Page 39 of Sweetwater and the Witch

“I was going to try a different approach tonight.”

“What would that be?” she asked.

“I’d like to suggest a detour that would take us to my place.”

She had not seen that coming. She decided to play it as if she really was trying to offer helpful advice.

“Are you going to invite me in for a nightcap while you show me your amber collection?” she asked. “Because if that’s the plan, I need to tell you that you are moving too fast for a Covenant Marriage date. That approach is fine for a hookup, but when it comes to a serious date, you should not rush things.”

“Okay.”

“When you’re on an agency date, you aren’t looking for a one-night stand or a Marriage of Convenience. You don’t want to give the wrong impression.”

“So it’s too soon to give you a tour of my garden?”

“Your garden?” She hesitated, once again thrown off-balance. “That’s a much better idea. A stroll through a garden sounds like a pleasant way to end an agency date. Romantic but restrained.”

“I think I’m getting the hang of this matchmaking-date thing,” Ethan said. “My place is at the end of Ruin Gate Lane. Let’s take Lost Alley. It’s a shortcut.”

The balmy night, infused with a soft, senses-tingling buzz and green shadows, enveloped them as they walked through the DZ. Ravenna knew Ruin Gate Lane was an upscale neighborhood, but that was all she knew about it. The real estate agent had made it clear at the outset that the houses in the area were not within her budget.

At some point along the way a comfortable silence descended. Ethan did not attempt to take her hand, but they were very close to each other, so close their shoulders brushed occasionally. When that happened she got a thrilling little zing of awareness. She always enjoyed strolling through the DZ at night, but having Ethan beside her added a layer ofintimacy that was new and unexpectedly compelling. She could have walked like this for hours.

She did not feel the need to keep talking. Apparently Ethan didn’t, either. They ambled through the maze of narrow streets and passages until they reached Ruin Gate Lane. Here the modest houses, apartment buildings, and storefronts gave way to estates protected by mag-steel gates and high stone walls.

She looked around with interest. “I’ve spent a lot of time wandering through the DZ since moving here,” she said. “But I’ve never walked down this lane. Nice territory.”

“I like the energy and the privacy,” Ethan said.

At the end of the winding lane he stopped and rezzed a lock. The heavy gates swung open, revealing a driveway that curled through a luminous garden. The energy of the flowers, ferns, and plants flowed over Ravenna in a wave, delighting all of her senses.

She stopped, entranced. “This is incredible.”

“Think so?” Ethan asked.

“Beautiful,” Ravenna whispered. “A fairy-tale garden.”

She was aware of the big gates closing behind her, but she ignored them. Enthralled by the exotic wonderland that was Ethan’s garden, she moved off the narrow drive and started along a path that meandered through a forest of tree-sized ferns that fluoresced a paranormal shade of green.

Ethan followed a few steps behind, not crowding her. “I’ve been working on the garden since I moved in about a year ago. It’s a long way from finished.”

She heard the pride and satisfaction in his voice and smiled. “A garden is never truly finished, is it? My grandmother says gardens are living works of art that are constantly in the process of changing and evolving.”

“She’s right. Does she garden?”

“It’s her passion.” Ravenna paused, mesmerized by a curtain of psi-hot orchids. “Got a feeling the two of you would have a lot to talk about.”

“Do you think it would be okay to end a serious agency match date here?”

She glanced at him. He was watching her with a smoldering intensity that sent a sparkling rain of sensual awareness sleeting across her senses. Was he going to kiss her?

“Yes,” she said. She caught her breath. “Yes, I think this garden makes a wonderful ending for a serious—”

“Shit.” Ethan glanced at his watch. “He would pick now.”

It took her a beat to figure out what was going on. “Are you talking about Taggert Spooner?”

“Yep.” He took her arm and steered her to the Slider. “Let’s go.”

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