The sun dipped behind the mountain as Hidden Haven came into view. Aubrey and Will abandoned their tire swing and ran to greet Abby and Nash.
“Guess what, Miss Abby?” Will hopped around her on one leg.
Aubrey got in front of her brother. “Will, you have to say it like this. Guess what we’re having for dinner?”
Chuckling, Abby stooped down and clasped both kids’ hands. “Let me think. I know. Fried toads.” She caught Nash’s grin and returned it.
“Gross,” Aubrey pulled a face.
“Guess again.” Will giggled as Nash scooped him up.
“Okay, my last guess, and then you must tell me because I’m starving.” Abby tapped her forehead. “I’ve got it this time. Grasshopper popsicles.”
“Double gross,” Aubrey answered, wrinkling her nose.
“I want grasshopper popsicles,” declared Will, pounding his chubby hands on top of Nash’s head.
“One of you, please tell me what we’re eating.” A smiling Abby followed everyone up the porch steps.
“Mama’s made tacos, and we don’t have to use a fork,” answered Will, clinging to Nash’s head.
“We get to make homemade ice cream,” chimed Aubrey. “I picked the peaches.”
“Sounds yummy. Excuse me, everyone, while I see if Bella needs help to hurry that dinner.” Abby opened the screen door and pivoted. “Nash, thanks again for…everything. You’ve made this crazy Charm encounter feel like an enchanted getaway.”
“The best part, it’s all free,” said Nash.
“Hmm, that’s debatable,” Abby said cryptically and disappeared into the house.
~*~
On the backyard patio, Nash sat with an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream churn between his legs. He glanced up at the four expectant faces. “I’ve been turning this thing for six years. Bella, can you please take a peek and see if it’s ice cream?” Dressed in clean jeans and a navy polo shirt, Nash took extra care when releasing the lid.
Abby looked away from his exposed biceps and forced her attention to handing out napkins and spoons. “This is going to taste so yum. Isn’t it, kids?”
“Can we fill our bowls?” Aubrey smacked her lips.
Will jumped up and took his bowl over to Nash. “Me first.”
Bella was busy scraping ice cream from the paddles. “Find your manners, Will. Abby gets first scoops because she’s our guest and a new friend.”
Nash ruffled his nephew’s hair. “You can go next, buddy, if you don’t pout. Bella, this looks like ice cream to me. Agreed?”
“Yes. Pass me your bowl, Abby. Get ready to taste the best peach ice cream ever made.” Bella put two large scoops into the glass bowl.
“That sounds peachy,” Abby quipped.
“What sounds peachy?” asked a male voice entering the patio.
Bella glanced up. “Well, if it isn’t Bob and—”
“And the quiet one bringing up the rear,” Bob finished. He came closer to the group. Wearing a big grin, he peered inside the churn. “Bill, get over here and take a gander at this fresh peach ice cream. I’d say we timed our visit near perfect.”
Bella handed each man a bowl. “You two have some kind of radar for sweets.”
“That’s for sure,” voiced Nash. “Get in line, boys. Maybe there’ll be something left for you.”
“We’re not worried ‘cause we can gobble your share. You’ve got somewhere to go. That’s why we stopped by,” Bob explained. “Here, I’ll do the scooping in your absence.” Bob snagged the utensil while Bill pulled Nash from his chair.
Abby took a bite of her cream, appreciating the comical scene unfolding.
“Where do I have to go? My dish—” Nash protested the takeover.
“Your dish will have to wait. Here, let me take that off your hands.” Bob took a bite. “Man, is that good.”
Bill stepped in. “Listen, Nash, we’re sorry to intrude on your evening, but we got us a new arrival, and the fellow’s having a hard time. We know this because his vehicle has been circling town for the past hour. Figured the mayor needed to step in and deliver a Charm welcome.” Bill snagged the bowl from his brother and refilled it.
Bella passed napkins to Bob and Bill. “Go on, Nash. I promise not to let these two ice cream moochers claim your share.” She smacked Bob’s hand as he tried to take her dish in fun.
Nash went over to Abby. “I guess I’d better go. If I don’t get home too late, maybe we could take another turn on that porch swing?”
“That sounds nice.” Abby managed a wave, already feeling the void left by Nash’s departure. “Bella, is there enough left for a small second serving? I’ve fallen in love…with homemade ice cream.” Abby hurried to add the last phrase, fearing Charm’s truth spell might have her embarrass herself again.
“But of course. I’m so pleased you’ve developed an affection for confection.” Bella laughed.
“Hear that one, Bill? Our Bella is a poet. ‘Affection for confection.’ It’s catchy. Elbert needs to put on that on the dairy bar sign. Right, our Bella?” Bob took another bite.
“Whatever you say, Bob.” Bella’s face glowed in amusement. “You all excuse me while I go tidy the kitchen and get my two kids ready for bed. Stay as long as you like.” Bella scooped a dish full of ice cream for Nash and took it with her.
Abby spoke first. “So, Twins, you say Charm has a new arrival? Did he happen to stop for directions, like me?”
“Nope, this one’s skittish. The guy keeps driving into town and stepping out of his car with a cell phone.” Bob laid his empty bowl aside.
“Yes, he waved that gadget around, asking the other party if they could hear him. I guess they couldn’t because he jumped on the fool thing, muttering all kinds of unsavory words. Isn’t that so, Bob?
“That he did. Got back in his expensive sports car and took another turn around Charm. You know the route, Miss Abby, having made it yourself on Monday,” Bob chuckled.
Abby groaned. “Don’t remind me. Right now, I’m trying hard to assimilate until I get beamed back to reality.” Abby smiled at both men. They were irresistible. “Tell me. What role does Mayor Nash play with this lost guy?”
Bill smirked. “He’s got this way about him to calm people when they arrive all agitated. It doesn’t happen very often, which is a good thing. We don’t want Nash using precious time on these encounters. He has more important doings to see to.”
“Yup, we kept hoping the fellow would settle down. You know, get something to eat until his head accepted the truth of things in Charm.” Bob stood up.
Abby’s eyebrow raised. “The truth of things?”
The brother’s exchanged looks.
“Quiet one, you take this,” Bob waited.
Bill shook his head. “You always give me the hard questions to answer. This time, it’s yours. Tell our Miss Abby what she wants to know.”
“And risk Gita giving me what for? No sirree. I’m not about to interfere with her activities. Sorry, Abby, but any questions go to Gita.” Bob motioned for his brother to follow him.
“It’s totally fine, guys. Honest, I don’t want to get you in the doghouse with Gita. Besides, I’m supposed to spend time with her tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll cover a lot of woo-woo things.” Abby rose from her chair.
“We appreciate your understanding. Don’t we, brother?”
Bill gave a brief nod. “See ya soon, Miss Abby. We sure enjoyed the ice cream. Tell Bella.”
“I will. Goodnight, guys.”
Abby watched them disappear around the corner of the house. She wondered what landed the two men in Charm. But more, she wondered what the truth of things meant. Abby gathered the dishes to wash. Claiming the porch swing could wait a few minutes.
At ten o’clock and still not seeing Nash’s vehicle return, Abby headed upstairs to bed. The latest arrival must have asked a great deal from him, but hadn’t she too? Abby reflected on the time Nash had invested in helping her acclimate. She told herself it was a part of his job and nothing more. That realization served as a reminder. She’d better work hard at squashing her growing feelings for Nash if it wasn’t too late.