Page 14 of Bewitching the Dragon
Damn, he needed to get better at reading nonverbal cues because now that the words were out of his mouth, it was clear this was a topic Becca did not want to talk about.
“It’s okay, forget I asked.”
“No, no, it’s okay. It’s not your fault or anything. It’s just…my parents died shortly after I graduated from high school.”
“Oh, man, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. Anyway, I had a hard time getting over it. Spent a lot of time in therapy for about two years. Mostly trying to get my memory back.”
“What do you mean?”
She shook her head. “I was there when it happened, according to Aunt Pacey. But I guess it was so traumatic I’ve mentally blocked the memory. The whole time I was in therapy, Aunt Pacey tried to convince me to stop trying to remember. She said it was best if I didn’t.”
“Huh.” Given Pacey had assisted Argyle in creating a fake human life for Becca, why didn’t Pacey want Becca to remember how her parents had died?
Becca flapped her hand in front of her face, the way women did when they were trying not to cry. “That summer I finally, you know, started functioning again. Took a college course, went to work for Aunt Pacey. Took another few courses in the fall. Finally found my routine. And now I’m a graduate.” She smiled. “And I’m gainfully employed, too. I start teaching second grade in August.”
“That’s fantastic,” he said, and he meant it. He was glad she’d overcome such a terrible obstacle. He only wished she knew what other obstacles she had to overcome. Such as staying alive now that a group of warlocks knew about her existence.
A ahop bell chimed, and Rahu moved to the side so Becca could greet them and help them find whatever they needed.
Another customer came in and then another, and an hour passed before Rahu and Becca were alone again.
“Sorry about that,” she said as she began to ring up the pile of clothes Petra had requested.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s what you’re being paid to do.”
“Yes, but you’re a paying customer too.”
“But I don’t mind hanging out.”
He watched her cheeks turn a charming shade of dusky pink. She kept her gaze glued to the cash register.
One hour faded into two. They chatted about the deck he was helping Ketu build, the wood floors he’d laid, the gazebo he built for another dragon—keeping out the fact that his customer was a dragon, of course—and various other jobs he’d done in the eight years he’d been a carpenter.
Two became three, and in between customers they talked about the theme Becca was considering for her first classroom.
“Dragons!” she said, and Rahu nearly choked on the drink he’d taken from the bottle of water she’d offered him.
“Really?”
She nodded eagerly. “Kids are so fascinated by them. I can use them to help in my lessons, too. Plus, I’m thinking about adopting a bearded dragon and keeping it in the classroom. I’ll let the kids take it home on the weekends and during holidays. It’ll teach them responsibility.”
Rahu shook his head. “Yeah, it’ll definitely teach them that.”
“You think I’m being silly.”
His head shake became more vigorous. “Absolutely not. I think you’re…adorable.”
Oh shit. Not the best choice of words if he only intended to keep her safe and nothing else. Because now her eyes were glazing over and her smile had become dreamy, and his dragon was standing on his back legs clapping like he’d just won an award.
Luckily—if that was the right word—a customer entered the store, and Becca hurried over to help them. By the time Rahu and Becca were alone again, it was nearly time to close, so he helped with her closing routine and walked her to her car, noting the stone gargoyles perched along the fence that ran the length of the alley. No doubt, once she’d gotten into her vehicle and was focused on driving away, they’d all shift into either human or gargoyle form and follow to ensure she was safe. Which meant Rahu was off the hook for the rest of the evening.
He shouldn’t be annoyed by this knowledge.
He was only supposed to keep her safe, after all.
Chapter Six
