Spellbound Falls (13 page)

Henry looked at his father, suddenly uncertain.

“It’s an ancient term for
wizard
,” Mac said. He shrugged. “Or what you might think of as a magician. Rather than being a knight, Henry’s decided he can help people with magic instead of weapons.”

“But it’s still important to grow big and strong and know how to fight,” the boy added, “even though wisdom is stronger
than brute strength. Because sometimes people just get contrary, and when both wisdom and warring won’t work, then you need to use the magic.”

Olivia gave him a warm smile. “Good for you, Henry, for wanting to help people. When I was your age I wanted to be a teacher.”

“Teachers help people,” he said, his expression conciliatory as he squeezed her hand. “And in a way, theurgists are teachers. We help everyone learn how to get along together.” He looked up at Mac again. “Right, Dad?”

Mac opened the trading post door. “That’s right, son. Come on, let’s return the key so we can go see the falls before it gets too late.”

Both children ran inside, and Olivia walked down the narrow aisle beside Mac. “Where would Henry have learned such a rare word as
theurgist
? I don’t think
I’ve
ever heard it before. Oh, damn,” she hissed, stopping when she saw Ezra bobbing his bushy eyebrows at her as he nodded to his left. Olivia immediately started backing up as she looked around. “Now who the hell’s in here?” She shoved the shanty key at Mac. “You take this to Ezra, and I’ll wait for you and the kids in the truck.”

“It’s locked,” he said as he handed her the key fob. He went very still all of a sudden, his head lifted as if he were listening for something, then smiled. “There’s a chance you’ll make a clean escape if you’re quick. But watch for traffic,” he called after her as Olivia bolted toward the door.

Only she ran smack into Janice Crupp just as she reached the end of the aisle, and then had to catch the elderly woman to keep her from falling into a rack of clothing.

“Good grief!” Janice cried, grabbing Olivia. “I didn’t see you!”

“But we’re glad we ran into you,” Christina Richie said as she helped steady her friend. “We’ve been trying to reach you for days, Livy. Didn’t Eileen give you any of our messages?”

“She did,” Olivia said, eyeing her escape route only to
decide she couldn’t be so rude as to run out the door. “But I’ve been so busy getting Inglenook ready for the new season that I guess time got away from me. And I’m sorry, but I can’t really chat with you right now. I’m with a couple of my guests.”

“Olivia was about to show us the falls,” Mac said, coming up beside her.

Just barely catching herself from leaning into him so he could put his arm around her, Olivia ended up sighing instead when he didn’t. Apparently that only happened when he was rescuing her from
men
. Both women’s gazes traveled up over Mac’s broad chest to his handsome face, and Janice even had to step back to see him.

Mac gave a slight bow. “Mac Oceanus,” he said, his tone as charming as his smile. “I’m actually more Olivia’s employee than her guest.”

God, she wished he’d quit telling everyone that. Nobody in their right mind could see her bossing him around—including Janice and Christina, judging by their shock.

But then Olivia suddenly went as still as a stone herself, at the realization of why the man kept telling people she was his boss. Good Lord, she hadn’t been teased in so long she’d forgotten it even existed.

“I’m Janice Crupp, and this is my friend, Christina Richie,” Janice said, making the introductions since Olivia was too busy trying to remember if teasing was the same as flirting. “We’re co-chairs of the Spellbound Falls Memorial Day committee,” Janice continued—just before grabbing Olivia’s sleeve and pulling her away from the towering protector she’d been inching behind.

Because dammit, she had a pretty good idea why the ladies had been looking for her, and she really, really didn’t want to talk to them.

“We’ve left at least four messages asking you to call us,” Janice continued, “to tell you that we want you and Sophie to be the grand marshals of our parade this year.”

And they wondered why she’d been avoiding them?
Olivia gave the women an appreciative smile. “Gee, that’s really sweet of you ladies, but I don’t think—”

“And all the funds we raise over the summer,” Christina broke in excitedly, “are going to provide you and Sophie with an all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland.”

Olivia reared back in surprise. “What!”

Janice shook her head. “We know its way overdue, Livy, and we’re sorry. And we’re all ashamed of ourselves for letting four years go by without doing something to show you how much everyone appreciates your sacrifice.”

“My… what in hell are you talking about?”

Christina shot her a scowl. “Now Livy, there’s no need for profanity.” But then she reached over and patted her arm. “I guess the shock of our good news just got the best of you.”

“But what sacrifice are you talking about?”

This time Janice gave her arm a pat. “At our Grange meeting last month, Bunkie Watts mentioned a segment she saw on CNN about how people around the nation are doing different things to support our troops and their families. Bunkie said towns are having fund-raisers to send families on fancy vacations together.”

“But—”

“And you’re the only war widow we got, Livy,” Christina interjected. “And so the vote was unanimous that we should send you and Sophie to Disneyland. Thelma got on her Internet at the post office and found out there’s an entire organization dedicated to providing trips to our servicemen’s families.”

“And they even have special trips for people who’ve lost a loved one in the war,” Janice added. “We’re going to try and get you and Sophie on one of those, so you can meet others who know exactly how you feel.” She stepped closer. “It would be healing for both you and that precious little girl of yours.”

Olivia started backing away, shaking her head even as she looked around for her daughter. “That’s very kind of
you ladies,” she said, holding out her hand when they started following. “But Sophie and I don’t want… I can’t… really, we’re doing just—”

“Mom, look what we found,” Sophie said, running up the aisle with a box in her hand, Henry right on her heels. “It’s a
magic
kit.” She held the box up to Olivia. “It’s got a book that tells how to do all the tricks, and a long scarf and some magic coins and even fake money to practice with.” She held the box toward Mac. “Could you buy it for Henry, Mac? He wants to start being a thee—… a theer—… a wizard. And I can help him practice.”

Instead of taking the box, Mac pulled out his wallet. He took out two twenties and handed them to Henry. “You can pay the gentleman, son. And here,” he said, handing him the key to the shanty. “Return this to him, also.”

“Sophie, wait,” Janice said excitedly as the girl turned away.

“No!” Olivia snapped, stepping between them. “Go on, Sophie; go help Henry buy the magic kit. And thank Ezra for letting us use the shanty,” she said while giving Janice a warning glare. “I don’t want anyone mentioning this to her,” she said when she heard Sophie running down the aisle. “Understand?”

Clearly taken aback, Janice flapped her jaw several times, trying to speak.

Olivia slashed her hand in the air to cut her off. “You can’t just up and decide to send us on a trip without discussing it with me first. And you sure as hell can’t get a little girl excited about something that is
not
going to happen.”

“But, Livy,” Christina said, her face darkening. “This is a great honor. Why
wouldn’t
you accept it?”

“And just exactly what did I do to deserve this honor?”

“Your husband died in Iraq,” Janice snapped, “leaving you to raise your daughter all by yourself. These trips are a town’s way of thanking all the people left behind for their sacrifices, especially the lonely widows and children.”

“And is Spellbound Falls going to thank Peg Thompson for her sacrifice?” Olivia whispered, shoving her hands in
her pockets to hide her fists. “Are you going to send her and her children to Disneyland?”

“But Billy Thompson didn’t die in the war,” Christina pointed out.

“No, Billy died in a construction accident while working to feed his family. Does that make him any less of a hero in their eyes? Or does it make Peg any less of a widow?” Olivia sucked in a calming breath and released it slowly. “Look, ladies; I really appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m afraid I’m not going to let you do it to me. Sophie and I have everything we need, and if I thought a trip to Disneyland would be good for her, I’m quite capable of getting us there on my own.”

“But what about Eileen?” Janice asked.

“What about her?”

“She and John lost their only child, Livy. And when we told Eileen what we were planning, she was truly honored.”

“We all lose people we love,” Mac said quietly,
finally
wrapping his arm around her. “So I think what Olivia is trying to say is that yes, your brave troops and their families deserve to be recognized for their sacrifices, but that she would be uncomfortable being honored while Mrs. Thompson is not. How about if at your next Grange meeting you discuss a compromise? Maybe you could erect a plaque for your fallen heroes from all wars someplace here in town, and use what money is left to start a general widows’ fund. That way you would be helping so many more people.”

Once again, Olivia witnessed Mac’s quiet authority work a magic of its own, and both women’s expressions turned thoughtful.

“Well… I suppose that does make a certain sense,” Christina murmured. She smiled sheepishly at Olivia. “We’re truly sorry, Livy. I guess none of us stopped to think how this might open up an old wound that’s obviously still painful for you. It’s just that everyone knows how much you miss Keith, and we really wanted to show you that all of Spellbound Falls still loves him as much as you do.”

Olivia felt Mac’s arm tighten around her and realized she was trembling.

“If you ladies will excuse us,” he said with a nod. “I believe we need to go check on the children.”

“Yes, of course,” Janice said, each woman giving Olivia a sad smile as they left.

“Easy now,” Mac whispered, turning to wrap both of his arms around her. He chuckled. “I’m beginning to understand your propensity for ducking out back doors.”

She really shouldn’t be standing in the center aisle of the Bottomless Mercantile & Trading Post wrapped up in the arms of her
employee
, but Olivia simply melted into him with a groan.

Forget the baseball bat and taser-thingy, because really, she just needed to wear
Mac
whenever she came to town.

“If you’d like, I can give you folks the key to cabin three, seeing how it’s a lot more private than the middle of my store.”

Mac looked over Olivia’s head at the man shuffling down the aisle toward them and immediately knew two things: the gentleman was her friend, since she didn’t stiffen and try to step away, and judging by the twinkle in the old man’s clouded blue eyes, the storekeeper was rather pleased to see her in Mac’s arms.

“Ezra Dodd,” he said when he reached them. “And if you don’t mind, I’d like to shake your hand, big fella.”

“Mac Oceanus,” Mac said, taking his offered hand. “Olivia’s employee.”

“So I understand. Eileen told me how you saved Olivia from that idiot punk the other day, and I want to personally thank you for that.” The twinkle in the old man’s eyes intensified. “I’ve been noticing a pattern of you pulling our girl here out of the pickles she keeps getting herself into,” Ezra said, still pumping Mac’s hand as his gaze traveled to Olivia, who still had her face buried in his jacket.