Tangled Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls #2) (7 page)

“You enjoying the show?”

Abby dropped her head to see Adam had joined her again. “The better question, are you?”

“Not really. You know I’d love nothing more to run up there and punch that dude’s lights out, but truth be told, he’s a decent guy.”

“Well, I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you with Rachel.”

“Me, too.” He pointed up. “Looks like Mother Nature is about to put a kink in their plans.”

She looked up where out of nowhere dark clouds began to roll in, covering the twinkling stars.
Oh, my God. I did it!
Abby smirked, feeling raindrops hit her face. Those drops became larger in no time, causing the crowd to disperse in every direction.

“Do you need a ride, Abby?” Adam zipped up his coat.

“I’m good. Emma’s here somewhere.”

Adam took off, and Abby couldn’t help but sympathize with him. Here the love of his life was making out with a man that wasn’t him. Well, that would be coming to an end soon.

Abby waited triumphantly for Brandon and Rachel to stop kissing, but that wasn’t happening. If anything, the rain drenching their hair and clothes made whatever was going on between them intensify.

Why weren’t they stopping?
Of course, you idiot. Kissing in the rain has to be one of the most romantic things to do.

Emma came over and grabbed Abby’s hand. “Show’s over.”

“No, it’s not.” Abby tried to yank free, but Emma had a good grip on her.

“It is for you.” Emma pulled her toward the park entrance.

“I’m not ready to go home.” That was the truth. She finally broke away from Emma. The last thing she wanted to do was sit alone in her bedroom, wondering if Brandon was still in the gazebo with Rachel.

“I’m not taking you home.”

“You’re not. Where are we going?”

“To make some sense of this new gift of yours. How else can you explain how a gorgeous fall evening turned into a downpour in minutes?”

Abby blinked while large droplets ran down her face. Emma was right. This was the second spell she’d been able to conjure up in one week. This time, without any help from a magic book. She should be overjoyed that her witch roots were finally sprouting, but the passionate embrace still going on behind her gave her no reason to celebrate.

“
Y
ou don’t think
Brandon and Rachel are still kissing, do you?” Abby picked up a pile of Tarot cards off Aunt Sheila’s coffee table and began shuffling the deck. If any place screamed “witch’s den,” it was her aunt’s place. Though the living room was quite normal with a comfy burgundy sofa, country knickknacks, and a roaring fire, it had hints of magic including a black cauldron used as a plant pot and sparkly potion bottles lining the mantle.

Emma looked down at her phone. “According to Bridget, they stopped about five minutes ago.”

“Good.” Abby paused, straightening her wet ponytail. “Not that I care.”

“Right.” Emma smirked. “Seeing Brandon make out with another woman had no effect on you whatsoever, but yet we’re both sitting here looking like drowned rats.”

Aunt Sheila came in with a tray of brownies and two cups of warm apple cider. Before they dug into the plate of chocolate yumminess, she made them go upstairs and change into dry clothes. Luckily, Emma kept a drawer of comfortable yoga pants at her mom’s when she stayed over. After a quick change, both she and Emma rejoined Aunt Sheila in the living room. Curling her knees to her chest, Abby settled into the couch next to Emma and sipped on the delicious apple cider.

“So, Abby . . .” Aunt Sheila took a seat in her recliner and pulled a navy blanket over her legs. “I hear you were able to do the reverse attraction spell last week on Jason’s friend.”

Abby glanced over at Emma, wondering how much her cousin had told Aunt Sheila about Brandon. “I did, and I know it was a stupid, impulsive thing to do. We were just spending way too much time . . .” She stopped, not really wanting to talk about her sex life with her aunt. “. . . tangled up. I needed to put a stop to it.”

“Tangled up . . . Hmm . . .” Aunt Sheila winked. “It was called having sex in my day.”

Emma giggled at her mom’s knack for telling it like she saw it while Abby couldn’t help but feel slightly mortified that whom she’d been sleeping with was now out in the open. She set her cider down.

“Well, what we were doing is over. I need to focus on finding my soul mate. Brandon Swift is not him. I know casting the spell was impulsive, but I promise from here on out to be more responsible with my talent.”

“So it worked on him?” Aunt Sheila’s eyebrow shot up.

Abby nodded, detecting skepticism in her aunt’s voice. She should have known. Was she always going to be perceived as a failure when it came to magic? Yes, she had a horrible track record of not being able to perform the Batter Up spell fully, but maybe she had other magical powers she’d never realized. “I not only did it, I did something tonight without a book. I made it rain by making up my own spell.”

“She did, Mom.” Emma confirmed what had happened earlier. “It was quite something.”

“Interesting.” Aunt Sheila’s gaze darted to Abby. “Why did you want to alter the weather?”

“It was dumb, really. Brandon was making out with Rachel Foster in the gazebo, trying to break the town’s stupid record for longest kiss.” Abby sighed, ready to admit the truth. “I was jealous, which is totally ridiculous because he isn’t the guy for me.”

“You sure about that?” Emma gave Abby a playful swat on the arm.

“I didn’t think it would be so hard seeing him flirt with other women. I mean, first Christine and then Rachel.”

“I think I might know what’s going on.” Aunt Sheila stood, her voice taking on a serious tone. “Let’s go into the kitchen, girls.”

Abby and Emma joined her, both watching Aunt Sheila fly around the room, grabbing ingredients from cupboards and placing them next to a large black cauldron. “Abby, I need to see something.” She reached for a book wedged between a coffee pot and toaster oven and brought it over to the island. Flipping through its pages, she set it to the side of the cauldron. “Please do this spell on Emma.”

Abby peered down at the book. “You want me to make Emma’s hair grow down to her butt?”

“Yes, go ahead and perform the hair extension spell.”

“Wait a second,” Emma piped in, pulling her locks to the side. “I like my current
medium
length.”

Aunt Sheila gave her daughter’s arm a squeeze. “It will be okay. If it works, just think of all the fun Jason will have running his fingers through it.”

“Mom!”

“Or we’ll take you to the Spring Curls salon first thing in the morning.”

Abby rolled up her sleeves. “Okay, I’ll show you two. I have more witch game than anyone in this family believes I do.” It was time to prove that her failed attempts at witchcraft were a thing of the past. She placed the ingredients in the cauldron and began to stir, chanting the spell.

A minute passed, and nothing. Emma’s hair remained the same length to the relief of her cousin. “Do you think I need the sugar spoon?” Abby asked.

Aunt Sheila shook her head. “No, I think I know what’s going on.”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “What is it, Mom?”

“Abby is able to conjure magic that effects Jason’s friend.” She paused for a second. “What’s his name again?”

“Kissing bandit,” Abby joked bitterly.

“Brandon,” Emma corrected. “His name is Brandon.”

“Well, it seems that Brandon is the direct recipient of the magic Abby is able to conjure. I suspect a part of him is helping with her spell casting.”

Abby cocked her head. “A part of him? What do you mean?”

Aunt Sheila reached out and placed a gentle hand on Abby’s stomach. “I think there might be a little one growing inside here having some fun.”

“
H
ey
, Abby.” Brandon waved from the inn’s lawn and continued to rake the colorful leaves that had dropped from the beautiful maple tree.

Abby gave a short wave back and headed down the hill to meet him.
What a crazy twenty-four hours!

After Aunt Sheila had dropped the baby bomb, the three of them had rushed to a drug store three towns over to purchase a pregnancy test. The last thing Abby wanted was to run into anyone she knew, let alone Brandon, while purchasing the kit. Five minutes after returning back to the house, it was confirmed: Abby was pregnant and that little witch or wizard apparently had a sense of humor when it came to playing tricks on its daddy.

How could she and Brandon have been so careless? Abby knew exactly how. It was the first night they slept together all those weeks ago. It was the only time they hadn’t used protection because falling into bed had been so spontaneous.

Soon she’d be showing the ramification of that one impulsive act.

Emma and Aunt Sheila encouraged her to take a couple of days to let the news sink in, but then agreed that she needed to tell Brandon the truth—all of it.

“I wasn’t expecting you this morning.” He propped up the rake. She tried to ignore just how ruggedly handsome he looked today in his worn jeans and long-sleeved maroon crew neck. He must have worked up a sweat because his flannel was chucked to the side.

“I brought you something.” She handed him the strawberry milkshake she’d swung by the Star Lite for twenty minutes earlier. Maybe if he drank enough of them he’d remember some small part of their time together. She didn’t really believe that would happen, but she was willing to try.

“Oh, my God. I love these. How did you know?”

“I had a craving for a chocolate one, and Betty asked me to bring you your regular.” That wasn’t entirely true since she specifically requested they make Brandon’s usual, but he’d never know. She looked around at the various pile of leaves. “So, what are you doing?”

“The paperwork is nearly done, but the realtor said I should hold off doing anything inside until it’s officially mine. I thought I’d get a head start on the lawn and deck before work. I’m thinking all the trees will stay, but I’ll build the deck out so it overlooks the water. Then, for any of your private events, we could probably pitch up a white party tent off to the side.”

Glancing around, she could easily envision customers docking their boats, and then enjoying a summer cocktail next to the water. She also couldn’t help but smile at the fact that he’d thought about her business in his plans. “Great idea.”

“Yeah, I don’t want to get too ahead of myself until Jason gets back and I can talk him into helping me out.”

Jason.
Abby knew it was only a matter of time before Emma’s boyfriend returned. He was the one person besides Emma who knew exactly what Abby and Brandon had been doing this fall.

She bent down and picked up a leaf, twirling it with her hands. “Is he excited about your news?”

“We haven’t actually talked. He’s been tied up with whatever freelance project he’s working on.” He took a sip of his shake. “Where’s yours?”

“Mine?”

“You said you stopped for a shake.”

“Oh, I already drank it.” She tossed her leaf into the enormous pile he raked. Truth be told, her morning sickness—that she now knew was the pregnancy kind—extended into the afternoon, and she hadn’t been able to stomach more than a bland cheese sandwich and some ginger ale. “So, how was your evening? I saw you trying to break Tom and Bridget’s kissing record.”

He grinned, and she hoped he wasn’t recalling how much he enjoyed his attempt. “You saw that?”

“Um . . . I think the whole town did.”

“Well, we didn’t break it. Not even close. Can’t wait to see what my next task is.”

“So, what are you doing exactly? Are you on some sort of dating reality show?”

Brandon grabbed a black trash bag on the ground and opened it. “Something like that. Jason’s editor sweet-talked me into doing a segment for their website. Apparently, the whole world is in love with the town that’s all about falling in love. I have to go on a series of dates for the next two weeks. They want to see if I can find my soul mate.”

“After two weeks,” she said flatly.

“Pretty ridiculous,” he agreed, but added, “I’m working on those personal goals we talked about.”

“Right.” Abby remembered their deal. Had she known he’d meant his dating several single women in Buttermilk Falls, she would have steered him to some other personal goal like learning new recipes or working on his golf swing. “Who will you be going out with next?” she asked, trying not to sound like she really cared.

“Don’t know.” He chuckled and bent down to stuff leaves into the bag. “Some lucky bachelorette.” Looking up, he flashed one of his trademark smiles. “Good thing we’re just friends, or we might be breaking a record in the town square.”

“Good thing . . .” she muttered, grabbing the rake. “Here, let me help.”

While Brandon continued to bag the leaves, Abby raked. Lending a hand was the least she could do since he was offering her a deal of a lifetime in starting a new business with little overhead.

Emma had loved his idea to house their catering company at the inn. She and Abby even began working on a business plan and potential menu items before they were sidetracked with the news now incubating in Abby.

“So, I’m thinking of having a Halloween party here.”

Abby stopped raking for a second. “Next year?” Since when did Mr. Spontaneous plan something a year out?

“No, this year.”

“But the renovations won’t be completed before then.”

“I know, but most of the first floor is done. I thought it would be a fun way to announce that the inn will be back in business. Plus, I’m sure people are dying to get a look inside. What do you think? Would you cater it?”

“You want me to provide the food for your party? But that’s next Friday.”

He grinned. “I have faith in you. Besides, the catering company that you’ll be running out of there should definitely cater it.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “Well, let me talk it over with Emma.” She continued to rake. It could be a fun way to announce their new venture and was really no different than their supplying refreshments for one of the town’s auctions.

A black Toyota pulled into the driveway, and Brandon headed up to greet whoever had arrived. Abby couldn’t tell from the distance, but judging by the camera he held in his hand, it was probably the man who filmed Brandon and Rachel last night.

Was he here to get footage of Brandon on his next date? The last thing she wanted to do was watch Brandon fawn all over another woman. “No, thank you.” She set down the rake and headed up the lawn to make her exit.

“Leaving so soon?” Brandon asked.

“I should get to the bakery.” She took a step toward her car.

“Before you go. This is Shane. Shane, Abby.” He pointed to the inn. “Abby’s my business partner. She’s going to be running a catering company out of here.”

The camera guy shook Abby’s hand with his free one. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.”

“So, is your next date right now?” she asked, turning to Brandon. God, she hoped he wasn’t going out with one of her friends.

“No. It’s tomorrow.” Brandon pointed to the camera. “But Shane came over to take some still shots. I guess they want some pictures to advertise.”

Shane uncapped his lens. “That they do. This is the perfect fall backdrop they requested. We should get some pics in before the sun moves.” He gazed in the direction of the water. “Let’s go down there. The leaves will add a nice color contrast.”

“Sure. Whatever.”

Shane started down the path but stopped. “Wait. Abby, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m supposed to get some shots of Brandon with one of his dates, but since his next date isn’t until tomorrow evening and deadline is 4 p.m. today, we’re kind of in a bind. Would you mind filling in?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, we’ll just do a couple fun photos of you two frolicking in the leaves or staring out at the lake or something.”

That got a loud chuckle from Brandon.

“What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. “Don’t think I can pull it off?”

“Not at all. On the contrary, I think the camera will love you.” Brandon grabbed her hand. “Let’s find out.”

Before she knew what was happening, Brandon scooped her up in his arms and carried her down the hill. “I’m thinking you would look good with a bunch of leaves in your hair.” He stopped short of the large colorful pile he’d raked earlier.

She giggled, enjoying the fact that her arms were back around his neck where—if she was completely honest with herself—they belonged. “You wouldn’t ruin all your hard work, would you?”

“Oh, I would.”

He turned and fell into the leaves. Taking her with him, he flipped her onto her back and made sure she was good and buried.

She struggled to sit up, pushing leaves off her face. “That was low, Swift.”

Shane came over and started snapping pictures. “Okay, this is good.” He zoomed the camera in. “Brandon, can you lean in a little closer to Abby?”

Brandon followed directions, causing Abby’s heart to pound.

“Maybe put your hand around her.” Shane leaned down and moved Brandon’s arm so his hand rested on her back. “Perfect.”

“Flirty enough for you?” Brandon wiggled his eyebrows as Shane continued to snap pictures.

“Not even close. Move a little closer,” she purred.

That’s all it took. He inched closer to her, his chest nearly touching hers. “Better?”

“Much.” She reached both hands around his torso, and with one quick move, he was on his back. Catching him totally off guard, she straddled him and tossed leaves onto his head. For a moment, she forgot that Shane was still circling them with his camera.

“You win, Abby Stevens.” Brandon pretended to wave a surrender flag. She helped him sit up, both laughing. He reached over and pulled a crisp orange leaf out of her hair while Shane scrolled through the pictures. “Did you get what you need?”

Abby noted that Brandon didn’t take his eyes off her while asking the question.

“Yeah, I think a couple of these will work.” Shane reached behind to his back pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I’ve got to get these photos to my boss, but here’s some info for your date tomorrow night.” He paused, glancing at Abby. “That is, Brandon, if you still want to go on it.”

Abby’s cheeks warmed at what Shane might be suggesting, and she looked away.

Taking the envelope, Brandon jumped out of the leaves. “Thanks, man. I’ll be there.”

“See you tomorrow. Bye, Abby. Thanks for helping us out.”

“Anytime.” She stood and brushed off her jeans, pretending it didn’t totally hurt her feelings that Brandon was gearing up for another date. “So, I take it you have a big night tomorrow.”

“Let’s see.” Brandon ripped open the envelope. “It says her name is Bethany.”

“Bethany Wilson?”

“Yeah, you know her?”

“Not really. She was a cheerleader in high school. Hung out with Caitlin.”

He sighed. “That can’t be good.”

Abby wanted to agree, but the truth was she really didn’t know Bethany all that well. Emma might though. They were in the same class. “So, what do they have you doing?”

“It says to prepare for some role playing in the cornfields?”

She snatched the paper and read the assignment that included an address. “Oh, that’s the giant corn maze on the edge of town. It’s open in the evenings for the Halloween season.”

“People pay money to walk a corn maze?”

Nodding, she handed him back the paper. “It’s a big attraction. Rumor has it it’s haunted.”

“Like my inn.” He smiled, and she could tell he liked the sound of “my inn.”

“Just like
your
inn.”

“Speaking of which, I think I’ll give the realtor a quick call and see how the paperwork is coming along.”

“I’ll finish up raking the leaves.” Abby picked up the rake but stopped to watch Brandon chat on the phone. He’d walked toward the lake while talking and was now seated on a dock swing with his back to her.

This afternoon’s fun frolic in the leaves was quite unexpected. Was he just being his typical flirty self, or was there something more to it? If so, did that mean the spell was breaking?

She patted her stomach. “Okay, Baby Swift, get some rest. We’ve got some work to do tomorrow night.”