“Sure,” she replied. “The sooner, the better.”
“That’s what I thought too,” he muttered. “See you soon.”
He grinned when she disconnected without saying a word.
* * *
Gramps watched as Birch packed up his suitcase.
“Gee, that was quick,” he said, smiling widely.
Birch grimaced. “I could hardly believe it myself.”
“She didn’t seem nervous or awkward around you? It’s pretty strange that she trusted you so quickly.”
Birch paused, carefully considering Gramps’ question. “It’s funny, but I immediately trusted her too, and you know that’s something that doesn’t come easily for me, either.”
Gramps looked at him with definite approval. “I’m relieved that you’re not wasting time with distrust.”
“Gramps? Why are you and Ariella’s mother and aunt here in Crystal Rock?”
Gramps heaved a sigh. “We’re not exactly sure, Birch. But the three of us were guided, so there must be a purpose of which we’re unaware of yet.”
“Yes, that makes sense,” Birch murmured. “I have this feeling in my head that none of this is coincidence and everything that’s happening has happened before, only in a different time period.”
“As if you’re reliving the mistakes of the past? Remember it’s the third conflict. My guess is that you will relive the events of the first and second conflicts, which will enable you to outwit the dark force in the third.”
“You know that I have no idea what you’re talking about?” Birch answered dryly.
Gramps grimaced. “I have a feeling Ariella does, although she’s not allowed to guide you. Everything you do from here on in must be done of free will.”
“In other words, I’m not supposed to ask her questions about anything except our work on the island?”
“Exactly,” Gramps answered. “I also know that I’m supposed to stay off the island for now, and so are Serena and Gwen.”
Birch was puzzled. “I wonder why that is?”
“I believe it’s to allow you to recognize the dark force, whereas others with powers, such as myself, might interfere with your sensory capabilities.”
“You realize that this is all kind of nuts?”
“Yeah, well,” Gramps murmured. “You’d better get used to it Birch.”
After snorting a couple of times, Birch started laughing and so did Gramps.
It sure helped to relieve the tension, he thought, walking out through the door with his belongings a few minutes later.
Chapter Ten
After the island was invaded by the utility people as well as a bunch of workmen and women, Ariella hated to admit it, but she felt much better when she saw Birch down below, tying off his cruiser at the dock.
She listened carefully to the man from the power company, who was attempting to charm her while explaining what they would need during the next few days to have power on the island.
“So, first you would install generators and then in the spring after acquiring the proper permits, you might be able to run an underwater line?”
He looked surprised that she’d understand so quickly.
“When can you begin?”
“This afternoon, if you’d like. We’ll order the generators, but we can determine the best placement and do some underground wiring into the house.”
“Callahan’s is sending out a crew this afternoon,” she answered.
“Good. Then you can have a panel installed right away that we can connect to,” he murmured. “I just need for you to sign off on the paperwork.”
She studied the paperwork, wincing at the price of the two generators. “Alright. Everything looks in order. I suppose the generators will come in handy even after a power line is run to the island.”
“Yes. You’re pretty isolated out here,” he answered.
Birch walked up to Ariella. “Is that the paperwork? May I take a look?”
A few moments later, Birch grinned. “You seem to have everything taken care of. I’m probably not even needed.”
Surprisingly, she had to grin back. She liked the fact that he didn’t appear to be intimidated by her obvious awareness of everything going on around her. “Come on. I’ll help grab your stuff from the cruiser and let these guys get to work.”
“Thanks, Ms. Cappella. Before we start digging, we’ll doublecheck with you about the location.”
“I’d appreciate that,” she answered.
“You wouldn’t want to have the view through the window obstructed by an ugly generator,” Birch murmured.
“Exactly,” she admitted as they headed along the path toward the dock.
When they arrived down below, she asked him softly, “Do you sense it? Something about a couple of the men in the crew doesn’t feel right.”
“Is that what it is?” Birch replied. “I had this feeling of dread momentarily while I was walking near the area where they’re going to start removing the siding to install the electrical panel in the basement.”
“You’ve avoided using your powers?”
“Mostly. I’m also FBI, and sometimes they come in handy.”
Her eyes went wide. “FBI? Really?”
He looked surprised that she didn’t know.
“I can’t tell if that’s a good thing with you or not,” he confessed, studying her closely as she scooped up one of his bags.
After a thoughtful moment, she murmured, “I guess it’s a good thing.”
“I’m glad to hear that since I have no intention of resigning.”
She looked at him with pretended innocence. “Why would ask you to do something like that? We barely know each other.”
Birch smiled widely, holding up a staying hand. “Come on. Don’t kid me. You know better than that.”
She scrunched her nose, trying not to smile. “Yes, I guess I do.”
* * *
They seemed to settle into a comfortable routine during the next few days. Birch was an excellent cook on the grill, and they took turns going into town and bringing back food. For some reason, they were uncomfortable leaving the island together since there was something that made them afraid to abandon the island.
Ariella was trying to decide about having a boathouse built on the island’s edge. Even though she had the capability of keeping the pontoon from wear and tear from the weather, she might have to keep up appearances with so many workmen and women on the island.
Birch was the one to decide for her. “I’ll have some estimates drawn up. I could leave my cruiser on standby at the marina, but since you have the capabilities of altering weather, I’d prefer it remain here just in case something comes up.”
Finally, about a week later, they were enjoying their first night of electrical power and indoor plumbing.
“How in the world did it get done so quickly?” Birch asked, looking at Ariella. “Don’t tell me – you have your ways.”
Ariella laughed, and he was giving her that hungry look again that had nothing whatsoever to do with food.
She decided to give him something to think about, because she was feeling the same way too. The attraction had been mutual, right from the start. But she could sense it was more than just attraction and this time they were spending together was becoming extremely precious to her.