Open Hollow

Chapter 01: Welcome to Open Hollow

The tiny bell above the door trilled throughout the bookshop. The tone was inviting, bringing a subtle charm to the silence it broke. The patron stopped, inhaling the smell of old books and incense. The runes in the door frame made everyone pause, as though they held a spell preventing everyone from venturing further into the shop. The door behind clicked softly, the lock carefully catching, preventing any wayward spirits from entering.

Karis tilted her head to the side slightly, her mouth formed into a soft grin. "Welcome to Open Hollow. How can I assist you?"

The young woman standing before the door gripped her bag's strap tightly. Her eyes darted from side to side, searching the shadowed shelves as if monsters lurked among them. Finally, she pushed her glasses up her nose, let out a quick and determined sigh, and moved towards the counter where Karis was resting.

She lifted the flap on her bag, rifled through its contents, and handed Karis a crumpled piece of paper. Karis took the abused sheet from the woman's hand. Karis smoothed the paper on the countertop, glancing at the words.

The bell to the door chimed again. Karis kept her eyes on the paper. "Welcome to Open Hollow. I will be with you in a moment."

"Take your time, ma'am." The patron's voice was richer than Karis' regular customers. She glanced up, surprised to see a man similar in age to her. Most of her customers were like the young woman before her, college-age or middle-aged women who had been practicing Wicca for several years.

"Please, walk around. I'll come to find you once I've finished." Karis watched the man walk towards the divination books and disappear into the shelves holding them.

She turned her attention back to the woman before her. "Now, this is not a love potion. I do not deal in affairs of the heart in such manners."

Dominic shook his head as he listened to the shop proprietor chastise the girl at the counter. His cousin had warned him that she was blunt when it came to the trivial and misconstrued information about her craft. This part of his life needed blunt, and maybe the harsh words of a stranger would help.

Dominic felt silly walking through a new age, hocus pocus, paganism shop, but at this point, finding solace from anywhere was going to be a bonus. Martha had convinced him that this place, that the proprietor, could mend a broken heart with a snap of her fingers. He didn't know why he had listened to her. Dominic could probably sneak out before the woman noticed him again. He started to pull a book from a shelf instead.

"That book isn't good for beginners." Karis smiled as her guest nearly jumped out of his clothes. Dominic tucked his hand into his pocket. "I wasn't sure what I was even picking up."

Karis crossed her arms over her chest. "Most people aren't, this is a place where people come for the novelty, so they don't understand what they're exploring."

Dominic's eyes tightened. He wasn't at the store for its novelty but help. He turned his head away from Karis. He'd made a mistake coming here.

Karis looked at the man before her over. His posture had stiffened, and he turned his face away from her. She could tell he hadn't come for the novelty and hadn't meant that about him when she'd made the statement. She uncrossed her arms and tilted her head to the side in hopes of establishing an amicable and open conversation. "I don't think that you're here out of curiosity. You're here for something else. How can I assist you in obtaining your goal?"

Dominic's shoulders loosened, and he turned his head back to the proprietor. She was about his age, softer around the eyes than most women their age should be. Her features were open and inviting and helped him feel more at ease.

A sigh left his lips. "My wife passed away almost a year ago. Part of me can't find solace in her passing. I know I should have, the cancer ate her alive, but I can't. It didn't seem like that was the last option for her, that death was all that was left. My cousin said that you're some type of miracle worker, told me I should come here."

He reached up and rubbed the spine of a book. He wasn't looking at it; he did it out of comfort. Karis had seen death affect people in so many ways that this situation wasn't new to her. Her lips pursed together as thoughts of comfort and reassurance pushed to the surface of her mind. Those weren't things this man needed, he'd been hearing it, and it wasn't helping him." First, off the book you're touching would be the best for you right now. It is one of my brutal favorites for death and mourning. "Death: The Insufferable Bitch.", not many people would understand that sometimes satire and brutal honesty are best for them. In your case, I think it would be. You don't need to feel sorry for yourself or have others feel sorry for you. She died, and you must come to terms with that, get the book and read it. It might help you realize why it had to be death in the end."

Dominic pulled the book from the shelf and looked at the cover. The skeleton on the front was shrugging its shoulders, giving it an I don't care attitude. The edges were worn, and the pages were yellower than he'd expected for a new book sitting on the shelf. He thumbed through it and noticed sentences had were underlined and words circled. This book had helped someone in the past; maybe it would help him.

"I know it looks older than you'd expect. I usually lend that book out; it seems to serve its purpose better that way." Karis turned and headed back to the counter. She didn't need to hover over this man while he decided about the book. If he wanted to read it, he'd take it with him.

Dominic followed Karis back to the counter. If she said this is the book, he needed to get it. "I think I'll go ahead and get it. I'm desperate for healing, and if this helps me get headed in the right direction, I'm all for it."

"I'll let you borrow it with the condition you return it once you're finished with it."

Dominic nodded his head. "I can do that, thank you."

"You're welcome..." Unfortunately, Karis had failed to ask her guest's name.

"Dominic." He tucked the book into his coat pocket.

"I hope the book helps Dominic."

"Me too."

Chapter 02: Return

Karis stacked books on the empty shelf. The holidays had been good for her. However, this was the first time in a while that she'd had to restock some of her titles. The doorbell trilled, and a familiar voice followed.

"Karis!" Martha's voice carried melodically through the store. Karis smiled; Martha's cheerful disposition made the room seem warmer.

"Martha, it's been a while." Karis emerged from the shelves and was surprised to see Martha wasn't alone.

Dominic looked at Karis and was surprised to feel his heart skip a little. She didn't appear any different from their first meeting, but it was like he was seeing her in a new light. The softness around her eyes seemed to glow and spread throughout her features. The gray in her hair mimicked a halo lending her an ethereal beauty.

"We were having lunch, and I thought I'd return your book." Dominic pulled the book out of a bag and set it on the counter. She'd been right; the book had helped. Since Cathy had gotten sick, he felt like his old self for the first time. He wasn't entirely over her death, but he'd found a way to mend.

"Did it seem to help?" Karis set the stack of books she was holding on a chair. She left her body open with a comfortable posture. She seemed to radiate comfort and acceptance without the intention of doing it consciously.

"It did. Bluntness is what I needed to get over the initial hurdle of Cathy's death. I appreciate you recommending it and lending it to me."

Karis moved closer to the two of them. "If I recall correctly, you picked the book out. I just let you borrow it."

Confusion furrowed Dominic's brow. Martha patted him on the shoulder. "You must have done something, or it was how you carried yourself that made her say that. I'm prone to touching things, and she picks them up as I roam through the store. We go through them at the counter once I've finished looking around. She's good like that. She picks up on a person's subconscious cues."

"Thanks, Martha. You are the sweetest." Karis grabbed Martha's hand and squeezed it with fondness.

"It's the truth. I wish more people would follow my advice when I tell them to come here. I'm glad Dominic listened to me."

Dominic's mind floated back to the day he'd first come into the shop. He was trying to figure out what he had done for her to recommend the book.

"You rubbed the spine of the book. You didn't look at it, or read the title, only touched it. You told me what you needed, and your mind chose the book for you. I know all that hocus pocus seems like total bull crap, but sometimes the mind knows what it needs even if we don't believe it."

Hocus pocus, that's what this seemed like, wholly unbelievable and unreal. Yet here Dominic was standing in a new age shop listening to a woman that believed in magic. Martha was unphased by Karis's demeanor and words. He was so confused by this, yet it made him comfortable.

Karis leaned against the counter and looked at Dominic. It had been a while since she'd been pulled towards someone like she felt with Dominic. The tug hadn't been there on their first meeting. Still, after several months of progressive healing, maybe he was a different person or a person that felt alive again. Karis stood up and held herself, uncomfortable for the first time about thinking of Dominic in any way other than a customer. This man was still grieving for his wife. How could she even think of him in any way than what she should, a man that needed help to heal?

"Is there anything else I can get the two of you? Coffee or tea?"

Dominic and Martha noticed Karis's personality shift. It was the first time Martha had ever seen her close off, seeming unsure of herself.

"Are you okay, Karis?"

Karis brushed the front of her clothing, removing the unease from her person. "I'm fine, conflicting emotions. I'm not used to that."

"What do you mean?" Martha stepped closer to Karis, wanting to ease her friend's mind.

The bell trilled, and Karis let out the breath she'd been holding. "Welcome to Open Hollow."

"We'll get out of here, and I'll come by tomorrow?" Martha's question was weighted, but Karis welcomed her company.

"That will be fine. It was nice seeing you again, Dominic. I'll see you tomorrow Martha." Karis disappeared into the shelves looking for the customer that had come in.

Dominic opened the door for Martha, and they stepped onto the sidewalk. It seemed chaotic outside compared to the warmth and peace of Open Hollow. The cousins walked for a bit before either spoke.

Dominic tucked his hands into his pockets. "Was it me, or did she seem uncomfortable towards the end of our conversation?"

Martha nodded her head. "She was something. It's not like her to give off any type of negative emotions. She's always serene. It could have had something to do with you."

Dominic snorted. "With me? I didn't do anything."

Martha rolled her eyes. "You don't have to do anything. You're a good-looking, single man. Maybe she felt attracted to you and then felt bad about it."

"I doubt she is attracted to me. I feel like I'm screaming that I'm not over my dead wife."

"Maybe that's why she felt poorly about her feelings. She knows you're still in mourning and her attraction seems wrong."

Dominic shook his head, but it held false disbelief. Part of him was excited by the idea of Karis being attracted to him. Like he'd finally permitted himself to feel again. However, Dominic decided to wait before going back into Open Hollow. He wanted to see if his attraction to Karis was because she'd been the first woman since his wife died to be honest and not sympathetic. Dominic was ready to move on and needed to see if other women piqued his interest. If not, he'd follow his gut and see Karis again, but he wasn't going to listen for now.

Chapter 03: Helping Shoulder

The doorbell trilled, and Karis gritted her teeth. It wasn't like her to be annoyed by customers coming in. She looked up at the clock, and it was a few minutes before closing. Her shoulders drooped. The last few months had been an onslaught of customers begging her to solve their problems. Most had said Martha had sent them, and resentment towards her had started to build. She meant well, Karis knew that, but it was to the point that people were expecting miracles where she couldn't offer any help at all.

Karis made her way from the kitchen, drying a cup as she moved. She didn't look up at the customer that had entered. She'd lost patience for people weeks ago and didn't feel like being friendly.

"How can I help you this evening?" She set the mug on the counter and finally looked up at her guest. Dominic grinned at her, and she felt the negativity in her chest lighten.

"I think tonight it's how I can help you?" Dominic's smile didn't fade as he approached Karis. He'd been fighting to come to Open Hollow for weeks. Even after going on multiple dates, his attraction to her had been at the forefront. However, the women he'd gone out with had changed once they found out he was widowed. They went from flirtatious to pitying, and it irked him. He was trying to move on from Cathy without tarnishing her memory, and he was beginning to think maybe Karis was his way to do that.

Karis played with the mug on the counter. "You want to help me? Normally I'm the one helping people."

"You seem down." He moved over to lean against the counter in front of her.

Karis looked at him and let out a sigh. "Your well-meaning cousin may be the death of me. She keeps sending people my way, and it's to the point they expect me to help them without helping themselves. I'm worn, and I can't get out of the bad mood rut it's created."

She looked out of the shop window and saw some people crossing the street. She checked her watch and saw it was a couple of minutes past closed. Karis hurried to the door, locked it, and flipped the sign. She moved into the shelves, and Dominic followed. The group tapped on the window. Karis would have gladly let them in if they had been regular customers. Still, she didn't recognize anyone from the group. They could come back tomorrow during normal operating hours.

"You are burnt out if you don't want to talk to people." Dominic pushed a few books back into place on the shelves.

Karis turned and headed for the stairs to the loft. It was the only place in the store for sitting. Dominic followed closely behind. He genuinely wanted to help Karis. She had given him the push he had needed to heal, even if that had been lending him a book. Karis sat down in an oversized reading chair and pulled a knit blanket from a nearby basket. Dominic sat down across from her and laid his bag and jacket on the table between them.

"Yes. I don't like being this way. I enjoy helping people heal or find a path to help them on their journey. It's difficult to be uplifting and helpful when people expect the world. Yes, this shop is my living, but it's not the only reason I run it. Great, my profit is up but is it worth the cost of my sanity and kindness?" Karis leaned her head back on the chair and closed her eyes.

Dominic watched tears roll down Karis's cheeks. He tapped his fingers on his knees and tried to decide if he should stay in his chair or comfort her. His instincts won out over his common sense. Dominic got up and squeezed into the chair next to Karis. She sat up, unsure of why he was sitting with her. He pulled her against him and pressed her head to his shoulder.

"As corny as this is, let me be your shoulder tonight. I want to help you, and if that's a shoulder to cry on or if you need some help around here, I'd be willing to do that too. I know that Martha was just trying to help you. She thinks you're the most amazing person. I hear it constantly now, 'Karis is kind and amazing, and I want to repay her for everything she has done for me'. I don't think she realizes that it's too much right now."

Karis readjusted and snuggled up to Dominic. She needed comfort right now, and if he were offering it, she'd be an idiot not to accept. "I know I should be put off by an almost total stranger comforting me, but I'm not."

Dominic rubbed her arm. "Not an almost total stranger. You know my cousin, and we can be similar. You know my name and how I was widowed. I think those count for something."

Karis wiped her face off. "I suppose so, but I only know your first name. My last name is Cotton."

Dominic smiled. "Mine's Lane. Now you know me a little more."

Karis laughed. "Yes, I do."

Chapter 04: Positive to Negative

The air inside the shop vibrated with static energy. Karis had sage burning in every corner to prevent negative energies from latching onto the static. It was the smokiest the shop had ever been, and it drove Karis up the wall. Not everyone could tolerate the smoke or the sage, and she wanted her shop to be inviting, not cloying in any way.

Karis sat on her stool behind the counter and sipped her tea. The shop door opened for its fifteenth time in 20 minutes. She should look into a revolving door instead of the standard hinge door she currently had. She had even gone as far as to remove the bell from above the door. It had once brought her comfort and pleasure each time it rang to now being a grating noise on every nerve.

"Excuse me, Miss?" Karis looked at the young woman standing in front of her. She couldn't have been more than twenty.

"What can I do for you, dear?" Karis set her tea to the side and stood.

"Is it always so busy here?" She stepped closer to the counter so that Karis could hear her.

"It didn't use to be, but word has spread of my hospitality and kind nature. Would you like to go into a more private room to talk?"

The woman nodded her head. Karis moved from behind the counter and headed to the reading room.

"Tiffany, I'm going to be doing a private reading. If you need anything, let me know." Karis's voice carried over the noise of the store. Tiffany was Martha's niece and had become a massive help around the shop. Tiffany was learning the ins and outs of the shop quickly, and Karis was grateful she was here.

"I'll find you if I need you!"

Karis let a now rare smile slip onto her lips as she held the door open for the young woman. "Please have a seat where you feel most comfortable."

The woman sat down and rifled through her purse. After a moment, she pulled a journal out and set it on the table. "This was my mother's book of shadows. I'm trying to follow in her footsteps and be a good witch, but it's so confusing. I know that sharing a book isn't common, but I need help understanding what is here. She didn't get to teach me much, just the basics. Some of it looks complex, and it's in different languages. I don't know what to do."

Karis picked the book up and ran her hand over the cover. "I'll gladly help you in deciphering your mother's book and finding your path."

Dominic pushed open Open Hollow's door and was surprised by the number of people in the store. He looked to the counter, and Tiffany was behind it, looking frantic. He pushed past the line to get behind the counter.

"Okay, kid, what do you need?"

"Uncle Dominic, thank the gods! Bag while I ring people up. Karis is with a guest in the reading room, and I didn't want to bother her." Tiffany pushed parcels towards Dominic, and he carefully set them into bags.

"Looks like I showed up just in time then."

"Oh yes! It's finals week at the uni, and I think most of this traffic is from there." She handed the customer a receipt. "Have a blessed day and come see us again."

Dominic smiled. Tiffany had a great personality for this. She was like a mini Martha when it came to life. Tiffany always had a positive outlook about stuff, and much like Martha, it was an infectious positivity. Karis seemed happier when those two were around, so it was good that she had hired Tiffany.

Dominic and Tiffany quickly cleared the store out, and for the first time, it was quiet. Karis opened the door to the reading room and led her guest out. She was pleased to see Dominic leaning against the counter and found her attention drawn away from her guest to him.

"Tiffany, I have a list of things this young lady needs. Can you show her where they are and help her finish her visit?"

Tiffany came around the counter and took the list from Karis. "Absolutely!"

Tiffany and the woman disappeared into the shelves. Karis moved to the counter and couldn't keep the smile from her lips. "You look like you belong behind that counter."

Dominic stood tall and seemed to beam with pride. "Do I? It felt good, but I was only bagging things for Tiff."

"Well, I may have to recruit you to help now and then. But, I would enjoy having you around more." Karis blushed. She felt silly saying it out loud. They'd only been spending time together for a few weeks, but she enjoyed his company.

"I wanted to know what you were doing tonight." He walked around the counter and stood closer to Karis.

"I was hoping to close early and go hide from everyone." Karis tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Tonight is my birthday, and I have friends and family that are throwing me a party. So I wanted to know if you'd like to come."

Karis's face reflected her hesitation. "I don't know, wouldn't it be weird?"

Dominic leaned his head to the side, trying to decide what to say.

Tiffany and the young woman came out of the shelves, chatting away. "Oh, you two are still standing there. Uncle Dominic, don't you have a party to get to?"

Tiffany ushered them aside so that she could ring up the woman's purchases.

"I do. Are you still coming with Martha?" He leaned over the counter and grabbed his jacket.

"Oh, we plan on being there! Martha is coming to pick me up." She turned her attention to their guest. "Have a blessed evening!"

"You too!" The woman headed out of the store.

Karis followed closely and locked the door behind her. She slipped a sign into the holder. Closed. If there is a magickal emergency, you have my number. -Proprietor. The deep sigh that escaped her lips echoed through the room.

"Karis, how about you come with Martha and me? I'm sure Uncle Dominic wouldn't mind. That way, people won't think it's super weird having a stranger there. Besides, he would like it if you were there, and being with us makes sense. Everyone knows that Martha is Wiccan and that I'm following. They also know that she sent Uncle Dominic your way. So it is the perfect excuse to have invited you."

Tiffany's words settled Dominic and Karis's minds. "Thank you, Tiffany. Dominic invited me right before you came up. I'm glad you said something. I wasn't sure if I should come."

Tiffany's eyebrow raised a little, and she shook her head. "Why?"

Karis pursed her lips and looked at Dominic. She took a deep breath; honesty was the best in her life. "I'm attracted to him. I don't know how many of your family and friends would approve of a woman they'd never met. Never even heard of showing up at your birthday party. Let alone with Cathy's death so near. I don't want to cause problems. "

Dominic slipped his jacket on, his frustration evident. Karis was supposed to be the one person he thought would understand all of this situation that she could be the woman to see past his wife and her death. But, perhaps he'd been mistaken.

"It's fine, Karis. It was a thought." Dominic didn't wait for Karis's reply. He left Open Hollow in a hurry and was afraid he might never return.

Chapter 05: Little Wins

The windows of Petit Four's shone brightly against the dark alleys surrounding the building. Karis had only been to the restaurant one time previously for a date, and it hadn't gone well. She pulled the door open and took a steadying breath.

The hostess stood behind her little stand, her smile holding false sincerity. "How many?"

Karis was fighting not to turn and run. She'd never been so uncertain about a situation in her life. Karis truly cared about Dominic and wanted to be with him. She didn't want his family and friends to dislike her because she followed Cathy. She wanted to relish in Cathy's memory and get to know the woman Dominic had loved for so long.

"Miss?" The hostess's irritation irked Karis.

"I'm sorry to inconvenience you, young lady. I'm trying to remember what the party's name is."

The woman realized that she was being rude and blushed only for a moment. "We have a birthday party in the back. Are you here for that?"

"Yes."

The hostess led Karis through the front tables of couples enjoying their tiny portions. The novelty of Petit Four's was sweet but seemed to have left more than Karis's stomach empty on her previous visit. Finally, the hostess pushed the door open for Karis and ushered her inside.

"Enjoy the party, Miss."

"Thank you." Karis stepped hesitantly through the door, no turning back, only forward into uncharted waters.

The laughter and conversation in the room paused as the door banged closed. Karis wanted nothing more than to be invisible.

"Karis!!" Martha's cheerful and alcohol-laden voice rang across the room.

Karis quickly spotted her friend and made her way to her. Martha enveloped Karis into a hug, shaking her excitedly.

"I am so glad you came. Dominic went to the bathroom. He'll be glad you came too."

"He didn't seem so glad when he left the shop earlier. I doubt he will be now."

Martha waved her hand. "Psh. He'll be glad. I know my cousin, and this will brighten his evening. Oh, speaking of my cousin. Dominic, look who finally showed up!"

Dominic looked at Karis. He hadn't expected her to come. Her appearance made it hard for him to be upset. One moment, she wasn't there, and the next, like a ray of light in the storm, she was. He walked over and joined his cousin and her. Karis tilted her head, and a soft smile filled her lips. She handed Dominic a small bag.

"Happy birthday."

Dominic took the bag. "You didn't need to do this."

Karis shrugged her shoulders. "I did. A gift is more than a symbol that today is about you. I'm not giving you the gift because it's your birthday. I'm giving you the gift because I want to. You mean something to me, and I wanted it to reflect in the gift."

Dominic let out a little huff. "I suppose I should open it then."

"You better open it! She came for you, you toad." Martha's words were louder than intended, drawing attention to them.

Dominic glared at his cousin but didn't respond to her jab. Instead, he pulled the tissue paper out of the bag and found a blue cloth lying in the bottom of the bag. Dominic lifted it out and returned the tissue paper to the bag, setting it on the ground. He held the fabric up and was confused.

Karis took it from him and pulled his hand towards her. "It's a bracelet of sorts. A good friend makes them. Each one they make from recycled fabrics and materials from all over the world. This one is created from recycled ribbons from the Mid-Autumn or Moon Festival in China."

Karis began to wrap the fabric around Dominic's wrist. She twisted the thin ends around the thicker pieces. "Tiffany was kind enough to tell me how old you are. When you were born, the moon was new. The sky was like an empty cup. Every year you've filled up that cup a little more. Tonight is the halfway point for you. The moon is in the third quarter, half full. Your cup is a little fuller today than yesterday but will be fuller tomorrow than today. It's your choice if you see the cup as half empty or half full and what to fill the remainder with."

Karis finished wrapping the bracelet and secured the ends together. Karis let go of Dominic's wrist and looked up at him for the first time since she'd arrived. He was silent, and so were the others in the room. His face was blank, and his posture wasn't as easy to read as usual. Karis tucked her hands into the pockets of her dress; she couldn't tell how he felt about the gift. He kept staring at the bracelet, letting the words sink in. It's like she had cast a spell over him, and for the first time in the last year, he felt clarity.

"I was a jerk earlier, and I'm sorry." Dominic stepped a little closer to Karis.

Karis shook her head. "No, it's understandable. You know how you want things to go, and they're not exactly going the way you thought they would. I'm trying to be kind to Cathy's memory and those that know her. You're ready to move forward with your healing. You shouldn't feel sorry for being human."

Determination set into Dominic's brow; he was deciding. His family wasn't comfortable with the idea of him moving on so soon. Cathy had made an effort to ensure that he knew that that was his choice when he was ready to move on. She had asked that he make sure that everyone knew right off the bat he was widowed. It showed people's true selves.

Dominic pulled Karis against him. She let out a little gasp. "I was a jerk, and my frustration was uncalled for earlier. You explained why you were uncomfortable coming, and I should have respected that. However, I am glad that you are willing to accept my circumstances. I think Cathy would be happy that I met you and that I've found someone not to replace her but carry on my life within some regards right now."

Karis took her hands out of her pockets and rested them on Dominic's chest. "I accept your apology. Why don't you introduce me because everyone is still staring."

Dominic chuckled and loosened his grip on Karis. "That's a pretty good idea." He spun them around to face everyone. "This is Karis everyone, Martha introduced us. She is amazing and knows about Cathy. She's very understanding about it. Also, we're dating now, so get to know her."

Karis stood shell shocked by Dominic's words. She took a deep breath and grabbed his hand. She knew that they could date and see where things went from there.

Chapter 06: Jitters

The wind blew through the shop's door, sending smoke drifting farther into the building. Karis wiped the door frame down, polishing the carved wood and breathing some fresh life into it. Karis was still trying to decide if she should put the bell for the door back up. Karis wasn't as busy as she had been a few months ago, but business was steady enough but putting it back up was out of the question. She disliked how the sound was now an irritant where it used to be a comfort and brought excitement.

Karis climbed down the ladder carefully. She shouldn't be up on it since she was the only one in the shop today, but it was a slow day. Karis was glad of it being quiet; it gave her time to catch up on the little things that made her shop feel inviting. She closed the ladder and took a moment to breathe in the air from outside.

It was shaping up to be a beautiful day, and she was looking forward to the evening ahead. Dominic was taking her to Petit Four's for dinner. She didn't let the hesitation and disappointment from her last date night visit weigh her down. It had been long before Dominic and his birthday party, and it was even more distant than tonight's date. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel the panic about what had happened before creep up.

She closed her eyes as she went back over the disastrous date night with her former fiancé. It had started well enough, but he had progressively grown distant as dinner went on. This was odd as the two had always been open with one another. Finally, Karis reached across the table and tried to take his hand.

He didn't even look at her when he pulled away and asked for her ring back. She could barely stutter out the word why. Finally, he got angry and said, don't make a scene. He had said she'd known it was coming, that she had seen the signs. The signs of his infidelity. Karis hadn't wanted to believe it. Her love had blinded her for him like most women.

He yelled the words at her, "You're stupid, and your beliefs are wrong. I found someone who isn't naïve and crazy." His words had cut deeper than the betrayal. She pulled the ring off and set it on the table. He picked it up and left her sitting there embarrassed and broken. The wait staff even pitied her and comped the bill he'd left her with that night.

Karis shook her head. She didn't think Dominic was like that. She was going to have a wonderful evening with her boyfriend, and that was that.

Chapter 07: Leaving Behind the Past

Dominic squeezed Karis's hand tightly. He was nervous about tonight. It wasn't insanely monumental, but it was still nerve-racking. He looked at Karis, and she smiled at him. She grew more beautiful every day, and he couldn't fathom she would be more beautiful tomorrow, but she always was. This is what he'd been missing in his life since Cathy died. He'd been missing love, being in love with a beautiful, compassionate, and giving human.

Karis leaned her head against Dominic's shoulder. They'd been dating for a few months, but he felt right to be with now. They stopped in front of Petit Four's, Karis headed up the steps, but Dominic pulled her against him. He leaned into her, kissing her deeply. Finally, he pulled away from her a little and pressed his forehead to her's. "God, you're beautiful."

She smiled and ran her thumb over his lips. He turned her to the door, and they headed inside.

"Good evening." It was the little hostess from the night of Dominic's party.

"We have a reservation under Lane. For two." Dominic pulled Karis against his side, claiming her.

"If you would follow me, please."

The hostess led them through the tables, and Karis's heart sank. Her ex was sitting at the table right next to the one they sat at. She looked around the room, frantic for a different table, but they were all full.

Dominic slipped from her grasp and pulled the chair out for her. She took a deep calming breath, pulled her coat off, and went to sit down. Dominic stopped her in her tracks.

"Your dress..." Dominic looked her head to toe. The fabric clung tightly to Karis's curves, and the pale pink shimmered under the crystal lights.

"Am I overdressed?" Karis gripped her coat and clutch.

Dominic pulled her coat from her hands and hung it over her chair. "No, you look stunning."

Karis dipped her head and blushed. "Thank you."

She slid into her seat, and Dominic pushed her in. He hurried to the other side of the table and sat down. Karis did her best to keep her focus on Dominic, but she could feel more than just his eyes on her.

Dominic reached across the table and threaded his fingers through hers, squeezing them. He could tell she was nervous or anxious about something, but he wasn't sure what.

"What made you decide to wear that perfect piece of peach skin?"

Karis choked on the sip of water she had taken. "Peach skin?"

Dominic grinned. "It's a type of fabric. I was going through the possibilities of what it could be, and alliteration won out."

Karis leaned across the table and purposefully pushed her breasts up with her arms. "You and your words. So fancy."

Dominic couldn't help himself and looked at Karis's chest. She had made it evident that she wanted him to look. This woman was incredible.

He cleared his throat. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

Karis sat up straighter, and a bit of panic overtook her heart. "Okay."

Dominic leaned forward and beckoned her closer, but the waiter interrupted. "Are the two of you ready to order?"

Dominic picked the menu up and looked over the couple's meals. He ordered one of the bigger meals because tiny food portions were dumb. Still, it was a romantic restaurant and his favorite.

He turned his attention back to Karis. "I'm sorry I ordered for us both. I want to talk, and it was faster that way."

"Not at all." Karis couldn't help but flirt with the man across from her. He made her feel wanted, confident, and above all, alive.

"Good." He scooted as close as he could and leaned in again. "I wanted to know if you'd come over tonight. Of course, we usually go to the shop and have our intimate moments, but I want more than kissing tonight. I want to show you how I feel about you tonight, really show you."

Dominic's face shifted after he realized what he had said. He had insinuated that sex was the only way he could show her how he felt, and that wasn't true. He felt like an idiot.

Karis realized he seemed foolish. She ran her foot up the inside of his leg. "You intend to worship me like a goddess?"

A mischievous grin spread across Dominic's face. "I will show my devotion and love for you as if you are the only goddess I have ever known."

Karis only registered one word in that sentence. Love. Did he love her? She did her best to regain her composure and hope that he didn't notice her surprise. "I will return that affection tenfold."

"Not tonight. Tonight is about you. I want you to be the center of my world tonight. I don't need anything in return for that, you've done enough, and I owe you tenfold."

Karis blushed and covered her mouth, becoming shy. Who would have thought she could feel this way at thirty-six, feel like she was seventeen and had every path open before her. This man was lighting the way, and it was brilliant. There was truly magic in the world, and this man resulted from it.

"I don't think you owe me anything. It's my calling to help, and for once, the universe is helping me. The universe has repaid my kindness, and you are my reward. I believe that with every fiber of my being."

Dominic pulled her hand to his lips and laid delicate kisses across her knuckles. Karis felt like a lady with Dominic's purposeful and attentive actions. It all made her feel joyous and as though nothing could dampen her emotions.

A throat cleared beside their table, and Karis's heart and joy sunk as quickly as it had risen. The two looked up to the couple beside them.

The years had been unkind to Karis's ex, Ivan. He'd indulged too much in things that weren't meant for excess. The woman beside him seemed bored, more like a fling than a partner.

Karis took a deep breath. "Ivan, so nice to see you."

"You don't look or sound happy to see me, Karis. How have you been?" His voice was trying to reflect charisma and wealth, but it fell flat with her.

"Well, I am on a date and was rather enjoying the conversation. So how have you been?" Karis didn't have to be rude, but her words reflected her irritation.

Ivan turned from Karis and looked at Dominic. "Last I heard, Karis, you weren't much for dates. Some old friends said you usually stayed at your shop, Open, oh whatever it's called."

Karis's voice was laden with anger. "Open Hollow. It's my livelihood, so I spend most of my time there until recently. After that, I've come to terms with the fact I need to be outside the shop a little more. Spending time with my beau is one of those times."

Karis crossed her legs, bumped Dominic's leg with her foot, and crossed her hands under her chin. She didn't feel like explaining her relationship and personal life choices with a man that ended their engagement.

Ivan turned his attention to Dominic. "So, you're okay with her business and beliefs?"

Dominic looked up at Ivan, and the look he gave him would peel paint. "Her business and beliefs? What does that matter? I'm dating a woman, not the business and beliefs. I'm dating a charismatic, intelligent, supportive, kind, and gorgeous woman. It's a plus she owns her businesses because she values hard work. Her beliefs don't matter to me. Her view on the world has helped my emotional disposition and made me happy again. Honestly, I got extremely lucky with her; I couldn't have asked for a more confident woman. Thanks for letting her go."

Dominic winked at Ivan and turned his attention to Karis, brushing the man off. "I was thinking of going to get some wine after this to make it a complete evening."

Karis reached across the table and set her palm up, and Dominic clutched it. "Sounds wonderful."

Ivan cleared his throat again. An irritated huff slipped from Karis. "It was nice to see you again, Ivan. I hate to keep you from entertaining your date. Have a wonderful evening."

"Let's go." Ivan grabbed his date roughly, and it earned him a dirty look. They weaved through the restaurant and out the door.

Karis and Dominic hadn't even noticed their departure as they were entrapped in one another's company once more.

Dominic squeezed Karis's hand, and they locked eyes. "I'm lucky, Karis. He let you slip through his fingers, and now I get to be the one to scoop you up and show you the devotion you deserve. You have filled a void I didn't think I'd be able to fill. I love you, and nothing else matters."

Karis chewed on her lip but couldn't fight the smile in her eyes. "I love you too."

Chapter 08: Respect and Warmth

The night had warmed up significantly, and a gentle breeze rustled through the trees. The traffic hurried past Dominic's home, failing to witness the intensity radiating from the outside. Dominic and Karis fed at each other's mouths as they moved up the walkway.

Dominic kept a protective arm around Karis's waist to keep her from tripping. He dug for his keys in his pocket, doing his best not to break their embrace. Finally, they bumped against the door, and Karis giggled. Dominic kept kissing her, and she pulled his shirt from his pants. He pushed the door open and ushered them inside.

He pulled himself away from Karis for a moment so that he could lock the door.

"Locking me in?" Karis's tone was anything but worried.

Dominic picked Karis up in his arms, and she wrapped her arms around him. "Only for the night and your safety."

Karis nuzzled below his ear, kissing his jaw. "My safety?"

Dominic groaned. He'd forgotten what it was like to be wanted by a woman and have a woman make him feel this way. Cathy had been apologetic in the end, but he never had anything other than her comfort on his mind. What was happening was revitalizing, and it made him mad with desire.

Dominic set Karis at the foot of his bed, sliding his hands down her back. "Your safety is one of my top concerns. However, fulfilling my promise from the restaurant is more pressing right now."

Karis smiled, grabbed Dominic's head, and kissed him roughly. She pulled him tightly against her and could feel his erection pressed against her pelvis. "I can feel that nature plain as day."

He chuckled and took her ass cheeks in each hand, squeezing them. "That's only a fraction of feeling I intend to let you feel."

They both paused and laughed at his words. "Then let the feeling begin, Dominic."

Dominic's playful sexuality shifted to something a little more serious. His intensity changed, and Karis swallowed hard. He moved his hands to her hips and squeezed. Dominic trailed one hand up her back, applying enough pressure to make her shiver. He moved his other hand to the base of her neck. He unzipped her dress and moved his fingers slowly down her exposed skin. Karis whimpered. She reached up and grabbed the sides of Dominic's face pulling him to her lips. Their kiss wasn't as frantic as before. Instead, it held more seduction and slow intensity.

Dominic moved Karis's hands from his face but continued to kiss her. He slid her dress down her body, pushing it to the floor. Karis stepped out of her shoes and was glad she decided against stockings. She broke their kiss for a moment and helped him remove his clothes.

They stepped back from each other, admiring their lover. Karis would have been turned off by a man with muscles visible at every curve. Instead, she was excited that Dominic's forty-year-old body was healthy but not overwrought with forced youth.

Dominic couldn't believe the beauty in front of him. Karis was vivacious and curvaceous. As a younger man, he wouldn't have found beauty in a mature woman like Karis, but now she was all but undoing his control.

Dominic gently pushed Karis back to the bed, and she sat down on the edge. He traced her clavicle, running his fingers down her breast, slowing over her nipples. Her breath caught, and she hated the idea of him stopping. Dominic noticed the rise and fall of her chest deepen with his touch. He smiled, knowing that she enjoyed this as much as he did. When he pulled his hands away, she whimpered. His smile grew, and he knew what to do to worship the woman in front of him.

He pushed Karis back onto the bed and kissed her. He stayed hovering above her because he wasn't going to be at her mouth for long. He tucked his fingers into her underwear, and as he kissed down her body, he pushed her underwear to the floor. Then, he kneeled before her, pulled her closer to the edge, and put her legs over his shoulders. Karis knew what was about to happen, and her body tightened in anticipation. It had been so long since someone had taken her in any fashion, she knew she wouldn't last long.

Dominic rubbed his fingers over Karis's clit, causing her to inhale sharply. He decided not to waste time on vast amounts of foreplay. Instead, he switched from fingers to tongue and found a rhythm Karis enjoyed. Karis searched for his hands and grabbed them. She squeezed his hands tightly as her orgasm moved up her body. Every muscle was contracting and releasing in ecstasy. She whispered his name, and he clutched her hands in response. He moved away from her and wiped his mouth on his arm.

He walked over to the nightstand and pulled a condom out of the drawer. He wanted to show his love and respect for her. Karis scooted up the bed and waited for Dominic to rejoin her. Instead, he tugged his briefs down his hips, finally exposing himself. Karis was glad it was dark enough Dominic couldn't see her blush. It wasn't as if she hadn't seen a penis before, but it was thrilled to see her.

Dominic fumbled to open the condom, and Karis pulled it away from him. She could tell it had been a while since either of them opened one because she was having trouble too.

"While there is nothing sexier than a man willing to put on one of those. I am a grown woman, and I can live with any consequences. If you want to keep fumbling with this thing, I'm all for it, but I'm also all for us not using it."

Dominic smiled. "I want to use it. It isn't that I don't respect you without using it, but it's the principle of the idea. Of course, I can handle consequences too, but tonight it's about respect, and it's what I want."

"Well, that one is not our friend. Grab a different one."

Dominic opened the drawer and pulled out a second condom, and was more successful this time. He went to put it on, but Karis stopped him.

"Let me." She rolled the condom on, and he pressed his head to her's.

They crawled back onto the bed and found a comfortable position together. Karis had enough time to recover and was excited about feeling him inside her. He had such deep respect for her that it made her want him more.

"Tonight is about what I want, right?" Karis had her arms wrapped around him and kneaded her fingers in his back.

Dominic wrapped his arm around her and pulled him tighter to his body. "Yes."

She pushed Dominic to his back and straddled his hips. Dominic seemed surprised that she was taking control. Karis kissed him as she guided him into her body. Karis sat up, and he was forced further into her. She dug her fingers into his stomach, and he grabbed her waist. Karis moved back and forth over his hips, and he pulled her body hard with each movement. He drew Karis to him and rolled her to her back without hurting her.

Dominic grabbed her hands and put them above her head, holding them in place. He lifted one leg, and she moved the other, so she cradled him between her thighs. He wrapped his free arm around her waist the best he could and found a new rhythm with her. Their hips met in a fluid motion that comes with age and knowledge. Dominic held her tightly as he finally reached climax and was able to help Karis reach a second.

Dominic let go and rolled over to Karis's side as gently as possible. Karis pressed herself against his side, and he wrapped his arm around her back. Their breath came deeply, and they felt satisfied with what had transpired between them.

"I truly do love you, Karis. I didn't know it was possible to move on from another woman after loving her for so long. Yet here you are, snugly wrapped in my arms like you were meant to be here all along. I'm so glad Martha made me go to you. We wouldn't have met if she hadn't pestered me constantly for months. My life would have been poorer had I not listened."

Karis rested her head against Dominic's chest. He was right; it was as if she was meant to be by his side.

Chapter 09: Serene Growth

The dust in the air glistened in the sunbeams like glitter. The stained glass of the shop windows provided a rainbow effect giving the dust a life of its own. The bell above the door trilled, and Karis's heart raced with excitement. Since its return, she had found a flow with the customers coming in and out. The store wasn't as busy as months ago, but it was still more alive than average. Novelty customers were one or two a month, and returning customers were more frequent. Karis was beginning to learn about each of them in time.

She moved from the back tea counter to the front of the store. "Welcome to Open Hollow."

A deep chuckle sent shivers up Karis's spine. "When was the last time you welcomed me in?"

Dominic let a grin fill his face. He'd wanted to surprise Karis, and now he was sure he had.

Karis crossed her hands in front of her pelvis. "I wasn't expecting you until later, so I went full shopkeeper mode."

Dominic went over to her, grabbed her hands, and pulled her against him. He kissed Karis gently. "I took a half-day. I'm ahead of schedule for all of my projects, so my boss wasn't opposed to me leaving."

Karis wrapped her arms around his back and hugged him. "Well, that's good because we need to talk."

She stepped back a little, and his grin had faded. She could understand his apprehension. The last time a woman had told him they needed to talk was when Cathy had told him she had cancer and that it was terminal. She pulled away from him and grabbed her purse from behind the counter. She pulled an envelope out and tucked it into her apron pocket.

"Tiffany, I'm going to be doing a private reading. If you need anything, you know where I'll be."

"Okay, Karis!" Tiffany's voice echoed through the shop, reverberating with confidence.

Dominic headed to the private reading room. Emotions ranging from anger to panic flickered across his face. Karis wouldn't be breaking up with him, would she? But, then again, what was in the envelope? Was she sick? She couldn't get sick because he couldn't lose another woman. Dominic couldn't lose her; it would break him.

Karis closed the door behind them and locked it. She sat down in her chair and pulled the envelope out of her pocket. "You should sit down."

Dominic walked around the table and sat in the chair across from Karis. It couldn't be good if she wanted him to sit down. She looked serene, like she'd come to terms with what was in that envelope. Dominic started panicking, his foot shaking the table.

Karis took a deep, steadying breath. "I had an appointment with my gynecologist this morning—annual visit. During my pelvic examination, she paused and then started asking several confusing questions. Finally, she had me put my underwear back on and follow her to a different room."

She slid the envelope across the table and placed it before him. She waited patiently for him to muster the courage to open the envelope. He looked at her, could see that she was calm and that his nervousness wasn't bothering her. If she wasn't nervous then maybe, he shouldn't be either. Dominic opened the envelope and looked at its contents. His face went blank, and Karis couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"I know, shocking, right? The only thing we can figure is that a condom broke at some point before I went back on the pill. It's the only thing that could explain a baby; our baby." Karis let the words slip from her mouth and a soft grin formed. She cradled her tiny bump, finally accepting that it wasn't weight gain.

Dominic couldn't process what he was looking at. He could see the baby in the picture. The baby. HIS baby. He and Karis hadn't been dating long enough to discuss marriage, let alone having children. He couldn't take his eyes from the picture. The last thing he had expected was for her to be pregnant.

"I'm in the second trimester, so it had to have happened four months into our relationship. I know I will be thirty-seven next month and have come to terms with not having biological children after thirty-five. At the beginning of our sexual relationship, I said that I was fine with the consequences of our actions. This baby isn't a consequence. It's a blessing. I intend to carry it to term and raise it. I will completely understand if you don't want to be here for that. I know you said that you would accept the consequences of our actions, but I can't expect you to be comfortable with this. If you want to walk out that door right now, I won't blame you. I'd be devastated, but I wouldn't blame you."

Karis pulled one of the sonogram photos across the table and looked at the image. The baby was tiny but very human, and looking at the picture brought a well of emotions up through Karis. She didn't understand how unconflicted love happened quickly, thoroughly, and unexpectedly but she loved this little life more than anything.

Dominic looked at Karis and could tell she was happy. She was scared but happy. She looked up at him, and his heart squeezed in his chest. Dominic set the photo down on the table and got up. Again, fear flicked through Karis's eyes.

Dominic rounded the table and kneeled before her. He ran his hand over her stomach and pulled her forehead to his. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm shocked, yes, but I know that this is supposed to be happening. I truly feel that Cathy is up there saying it's okay that you moved on, and I'll prove it to you. Here is a child with this amazing woman, and you're going to be the best father and... husband in the world."

Karis pulled back, her eyebrows furrowed. "Did you just say, husband?"

Karis didn't want him to marry her; if it was because she was pregnant, that's not how this should work. On the other hand, if he wanted to marry her, it needed to because he truly loved her.

"One day. When and if we decide marriage is right for us. Husband felt right at that moment." Dominic pulled her back to him again and kissed her. He tried to convey everything he felt in the kiss—surprise, fear, panic, love, and joy.

She broke their kiss and enveloped Dominic in a hug. "I'm so glad you're not leaving. I don't want to do this without you."

Dominic hugged her upper back tightly, afraid to apply pressure any lower. "Now that it's happening, I couldn't do it without you either."

He placed his hand on her stomach again. "We're going to have a baby in a few months."

Karis's smile was wide and joyous. "Yes, and I couldn't be happier."

Chapter 10: Ours

The air in the house was still but wasn't heavy. The tea kettle rattled on the stovetop but wasn't ready to be poured. Sunlight slipped through the blinds and began filling every room, eager to wake their occupants. A light breeze weaved through the wind chimes, giving Karis's humming a companion.

She swayed back and forth while she waited for the water to boil. Karis moved away from the stove and went into the living room. She looked at the moving boxes to figure where they should go. Buying her first home with Dominic had been different than purchasing the shop. That had been easy compared to this for some reason. The shop had a set tone, but a home was different. She had to figure out how to blend their two lives into one harmonious one without dismissing their pasts.

The kettle whistled, reclaiming Karis's attention.

"I've got it, babe." Dominic came down the stairs and shuffled into the kitchen.

"I would have gotten it, thank you." Karis followed him.

His smile was sheepish and sleepy. "It's the very least I can do for you. You've become a whirlwind in the last few weeks, and I've not helped at all."

She sat down at the table and leaned back slowly. "I wouldn't say that. You have taken this new life in stride."

Dominic shrugged his shoulders. He grabbed two mugs from the cabinet and dropped in tea bags. He glanced at Karis, and his heart leaped. She cradled their newborn daughter in her arms, and they looked like heaven. Each time she held Ivy, he fell more in love with her. Karis had taken motherhood head-on, and Ivy had taken to life like she'd never been in the womb. His partner and daughter meant the world to him. When Cathy was alive, he couldn't imagine his life without her, but now he can't imagine what life was like when he was with her. He loved Cathy with every fiber of his being, but now his love for Karis and Ivy outweighed it. He'd never stop loving Cathy, but his love for her had stopped growing the moment she died. Now his love had shifted to Karis and was overflowing to Ivy.

"What are you thinking about?" Karis stroked Ivy's cheek.

"Are you talking to her or me?" Dominic set a mug in front of her.

Karis smiled but didn't look up at him. "You. I know what she is thinking. She's dreaming of safety and warmth." She looked up at Dominic, and his eyes were glistening. "Oh, what's wrong?"

She held her arm up, and Dominic collapsed into her. He placed an arm below Ivy while Karis held him. "I can't imagine my life without the two of you. I didn't think anything like this would ever be possible after Cathy died, and here I am. I'm a father at forty for the first time, and soon I'm going to be your husband. Had you told me this when we first met, I wouldn't have believed you."

Karis chuckled. "Do you remember the book I told you wasn't for beginners?"

Dominic recalled a book but not what it was about. "Sure, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"The title, do you recall it?"

He shook his head, "No."

She grinned. "It's 'So you're marrying a witch'."

Dominic had to fight laughter. "You can't be serious."

Karis kissed Dominic and ran her thumb over his cheek. "I wouldn't lie to you, my love."

Dominic smiled again. "Well, then I'm marrying a witch and the father of one too. I guess fate has a way of fixing everything. My glass is finally full and overflowing, and you are the reason. I love you, Karis."

"I love you too." She kissed him again.

Ivy cooed in their arms. Then, they looked down at their daughter. "We didn't forget about you, little one."

Karis kissed her forehead. "We love you. Our Ivy Catherine."