Gypsy Magic - J.R. Rain Page 0,10

and held out his hand, which I shook. My hand was completely lost in his enormous one. His skin was calloused and roughened with work, but it was warm. Just like his smile.

“Holly Morton,” I answered, giving him my full name. No one really called me Holly, though.

“I know what you’re thinking... Don’t ever trust a man with two first names, right?” Then he laughed.

“Fitting,” Ophelia sniffed.

Marty Zach lowered the basket so I could see him better. His smile momentarily knocked the breath out of me. Broad and infectious, with perfectly straight, white teeth and a slight underbite that gave him a boyish quality. Most of the smile was in his eyes though. Deep blue.

He lifted his broad shoulders in a shrug and motioned to the gift basket in his arms. “It appears I’ve entered into a round of dueling gift baskets.”

“Oh, how nice,” I started. “Of both of you…”

He nodded. “I heard someone had actually moved into this old wreck and thought I’d give you my condolences with a gift basket.” He chuckled then, and I couldn’t help my own laugh, even if his words were true. I’d gotten in over my head with this place. I just didn’t have the sense to walk away yet.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Do not thank him just yet!” Ophelia nearly interrupted, her whispery voice cutting through the haze of effusive gratitude like a stinging papercut. “He wants something from you, girl. Or else he wouldn’t be here.”

“Ophelia,” Marty started, shaking his head.

She continued to glare at me. “You’ll find very few men will grant favors unless they want something in return.”

I guess I couldn’t argue that—it had been my experience, thus far.

Marty’s salt-and-pepper brows scrunched down over those big, blue eyes in a way that was too attractive to be allowed.

“Come on, Ophelia,” he said, giving her a smile that said her anger wouldn’t take him down. “I know you were born sometime in the late Mesozoic Era, but here in the 21st century, we’ve evolved past that logic.”

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

“Watch yourself,” Ophelia answered, glaring at him.

“I’m here to say welcome to our new neighbor, that’s it,” Marty said as he turned his attention to me again.

“Thanks,” I said.

“Mom?” I heard Finn’s voice from behind me. “Is everything okay?”

I took a deep breath, letting some of the tension ease out of my shoulders. Then I turned around to face Finn. “Yep, everything’s fine. Two of our neighbors came to visit,” I called out, looking at my little guy, where he stood at the top of the stairs. Or, really, my not so little guy…

Then I looked at my visitors again. “I’m going to invite you both in, but no more arguing, deal?”

They both exchanged an unfriendly glance before Ophelia bent double, setting her offering on my faded welcome mat that read: ‘Ring Bell. Pull weeds until someone answers’.

“Hallowed Realty hopes you enjoy your new home, Ms. Morton,” Ophelia said, maintaining her haughty expression. “Please accept this gift basket on our behalf.”

I wasn’t going to argue. “Thank you, Ophelia, and it was nice meeting you.”

She nodded and then straightened as swiftly and stiffly as a fan being snapped shut. She turned on her heel and left, creaking and thunking her whole way down the driveway. How hadn’t I heard the two vehicles (one of which was a hearse) pulling up? I needed a security system or something. Maybe a gate.

I expected her to climb into the black hearse. Instead, she folded herself into the white 1964 Dodge 330. She turned on the engine which flared to life and then spluttered until I half-expected it to break down. But, Ophelia threw it into reverse and then performed a thirty-point turn before starting down my driveway. Marty and I watched her with equal bemusement. Only after she’d gone did I notice the apple tree beside the house.

“Oh my God,” I said as I stared at it, openmouthed. Half the leaves had fallen off and the apples closest to the porch were withered up and rotting. “My apples!”

I looked at Marty, who didn’t appear surprised.

“This morning the tree didn’t look like this!” I insisted, thinking he must think I was nuts. “It’s the weirdest thing! I mean… what in the world could have happened to it?”

Marty nodded. “I have a pretty good idea.”

I looked at him, and he let out a great big breath of air. “Can we try this again?” he asked.

Chapter Four

“Come in,” I said as I glanced