Page 16 of Hallowed Tree
Skylar had lived in the manor for a short while before moving out to live in Jetty’s house since he’d moved in with Chance. He was here more often than not when he wasn’t working, either spending time with his best friend or with Elyse, who was training him in all things magical. “I see.”
He side-eyed me. “Do you?”
I patted the abnormally quiet man’s shoulder sympathetically. Skylar usually zipped through the house like lightning or bounced around like he was on a pogo stick. “I’m pretty sure we all do.”
“Not Kingston,” he said with a sniff.
Relationships were not my forte, as proven by how Buck had treated me since we returned from the pond. However, some things were common sense. “Have you considered telling him how you feel?”
His shoulders slumped. “I throw myself at him every chance I get. I don’t know what else I can do.”
“Tell him.”
“What if he suspects, but he doesn’t want me, so he’s playing dumb to keep from hurting my feelings?” he whined.
Were we speaking about the same man? There was no question that Kingston was wicked smart, but he was also a tad socially awkward and not generally aware of the people around him. Unless they were dead. His focus increased drastically once the entity in question had no pulse.
“As much as I don’t think Kingston would ever hurt anyone on purpose, I also don’t believe he has the aptitude to play games. If he realized you were interested and he wasn’t, he’d bumble his way through an apology to let you down gently.”
“Bumble?” Skylar asked indignantly, lifting his chin.
There was the feisty man I’d come to know. It was one thing for him to mope over his unrequited love, but a potential insult to the man in question? Unacceptable. I held up my hands placatingly. “I’m not insulting Kingston. I only meant that he’s uncomfortable with attention on himself in the easiest of conversations. Can you imagine how hard it would be for him to hurt someone’s feelings?”
Skylar tilted his head thoughtfully before a fond smile spread across his face. “It would be the worst. The poor guy would be a mess.”
I dipped my head in acknowledgment. “Exactly.”
A calculating expression replaced his amusement. “Soooo, Mr. Harry. With all of the commotion of the weirdness at the oak tree and the new guests checking in, we never discussed what’s going on with you and Buck.”
My mouth drooped into a frown before I caught myself. Skylar’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”
Clearing my throat, I turned away and floated toward the refrigerator. I didn’t need anything, but I wanted to avoid his scrutiny. Earlier, my biggest concern was the teasing I’d have toendure with giving into Buck’s pursuit. Now, I was more worried that everyone would know my humiliation. “Nothing.”
Skylar skipped across the room, cornering me in the opening of the door. It would be nothing for me to poof out of the room and avoid him altogether, but really, that would be rude. “Come on, Mr. Harry. What gives? You two looked pretty chummy at the fire pit.”
“Perhaps, but he hasn’t exactly been around today, has he?”
Skylar’s lashes fluttered like he was checking his internal hard drive. “What do you mean? He’s come in to check on you every half hour, at least. He doesn’t always say anything, but he appears and makes sure you’re okay before he disappears again.”
My head jerked back in surprise. “He has?” How had I missed that? I’d been keeping one ear on the discussion between Chance and his crew about what might be going on at the pond now and what they should do about it, but I’d been cognizant enough of my surroundings that I’d faded away any time guests were around. And I’d noticed Buck a time or two, but not what Skylar was suggesting. I wouldn’t have felt so abandoned if I’d seen him checking on me.
Skylar giggled. “Ohhh, you got it bad.” Since I was corporal, he patted my chest. “Yes, he has. Maybe you should go check on him this time. Last I saw, he was in the parlor putting a puzzle together with the brothers.”
It was a tempting idea. I’d missed the big lug, especially after what we’d shared earlier, but I also didn’t want to be annoying. I bit my lip as I considered my options. There was work to be done to get ready for the breakfast buffet in the morning, but that didn’t have to be done now. It was helpful if—
“Mr. Harry!” Skylar whisper-yelled. “Go check on your man and make sure he’s alright. I’m going to wait for Kingston a while longer. I know his sleep has been trash because of his dreams,but he still needs to get some rest.” I flickered but hesitated. “Go.” Skylar smacked his hands together like he was a magician, and I performed upon request.
I guessed this time, I did.
Chapter Seven
Buck
Tingles went up my spine, and I knew Harry must’ve been behind me. Stretching wide, I leaned back in my seat to see him peeking around the corner and watching me, Stevie, and Scotty while we were working on a puzzle. “Hey, love.”
Straightening his spine, he came into the parlor fully, fiddling with his cufflinks like he hadn’t been spying on me. Pride filled me knowing that he’d sought me out. Not even his mumbled, “I’m just checking the house to make sure everything’s closed up for the evening,” phased me. If pretending he wasn’t here for me made him feel better, then so be it.
“I already checked all the doors and windows, Mr. Harry,” Scotty said. “We’re all locked up.”
