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Again, she looked like she wanted to argue but thought better of it. “Okay. But I have to be at The Egg by two.”

“Sorry,” he said.

Gabi laughed a little, but it wasn’t as bright as last night’s laughter. The rodent invasion had dimmed her light. “There are some lovely people in Mystic Springs’ retirement home.”

“A few, I suppose.”

He wanted to show her his home, where he worked, where he slept. For a moment, at least, he wanted to show her who he truly was, what he could do. He wanted to be himself in front of her and allow her to do the same.

It had been a long time since he’d had such a thought. He couldn’t possibly be himself in front of a Non-Springer.

As he helped Gabi step into his truck, holding her hand and offering support as she launched herself up and into the passenger seat, Silas wondered what the hell he was supposed to do next. He’d been in favor isolation since it had first been proposed, years ago, but for the first time he realized that the town would be lessened by the absence of people like Gabi. And Marnie, and Cindy, and the others who came and went. It was an easy concept to get behind, a clinging to those who shared so much history and magic, to isolate the magical town from outsiders who didn’t, could never, understand.

Suddenly the idea of separating Mystic Springs and the people in it from the rest of the world seemed more like self-imprisonment than peaceful isolation.

* * *

In the past year, her world had been small. She worked, she took care of Mia, she’d made a couple of necessary trips to the clinic in Eufaula. That was it.

Gabi had never ventured into the woods that lay between Mystic Springs proper and the river. The trees were old, the new green of spring coming to life all around was inviting. The road Silas drove upon was almost wide enough for two cars of a normal width. His big pickup was high and wide, and well used. It suited him.

When she’d accepted his invitation to have dinner, the last thing she’d intended was to ignite a romantic relationship. Sex? Yes. Companionship? Maybe. Romance had not been in her plans.

But here it was, unintended or not. That didn’t mean it would last, or that love was involved, or that they’d have any kind of relationship tomorrow, or the next day. She asked for nothing more than this. A bit of human connection. A sexual touch. The feeling that someone in this world could be trusted, could be a true friend.

Silas watched the narrow road. She watched him. He was different from any man she’d ever known. That wasn’t saying much. She’d had a couple of boyfriends before Blake had come along, but nothing serious. Then Blake had swept her off her feet, they’d gotten engaged, and for a short while she’d been deliriously, blindly happy. The wedding had been lavish and beautiful and well attended. Mostly by Blake’s friends, family, and business associates. His mother was super controlling, and not what anyone would call supportive of Blake’s choice of a wife, but she’d grudgingly accepted her son’s choice. For a while, at least.

After the wedding her husband had effectively isolated his bride from the rest of the world. She’d become, as he continued to insist, his. That had been romantic at first, but it became more and more alarming as the weeks and months dragged on. She’d realized six months into the marriage that something was wrong, but she’d been so sure she could fix whatever was broken inside her husband. It had taken three broken bones and the news that she was pregnant for her to realize that some things could not be fixed.

She’d been willing to risk her own safety in hopes that she could save her husband, but she would not risk her child.

Would she ever get Blake out of her mind? He was in the past, nowhere near Mystic Springs. Silas Hollister was nothing like her ex. He might as well be a different species. A better species. A good, honest man.

Silas parked his truck in front of a long wooden building. It was plain but sturdy, a duplex with two doors side by side. Both unmarked doors were painted dark green. He helped her down; otherwise she would’ve had to jump. He took her hand and led her to the door on the right side of the building. He opened it, no locked doors for Silas, apparently, and walked inside.

This was his home, a comfy place to hang his hat at the end of the day. A cold fireplace was straight ahead. It might be cold now, but it looked to be well-used. A brown leather couch and matching chair were placed before that fireplace. The coffee table between them was cluttered with books, an empty coffee cup, and a plate that had a few crumbs on it.

She pointed to the plate. “You’d better not leave something like that sitting around. You might draw mice.”

When she’d first seen the horror that was a collection — a herd? A bevy? — of mice, she never would’ve thought she’d be able to make a joke about it. But here she was, making light of it with Silas.

“Phone’s in the kitchen.” He pointed to a door to the right of the living room.

One thing at a time. She’d make her calls, and then….

And then what? Silas said they could spend the day together, but she had doubts. Could she put Blake behind her? Could she take a chance with another man? No to both of those questions.

Could she enjoy Silas for a while? Yes. Maybe. She really, really wanted to.

She made the calls from an old, avocado green wall phone. Both of her clients were understanding and obliging. How long would it take for the place to be cleaned? Should she start cancelling her Saturday appointments? She’d wait until she knew for sure. Next week was already going to be busier than usual.

So maybe she should make the best of today.

Gabi walked out of the kitchen and found Silas waiting for her by the front door. She couldn’t help but remember how she’d felt last night when he’d touched her, when he’d been inside her. When he’d held her in those big, strong arms.

“We can walk down to the river,” he began. “Maybe later we can…”

She walked to him, grabbed the front of his brown shirt, and pulled him to her for a long, inviting kiss. When she took her mouth away from his she said, “Maybe later. I have other plans for you right now.”