Banished: Book 1 of The Grimm Laws (13 page)

“
B
etter hold on
,” Rush called over his shoulder as he revved up the engine on his motorcycle.

Elle nodded and begrudgingly put her arms around his waist. The physical reaction was so swift that she went dizzy for a second, and she had to remind herself that the only reason he was taking her to work was because Rae cajoled him into it. It was ridiculous to be this attracted to a guy that was so wishy-washy. One minute he was agreeing to put the past behind them and start fresh, and the next, he was throwing her weakness in her face. So what if she’d said what she did in his mother’s stupid class. So what! And she had a sneaking suspicion that Ms. Porter had orchestrated the whole thing, just so Rush could hear her say it! Ms. Porter had obviously recognized her, meaning that she’d been to Rush’s house a few times—no surprise considering they were next-door neighbors. A horrific thought entered her head: Had Rush told his mother the details about their relationship? She shuddered. That would be creepy! He didn’t seem like the sharing type. She got distracted from her thoughts when she felt his muscles grow taut underneath his jacket as he maneuvered the bike around a curve. She was forced to lean into him. Her breath caught. His nearness was intoxicating. Every cell in her body thrilled at being near him, but her head knew better. She allowed herself one whiff of his leather jacket before scooting back on the seat, as far away from him as she could while still holding onto his waist.

A strand of his hair whipped her across her face, a cutting reminder that she was the reason he wasn’t wearing a helmet. He’d not been planning on taking her to work, so he only had one helmet. Despite her protests, he’d insisted that she be the one to wear it. “I’ll be fine,” he said with that crooked smile that had the power to make her go weak in the knees. For all of his faults, he was a gentleman, even though it pained her to admit it. He’d willingly come to her aid time and time again, which was a lot more than she could say for Edward. She scowled at the thought. They turned onto an open stretch of road, and he crouched forward into the bike. Inertia pushed her forward, close against him, where she leaned into his back. She fleetingly wondered if he’d sped up on purpose, just so that would happen. The world was whizzing past in a blur. She closed her eyes, releasing her thoughts to the swirling movement around them. In that tiny moment, she felt free from all of the problems. Rush was the only other person in the world. They were riding along—no galloping. She was wearing a long dress, and they were on a horse. The love she felt for him was burning—all consuming. She could hardly breathe. Every hope she could ever have was tied to him. He was more than her love, he was her all.

“Elle?”

She shook her head. They were still on the bike, and Rush was looking back at her funny.

“What?”

“You zoned out … or something.”

She shook her head, remembering the crazy thoughts that had overruled her good sense.
They were on a horse? Galloping across a meadow? Really?
She was losing it for sure.

“We’re here,” Rush said. “That means, you can let go of me now.”

Her face flamed when she realized that she was still pressed close against him, holding on for all it was worth. “Oh!” she exclaimed, her eyes going wide. She let go of his waist and scooted back. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

He chuckled and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “You know, Elle, if you want to go out on a date, all you have to do is ask.”

Hot prickles pelted her, making her humiliation complete. “Thanks for the ride,” she said stiffly, getting off the bike. She removed the helmet and handed it to him.

“Hey there, I was wondering when you were going to arrive.”

Elle turned and saw Adele standing on the porch. She was donning another flowing dress, but this one had pink and orange swirls. Adele walked down the steps. She peered at Rush over her turquoise glasses. “I see you brought a friend.” She gave him an appraising look.

Elle did the introductions. “This is Rush. Rush, this is my aunt Adele.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Rush extended a hand. Elle smiled inwardly when she saw Rush’s gaze settle on Adele’s corkscrew hair that was poking out wildly in all directions.

Adele clasped his hand and then placed her other hand over the top. “I was wondering when I would finally have the opportunity to meet you.” She cut her eyes at Elle. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Rush looked surprised and then amused. He directed a questioning look at Elle. Of all the ridiculous things for Adele to say! How could she explain to Rush that her aunt was a touch loony? There was nothing she could do but stand there and look stupid.

Adele linked her arm through Rush’s. “Come inside.”

“Oh, I wasn’t planning on going in, I was just dropping off Elle.” The words spilled out so quickly that it was obvious that he was trying to get away.

“Of course you were, dear,” Adele said with a broad smile. She pointed. “Park your bike over there, and join us inside.”

His eyes went wide, and he started shifting back and forth. “I really can’t stay, I have to get home and do some homework.”

Elle bit back a smile. It was fun watching him squirm.

Adele cocked her head. “Okay, if you must go, you must. Pity though, I was planning on showing you kids around the building.”

“Some other time,” Rush said. He looked like he might sprout wings and fly off if he had to stay a minute longer. He placed the helmet on his head and began adjusting the strap.

“I suppose the practice room will have to wait,” Adele said, giving him a speculative look.

Elle’s jaw dropped. What did she say?

Rush stopped. “I’m sorry?”

“The practice room.” Adele gave him a smile that held a hint of reproof. “It was my understanding that you and your fellow band members were in need of a place to practice. Perhaps I was wrong.” She shrugged. “My mistake.”

Rush shot Elle an incredulous look to which she could only shrug. Maybe Adele was clairvoyant. Somehow she’d known she needed a job and now this.

Adele started walking up the steps leading to The Chocolate Fountain.

“Wait!” Rush called after her.

She turned.

“I’ve got time to take a tour,” he said, ripping off his helmet. “I’ll park my bike and will be right in.”

“Yes, I thought so,” Adele said thoughtfully. “Come, Elle, there’s much I want to show you.”

“B-but how?” Elle blustered, following behind her. “How did you know we needed a place to practice? And how did you know I needed a job? And the words on the paper … they magically appeared.”

A mysterious smile curved the older woman’s lips. “A lady never divulges her secrets, dear.”

Elle started wringing her hands. “But—”

Adele held a finger to her lips. “Shh … come.”

B
y the time
eight o’clock rolled around, Elle was swimming in chocolate … literally! A woman of her word, Adele had taken Elle and Rush on a tour of the building. She’d explained that she wasn’t using the attic at the moment, so they could practice there. The attic was at least three times larger than Rae’s garage and much nicer. Elle couldn’t believe their good fortune, but Rush wasn’t convinced. “But won’t the noise bother the customers?” he had asked. “We really appreciate your help, but we don’t want it to hurt your business.”

Elle couldn’t believe her ears. Adele was offering them a place to practice … a solution, and Rush was throwing a monkey wrench in it!

Adele smiled. “How thoughtful of you to be concerned with the customers.” She gave Elle a censured look.

Elle rocked back, stunned. The sting of embarrassment crept up her neck. Adele had read her thoughts … she was sure of it!

“Most people would be worried about themselves, but you …” Adele turned her full attention to Rush, giving him a glowing look, bordering on adoration. “My dear boy, you’re just as kind as Merek said you were, but you need not worry yourself with the noise. I’ll take care of that.”

“Who’s Merek,” Rush had whispered in Elle’s ear when Adele wasn’t looking.

“I haven’t the slightest,” Elle whispered back. Later, in private, she would have to explain her aunt’s eccentricity, although she herself was having a hard time figuring out her aunt. How was she supposed to explain her to anyone else?

After Rush left, Adele turned to Elle. “Let’s go to the kitchen, and I’ll show you how to pour chocolate.”

It was on the tip of Elle’s tongue to apologize for her earlier thoughts, but then she realized how ridiculous that would be. They were thoughts, for goodness sakes!

Adele patted her on the hand. “No need to worry. No one is perfect, dear.”

Words couldn’t express the confusion she was feeling over Adele, so she just shook her head.

“By the way, how’s his mother doing?”

“Ms. Porter?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know his mother?”

Adele flashed a cryptic smile. “We go way … way back.”

Elle made a face. “Really?” She paused. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

“So, you’ve figured that part out, huh? Smart girl.”

“What?” She shook her head. She’d expected Adele to say something soothing like,
Of course she likes you, dear. How could she not?
But to flat-out agree with her? It was unnerving to say the least. “I don’t understand … what do you mean?”

Adele looked at the ceiling. “Oh, puddle wax! Here I go again, saying too much.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t you even start with me, Merek!”

Merek? That’s the name Adele had mentioned earlier. “Who’s Merek?”

Adele’s face turned cherry red. “Oh, drats!” She clenched her fists. “Enough talk! We’ve got work to do.”

And so they poured chocolate. They poured at least a hundred molds each of milk, dark, and white chocolate, totaling over three hundred molds. And they did it all in the midst of Adele running back and forth to wait on customers. Elle let out a grateful sigh when the last bowl was washed and the counters wiped clean. Adele removed her apron the minute the cuckoo clock chimed eight o’clock. “Time to close up shop for the day.” She motioned. “Come, and I’ll show you how to close down the register.”

That’s when Elle felt a flash of panic. How was she going to get home? She’d completely forgotten about that. She hated to ask Adele, but asking her was better than asking Sera. She cleared her throat. “Um, would you mind giving me a ride home?”

“Why of course, dear, but I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”

“It’s not?” Elle said, dubiously.

“No.” Adele gave her a mischievous smile. She looked toward the door. “I’m thinking that you would rather him take you home.”

Elle looked at the closed door and then through the lace curtains to the empty porch. Who was Adele talking about? There was no one there.

“Merek?” she asked carefully. She was beginning to think that Merek was a figment of Adele’s imagination.

Adele looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Merek?” She laughed. “Not hardly. Merek doesn’t drive. I’d wager that Merek couldn’t drive a car if his life depended on it.” She looked at the ceiling. “Isn’t that right?”

Elle was sorry she’d asked. She certainly didn’t want to encourage Adele’s strange behavior. “If you don’t mind taking me home, I would certainly appreciate it,” she began again. The last thing she wanted to do was to walk home in the dark.

“No, dear, he’s going to take you home.” She spoke slowly as if she were speaking to a small child that was slow to understand. There was no talking sensibly to her aunt. All it did was annoy the heck out of her and frustrate Adele. “Okay,” Elle said, “I’ll get
him
to take me home.” Great! Now she would have to walk home for sure.

Adele gave her a quirky look.

“What?” Elle blurted. The woman could be so exasperating!

She winked. “Wait for it … wait for it …”

The door opened, and Elle about fell onto the floor when Edward walked in.

He looked surprised and a little embarrassed when he saw Elle standing behind the counter. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“I was just … um … I mean …” He shifted nervously. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yeah, I just started working here today,” she explained. “This is my aunt, Adele.”

Adele extended her hand. “Hi, Edward, it’s nice to meet you.”

He shook her hand and then looked thoughtful. “How did you know my name?”

She smiled. “Castle High’s notorious quarterback. Your reputation precedes you.”

“Oh.” He pulled at the neck of his t-shirt. “Thanks.”

Elle looked sideways at Adele. “I didn’t know you followed football.”

She shrugged. “I don’t.”

“Okay,” Elle said, not sure what to make of that comment.

Adele looked at Edward. “I’m guessing you stopped by to buy my lovely niece some chocolate. Am I right?”

Edward’s eyes went big, and he turned about ten shades of red. “Yeah … um … I guess I was planning on getting Elle some chocolate.” He shoved his hands in his pockets.

It was Elle’s turn to be surprised. He was getting her chocolate? Did that mean he wanted to get back together?

Adele motioned at the case. “So, Elle, what kind of chocolate would you like for Edward to buy you?”

Elle wanted to crawl under the floor. Was Adele trying to make things uncomfortable? “I really don’t need anything.”

“Well of course you do,” Adele said, reaching for a box. “You love the white truffles.” She started placing truffles into the box. “And these nut clusters are to die for.”

She looked at Edward, sizing him up. “And you … you strike me as the peanut brittle type.”

Edward’s jaw dropped. “I love peanut brittle.”

“Yes, I know.”

He looked stunned. “You do?”

Adele nodded. “Alridy then. I’m going to throw in some chocolate chip cookies and cream cheese brownies for good measure.” She closed the box and started punching in numbers on the register. “Your total is $16.75.”

Edward pulled out his wallet and handed her a twenty.

“$3.25 is your change.” She handed him the money and turned to Elle. “You’re free to leave. I’ll see you tomorrow?”