“Yes. Did you want to pick out a special log to burn?” Lucas finished securing the food then came over to Robin. “They hadsmall cherry and maple logs at the lumber yard the last time I was there. But I can get you another sizable piece of oak from our stacks if you like. If you’d rather not hunt one down at a Christmas tree lot.”
Robin angled his head away from any looky-loos. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Lucas. And it would be much appreciated. Thank you.”
Lucas blinked several times without looking away or speaking. “Cart,” he finally said, gesturing somewhere behind him, then turned to steer the cart back to the store.
Robin twisted around to watch him go. In all the time he’d been supposedly arguing with Lucas—which, first of all, were not arguments because Lucas did not argue back, and secondly, Robin’s tone had never been remotely combative—it hadn’t occurred to him that giving Lucas a simple compliment, or athank you, could have that effect on him.
Stumped and silenced, perhaps even flustered.
It was too adorable. Which was just like Lucas, honestly, and Robin was the worst because now, of course, he was going to do it again.
He hopped, or slid, down from the seat and shut the truck door. “Come on,” he called out to Lucas as he returned. “We have groceries waiting.”
“Where are we going?” Lucas caught up to him quickly and then hovered, looming, maybe accidentally, maybe not, but not going so far as to tell Robin no.
“Did you buy yourself ice cream?” Robin didn’t wait for the answer. “I knew it. I put it on the list.”
“I’ll get plenty of treats this week from my family,” Lucas protested, turned toward Robin and perhaps oblivious to theone or two coven members they passed, though Robin doubted it. The coven members were studiouslynotstaring, which meant this would be everywhere soon. Not that it was anything, but they would create all sorts of dramatic reasons for Robin Blessing and Lucas Greysmith to be in Old Town together.
Getting ice cream would never occur to them.
Robin led Lucas toward the Creamery with even more determination. “How long until it rains again?”
Lucas paused just enough to stare up at the clouds. “Tonight. But it will be intense.”
“More than enough time, then.” Robin nodded. “And we don’t know how long you’ll be staying, do we? So you might need the ice cream.”
Lucas had the air of someone about to say that no oneneededice cream. Robin looked at him, flinty-eyed, and Lucas once again proved he was as wise as people thought and said nothing.
“You don’t, um, spend time in town just to be out and about,” Robin went on carefully, in the argument they were not having. “Neither do I. But if we’re here, and you love it, then we should do this rather than getting something from the store. You shouldn’t let frightened coven members keep you from doing what you want.”
A hypocritical thing for Robin to say, but Lucas didn’t call him on it.
“I make them uncomfortable.”
“Maybe they deserve to be less comfortable, seeker of knowledge, since some of their comfort is due to your sacrifice.” Robin reached for the door handle and waved Lucas in first.
The bell on the door rang merrily and the tiny outsider girl who seemed to always be behind the counter perked up and put down the book she’d been reading.
Winter was not the Creamery’s busy season.
Robin took in the shiny cases and clean, light walls, the framed nutritional information signs, the board behind the counter with the special of the day written on it. It was always slightly changed in here, somehow, even when it was the same. Like the intangible experience of eating ice cream itself, particularly handmade.
He should come in more often, but he knew he wouldn’t. He just wouldn’t think of it without a reason.
The girl at the counter had a Santa hat on, as well as Christmas tree earrings. She smiled at both them, stared at Lucas for a second or two longer than she stared at Robin, then declared brightly, “You’re the one who asks after Chester!” As if the year between Robin’s visits was nothing and she remembered all. “You get an extra scoop today!”
She was not a witch but Robin felt vaguely blessed anyway.
“Is Chester well?” Robin asked politely, as he usually did, although Chester Sibley was a handful of years older than him and they didn’t really know each other.
“Resting.” She rolled her eyes, then explained to Lucas. “He works too hard. At least this week, I can usually get him to go home early and take days off. He’s not here now. Did you have a message for him?”
“Ah, no.” Robin shook his head. “We’re actually here for him.” He nodded toward Lucas. “We need something for right now and something to take home for later.”
Her eyes darted between them at the words. She seemed to brighten even more.
“Bossy, Blessing,” Lucas said lightly.
