Riding the Thunder - Deborah MacGillivray [101]
“See? Even the box wants Bobby.” Colin nearly danced in place. “Can we, huh?”
“Sure. That will be great fun,” Asha gave her consent, amusement twinkling in her amber eyes.
Jago ground out his cigarillo in the ashtray, and opened his mouth to ask Asha if they could go somewhere quiet where they could talk, but Delbert came in. The cat dashed in between the old man’s legs, sending everyone scurrying to catch him. The silly beast proved quick for a pussycat that had two speeds—waddle and stop.
Jago smiled at the antics, watching Asha, adoring her, and realizing their talk would have to come soon. That damn letter was out there. He had to tell her himself before someone else did.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
It proved to be a perfect All Hallows Eve, warm, yet with a nip in the soft breeze. Asha couldn’t have conjured a more beautiful day for The Windmill’s Halloween bash. The remaining leaves of the sugar maples and oaks were still ablaze with oranges and the occasional splash of brilliant reds, setting the countryside afire with this magical time.
Inside The Windmill, a fat jack-o’-lantern sat on the end of the counter, a sappy, toothy grin carved into the face; its softly flickering candle cast a pale amber glow across the darkened diner. Even the jukebox endlessly playing “Tell Laura I Love Her” seemed part of the delightfully supernatural ambience swirling in the air.
Her hips softly swaying to the soulful ballad, Asha stood by the diner window, sipping a lemonade and absorbing the beauty of the landscape. She sensed a peace, a rightness in this day, in her world. Since there were still a lot of preparations for Halloween night, she had closed the diner after the lunch rush and now stood in the silent restaurant with the lights out, enjoying the tranquil moment.
Twisting the clear rod to open the Venetian blinds, she observed Jago washing the Shelby—with a little ‘advisory help’ from Colin and the cat that still didn’t have a name. She figured any minute Jago would turn the hose on Colin, who kept pointing out each patch Jago missed. The instant Jago wiped down the car so it wouldn’t spot, the cat jumped up on it and padded across the hood. Smiling, she watched Jago pick up the pesky feline and place him down with a pat, then rewashed the tracks. The scene was nothing out of the ordinary, yet one of those instances in time she so treasured.
Unhurried, she relished this moment of solitude; there hadn’t been many of them in the past few weeks. All had shifted and changed with Jago’s coming, with his quickly slipping into being a part—the focus—of her world. The speed with which he fit into her life, and then morphed into her heart still left her breathless, often scared. Despite the fear, she embraced the spellbinding madness of being in love, truly in love.
Jago used his bungalow as an office for his business concerns now as his days and nights were spent with her. He cheerfully helped out with all The Windmill’s businesses, and seemed genuinely to enjoy himself. Interested in every aspect, he about drove Colin nuts with questions about the drive-in’s projector system. Asha smiled, thinking how much good it did Colin’s ego that Jago wanted to hear his opinions.
Some days after breakfast, Jago accompanied Liam to Valinor and learned about running the horse farm. That made her nervous. Still, Liam seemed happy with it, so she figured her devious brother had an ace or two up his sleeve. Being a ‘Meddling Montgomerie,’ she had to fight the urge to prod Jago and Liam both about the status of the sale; she didn’t like it hanging over their heads. At such times, she simply took a deep breath and reminded herself it was Liam’s business. He’d have to take care of the farm, just as she’d take care of The Windmill. Whatever the case, she didn’t want the situation to intrude on her relationship with Jago.
Her brother appeared increasingly happy—at least where the farm was concerned. His romance with Netta on the other hand, oddly appeared stalled. Such a beautiful man, women were usually ready to kill simply to gain his notice;