Bewitching You

chapter Thirteen



Sofia peeked up at him again, taking in another detail. Today was the first time she was able to sketch him in person and not just from memory. He was such a gorgeous creature. All tanned muscle and broad shoulders against a tree-lined lake setting. This would be her favorite sketch to paint thus far, she was sure of it.

His stomach muscles clenched each time he cast the line, she noticed. Good idea washing his clothes, Sofe. She gave herself a mental pat on the back.

“What are you drawing?” he asked.

“You.” What was the point in being shy now?

He smiled and set the fishing rod in a secure spot. “Can I see?”

“Nope.”

“Please.”

“Okay, but only a peek.” She turned the book around to show him the current sketch.

He grabbed it from her with ease.

“Gray!” She reached for the book, but he held her back with one hand.

“Hold on, sugar. I want to see.” His dark eyes roamed over the almost-complete picture. “This is really good.”

“Thanks. Can I have it back now?”

“Why? What else is in here?”

“Nothing.” Just evidence of her obsession with him. No biggie. She grabbed for the sketchbook again, but he held it high out of reach. The boat rocked underneath them, and she panicked and gripped the sides.

“If it’s nothing, you wouldn’t mind if I have a look.” He flipped the page.

“I—” She had no words. Warmth rushed to her cheeks. What a bully he was.

“You what?” He sifted through the rest, narrowing his eyes at certain things.

“What do you think? I’m embarrassed.”

“Why?” He stopped at a page that must have caught his eye. “You have talent, Sofia. I love this one the best. The passion. The details. It’s amazing.” He handed the book back finally.

Sofia blew out a breath and warily peeked down at the one he’d chosen. It was the both of them in a naked embrace, their bodies entangled together in a bed sheet.

His finger edged her face up to look at him as he knelt down before her. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I hope you’re not, because I love them. Every one of them.”

“And what if I said I had paintings of them as well?” Sofia decided to throw it all out there. Every bit of mortifying honesty. “Lined up in my bedroom and in my closet.”

“I…I’d say I was extremely flattered.” If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was doing the blushing now.

“And?” Scared out of his mind? Wanting to get a restraining order?

“And I love that you want to draw me. It tells me a lot.”

“Like?”

“It tells me you thought about me. And I hope it means that you wanted me. Maybe possibly that you might...love me.” He waved his hand to get the last two words out and then cocked his head. “Of course I could be wrong.”

Sofia panicked and asked the first question that sprang to mind. “Where did you get those condoms anyway?”

He flinched, then exhaled and sat back on the bench. “In one of the cupboards above the sink area. Your grandmother must’ve left them for you. It had a note that said they were for you.”

“Nuh uh. Are you kidding me?” This was interesting news and something to take her mind off the love comment. He’d hit the bull’s eye on that one. There was no chance she’d admit it, though. She could vividly picture his alarmed expression if she were to blurt out what she really felt about him. Oh, Gray, I fell in love with you before I even met you. I want to marry you and have your babies.

No. Not gonna happen.

“Why do you think she left those for you?”

“Gosh, I don’t know.”

Probably in case her dream man showed up, but how would Nana even fathom that was a possibility? Ergh. The women in this family were too unpredictable. Sofia had some tough questions lined up for Nana, especially after seeing all the witchcraft stuff in the shed.

He cast the line out again and stared out at the water. “Were you seeing anyone else?”

“Me?” She let out a laugh. “Remember, I’m the girl who can’t seem to get to a second date.”

His shoulders visibly relaxed as his dark eyes swept over her. This was one of many times she wished she had Nana’s mindreading powers. The emotions that shifted over his face seemed to run the gamut. If he’d just pick one, she could read him better.

Ah, well.

“A sandwich would hit the spot, right?” She opened the wooden braided picnic basket and pulled out two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on wheat bread.

“Thanks.” Gray took the sandwich and bit into it.

Sofia handed him a paper cup filled with milk from the thermos. He finished his sandwich and drank the milk down without a word. She nibbled, watching him warily.

“Tell me about your childhood,” she said.

“Are you sure there’s fish in this lake?”

She shrugged. “Were you a happy boy? Did your mommy give you enough hugs?”

“You said your Nana has the lake stocked every so often.”

“I said my Nana talked about getting it stocked every so often. Did you and your brother get along?”

His shoulders bunched up again. “Am I wasting my time then?”

Uh oh. Sofia scooted up and wedged her body between his thighs. “I’ll tell you if I’m wearing underwear or not, if you tell me about your childhood.”

He dropped the pole behind him and slid his hands around and down the curve of her butt. “How about we skip all the talk and you show me?”

The idea was tempting, but… “No, Gray. I want to know more about you.”

A drop of rain landed on his nose, and he looked up at the sky. “Thank you, God,” he said, overdramatically. “We better get back to the dock.”

“After you tell me.”

“Sofia, we don’t want to be out on a lake during a rainstorm.”

“It was one sprinkle, you wimp. Tell me. Please.”

“Fine.” He took a breath and began his rant. “Hayes and I didn’t fight much, but if my mom were alive, I’m sure she’d say different. She loved us, but I think sometimes she wanted to wring our necks. She passed away after a long bout with breast cancer when I was fifteen. My dad was about sixty years old at the time. He’d had us late in life, but he kept up his health until we left for college. After, he seemed to fall apart, and passed away when I was nineteen. Hayes and I were devastated, but we knew he’d had a long, happy life, so we were able to get through it okay.”

Some more rain dropped down around them, but Sofia didn’t care. The man had been through hell. “And then you lost Hayes. How awful for you.”

“I don’t want your pity. I want to see you naked.”

“That’s not funny, Gray.” More rain splattered on them and the lake around them. Water dripped off her hat and down her back.

“I’m not laughing.” He drew her close, crowding her breasts to his chest. “I don’t want to talk about all that stuff. I don’t want to think about it. I just want you for as long as this thing between us will last. Do you understand?”

For as long as this thing would last?

Sofia nodded, her chest knotting painfully. She understood perfectly.

~ * ~

By the time they reached the dock, the rain was pelting down. Gray tied up the boat while Sofia grabbed her picnic basket and sketchbook. Water drenched her white tank top, revealing her dark nipples. The wet fabric outlined her plump breasts, making him ache to touch her.

He met her gaze, and she didn’t seem pleased with the ogling. She clasped the sketchbook in front of her and ran toward the house without looking back.

Now that Gray thought about it, she hadn’t glanced or said a word to him since they started rowing back.

Idiot. What the hell had he said wrong this time?

He left the fishing pole and followed her through the yard, stopping short to grab the clothes off the line. Everything was soaked again. He flung them over his arm and ran up the porch, leaving the sheets. The clothes could dry on the bench under the porch roof, he thought, and threw them down one by one in no specific order.

The sound of horses clopping down the street surprised Gray. Why would anyone take a dead-end road to this house unless they were planning on visiting? The horse and buggy turned off the road and onto the dirt lane. The horses trotted up, pulling the thin wheels of the carriage through the dips and loose stones.

Gray grabbed his t-shirt and tugged it on as the man in the buggy called the horses to a stop.

An Amish man wearing a brown shirt, black pants and suspenders dropped down onto the ground and jogged toward the house. Water dripped down the plain black hat that concealed most of his face.

“Hey there,” the stranger yelled, and stopped at the top of the steps, barely out of the threat of rain. He stood eye-to-eye and width-to-width with Gray.

“Can I help you?” Gray straightened his back and shoulders. It wasn’t often he met a man his own size.

“Penny Jones home?” He had a slight accent Gray couldn’t quite describe. Measured and lifted toward the end, maybe? A thick beard covered half of his rugged face. And his shifty blue eyes shot Gray an inquisitive look.

Penny Jones must be Sofia’s Nana. “No, I’m afraid she’s not. Can I help you with something?”

“Well, who are you?” The man had no manners.

“Grayson Phillips. I’m a friend of Penny’s granddaughter.” Gray stuck his hand out, but the man ignored it.

“Sofia? She here?”

He knew Sofia? “What’s your name?” Dickhead? Gray hadn’t come across many Amish, usually only passing them up on the road. They kept to themselves for the most part and Gray had liked it that way.

The door opened and Sofia lurched out. “Elijah?” she asked, eyes wide. She’d changed into dry clothes, jeans and a V-neck top that showed way too much skin.

Elijah? The first kiss guy?

The man removed his hat and put it to his chest. Gray noticed his shifty gaze do a onceover…of his woman. Weren’t these people supposed to be humble? Righteous?

Apparently not this guy.

“Little Sofia. Can’t imagine what you’ve been up to all these years.”

Gray wanted to knock the teeth out of his smile.

“Not much. You got married.” Sofia reached up and felt the man’s beard. “To Johanna?”

Gray did remember that little fact—single Amish men were clean-shaven and married men grew out their beards, but why did she have to touch him?

A low chuckle wheezed from his hairy mouth. “No. I married Joe’s Lizzie. Remember her? She prided herself on those peanut butter cookies. Always brought them out to the lake over yonder and teased the boys with ’em.”

“Right.” Sofia pushed a damp lock of hair behind her ear and gave Gray a lightning fast glance. “Do you want to come in? I can put some coffee on.”

Please, for the love of electricity, say no.

“Well, suppose I can visit for a spell. Until the rain lets up some.” He jerked his head to the horse and buggy. “Picked some tomatoes for your grandma. Saw her at the market the other day and mentioned she was wantin’ some fresh tomatoes.”

Damn it.

“Oh, that sounds yummy. Go grab them and bring them in. I’ll start the coffee.”

They each parted ways, leaving Gray standing on the porch like an ass. A neglected ass. He stalked inside to where Sofia was pouring water into a teakettle.

“What’s going on, Sofia?” he whispered into her ear, after bracing his hands on her waist.

“I’m making coffee. What do you think?”

“Why are you mad at me?”

“I’m not,” she mumbled, and set the kettle on the burner.

“Kiss me, then.” Gray leaned in, but missed her lips as she wiggled away from him.

“You’re all wet. Why don’t you towel-dry upstairs?”

He backed off, but decided against leaving Sofia alone with Dickhead. He sat at the table and watched as the guy strolled into the kitchen with a basket full of tomatoes.

Sofia took them from him with a smile. Cute and innocent. Gray adjusted himself in his wet jeans. He’d taken that innocence from her last night and this morning, and he’d be doing it again if it weren’t for the intrusion.

Dickhead sat opposite Gray at the table, boring a hole into Sofia’s ass with those shifty eyes. Nothing was innocent about this religious man.

“Where’s your wife?” Gray asked.

“At home with the children.”

Sofia brought over two coffee cups and thumped one down in front of Gray, set the other gently in front of Dickhead. His gaze searched her breasts now. Why didn’t she notice and slap him upside the head? She poured coffee into each cup and sat down at the third chair, facing the window.

“Where is Penny today?”

“She’s helping as a midwife for the, um, the Zook family over in Allen County. Connie Zook, I guess, is having a difficult pregnancy.”

“Zook? I don’t think I’m familiar. Did Penny leave in a hurry?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“She’s very friendly with my Lizzie. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned it.”

“Oh. That is surprising.” Sofia strummed her fingers on the table. Her gaze roamed everywhere but to Gray.

Elijah took a sip of his coffee and nodded. “You two a couple?”

“Yes,” Gray said loudly, his answer almost covering Sofia’s “No.”

No, huh?

Elijah raised his eyebrows and set his coffee down. “Well, I better be headin’ off now. Tell Penny I stopped by.” He tipped his hat back on and swaggered to the door.

Sofia walked with him. Gray followed.

“Oh, and let Penny know that salve she made for Lizzie’s cut worked. Healed real quick.”

“I will.” Sofia gave Gray another flash of a glance. “Wait, Elijah. Are you going by Tom’s Auto Shop, by any chance?”

“S’pose I could. Why? Havin’ vehicle troubles?”

“Yes. My car isn’t starting, and my friend here, his car is stranded down the road. He needs a tow truck.”

Gray’s chest pounded. His pulse beat against his temples. She was trying to get rid of him. But of course she was. According to her they weren’t a couple.

To hell if they weren’t.

“Down this road?” Elijah asked. “Didn’t see any cars coming up. Sure it’s still there?”

“No,” Gray spoke up. “It’s been a couple days. Might’ve been towed away by now.”

“Too bad.” Elijah made a tsking sound with his cheek. “Want a ride out to Tom’s anyway? They’ve got a phone over there.”

Sofia graced him another glimpse, her eyes unreadable. “Why don’t you go?”

He shook his head. He wasn’t going anywhere without her. “Thanks anyway.”

~ * ~

Penny’s head throbbed as she lay on Sofia’s bed. A streetlight beamed through the sheer curtains. But it wasn’t the electricity that pained her this time. She grasped the magnets together in her palm and squeezed.

Sofia resisted. For whatever reason, her granddaughter fought the spell. Was it doubt and distrust that plagued the young woman’s heart?

Penny clasped the magnets to her breast. If she could give Sofia her strength, she would. There wasn’t much to give. The spell was more powerful than any she’d ever conjured. She only hoped Grayson could handle the intensity. The emotions he must be feeling. The magnet that represented him sucked in all the energy while Sofia’s struggled to reject it.

“Love him and he’ll love you back,” Penny whispered.

A painful spasm erupted at her temple, and nausea swamped her. This was an awful episode, possibly the worst yet. She leaned over and vomited into the pail she’d set by the bed just in case, then wiped her mouth with a tissue and carefully lay back down.

“Mom?” Laura stuck her head through the door. Her curly blonde locks fell off her shoulders. “Do you need anything?” she asked softly.

Such a sweet girl.

The pain was too overwhelming to answer. It was best to rest as still as possible.

Laura sat down on the bed and took Penny’s hand. “Mom, should I take you to the hospital? I’m worried.”

Penny closed her eyes. The throbbing was relentless.

Her daughter’s mind spun into panicky overdrive, but Penny was too weak to block it out. Too weak to make everything better.

Through the pounding at her temples she heard Laura pick up the telephone.

“Herbert, hello. Yes, this is Laura. Laura Good... Can you come over?”

Penny wasn’t sure if it was thoughts or speech. Her mind was blurring. Nothing was clear.

“I need your help. There’s something wrong with my mother.”