Page 66 of Impractical Magic

“We won’t hear of it!” Nine picked up his cane and smacked it on the porch like a giant judge’s gavel. “Thirteen, you get that gal out of here. We insist!”

“Really? You’ve really got the whole hardware store handled without me?”

“Consider it handled,” announced his grandfather.

“Done and dusted,” said his great-grandfather.

His great-great-grandfather agreed. “Get off our lawn, you dumb kids.”

***

Scarlett followed Nate off the porch and down the quiet street. The autumn air was crisp, and the trees were lit up with brilliant fall colors. Scarlett didn’t care about Del’s complaints that they “just aren’t as pretty” as usual—she’d been in California for ten years. The oranges, yellows, and reds of these New England trees were plenty appealing to her eyes. Of course, occasionally, she’d also notice a tree that was purple or spotted or plaid . . . because there was no chance that Oak Haven would let Scarlett forget it was in trouble, not even for a minute.

As they walked along the cobblestones, Scarlett glanced sideways at Nate. “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “I’m just going to dive right in here, get it out in the open. Last night . . . You see . . . I was embarrassed. We got so swept away, and everything was really overwhelming and . . . I mean, not for nothing, but I nearly got eaten by a squid? Maybe a gal isn’t exactly at her best after that? And suddenly there you are, and there I am . . . and there we are, if you know what I mean . . . and then there’s . . . Polly? Polly, of all people?! I just felt so exposed and . . . caught off guard, I guess? And . . . I said dumb things I didn’t mean.”

Nate stopped walking and turned to face her. “I know,” he said gently. “I felt pretty exposed, myself. I also said dumb things I didn’t mean.”

“What happened . . . it didn’t mean nothing to me. I don’t know what it meant, to be totally honest. But nothing is definitely not it.”

“I know that, too.” He reached out for her. “C’mere.”

Scarlett let Nate pull her into his arms. She melted against his broad chest, the steady thump of his heart calming her racing pulse.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered. “So much.”

“I’ve missed you too,” he murmured. They stood together for a long moment, the years between them falling away.

She tilted her head up to look at him. His eyes searched her face, a question in them. She nodded almost imperceptibly.

Nate leaned in and kissed her, soft and tentative at first. When she responded, the kiss deepened, years of longing and heartache pouring out.

Finally, Scarlett pulled back to look up at him, her palms resting against his chest. But this time, instead of longing, there was laughter—at themselves, at their own weakness. “I guess this is going to keep happening, huh?”

“I guess so.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Come on, I want to take you somewhere.”

Chapter 26: An Occurrence at Bonfire Creek Bridge

Nate led Scarlett down Galloping Hill Road. The crisp autumn air filled their lungs as they walked, fallen leaves crunching underfoot. Afternoon sunlight slanted through the branches of the towering maples, casting a warm glow along the path.

They walked in comfortable silence, their steps falling into a familiar rhythm. Maybe coming back wasn’t such a bad idea after all, she thought. She inhaled deeply, realizing that the air smelled like home. The thought sent pangs of joy and sorrow through her. Home. It was a word she hadn’t dared to use in connection with Oak Haven for a long time. She didn’t deserve it—not after what had happened with Papa. But as she walked, feeling the warmth of Nate’s hand in hers, Scarlett allowed herself a moment of hope that perhaps she might earn her way back, one day.

At the edge of town, the road narrowed as they approached the covered bridge over Bonfire Creek. The old red bridge stood out like a beacon against the vibrant foliage.

Nate helped her down the bank, which was checkered with smooth stones and late-blooming wildflowers. They settled on a large, flat rock and listened to the water bubbling and churning over the stones. Scarlett drew in a deep breath, savoring the peace.

“Ah yes,” she sighed. “Here we are at the site of my greatest triumph—my infamous dive over the bridge.”

“The School of Scarlett, as it is often called.”

Scarlett looked at him, surprised. “Is it called that?”

“No,” Nate admitted with a grin. “No, I call it that. Because, you know, of the fish.”

Scarlett laughed. “Right, yeah, I got the pun. Hey, has anybody else ever . . . you know . . .” She made a diving gesture with a matching whooshing sound.

“No way.” Nate shook his head emphatically. “In fact, every year all the kids in Oak Haven have to listen to a presentation from your mother about how witches should never turn themselves into wild animals—and especially not groups of wild animals—and especially especially not groups of low-intelligence wild animals that are likely to wander off.”

“Oh my goodness!” Scarlett had no trouble envisioning that lecture, having endured it many times herself. “I’m so sorry for those kids.”