Abby sat alone with her thoughts. Gita had said goodbye, promising to return in a day or so with more structure to the lessons. Trying not to dwell on the lessons, Abby spent time among the roses. She took a deep inhale of their fragrance, touching the velvety petals, and admiring the unknown varieties. A bush of tri-colored blue roses caused her jaw to drop. “Impossible.”
“Not in Charm.” Nash joined her. “Hi, Abby.” He touched one of the blue shaded roses and cut one with his pocketknife. “For you. This serves as proof.”
Abby accepted the flower, avoiding the thorns with careful fingers. “Thank you. I was hoping to see you before the day was done with me.”
“Want to tell me what the day has done to you?” Nash’s expression showed concern but was tinged by amusement.
Abby moved to admire the next bush of mint green rose petals. “Oh, a little of this and a whole lot of that. I’ll spare you the details.” Abby pointed to the bloom. “Would you cut me one of these?”
Nash nodded and snipped the rose. “I know too much of ‘that’ can kick the strongest butts. You need a distraction. Something that resembles a typical evening, like your Crestview life.”
“A normal something in Charm? I’m in for that kind of ‘that.’ What should I do?” Abby felt almost giddy, thinking of experiencing normal.
Nash laughed. “I think we should go on a date tonight.”
“A date? You and me?” Abby stammered, feeling attraction was back to haunt her. May her mouth behave.
“Yes, a date. I messed this up. Let me try again. Abby, would you like to go out with me this evening?” Nash’s expression shifted to hopeful.
“Why yes, I would like that very much,” answered unfiltered Abby. This time she didn’t beat herself up. She needed to feel normal more than expending energy, worrying about her unfiltered words finding Nash.
“Great. So, you should definitely wear those overalls. By the way, I like them on you. Suits you in Charm.” Nash’s dimples winked at Abby.
“Oh, the overalls were a ‘this’ that I didn’t mind.” Abby tugged on the straps and did a little sway. “Anyway, thank you, and what time will you call for me?” Playing the date thing was proving a happy distraction.
Nash looked at his watch. “My lady, I shall wait on the front lawn in, say, fifteen minutes?”
Abby felt a grin tug at her lips. “I mustn’t tarry.” She took off in a run toward the house, hearing Nash’s laughter behind her. She liked the sound…a lot.
~*~
Running a brush through her hair and applying coral lip gloss was the only improvement Abby accomplished with her appearance. She didn’t count the quick spritz of her favorite gardenia perfume as an improvement, more as an enhancement. With a wave, she breezed past Bella and the kids enjoying a meal. Abby headed out the front door with a minute to spare.
Nash watched in appreciation as Abby bounded down the porch steps. “I can’t recall the last time I had a date act so enthusiastic about going out with me. My ego is plenty stroked.”
Abby punched his arm. “I’m jazzed to play at ‘normal,’ so tell your ego to step it back a notch,” Abby teased.
“You’ve shattered me.” Nash touched his heart. “But I recover fast. Speaking of play, that’s where I’m taking you tonight.”
“What do you mean?” Abby didn’t object when he held her hand, walking to the SUV.
“We’re seeing an outdoor play starring Charm’s own stable of actors. Also, we need dinner, so I put cheese, fruit, and a snatched loaf of Bella’s French bread into a basket. We’re all set.” Nash opened the passenger door.
“I like the way you craft a date. This sounds fun and very normal.” Abby noticed the blanket waiting in the backseat along with the picnic basket. For a moment, she almost forgot this was happening in Charm. “What’s the play?”
“Glad to hear you approve. The play? Actually, I forgot to ask.” Nash shrugged. “It’s going to surprise us.”
Abby settled into the seat. “I like surprises, most of the time.”
She’d love to take the opportunity to ask Nash more Charm questions, but he was trying to give her an evening that resembled life in Crestview. She would thank him by being a fun date.
They’d been driving a few minutes when Abby caught sight of Sander walking in a nearby field. “Hey, we just passed Sander with a walking stick. What’s he doing?”
Nash exhaled and rolled his eyes. “He’s determined there’s a way out of Charm. The poor sap thought walking a straight line would free him. Logically that should work, but—”
“He’s about to find himself back in Charm, just like me.”
“Yup, and even if he sprouts wings, he’s going to circle us. I give the guy credit for persevering. If not for having Bella and the kids along with me, I’d probably have done the same drills. Anyway, Sander’s long walkabout will lead him to acceptance. I expect he’ll tuck himself back in at the Astor Sisters’ B&B later.”
Abby chuckled. “It’s only funny because of how you’re telling the story. Poor Sander.”
“Nah, he’s going to do fine. I expect he’ll come looking for me tomorrow morning. Now, how about that moon?” Nash pointed up through the moonroof.
“I’ll be jitterbugged if that orb isn’t huge, orange, and beautiful. Lucky us, we get to sit under it and the stars tonight. Hey, is that the place?” Abby saw cars piling into a park.
“That’s our destination, Lake Lillian. It takes a couple of minutes to get around to the outdoor theatre.” Nash waved to a car full of teenagers.
“Lake Lillian? Any relation to Lillian who turned me into loving overalls? The same Lillian who owns Wisteria Boutique?”
“Man, you did get around today. To answer your question, yes. Thanks to Lillian’s sharing, Charm has this two-hundred-acre lake to enjoy. The Avery home sits on that rise where the lights are shining.”
“I’m not asking woo-woo questions tonight. I’m going to nod my head politely and say what a lovely site for a home and a perfect size lake for all kinds of activities. I’ll have to drive over in the daytime and check it out.”
“Or I can bring you over, and we can canoe to a location where we’re doing some research. There’s a large granite-like monolith on the land,” explained Nash.
“First, I accept the canoe trip with anticipation. Second, so you know, granite-like did register with me, and I passed another test not to ask questions.” Abby high-fived herself.
“Such willpower.” Nash parked. “If you’ll bring the blanket, I’ll grab the basket.”
Abby opened the back door and retrieved the plaid spread, thinking so far this evening felt relatively conventional. She went to Nash and clasped his outstretched hand. “I’m still wondering what play we’re seeing.”
“The sign is over there. Can you make it out?” Nash walked faster.
“Yeah, it reads ‘Twinkle Little Fairies.’ That explains the young girls who ran by us carrying wands. Nash, I fear—”
“Hi, Uncle Nash. We beat you here. You didn’t take the shortcut.” Aubrey danced around them, waving her wand. “Mama, over here. Abby and Uncle Nash are here.”
Bella and Will were engaged in talking to a young couple with two boys.
Nash rubbed his forehead and looked at Abby with a sheepish expression. “Guess I’m out of practice on planning an ordinary date. I’m sorry. We don’t have to stay for Twinkle Little Fairies.”
“It’s fine. Actually, it’s hilarious.” Abby glanced at the costumed children running about and burst into laughter.
Aubrey slowed her wand’s movement. “You have to stay, Uncle Nash. Don’t you want to meet the fairies? Abby, tell him.”
“Don’t you want to meet the fairies, Uncle Nash?” asked Abby before laughter overtook her again.
“Seriously?” Nash waved Bill and Bob off when they offered him a wand.
Abby chose a green one from their stack. “Abracadabra, Nash wants to meet the fairies. That should take care of it, Aubrey.”
“This date night is getting better by the minute. Now you’re conjuring Gita’s cats.” Nash gave a brief laugh. “Okay, I’m in for a pound. Give me your hands, ladies. I’ll escort you to the best seats in the house.” He motioned to Bella that Aubrey was going with them.
Abby and Aubrey took turns casting spells on Nash, the good sport until the play began.
~*~
“You know, Nash, the play was tons of fun. Dare I say full of charm?” Abby tossed her wand into the backseat.
“I’m glad you got so many laughs, and at my expense. Remind me to hide your wand once we get home,” Nash threatened. “Listen, would you mind riding with me to the Astor Sisters’ place? I’d like to make sure Sander’s returned.”
“I wouldn’t mind at all. It’s only nine o’clock, so I’m not worried about turning into a pumpkin,” Abby joked. Being with Nash felt natural. She liked everything about the guy, probably too much. She’d have to try to find some faults. One question came calling, and since it was regarding a fact, she saw no harm in asking. “What’s the population of Charm?”
“Good question.” Nash made a right turn and glanced at Abby. “It depends.”
“Swell. Answer again. Do better, Mr. Mayor.” Abby folded her arms.
Nash laughed lazily. “I was going to say it depends on the time of year. We have fewer arrivals in the winter. For the most part, the population hovers around three thousand, give or take.”
“Good to know, I guess.” Abby pondered if that number served the village’s needs. Within a moment, she canceled her mind’s rambling. Of course it did. They had enough of everything. All of Charm lived in balance, just as nature strived to do, despite humans’ inconsiderate behaviors.
“What has you thinking?” Nash steered the SUV into the inn’s gravel parking area.
“I was thinking about how everything in Charm manages to function in accord. It’s really quite astounding.” Abby tilted her head, thinking about what she’d learned.
“Yes, and it’s something we don’t take for granted. Look, this will take all of two minutes. Do you want to stay or go with me?” Nash grasped the door handle.
Abby smiled. “That’s easy. I’ll stay and keep the full moon company. Good luck with—”
“Remember? Luck—”
“Isn’t needed in Charm. Good luck anyway.” Abby made a shooing gesture.
Nash jogged toward the B&B’s front door.
Good to his word, Nash was back in a flash. Abby smiled at the rhyme. “How did it go with Mr. My Way?”
“As I expected, he’s moved into the state of ‘Someone please help me.’ So, now we can.” Nash started the engine.
“Does that mean Gita has another quester?” Abby was curious about what kind of guidance awaited Sander.
Nash shook his head. “No, he’s not a fit for Gita’s advanced teachings. See? Didn’t I say you were sharp?”
“I seriously doubt after spending time with me, Gita will tap me as valedictorian. I scored a fat F on my first day at Gita School.”
“You can’t fail in Charm, but you can stand still. Sorry. That’s not date talk. Is it?”
“It’s okay. I’m the one who veered off.” Abby stared out the window as they drove through the village. Everything looked buttoned-up, except for each store and office window had an unusual, amber-colored glow. “What’s that odd light coming from all the shops?” Abby peeped at Nash. “More Charm hokum, right?”
“It depends on your views. Okay, I’ll give it to you straight and hope Gita doesn’t chase me down. Every night, Abby, whatever is needed in Charm arrives. Close your trap. You asked for this hokum.” Nash chuckled.
“Yes, I did. Dumb me. Go on.”
“For example, take Wisteria Boutique. Lillian makes requests for merchandise, and it appears during the night. Also, things come that aren’t requested but are still needed.”
Abby gulped. “By golly, I think you’re serious and not spinning me some yarn.”
Nash laughed again. “I am. Before you ask if anyone has stayed in a shop to witness this Santa Claus thing, as Aubrey calls it, the answer is yes. When I say things appear, things appear. Once you’ve observed it a few times, you get cool with the whole process.”
“You get cool, huh?” Abby dropped the window and let the wind blow across her face. “Merchandise and whatever else is needed just…poof…shows up in the middle of the night? Poof.” She snapped her fingers.
“You got it. Look, we’d better leave it there. Gita has her lessons planned, and I’ve overstepped.” Nash eyed Abby. “You doing okay?”
“Poof. Things simply appear.” She dropped the window more and gulped air. “Poof, the fairies fill the shelves. Poof, my English cottage materializes. Poof.”
“Your cottage? Already?” Nash’s expression showed surprise. “Abby, that’s fantastic.”
“Fantastic? No, it’s unnerving. It’s crazy. It’s too much of a poof for me to process. Ask William. I was a one-woman play this afternoon.” Abby released her ponytail to the wind and decided gulping air felt good.
“That is fast. I can see why you’d feel overwhelmed.” Nash observed Abby’s actions for a moment. “Does eating air help you somehow?”
“Seems to.” Abby ate more bites.
“I’ll have to give it a try when I’m not driving.” Nash’s tone sounded teasing.
“Definitely. Though I think I may have overdone it a tad.” Abby closed her mouth and the window. She touched her stomach.
Nash’s laugh echoed in the vehicle. “Seriously, you know the invite to stay with us doesn’t expire. Move whenever you like.” Nash turned onto the highway.
“Thank you for that, but part of this poofing tells me I must have to stay awhile if I need a home. I kept hoping a few days here would find me back in Crestview.” Abby sniffed. “Alas, no, it seems.”
Nash pulled the vehicle over and turned in his seat to face Abby. His voice dropped in timbre. “Would it be so awful to spend a little more time with us in Charm? With me? In this wonderful place around people that care about you discovering your gifts, and having a life full of joy and blessings? You’d choose to give up this amazing journey and go back to the daily grind? The grind of the unfulfilled?”
Abby studied Nash, weighing his words in the place that mattered, her heart. She didn’t know why or how she’d been brought to Charm, but Nash was right. She’d been given a gift, an opportunity to experience something beyond incredible. All that was asked was to accept and appreciate. Was there a part of her willing to make such a commitment? Yes, there was. In that moment, Abby chose to ignore her mind’s fear-driven chatter. Instead, she reached for Nash Walker’s strong, trustworthy hand. The hand that offered her the Charm moon. She looked into those emerald eyes of his, and her tenuous hold on rational behavior dissolved.
Abby’s next words came in a whisper. “Nash, I might choose Charm, given time. I like the Charm life you’ve been showing me. I like feeling this happiness bubbling inside of me.”
Nash released a pent-up breath. “You might choose Charm, huh? I can help.” His fingers reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he pulled Abby into his rock-hard chest.
Abby melted into his arms and accepted his kiss…a tender kiss that held promise.