He clicked off the phone and I saw him make his way through the crowd to the door. A few minutes later I heard him crunching through the leaves and coming toward me. It had gotten fully dark in the time since we first arrived.
“Clyde?” Seth whispered.
“I’m here.” I stepped forward so he could see me in the light from the windows.
“Here’re the keys.” He dropped them into my hand. “Want me to come with you? What are you doing, anyway?”
“I’m just following up on a lead. You go ahead in. I need you to run interference for me with Vi and Nana Rose. Keep telling them you just saw me across the room or something. That will keep them occupied until I get back.”
Seth shrugged. “Okay, but the food will be gone pretty soon.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
He turned and melted into the shadows at the side of the building. To avoid being seen by Charla, I walked the long way around the block and down the street to where Dad had parked. I didn’t want Mac and Neila spending time together. And I didn’t want to be delayed by anyone at the Reading Room.
I pulled out of the parking space and headed to the north end of town and Neila’s house. The streetlights only went as far as the bottom of her gravel road and then it was dark forest. This was another reason why the teenagers of Crystal Haven frequented her house on their more daring escapades. It was a sign of true bravery to walk into the woods alone and get as far as the edge of her yard. I was pretty sure most of them just hid behind a tree for ten minutes and then came strolling back out. This time of year, the trees were skeletal and my headlights cast menacing shadows as I bounced the car along the road. I got to the house and saw that Mac’s cruiser was still there.
Once I arrived I wasn’t sure what I planned to do. I was concerned about Neila, and I really wanted to see Mac. As I sat debating my plan, the door opened. Mac was backlit in the doorway and I saw Neila holding the door and waving him out. I rolled down the window to hear what they were saying.
“Call if you . . .” I heard Mac say.
“Thank . . . ,” came a muffled reply.
She swung the door closed and Mac turned on the porch and stopped when he saw me. His face was in shadow and I couldn’t tell what kind of reception to expect until he got right up to the car.
He leaned down with a huge grin on his face and rested his arm on the open window.
“Well, hi. Are you here on a dare, or are you here for me?”
He opened the door and put out a hand to help me out.
“To see you, of course.”
“That’s a great answer.” He pulled me toward him and a few minutes later I started to get embarrassed thinking Neila might be able to see us acting like a couple of overheated teenagers right there in her yard.
I pulled away, and caught the look of confusion on Mac’s face.
“Sorry, this place kind of spooks me.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I proved my bravery several times over the years just by walking up here. It was a little humiliating when I met her later and she remembered me from those days.”
I smiled, but it was so dark he probably couldn’t tell.
“I’ve missed you,” I said into his chest and inhaled the scent of pine trees and cool air.
He pulled me closer again and we forgot for a moment that we were standing right outside the Crystal Haven witch’s house. This was one thing I hadn’t done while a teenager on a dare.
“So, when can I see you?” Mac said into my hair.
“I think you’re doing a pretty good job right now.”
He laughed and shook his head.
“Let’s go do something, just the two of us. I could really use a break from this Rafe Godwin thing. Can you get Seth to hang with your parents for an evening?”
“How about tomorrow night?”
“Great. What do you want to do?” he murmured against my neck.
“Um, dinner?”
“Sure, we should eat.” He kissed me and I started to worry I wouldn’t be meeting my half-hour deadline.
Then we heard a click and the yard was flooded with light. We jumped apart just as the door swung open.
“Oh, it’s you,” Neila said from the porch. “I thought it was the kids again. I didn’t have the patience for it tonight, after the trouble down at the Reading Room. Lu—a friend installed this floodlight so I can scare them away if they get too loud or come too close.”
“Sorry, Ms. Whittle. I was just . . . talking to Clyde Fortune.” He grinned at me. “I think someone dared her to come up here to your house.”
Neila flapped her hand at him. “Oh, now don’t start that. I know what you were doing. At least that’s what I hope you were doing, with your faces so red.”
I smoothed my hair and zipped my jacket. Now Neila knew our secret as well. At least she was a recluse and never spoke to my family. I didn’t know how much longer we could keep up the cloak-and-dagger stuff.