on ‘two-natured’, but it didn’t make the top five of my growing to-do list.
In less time than I would’ve thought possible, Geoffrey rushed back in. He stood on my right and handed a bill over the bar to Molly. “She said to tell you, ‘Here’s a tenner. If the bill is less than that, you can keep the change. If it’s more than that, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Molly laughed as she took the ten-pound note then looked at me with a smile that formed laugh lines around her eyes, lines that enhanced her attraction factor, in my opinion. But I did wonder why someone as lighthearted as Molly was dating someone as serious as Dolan.
“You’re free to go,” Molly said.
I nodded as I slid off my stool. “See you later.”
“Don’t forget the coin. Supper’s not free, you know,” she teased.
With a smirk I left, thinking Molly must be one of the magical community’s best ambassadors.
I rushed through the Hallows front door, confirmed that there were no customers, and called out, “Maggie!”
She appeared immediately. “Right here.”
“Change of plans. I can learn about store operations later.” I remembered to add, “If I stay,” but that amendment was sounding more diluted and less true every time I said it. “Where would I find Olivia?”
“Have ye met Olivia?”
“No. Lochlan told me about her.”
“High time to correct that oversight then. She may be at the house. If no’, I can send someone to fetch her.” Maggie started to unlock the inner door that led to the residence kitchen, but stopped. “I should no’ go bargin’ uninvited into your new home, Magistrate. Come to think of it, I should have Dolan change the locks so that only you and Olivia have keys. Would ye prefer to access your house this way or ‘round front?”
I smiled. “It’s thoughtful of you to ask. I may feel differently after a while.”
It was Maggie’s turn to finish a sentence for me. “If you stay.” She smiled like it was both joke and conspiracy.
“Yes.” I took a little pleasure in the easy familiarity of her teasing. “If I stay. But for right now, I like going through the front door.” I lifted my tote from the chair where I’d left it and looped the strap over my shoulder.
“Front door ‘tis!” Maggie turned on her heel and marched toward the front of the shop. “Dolan! Watch the store!” she said loudly enough to raise the dead.
I turned the key thinking the only thing that stood between me and calling the house mine was a simple, “Yes.” I glanced over my shoulder at the garage across the lane and, in spite of feeling foolish, wondered if Romeo was okay.
When I opened the door, I felt like I was stepping into aromatic paradise. Apparently, Olivia used cleaners or polishes that left behind the scent of jasmine. Or was it tea tree? Or lavender? It was impossible to nail it down, but suffice to say I liked it a lot. The living area was empty, but there was no doubt she’d been there.
I walked over to the kitchen and leaned in.
A heavy glass pedestal bowl that held a variety of fresh fruit sat in the center of the small table. And the biggest yellow dendrobium I’d even seen sat on the garden windowsill above the sink. It was continually disconcerting that these people knew details about me down to my favorite orchid. It was oddly nice at the same time. The thought also flickered across my mind that this fabulous plant would thrive in that location, just the right amount of filtered light, easy to water once a week.
On the kitchen counter was a handwritten note on heavy linen cardstock the size and shape of a dinner party place card. It read, ‘Welcome home,’ in an impressive calligraphy script that looked like it had been written with an actual ink pen. An art that was all but lost in modern times.
“Call her,” Maggie encouraged.
I glanced at Maggie, retraced my steps to the living room and raised my voice. “Olivia?”
I heard a soft thump and within seconds a female version of Dolan was gliding down the stairs. She was wearing a black shirtwaist dress, a black apron, and black riding boots. An odd combination, and yet it could pass for ‘domestic chic’, especially with her tall, lean model’s body.
“Yes, madam,” she said as she descended. “I haven’t finished the bath, but you have fresh sheets, fresh towels, I’ve laid the fires here,” she gestured