That’s why I’m here. I found out my mother was a witch after she died and that led me to this town. She was from here and I just had to know more about it and her and, well, it’s a long story. But the point is, my mother was a witch. So, I know, or at least I assume, this town has magic and other witches and I’m guessing you’re one too.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “What makes you think that?”

Her words were sharp and blunt; they made his heart ache. She didn’t believe him. Either that or she still felt the need to pretend. His shoulders slumped; defeat threatened to overtake him.

He stared at her, beseeching. “Please, Olivia. I know I lied to you before when I said I just randomly found the town. I know I kept lying to you and I’m sorry for that. But I had to be sure I was right. I needed to see it for myself. I could not just show up here and start asking questions. Because what if I’d been wrong? How would that have looked to all of you? Some stranger shows up in town accusing people of being witches and having magic. That’s like the plot of a freaking scary movie.”

“You decided to use me instead? You lied to me.”

He cringed. “Originally, yes, my intention was to get to know you just to get information But this past week, when we really started to get to know each other and I got to spend time with Daniel, things changed. I haven’t felt this happy in such a long time. It brought back so many memories of me and my mom and how happy I used to be. Then, when you asked me out, I convinced myself my feelings for you weren’t real. That I was just using you because I figured you were just using me too. I convinced myself that you could not possibly care for me. How could you? But what you said before, about how you want to be with me, but you’re scared? Well, I’m scared too, because I don’t deserve you. I’m scared to really let go and be vulnerable and I’m scared of how much I already care for you. I’m scared of the way you make me feel. I’m so scared I’ve ruined this before it’s even had a chance to start.”

She placed her hand over his mouth. “Shhhh. Draven. I believe you.”

His eyes widened, heart pounding as her hand moved to cup his cheek. He had to be sure. “You do?”

She nodded. “Yes. Though, I’m still pissed that you lied to me.”

“I can understand that. If the situation were reversed, I’d feel the same way. But I hope you can understand why I felt the need to.”

“That doesn’t make it okay, though.”

“I know.”

“But” she whispered as she stepped closer to him. “I can understand it. Finding out your mom was a witch? Not exactly a normal thing. I’d say you’re handling everything pretty well, considering. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all of it alone. I definitely know what that’s like.”

Something inside him gave way and a weight lifted off his chest.

“Olivia,” he whispered. “I’d really like it if we could keep spending time together. I know this started for the wrong reasons. I know I have to earn your trust. But I really want to get to know you. In whatever way you would be most comfortable,” he said, reaching for her hand and taking some comfort in the fact that she didn’t resist.

“I like the sound of that,” she whispered as she stepped fully into his body. She was so warm and she smelled heavenly, a mix of vanilla and roses and moonlight.

“Can I kiss you?”

He waited, eyes searching hers.

She nodded slowly, chocolate brown eyes wide and burning.

Her whole body quivered as he dipped down towards her lips; she was mesmerizing. Her hands snaked up to wrap around his neck. Her quiet gasp drove him wild as he tilted his head to the side, moving so close to her face that if he spoke again, his words would end on her mouth.

Everything was magnified. The cool breeze chilled his heated skin. The crashing waves pounded in his ears. The moonlight shone on the stunning person before him, lightning her up like a beacon aimed straight to his soul. Another wonderful memory made on the sands of a beach.

He hesitated there, letting the anticipation build for a moment.

One more inch and her lips connected with his, softly at first, like a feather brushing up against his skin. It was barely even a kiss—just a touch, a whisper easily lost in the whistling wind around them. It was everything.

But then, he canted his head to the side and brought his hand up to the sharp curve of her jaw, feeling her smooth, soft skin slide underneath his fingertips. Then he opened his mouth, tongue tangling with hers, tasting her and letting her taste him.

He groaned softly but just loud enough so that she could hear it, so she would know how much he wanted her. She shivered, melting into him and digging her fingertips into the skin of his neck. Her body pressed even harder into him, the heat of her seeping into his bones.

His hands dug into her hair, twirling the loose strands and twisting them around his fingertips. Her hair was soft like silk. A second later, she was doing the same to him, combing her fingers through his hair, nails scraping along his scalp, sending a chill down his spine in the most delicious of ways before pulling away, a satisfied smirk gracing her beautiful face.

“That was…” Shit, why couldn’t he think of anything to say? A dozen words went through his mind, all of them good, but none of them perfect. So, he just smiled, big and probably goofy.

She laughed, shaking her head before casting her gaze off for a beat, something drawing her attention. “Hold that thought.”

She moved over a few feet and bent to grab something from the sand. When she returned, she had a smooth, fully formed shell; it was an off-white color, with deep veins of purple lining one side.

She slipped it into the pocket of his coat.

She stepped back towards him, burying her face in his chest with a giggle.

“What’s so funny?”

She looked up at him, eyes wide and bright. “Life, I guess; being here with you. So much can change in such a short amount of time. It feels good. Which is kind of weird in and of itself.”

“That’s funny?”

“It’s unexpected.”

He had no idea what to say to that. But he could understand what she meant. Two weeks ago, this would never have been his life. Yet, here he was, probably making a huge mistake. But looking at her face right now, he could not be bothered to care.

“You are something special; you know that” he said as he bent down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“You’re damn right I am.”