Chapter Five

 

             

            The dishes were done. Rick and Kimmy had gone back to their place, and everyone else had scattered to wherever to pursue individual interests for the rest of the evening when the phone rang. Tamberly glanced up from where she was putting a load in the washing machine and waited. There was no need to run to answer it. She already knew Sandy was the closest to it. It was an instinctual thing, knowing where each of her siblings was at any given time. Her father explained that it was part of being a half-witch. If they had been full-blooded, they would have been able to communicate with each other through non-verbal connections.

            The sound of footsteps coming her way made her smile. Her first reaction had been that the call had to be from Jonathan. Sandy heading her way confirmed it.

            “Hey, Tam! Phone call!”

            “Be right there!”

            She started the washer, then hurried through the kitchen and into the small alcove in the hallway where the single household telephone was located. Grabbing the receiver that had been left lying on top of the phone book, she breathlessly answered, “Hello? This is Tamberly.”

            “Tammy? This is Jonathan. From this afternoon at the market? I got the last of your apples, and you told me I would owe you a piece of pie in exchange?”

            “Yeah, yeah!” She gave a nervous giggle. “Don’t tell me you’ve already fixed it.”

            He answered with a chuckle that sent little shivers through her. She could almost see him in her mind’s eye, with that big, warm smile and his eyes sparkling as they crinkled in the corners.

            “Well, yeah. I didn’t want the apples to lose their crispness. Look, I’m not interrupting anything important right now, am I? I’d like to come over and drop it off, if that’s okay.”

            “It’s fine!” she hurried to reassure him. “Let me give you directions how to get here.”

            After giving him the best direct route, Jonathan promised to be there in less than five minutes. Stunned, Tamberly thought she had misunderstood him.

            “Five minutes?”

            “I’m turning onto county road sixteen as we speak.”

            “You’re already driving?” she asked incredulously. “How are you able to talk to me?”

            Again she heard his wonderful laughter. “I’m on a cell phone, Tam. See you soon!” There was a click, and the line went dead.

            She bolted for the bathroom to check herself out in the mirror, and to run a brush through her hair as she debated whether or not to change her blouse. With her mind elsewhere, she nearly collided with Amy waiting her turn outside the door. Her sister waggled her eyebrows at her.

            “Guess this means I have to stay in my room and listen to the weather report on the radio?”

            “Would you? Please?”

            Amy slid past her and began to close the bathroom door. At the last second, she peeked out into the hall where Tamberly was still standing.

            “Take him into the kitchen. Show him he’s not the only one who knows how to cook,” her sister suggested in a sultry tone, winked at her, and shut the door. Smiling, Tamberly strolled into the den.

            Manderly Blakeney glanced up where he was watching television. Wearing his stained coveralls, and with his stocking feet crossed on the foot rest in front of him, it was hard to imagine him as the powerful warlock she knew him to be.  Other than the obvious spells he normally cast to help the crops, Tamberly and her sisters rarely saw him react in anger and use his abilities to their fullest extent unless it was to protect his family. And if that became necessary, his powers were indomitable.

            “Do I need to stay out of the kitchen, too?” His question, given with his usual dry wit, made her laugh out loud. Bending over, she gave her father a quick peck on the forehead.

            “Thank you, Daddy.”

            “Good thing we had a decent harvest this year. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford another wedding,” he continued to grouse good-naturedly.

            Tamberly started to reply when his expression froze and he turned his head toward the door. “He’s on the drive.”

            She glanced at the eight day clock on the fireplace mantel, noting the time as she rushed to the front door. Less than three hours ago she and Jonathan had met. Only three hours? It felt a hell of a lot longer than that.

            The porch light came on when she stepped outside. The night was quiet. The snow was on hold, and the wind was no more than a faint breath. Waving her hand from left to right, the strings of multi-colored lights blazed their colors across the top of the fence surrounding the house. Presently, she spotted a pair of headlights coming up the gravel drive. Hugging herself against the cold, she waited on the steps and watched the slow approach of the truck until it stopped directly behind the mini-bus. The engine shut off, and she saw the tall figure emerge from behind the wheel. He carried a plastic container in his hand.

            Her heart did cartwheels as he drew nearer. That wide, warm smile she remembered was on his face, and the lights on the fence gave him an unusual glow. The closer he got, the more she shivered. Soon she would find out if he was indeed meant to be her only love. Her lasting love. She could sense her body beginning to respond at the thought. Already the crotch of her jeans was wet with anticipation.

            “Hi.” She smiled shyly when he stepped onto the porch and paused in front of her. It was an awkward moment. Should she shake hands? Or give him a hug? How did one greet one’s possible intended without being too obvious about it? To her relief, he held out the container to her.

            “Here you go. Debt’s paid.”

            “Only if it tastes decent,” she immediately shot back in jest, adding a lopsided grin to show she was teasing him. Crooking her finger at him, she invited, “Let’s go in where it’s warm.”

            She noticed how he opened and held the door for her. Once they were inside, Tamberly pointed to the hat tree in the corner where he could hang up his coat.  Before they could retreat into the kitchen, Manderly Blakeney emerged from the den to meet her young man. To her delight, Jonathan took the initiative.

            “Mr. Blakeney? I’m Jonathan Mauk. Thank you for letting me come over so late in the evening.” He held out a hand, and Manderly shook it, but Tamberly noticed how closely her father was scrutinizing Jonathan with narrowed eyes.  His expression reminded her of how he would peer closely at something he was studying before reaching a decision. She frowned. Her father hadn’t acted that way when Rick courted Kimmy. Why would Jonathan be different?

            “Mauk. From New York, right?”

            “Actually, I’m from Massachusetts. Specifically Concord. My whole family’s from there. Several generations’ worth, in fact.”

            Manderly slowly nodded his head. “I hear you can cook. Where are you employed?”

            Jonathan gave him a rueful grin. “At the moment I’m not. I just finished apprenticing at a four star restaurant out on Long Island, and I was hoping to start my own business back home.”

            “You mean, open your own restaurant?” Manderly clarified.

            Jonathan nodded slightly. “Yes, sir.”

            “What kind?”

            “Well, I was sort of hoping to do something a little creative with traditional comfort food. Something along the lines of what Wolfgang Puck did with pizzas. Pizzaz up the commonplace. Give it a bit of a twist, but still retain that down home quality.”

            Tamberly felt the knot inside her slowly unravel as her father’s body language also loosened up. Apparently whatever had set him on edge was gone, thank goodness.

            “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”

            “When Uncle Morris got sick, Aunt Sofie called my mother. They’re sisters. Mom had told her I was out of school and looking for work to help tide me over until I could get myself established. I said I would help out with the tree business over the holidays.”

            “And you’re heading back home after Christmas?” Manderly continued to question him. Fortunately, Jonathan seemed to take it all in stride.

            “I’m going back to Vermont with Lyle to return the travel trailer. Originally, I had planned on leaving for home after spending a couple of days at my uncle’s place.”

            “Originally?”                       

            “Well...” This time Jonathan couldn’t hide his nervousness. “Well, my plans could change.”

            “Daddy?” Tamberly gave her father a warning look and held up the container. “You’re keeping me from my pie.”

            “That’s right. I’m sorry.” Manderly’s chuckle rumbled in his chest as a shadow of a smile crossed his lips. “I’m missing my show, too. It was nice to meet you, Jonathan...Mauk, right?”

            “Yes, sir.”

            “If I don’t see you again, happy holidays.”

            “You, too, sir.”

            They shook hands again, and Manderly left for the den and his television program. Tamberly gave Jonathan’s arm a little tug.

            “The kitchen’s this way,” she told him.