Page 16

A lull.

Another knock.

The visitor persisted several more times before I found my way to the main level and answered.

It was shortly past six, the golden hour before the sun set. Diffuse light filtered through the canopy of branches overhead, speckling the carpet of colorful fall leaves on the ground. Birdsong echoed through the trees.

I inhaled the end of a crisp autumn day, savoring every nuance.

The discomfort of the fading sunlight was minimal, nothing more than a faint murmur under my skin I could ignore. Regardless, with sensitive eyes, I squinted at my company.

Ensley stood on the stoop, hands stuffed in his coat pockets, shoulders near his ears, and with a shy smile.

“Good evening, Mordecai.”

“Mr. Elowen. This is a surprise. How may I help you?” Sunlight forgotten, a new sensation assaulted me. A flutter of anticipation behind my ribs, the shadowy remembrance of a heart beating too fast.

“I thought we agreed to call each other by our first names.”

“Ah, yes. I remember. Forgive me. How may I help you, Ensley?”

“Would you believe me if I told you I was terrible at my job?”

I tipped my head to the side. “Oh?”

“Between house tours and endless paperwork, it took me until today to realize I hadn’t fulfilled the promises I made to a certain newcomer to town. Also, I didn’t get your phone number, and there wasn’t one in your file. I had no way of contacting you about that missing key or the property cleanup people. Heck, I wanted to be sure you survived the weekend in this supposed haunted house or if an evil spirit condemned you to hell.”

Fighting a smile, I spread my arms. “Still in one piece, it seems.”

Ensley’s gaze toured my body, slowly and purposefully. The upward turn of his lip was more pronounced. “I see that. I’m glad.”

We shared a silent moment of expectation, neither of us seeming to know what to say.

“So, did your furniture arrive?”

“My furniture?” The stumble cost me.

Ensley peered over my shoulder into the dark house. “Please tell me you have a bed at least. If I thought for one minute you planned to sleep on the floor all weekend, I would have forced your ass into my Jeep and checked you into the nearest BnB.”

I wouldn’t have argued if he’d dragged me home, but I wasn’t about to say that.

Seamus’s shipment had arrived Sunday evening as scheduled, but since it didn’t contain typical household adornments, I went with, “It’s… been a process. I’m getting there.”

“That was appropriately vague. A bed, Mordecai. Tell me you have somewhere to sleep at night?”

My name on his lips was like honey, luxuriously sweet and tantalizing. It had been four centuries since I’d tasted the candy-like nectar, but I had the distinct feeling Ensley’s mouth would awaken the memory, and I had the sudden urge to find out.

But four centuries had also taught me restraint, so I stayed my feet and returned his smile.

“Fear not. I have a place to rest.”

“‘Fear not,’” he mimicked and chuckled. “You’re funny. I’m glad you have a bed. What about heat?” His shoulders climbed to his ears as though punctuating the statement. “Tell me you got the heat turned on.”

“The fireplace works wonders.” I hadn’t lit the fireplace, nor did I require heat. “I’ll sort everything in good time. You needn’t worry.”

“‘In good time.’” Another chuckle.

“Are you mocking me?”