Some Enchanted Season

Chapter 2

Walking closely behind her, Afton grabbed the wizard her aunt had been holding and set it back on the shelf. Unfortunately, it didn't deter Winnie from moving on to the selection of paper sculptures, particularly the Chinese dragons.

"Now tonight, for instance," her aunt continued. "It's a special night, even though it's Christmas Eve for other people. Still, we can have some fun on a Christian holiday. Why don't you join me for drinks at the Empyrean Club?"

Afton sighed. Winnie never gave up her tireless crusade to prod her niece into social action. Yet, the mention of their favorite nightspot piqued her interest. But did she really want to go to all the trouble of dressing up just to accompany her aunt? "I don't think so. I plan to spend a quiet evening at home, curled up on front of the fireplace with a snifter of brandy and a good book."

"B-o-r-i-n-g!" Winnie heralded.

A rap at the inner door made both women turn. McKenzie Barrett stood behind the glass with a hopeful expression. Afton went to open the door and admit her new neighbor who had since shed his overcoat.

She donned a welcoming smile. "Hello, may I help you?"

In turn, he offered a friendly grin. "Gee, I hope so. I left my cellphone at the office and when I tried to use my land line phone in my apartment I find it's not working properly. I keep hearing these weird noises, like people talking but in high-pitched gibberish. So, I was wondering if I could possibly use your telephone, for a local call."

"Certainly, come on in." Afton stood aside so McKenzie Barrett could enter the shop. But before he came all the way in, he paused and held out his hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm McKenzie Carlton Barrett, or just plain Mac to everyone. I would have come to visit sooner but with work and the move and everything I haven't had a chance to even catch my breath."

"That's understandable. And I'm Afton Tremaine." She shook his hand, noting his neatly manicured nails and his warm, smooth skin. She liked his voice, a nice, firm baritone, and the way he spoke with an informal, pleasant tone. Despite his lack of a Bostonian accent, she figured he was born and raised right here in the New England area.

Now Afton indicated her aunt. "I believe you've already met my aunt, Winifred Graylock."

Mac nodded, his expression giving no hint as to his dissatisfaction over Winnie's trespassing. "Yes, we've met the other day and again on the stairs only a minute ago."

"We're just sooo thrilled," Winnie gushed, "to have you as a neighbor, Mr. Barrett."

"Well, I'm glad to be here."

She suddenly grabbed Mac Barrett's hand and examined his palm. "Ah, I see here that you're destined for a long, satisfying life."

"Oh, so you're a palmist," he speculated as she continued to roam his palm with her fingertip.

"Not really, but I like to find out more about a person." She traced his lifeline. "For instance, I think you're a Taurus, the bull. Am I correct?"

"Well let's see, you're tickling me." With a chuckle, Mac politely pulled his hand out of her grasp. "Actually I'm a Cancer. My birthday is in July."

She glowed with satisfaction, totally ignoring his correction. "Taurus, oh yes, that's your sign all right! No doubt you're quite the healthy and virile young bull."

"I, er, don't know about that exactly."

Afraid that her aunt would continue on her unabashed bent, Afton steered the conversation back to Mac Barrett's original request. "Now for the phone-I have both a cellphone and a business phone, whichever you'd like to use."

"Oh, if your business phone is handier, I'll just use it."

She directed him over to the checkout counter where she kept her cordless speaker phone. "Help yourself."

"Thank you so very, very much." When Mac picked up the receiver Afton walked back to her aunt, not wishing to eavesdrop.

"Well?" Winnie whispered, donning an impish grin. "Did I do good or what?"

"Oh, auntie, I don't want to know."

Unfortunately, Afton harbored a fairly good idea that her aunt had something to do with Mac Barrett's now-defunct apartment phone. She'd have to wait though until her new neighbor left the store before she could chide her aunt for using her powers in the pursuit of mischief.

Finished with his call, Mac returned to the women, his gaze taking in Afton's stock and trade, particularly the magic section with the trick wands and metal rings, silk handkerchiefs, top hats sans rabbits, and "escape proof" hand cuffs. "Well, you have quite an interesting shop here, Ms. Tremaine. Actually, I've thought about stopping in and browsing since I always pause to window shop when I pass by on the way home."

"It's a bit eclectic," she offered, "a little something for everyone. A lot of the college students from Harvard and MIT like to shop here for unique gifts."