“Hey.” Nash struck a cowboy pose with his thumbs tucked into his two belt loops. The black cowboy hat was back to taunt her hormones.
“Hey, back.” Abby raised his sexy pose ante by tossing her head back and licking her lips. It had no effect on him. Why must this happen whenever she had hot romantic ideas about Nash? Total and complete embarrassment waited around the corner unless she could find a way to keep her wayward thoughts inside.
“What’s with the big smile? Are you that happy to see me?” Nash teased.
Drat, that man. “You wish, mister. It’s from an experiment gone right. This annoying smile should fade soon, so don’t go reading anything into it. I mean it, Nash.” Abby tried and failed to make a huffing sound.
“Right.” Nash hid his amusement and opened her door. “Anyway, I was leaving my building and saw your car, so I thought I’d wait for you.”
Abby climbed into the driver’s seat. “So, what are you doing now?” She felt a flush creeping up her neck as he crouched down at the open door. She would ignore his muscular thighs and focus on—his cowlick.
“Why are you staring at my forehead with that goofy smile?” Nash asked.
Here came the mortification. “I was admiring your spikey cowlick. It reminds me of an Amazon parrot with his colorful plume all fluffy and alluring—what are you doing? Why are you pulling me out of the car?” Abby grabbed her handbag.
“Because you’re not driving anywhere. You’re loopy as hell and need food and a good flushing of liquids. We’re going to dinner.” Nash laced his fingers through Abby’s and began walking them toward his vehicle.
She tried to make her lips pout, but she felt so happy holding Nash’s hand and having his eyes on her that she gave up. Charm’s crazy truth serum floating around her was going to ruin everything. “You make my heart flutter,” she blurted.
Nash’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “Is that a fact? This has the makings of an interesting night. Hop inside, damsel.”
Abby wanted to crawl into the backseat and cover her face with Nash’s jacket. Instead, she found an old stick of gum in her tote. Maybe if she kept her big yap chewing, there wouldn’t be another outburst.
Starting the engine, Nash turned. “Hungry?”
Abby nodded and popped her gum.
Nash did a double-take. “Hmm, gum. You’re going stealthy now to avoid risking further embarrassment by declaring how handsome and irresistible you find me.”
Abby spit the vile tasting gum into a tissue. “Would you please stop kidding around? I hate this let-her-rip behavior. It’s not me. If you’d act like a gentleman and tell me what the antidote is for this Charm truth serum, I’d not have to resort to chewing gum that’s as old as my antique hair barrette. It’s bad enough I can’t stop smiling. I feel like dancing.” Abby felt the heat rush to her face. “Hurry up. Take me to the closest food trough.”
Nash burst out laughing. “That would be our barbeque joint. You’re gonna love seeing the roasted pig on the buffet with an apple in his mouth.”
“Ugh, no way am I eating off a carcass.” An amazed Abby found she could gulp and maintain her smile. “What’s second-closest? Your teeth are so white. That’s really sexy, you know.”
Nash released another laugh. “Good to know you’re into my teeth. Let’s see, a second choice would be the Indian restaurant.”
“Go there, pronto. The spice might help dilute the orchid’s effect. Clearly, my dosing amount was too high.”
Nash picked up speed.
Abby felt her happiness increasing. Something else was coming forth. “I took belly dancing once. I think I’m pretty good at it.”
Nash choked and coughed. He stopped at a red light. “I might enjoy a demonstration later. Here, take a sip from my water bottle.” He wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
She passed the bottle back to Nash and watched him guzzle the contents. “Ooh, I make you hot and bothered. Do you have any duct tape for my mouth?” Abby’s smile expanded, along with her humiliation. “Look. There’s the Indian restaurant on the corner. Let’s get a booth and hold hands. I like to cuddle.” By all that’s holy, she may never set foot from her cottage again unless someone showed her how to break these truth-telling spells.
Nash whipped into the first available parking place and jumped out, coming to Abby’s side.
Abby speed-walked toward the restaurant’s door. “You said it was a buffet, right? Food on the ready? I like a man with full lips. Yours are.”
Nash surprised them both and stopped their forward movement. He pulled her in and claimed her mouth. Seconds later, he stepped back. His eyes jumped from her lips to her eyes. “You’re killing me here.”
“No sympathy. I’m already a goner.” Abby’s heart flutter had turned into a pounding beat. “Open that door and save us both.”
~*~
“Well, the good news is the hot curry extinguished my ridiculous smile. The bad news is I’m going to chew antacids for the next week.” Abby sat next to Nash in the restaurant parking lot. She felt relieved the truth-telling bout had all but vanished.
“There’s one thing I can say about you, Abby Drake. You’re never boring.”
“That’s not much to shout about, Nash Walker. So, no more delays. I’m normal again, and I want to hear what’s weighing on your mind. Where do you want to have this talk?”
“Under the stars at Angel Cascade. Would you go there with me?” Nash’s tone shifted to somber.
“Of course. I adore the falls. It’s where you took me the day I arrived. Besides, they have facilities which I’ll make use of after drinking a gallon of hot spiced tea.” Abby felt the liquid sloshing around with the curry. “Do you happen to have a mint? Not a Prism. A real mint.”
Nash nodded. “In the console. Help yourself and toss me one.”
Minutes later, they walked the path to Angel Cascade. The evening breeze had gone elsewhere, leaving dusk and its myriad shades of purples and blues to embrace them. They’d held their words inside until reaching their secluded place. Nash knelt to spread a blanket.
“What a magical site. I can almost feel the energy infusing the air with negative ions.” Abby took a deep breath.
“You’re definitely feeling the energy. It’s always here.” Nash said no more.
Abby decided to ease him into sharing. “Tell me about the twin boys. I gathered their arriving alone was an uncommon event.”
Nash nodded. He stretched out on the blanket and propped his head on his bent arm. “It’s a rarity. Their parents were tragically killed in an auto accident outside the loop. The boys escaped with minor abrasions, but the memories they’ll never forget.” Nash’s fingers touched the grass. “The twins walked into Charm. Thankfully, Bill and Bob were there to meet them and distract the little guys with their twin schtick.”
“That’s good, but still, how traumatic. They must feel terrified in a strange place and all alone. Don’t they have relatives back home to care for them?” Abby’s mind peppered her with plausible solutions.
“Sadly, no relatives exist. That’s one reason why Charm opened to them. There are other reasons too.” Nash stared off. “There’s a super nice couple who’ve wanted children for years but haven’t been successful getting pregnant. They heard about the twins and offered to care for them, and that’s where they are now. I’ve visited a couple of times to check on them.”
“How did you find the four getting along?” Abby turned to face Nash.
“Actually, I found them outside playing ball. To an outsider, they looked like a typical family having fun. When I pulled the boys aside, they begged to stay with their new parents. They called them Mom and Dad. Only in Charm,” said Nash, shaking his head.
“Yes, only in Charm,” agreed Abby. She waited a few seconds before continuing. “Are you ready to tell me?” Abby touched Nash’s arm. “I’m ready to listen.”
Nash nodded and reached in his pocket. He laid the nugget on the blanket and said nothing.
“Is that the nugget I found and gave to you?” Abby wondered what significance it held.
“Yes. You’re staring at my portal exit charm.” Nash swallowed hard.
“Holy cow. After all this time, you can leave here.” The news left her stunned. “When?”
Nash jumped in. “Here it is straight up. I’ve got to make my decision by tomorrow whether I’m going or not.”
Abby’s throat tightened. She wanted to wrap her arms around Nash and beg him to stay, but that would be wrong. Instead, she said, “I can’t even imagine the toll this is having on you. I want to help if I can. Do you have an idea of what you want to do?”
Nash ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, babe. Maybe. I’m so taken aback it’s happened now that I can’t seem to move past this place.”
Abby’s face brightened with an idea. “Would you like this quester to ask—?”
“Yes, please ask me the difficult questions that I can’t find the courage to ask myself.” Nash rubbed his eyes.
“I assume Bella is aware, and knowing her, gave you the freedom to choose what’s best for you.”
“Yes.” Nash didn’t move.
Abby pondered her next direction. “Is Charm’s Source or God guiding you toward leaving? Do you get a sense you’re supposed to go because of the charm?”
Nash sat up and looked at Abby. “No, it feels like I’m being given a reward for living on purpose. You know. A choice. I can’t discern the charm’s underlying meaning for me.”
“Do you have something or someone calling you to return? The work you left behind? Someone you cared for deeply?” The last question made her heart hurt. She held her breath for Nash’s reply.
He looked at her for a long moment before his expression changed.
“Did you get an aha?”
Nash stood, pulling Abby with him. “A partial aha, but still an aha. It’s moving me in the right direction.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“If I go back, I leave what matters most to me here. The very thing you asked me if I was going back to…someone or something. Don’t you see?” Nash’s eyes begged Abby’s understanding.
“Spell it out for me, if you don’t mind.” Abby pulled him down on the blanket. “Let’s do this sitting, please.”
“My old life is just that. It’s been years since I left. What I’d go back to doesn’t exist. I’d have to start fresh in a world that’s changed. I probably wouldn’t fit there. There is too much turmoil and unkindness. That’s why our work here is critical to helping evolve things. Maybe my talents belong here, where I can do the most good. Does that make rational sense?” Nash took a breath.
“That makes total sense to me. It’s logical, and I can tell it’s your truth. That leaves the someone.” She could use a fresh dose of orchid pheromones, should Nash crush her with his next words.
“Come closer for this answer.” He patted the place next to him.
Abby scooted over and felt her traitorous body react to his nearness. “Tell me.”
“There isn’t any someone in the old life that I’m missing. However, there are three at my house here and a town full of them that I’d be an idiot to leave behind. Still, I’m not sure.” Nash watched Abby’s reaction.
“Every single one of those people cares about you. That’s worth the sun and the moon.” Abby couldn’t help feeling crestfallen. She didn’t make the list unless he was counting her as a town someone. She didn’t want to count as a town someone. She wanted him to see her as the one, the way she saw him. Abby gazed at the man she liked more than a lot. She loved Nash. Tonight, there was no denying her feelings. Thinking of him leaving Charm—leaving her—proved it. She needed to get home before the big cry came calling. “Then your decision is to stay. Great. Hunky-dory. Let’s go.” Abby tried to stand, but Nash held her down.
“Hold up. Didn’t you hear my hesitation?” Nash tilted Abby’s face up to meet his.
“Hesitation? No. I heard you say your gifts are better served here with everyone, so you’re not going through the portal.” Abby paused, recognizing her failure. She’d tuned out whatever words came after the “someone” part. She needed to rise above her hurt feelings and support him. “You’re right, Nash. Forgive me. I got ahead of myself. How else can I help you with the last piece?” She settled back next to him.
“As I was trying to say, I’m unsure of two things. One of them you can answer, and the second you can’t. It’s complex. Would you please look at me?” Nash asked.
“Okay, I’m locked on. What’s my question?” Abby told herself to keep it together for a few more minutes.
Nash’s expression turned tender. His fingers brushed Abby’s cheek before outlining the curve of her lips.
She stopped breathing.
“If I don’t say this, I’ll lose my nerve.” Nash hesitated. “I want to stay for us.”
“For us?” whispered Abby. Did she hear him, right? They were an us?
His fingers trailed down her throat and then found her hand. He did a slow intertwine, like a lover’s dance. “Yeah, for us,” he answered, his voice husky. “Don’t you know that I’m in love with you, Abby Drake? And somehow, in a week, you’ve managed to become my everything.”
Stunned, Abby could only parrot, “Your everything?”
Nash sat back. Disappointment shone across his face. “I’m declaring my love, and all you’ve got for me are two-word repeats? Yes, I hope to stay for us. And yes, you’re my everything. Don’t you have more than two words for me?” he asked softly with pain in his voice.
Abby’s wits returned. Nash loved her. She loved him. All was right in their Charm world.
Relaxing, she reached up and pulled him down to her. “You know, mister, sometimes actions speak louder than words.” The rest of what she wanted to say was lost in their kiss. A kiss that lingered until the stars lit their way home.