Page 25 of Bewitched By the Headless Horseman
She took the moped and drove toward Reese’s house. The fog was thicker than it had been over the last few weeks, swirling around the tops of her wheels like a cauldron of bats. Never before had the town of Sleepy Hollow had straight days of fog like this where it hadn’t let up. The council had said it was due to the Eye being open and once it closed, the fog would dissipate.
This was the first time Stevie had seen Reese’s home as she turned into his driveway. His two-story house appeared neat and tidy. Everything about it was pristine and proper, not a leaf or a trimmed bush out of place. Even the trees’ branches were perfect. No statues rested in the garden as if even one would make it too cluttered.
Stevie rang the doorbell and he answered a couple of seconds later wearing a T-shirt and jeans. He appeared more relaxed than she’d seen him before, yet her heart didn’t accelerate as it should’ve to see him.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Reese said and gestured her inside. “The pizza’s already here. You look cute by the way.”
“Thanks! You look cute yourself.” She smiled awkwardly.
Modern metal decorations covered the walls, much different than her antique things. The kitchen was the first room they came across—more metal pieces hung beside cherry-stained cabinets.
He led her into the living room, and she removed her jacket before laying it on the leather arm of the couch. She sank down on the cushions in front of the pizza box awaiting her on top of the coffee table. Reese returned with two glasses of soda, andhe stilled once he handed one to her. “Oh shit. Milk, right?” It wasn’t a big deal—it was onlymilk—but she already knew the type of wine he drank. So was he even really that into her? Was she interested in him anymore? Whatever spark had possibly been there the first night had rapidly fizzled.
“It’s fine.” She shrugged.
“All right, but let me know otherwise,” he said, giving her the remote. “Your movie choice tonight.”
“Oh. Seems I have all the control in the world,” Stevie teased. She scrolled through the movies until she came across one she could watch over and over. “Let’s go withScott Pilgrim vs. the World.”
As the comedy played, she noticed Reese was the one nodding off this time. She contemplated kissing him to determine if there should even be another date, or if they should just remain in the friend zone. She scooted closer, the leather couch practically screeching beneath her, and she winced at her attempt to be smooth.
Reese straightened, his arm slipping around her, and no supernatural beings threw a party in her stomach at his touch. She grasped his face and turned it toward her, his eyes hooded.
Here we go… Any minute… Do something, Stevie, instead of looking at him like an idiot!
A horse’s hooves pounded in the distance, and she jerked up, her hands leaving his face like she’d been burned. “I-I’m sorry, I need to go.” Stevie scrambled off the couch and grabbed her purse.
“Already?” He furrowed his brow.
“It’s just this thing I forgot about. I’m so sorry. Can you text me later?” Without a decent goodbye, Stevie flew out the door and started her moped. She sped to the end of the street, the fog slipping up to her shins. Near the end of the neighborhood, sheslowed to a stop and turned off the engine to listen. The sound of hooves against pavement had died, leaving only silence.
“Where did he go?” she whispered.
A horse whinnied behind her and she whirled around to find Kit and Inferno, their ethereal white glow shining brightly.
“Seriously,” Stevie hissed and got off the moped to walk toward him. “I told you not to just creep up on me like that!” She wouldn’t admit it aloud, but she was relieved he had.
“I felt your call. Lucia helped you, I presume?” he said, sliding down from his horse.
“Where have you been? None of the ghosts I’ve asked have even seen you.”
“Time got away from me, I suppose.” He shrugged. “I’ve been in the woods, searching and thinking, attempting to recall things. It’s where I was murdered. But I take it you missed me, Pumpkin?” Behind his invisible mask, he was smirking and she knew it.
“Murdered?” she gasped. “You could’ve told me that before!”
“And would your nobleness have kicked in that first night, leaving you wanting to help me out of the kindness of your pretty heart?” he drawled.
“Well, yes!” she whisper-shouted. “You also didn’t tell me you were aseer!”
“About that…” Kit’s voice drifted out soft as silk. “I suppose it’s time for some of the story then, isn’t it?”
Chapter Ten
Kit sauntered away from Stevie toward his horse, and she called out, “I thought we were going to start a campfire and have story time?”
“You’re an impatient little thing, aren’t you?” He chuckled as he mounted his stallion. “I’ll meet you at your home.”
Stevie frowned but started her moped and rode beside Kit to her house. Up above in the sky, the stars appeared dimmer than usual as if their lights could flicker out at any moment. However, the red Eye continued to hold its glow.
