Chapter Thirteen

He stared into the darkness as night fell, sipping his glass of bourbon and numbly tuning into the subtle flavors of orange, vanilla, and spice rolling over his tongue. It took two stiff drinks before he could relax enough to sleep. He remained on the couch. His memory kept returning to their romp in bed. She’d been so warm and responsive in his arms just hours earlier. He desired to have her in his arms right now. But he felt the distance growing between them with her uncertainty. And it made him nervous.

He stroked the parrot nesting on his chest. He would do everything in his power to help her find a way out of the spell. Then he could love her the way he wanted to, the way she deserved.

He dozed fitfully throughout the night; in his mind he reviewed his plan, ready to put it into motion as soon as he got to his office. He was staring at the ceiling when the alarm he’d set on his cell phone chimed. Cupping her to his chest with one hand, he rose and punched the off button. She wriggled free and flew into the kitchen where she perched on the back of a stool.

“I’ve decided to go with you,” she said, extending her wings. “If that’s still okay.”

“Of course it is. I was hoping you’d agree.” He stood and stretched tired muscles, a jubilant mood washing over him. She was coming with him. Yes.

* * *

Tyler was a short hour-and-a-half ride from Nocturne Falls. Kianso had put up the topper on the car this morning because of the damp, misty weather. He drove straight to his office and arrived early, according to what he’d told her—in time to tackle what he’d planned for Lilly Reese before he began his appointments.

Sasha was skeptical and curious about his intentions. How could he possibly get Lilly to agree to come to Nocturne Falls? Her acceptance was the first step. The second was to get her to revoke the spell—yes, her cooperation would be the easiest solution—but beyond that, was there another way to undo the spell? Sasha sighed, not at all convinced Lilly would help her.

Her heartbeat thrummed against her ribs. Her eyes grew moist.

If things didn’t work out, then she would disappear. It wasn’t fair to entangle him in her strange half existence.

She wanted to believe him. Still, a tiny damaged part of her deep inside wondered if she could truly trust anyone.

With a deep breath, she regained her composure. She perched on Kianso’s shoulder as he collected information from the internet. She recognized Lilly’s address and phone number when he scrolled down the screen. “That’s her,” she bit out.

He grabbed the information. Then he typed a very official-looking letter declaring that Lilly was the winner of a five-day and four-night, all-expense-paid trip for two to Nocturne Falls over Halloween, October 28 through November 1.

“For two? That’s mighty generous.”

“She will be more likely to use the offer if she can bring a friend. Don’t you think?”

“Yes. Smart thinking. All she has to do is get there. The drive from Montgomery to Nocturne Falls is nothing, less than four hours.” She thought of her own trip nine months ago. It had taken her two days because of the curse. Since she was only in human form a short time each day, she’d had to split the driving time into two segments. Her car filled with the few things she’d brought was still parked at Caroline’s house.

“I’m paying for this,” she insisted.

“Hey, it’s my idea. I’m offering up Seth’s condo for them to stay at. I’m sure he won’t mind. It’s probably too late to find accommodations elsewhere.”

“True. Okay. But I’m picking up all other tabs. Let’s include three hundred dollars in food.”

“That will be an added benefit.” He smiled at her. “If you weren’t a bird right now, I’d squeeze the daylights out of you.”

“Hold that thought until this evening.” She shot him a sideways glance, not at all sure her eyes conveyed the desire she felt.

Sasha pulled herself back to the task at hand and clamped her beak shut Would Lilly take the bait? She hoped so.

“What if she doesn’t respond?”

“I’d hate to resort to plan B,” he grumbled.

“What’s that?”

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Kidnap her perhaps.”

“You can’t do that.” Even as she protested, she couldn’t help the unbidden image of Lilly resting in the back seat of the Mustang with her hands and feet wrapped in duct tape. No, she couldn’t do that even to people who had wronged her.

He glanced at her. “We’ll see about that. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. It’s up to her.”

She watched him, admiring the determination in his eyes. It was a side of him she hadn’t seen, yet she liked a lot. She was touched that he was willing to go to such lengths to help her.

The final lines were the cherry on top. The instructions indicated a response must be received by October 20 or the offer would be forfeited. He listed his law firm’s e-mail contact for a quicker response. Brilliant. That way they’d know if she planned on coming to town, or not.

Of course, there was always the possibility of her saying one thing and not following through…the tiny negative voice in the far corner of her brain chimed in. Pressing her lips together, she squashed it.

This would work. It had to, or else she’d be stuck in this limbo forever.

* * *

It was a grueling wait. For nine days, she helped Kianso check his mail and inbox, anticipating Lilly’s reply. They were down to the deadline without an acceptance.

With every minute that passed, she grew more nervous.

They had gotten into a routine, playing house during her normal hours, with her keeping him company during the day at his office. Over the weekends they drove to Nocturne Falls. Today was Friday, so they were on their way.

He had arranged his schedule so that they drove during the mid-afternoon to Nocturne Falls. That put them in town at dinner hour when she could make the most of her three hours in human form.

She eyed the phone on the console between the seats where his cell phone rested in silence.

She sighed, transferring her focus outside the car. The skies were clear, the weather brisk, and the leaves on the trees had already turned orange and red. She tried to appreciate the gorgeous fall day. As they drove into town, with perfect scheduling, she changed into her human self. She stretched in the bucket seat and then lifted his phone to peer at it one more time, wondering if she’d missed the chime of an e-mail. Nothing.

She chewed on the corner of her last good fingernail. What were they going to do now?

“Staring at it won’t make the mail happen,” he said with far more lightness in his voice than she felt.

“I know.” She placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned in, giving him a kiss on his cheek. “You’ve been wonderful. Thanks for helping me keeping my sanity.”

“Is that all I’ve helped you with?” he teased.

A flush rushed into her cheeks. “Hmm. I have gotten rid of a lot of pent-up energy lately.” She couldn’t help but grin back at him.

He winked at her. And like that, her mood improved. The warm swish in her chest that she always got at his sexy smile filled her.

At Mummy’s Diner, he parked, got out of the Mustang, and walked around to open the door for her. They had become Friday night regulars at the restaurant. He was motioning for her to enter when his phone chimed.

Sasha straightened, watching him as he looked at the screen. His eyes twinkled.

“What is it?” Her heart raced.

He rotated the phone around so she could read the message. I’m thrilled to claim my prize. I will arrive in Nocturne Falls as indicated on October 28.

She gave a little squeal and threw her arms around his neck. “You did it! Now if she doesn’t back out or something—”

He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted it, looking into her eyes. “Whatever happens, you’re my true love. Always. We are meant to be together.”

She gave him a half smile without saying a word because she didn’t want to lie. She swallowed the peach pit-sized lump in her throat, all scratchy and painful. If this didn’t work, then she would leave and allow him to get on with living a whole life.