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“I’m sorry Dad forgot to pick me up,” Kirby apologized as she sat in Reena’s car.

Reena made a left turn and smiled over at the teen. “Don’t worry about it. Like you said, he probably got really involved in his painting and lost track of the time.”

“He’s not a bad dad,” Kirby told her firmly.

Reena’s brows lifted. “Honey, I never said he was a bad father. He’s just absentminded.”

Kirby shook her head. “Actually, Dad’s really sharp when he’s paying attention. I mean, the last couple months he was really all together, but I think he got inspiration the other night. He’s been “in the zone” again. I heard him painting all Sunday night, and he probably painted all day yesterday and today, too.”

“Wow.”

Kirby shrugged. “Mom used to stick a plate of food near the easel every six hours and leave him to it.”

“What happened to your mother, Kirby?”

Kirby shrugged and looked out the window. “She died. I was seven, and I was supposed to get a younger sibling. Mom was pregnant, and then she wasn’t. A couple days later, Dad told me she was dead.”

“So you don’t know what happened?” Reena was surprised. What could have caused a woman to die so young?

“Nope. You can turn right here.” Kirby gestured to the street they were approaching. “It’s the sixth house on the left with the blue shutters.”

Reena found the house and pulled into the drive. Kirby climbed out of the car just as the front door flew open, and Kevin ran out looking frantic. When he saw Kirby, he stopped and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. Reena noted that he obviously hadn’t shaved nor had he changed, since there was paint splattered on his clothes and forearms.

“I’m so sorry, kiddo. I got”

“Involved with the painting?” Kirby finished. “Yeah, I figured. So I got Reena to drive me home.”

Kevin looked over as Reena leaned against her car. “Thanks. I’m so sorry to put you through the trouble.”

Reena waved it off. “No problem. Actually, if you don’t mind, could you sign that print I have? I stuck it in my car today for when you came to pick Kirby up, but, well, here you are.”

“Sure. Come on in, and I’ll find a pen.” Kevin left the door open, and Reena found her print and brought it into the house.

The house was certainly a surprise for her. Where she’d expected some sort of artistic flair to the décor, considering Kevin’s profession, instead, she found a homey, cozy place. There were deep, comfy couches in the living room and den with mahogany end tables as accents. There was a handmade afghan tossed over an armchair, and pictures, candles, and books filled the tables, shelves, and any other space where they’d fit. All in all, Reena decided she liked it. It felt lived in.

When she walked into the kitchen, Kirby was sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar with a glass of juice, while Kevin shuffled through a drawer, muttering to himself. After a moment, he “aha-ed” and held up a sharpie.

“Let’s see which print you have.” He held out his hand, and Reena opened the rolled print and laid it across the counter. “I remember this.”

“I realized you’d painted the Falls after I saw them yesterday,” Reena explained. “The only thing I can’t figure out is how you painted them at this angle. There isn’t anywhere where you could have set up to get this view. I checked,” she added.

Kevin shrugged as he scrawled across one of the bottom corners of the poster. “I didn’t go there and paint it. I painted it from a dream.”

“What?”

“Yeah.” He looked up at her and grinned. “I saw it in a dream and knew I had to paint it. It’s okay if you don’t believe it; a lot of people don’t.”

Reena shook her head. “I didn’t say I don’t believe you. I just…wow. That’s interesting.”

“Which is something Dad says people say when they want to be nice,” Kirby spoke up.

Kevin shook his head. “I have dreams about the falls and the lovers. I’ve had them since I was six years old. When I was eighteen, I dreamed this view of the falls, and Liliane telling me that I needed to immortalize it. And here it is.” He gestured to the painting.

“I believe you,” Reena said after several moments. “It’s incredible. Everything related to the Falls and the lovers is incredible. Brian told me the story yesterday. I’d never heard it before, not even when Gwen was studying up on it. But, I do believe you.”

Kevin smiled. “I’m glad. You’re one of the few.” He found himself wondering if her sister would believe him. Not yours, he reminded himself.

“Well.” Reena examined the print. “Thanks for the autograph! I feel like some teenybopper who finally got her idol’s signature, but thanks!” She glanced at the clock in the kitchen. “I’d love to stay, but I have to get going. I’ll see you on Thursday, Kirby.”

“Thanks for the first lesson!” Kirby called.

Reena pushed open the front door. “No problem. Have a great night!”

Kevin made sure she left safely before turning back to his daughter. “I really am sorry, Kirby.”

She shrugged. “I know you’re working on a painting. It’s okay, Dad. I’m used to it.”

“But it’s still not fair to you that I keep doing this,” Kevin told her.

Kirby rolled her eyes and patted the stool next to her. “I have to tell you something, Dad.” She waited until he sat, wondering why she had such a serious look on her face. “I had a dream last night. With mom.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Kevin was surprised she’d dreamed of Mia as he’d expected that she didn’t remember her mother so well after six years.

“I wanted to think about what it meant,” Kirby replied. “It was a weird dream. She was giving me advice, and we were at the Falls.”

Kevin held his daughter’s hand. “Tell me.”

“Your father loves this place,” Mia stated as she gazed out at the waterfalls. She turned to look at her daughter and smiled. “You’ve grown so beautifully, Kirby. I’m so proud of the young woman you’re becoming. Kevin’s doing a great job with you. Even if he forgets sometimes,” she added.

“I don’t mind, but I wish you hadn’t left us, Mom.”

Mia sighed and shook her head, her blond curls lifting in the breeze. “I had to, honey. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s the only way everything could work out for the best.”

“For the best? Mom, I have to live without a mother! How is that for the best?” Kirby’s eyes spat green fire much like Kevin’s when he was angry.

“Baby, some things you’ll learn when you figure out your gift.” She cupped her daughter’s face. “I couldn’t See. Not then. But I can See it now. There are things that need to happen, things greater than just you and me. Your father is a part of it—a large part. But he won’t be any good until he lets go.”

“Lets go?”

Mia nodded. “I fell in love with Kevin when we were eight, Kirby. I always knew we’d end up together, but some things are not meant to last. Fate doesn’t always play kindly with our lives. We’ve learned that the hard way. You need to help Kevin deal with Fate.”

“How? Why?”

“The time is coming, Kirby.” Mia looked out over the falls again, her gray eyes distant. “Tell him to let go. Just let go, and everything will work out.” She looked at Kirby again, a smile playing around her mouth. “He doesn’t realize he’s still holding on, but he needs to let go. Help him. Tell him.”

“And then I woke up,” Kirby finished. “Dad, I don’t understand any of the Fate things, but she said something about a gift I have. What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kevin sighed. The day had come. He’d wondered when he’d have to explain it to her, but she deserved to know about her heritage. “Kirby, you know your mother’s Callie’s sister,” he began. “The thing is, Callie and Mia, their ancestor was the sorceress who cast the spell on the lovers.”

“Really? Does that mean…whoa.” Kirby’s eyes widened. “That means I have Merlin’s blood in me? Which means the gift Mom was talking about is magic! That’s so cool!”

Kevin shook his head. “No, hon. Your gift is the ability to See. You can see, well, the future.”

“Like a fortuneteller?”

He shrugged. “I don’t really know, but your mother could See some things. Like she knew we’d have a daughter, that the Met would call for my work, that Howie would marry Callie, and so on. Callie’s got the ability to See, too. If you really want to know, you should go talk to her.”

“Cool!” Kirby grinned. “I never put two and two together to think that if my aunt was magic, that I might be, too. Or that Mom was. But, what’s all that stuff about me telling you to let go?”

He was wondering that, too. And drawing a blank. “I don’t know, but I guess I’ll figure it out sooner or later if I’m supposed to help Fate, huh?”

“Yeah.” Kirby stared at the juice left in her glass before looking up at her father. “Maybe Mom thinks you need to stop wondering why she died or how or whatever and get over her. Maybe she thinks you need to move on.”

“Maybe.” He sighed. “Either way, I’m sure I’ll figure it out some time. But, right now, I need to get cleaned up.”

“Okay. Do you think I can run over to Aunt Callie’s and ask her about the whole Seeing thing?”

“Sure. Just remember, dinner’s at six. And, speaking of dinner, what do you want?” Kevin rubbed at the paint flecks on his arm.

Kirby stopped at the door. “Uh…anything that’s edible.”

He rolled his eyes but grinned. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go on. I’ll fix up something edible.”

He heard his daughter laugh and the slam of the door behind her. He was amazed at the fact that she’d seen Mia, and Mia wanted him to let go. Whatever that meant.

Kevin ran his fingers wearily through his hair as he headed towards the shower. What was he holding on to that he had to let go? The only things that preyed on his mind were Kirby, his friends, family, the legend, and his work. Anything else was not so important. But, maybe, subconsciously, there was something else. Whatever it was, his dead wife knew it.

Thinking that maybe he would pay a visit to the falls later to think, he turned on the shower and stepped into the steaming water.

***

“This is nice,” Juliet remarked, her gray eyes sparkling with pleasure.

Brian smiled. “Well, it’s the least I could do after cancelling our plans last night. Besides,” he looked around the restaurant, “I didn’t feel like cooking for myself tonight, anyway.”

She chuckled. “Mac and cheese, huh? I know the way to your heart, Brian.”

He tried not to think about whether or not there was an underlying message in that. “So did my mom,” he told her. “But, tonight, mac and cheese is not on the menu.”

“No.” Juliet looked down at the menu for the only expensive restaurant in Seven Falls. “It’s Italian, but there’s definitely no macaroni on here. I think I’m going with the shrimp primavera.”

He gestured to the waiter standing at a discreet distance. “I think we’re ready to order.”

“Of course. What can I get for you tonight?” The waiter poised his pen over the pad.

Juliet smiled up at him. “I’ll have the shrimp primavera, please.”

“I think I’m going to go with the linguini special for today,” Brian decided. The waiter nodded and bustled off. Brian turned back to Juliet. “How was your day?”

“Not bad. The only real problems this time of year are fall allergies, the occasional cold, and Jenny Inson’s broken ankle from roller-skating. Other than that, things were good,” she replied.

“You heard about Christine and Alex, right?”

She grinned. “I’m so excited! I mean, my best friend is going to be a mother. There’s going to be a baby to hold, and the next seven and a half months are going to be too long.”

“Yeah. Alex is through the roof and nervous at the same time,” Brian told her. “But something tells me they’re going to be good parents.”

“They will,” Juliet said firmly. “I can’t imagine what it must be like to know you’re going to have a child. I mean, I’ve always wanted one, you know? Or two or three, too.” She shrugged. “I just want a family of my own.”

Brian nodded. “Me, too. My parents were a great example, and I just want to follow in their footsteps and settle down one day. Hopefully soon,” he added.

It was the opening she’d been waiting for. Juliet leaned forward. “Brian, I’ve been thinking,” but she was cut off by the arrival of their dinner.

When the waiter had distributed their meal and cleared away their appetizer dishes, Brian lifted a forkful of linguini and dug in.

“What were you saying?” he asked between forkfuls.

Juliet swallowed. “I said I’d been thinking about the whole wanting a family thing.” She paused. “Brian, I’m not getting any younger, and I always imagined I’d be married by now. We’re both thirty years old, we both want a family, a solid marriage, children.”

“Yeah. And?” He was getting a little nervous about where the conversation was headed.

She set her fork down and tugged nervously on a piece of her dark hair. “I think we should get married.”

He was sure he hadn’t heard her right. “Excuse me?”

“We both want the same things, and we’ve been dating on and off for years, Brian. I think it’s time we stop playing around and get married. I love you, and I know you care about me. It’s only a matter of time before you’ll love me back, and…” she trailed off, seeing his blue eyes spark.

“So you’re suggesting a marriage of convenience? You expect me to fall in line, fall in love with you, and marry you?” His hold on temper was slipping as the idea of marriage to someone he wasn’t in love with started freaking him out. “Juliet, I care about you, but I don’t think I can think of marriage that simply. I just…can’t.”

“Is it marriage that’s got you worried, Brian? Or is it the idea of marrying me?” Her voice was quiet and hid her deep hurt.

“Honestly? I don’t know.” He sighed, staring down at the plate in front of him. His appetite had disappeared. “Maybe we need to take a step back, take some space. Some time apart to figure out what we really want.”

“I see.” Though she didn’t, not at all. All she could see was the red haze in front of her as she realized that she’d put her heart out on the line, and he’d turned it away. How dare he? “Maybe you’re right.”

Maybe, Brian thought, desperately wanting to get away. But he knew that he’d hurt her and to leave now would destroy her. So he waited until they’d finished dinner in silence, and, after he’d paid the bill, he followed her to her car, making sure she would be fine.

“Good night,” she murmured, sliding into the driver’s seat.

He nodded. “’Night.” He couldn’t think of anything better to say and watched her car drive off.

Once in his car, he realized he couldn’t just go home. Not with all the rampant, crazy thoughts crowding his brain. How could he relax? Maybe he’d go spend time with Christine and Alex, but, on second thought, he realized that Juliet would go there first and talk to Chris. They were close friends, after all.

No, Brian thought, staring at the road in front of him. He’d go where he’d gone since the day he’d been born. The place that would always call to his heart, his soul, no matter where he was in the world.

***

The last glimmers of sunlight were fading quickly as he made his way down the forest path towards the falls. If he was lucky, no one else would be there to mar his peaceful time. Or to suffer from his anger and annoyance for he was still unsettled and likely to snap at someone.

As he rounded the bend in the path, he heard a voice, but it wasn’t talking.

“Seven days and seven nights of wonder,” the voice sang in an alto that Brian immediately approved of even as he recognized the song it was singing. “The water’s rising and I’m slipping under…”

He pushed aside the branches in his way and stepped onto the overlook. “Reena?”

She stopped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Brian! What-what are you doing here? I mean, I didn’t think anyone would be here.”

“It’s okay. There usually isn’t anyone here, so I thought I’d come out here. It’s my thinking place,” he explained. Somehow, his anger had disappeared when he’d heard her sing and was silently marveling at that fact. “You have a great voice. I’m sorry you stopped singing.”

Reena shook her head. He’d startled her, but she found that, after the initial surprise, she was glad that he was there. “I usually sing when I don’t think anyone’s going to hear me. It makes me self-conscious, you know?”

“Yeah, but you really do have a good voice. It’s pretty,” he assured her.

She blushed. “Um, well, thanks. I used to want sing professionally,” she blurted out. Surprised at herself for revealing something that had always been a secret, she waited for his response.

He grinned. “Really? I did, too! Why are you photographing instead of singing with that voice of yours?”

“Lack of courage,” she admitted. “I mean, I did everything musical in high school and college, but I was always afraid to trust my voice enough to go any further.”

“Oh. You should’ve.” He couldn’t help but notice that her eyes seemed to glow deep green in the last light of day.

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I like photography, and singing is just something I save for the shower or when I’m alone.” Did he always look gorgeous? she wondered. “What about you? Why don’t you sing?”

Brian smiled. “I do. I mean, I was ready to go to Julliard with my voice, but, the day of my audition, I got the flu. There went my chance.” He smiled sadly. “I’ve often wondered what could’ve been, but I figure I’m where I’m supposed to be. Not that no Julliard has stopped me from belting it out,” he added. “If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you I’m the first to grab a hold of the microphone.”

Reena grinned. “I bet you are. Do you sing on the radio show you do?”

“You mean you didn’t listen today?” He feigned hurt when she shook her head. “You knew I had a show, but you didn’t turn it on? Well, then, I guess the only way you’ll get your answer is if you turn it on tomorrow, huh?”

She rolled her eyes, enjoying him. “You’re too cute, you know that?”

Brian grinned cheekily. “That’s what I’ve been told. But, I was waiting all my life to hear you tell me that. Now, I can die happy.” He sighed exaggeratedly.

Even knowing he was joking, something fluttered in her stomach. “Well, I’m glad I could help out.” She glanced up at the sky. “You can see all the stars here,” she murmured. “In Boston, there’s so much light pollution that it’s hard to see a single star.”

“Yeah, I remember what it was like in Chicago. It’s why I came back to Seven Falls when I finished at Northwestern,” Brian replied. “I missed the sky.”

She smiled at him. “I came out here because I wanted to see the ghosts,” she admitted. “I’ve always been practical, but I can’t help but believe in the legend.”

“You? Practical? Really?” He couldn’t help but think she was kidding. Gwen seemed like the practical sister.

Reena nodded. “Gwen’s the one who cries at the end of sappy movies, while I’m happier with action and adventure. I’m not a romantic at all, but the legend makes me feel, I don’t know…”

“Sad? Hopeful? Both at the same time?” He wished he could reach out and run his hands through her soft, soft hair. Or maybe just hold her. Especially now when she had that wistful look on her face, and her sharp eyes had gone soft and dreamy.

“Yeah. Sad because they died so horribly, and hopeful because three hundred years are almost over,” she murmured. She smiled ruefully at him. “Can you imagine spending three hundred years roaming this place and being unable to reach out and hold the one you love? It must be worse than hell.”

Brian reached out and brushed aside the curl of hair that had fallen out of her bun. His hand lingered a little on her cheek, and, instead of pushing it aside, Reena held it against her skin. “I can’t imagine it,” he told her. “I don’t know how anyone could survive something like that.”

“They don’t have a choice,” Reena whispered. His hand felt perfect in hers, and she wished they could stay there forever.

He was starting to wonder if he had a choice, or if he would feel compelled to reach for her every time he saw her. It had only been a day since he’d met her, but she’d been in every other thought he’d had all day. He was beginning to think he’d think of her every day for the rest of his life. He wondered, vaguely, what that meant. His free hand slid around her waist and drew her close, close enough that he could see whatever it was he was feeling reflected in her eyes. Not wanting to examine the way he reacted to her presence, physically and emotionally, and unable to resist, his lips found hers, and he sank into the kiss.

Warmth flooded her, enveloping her senses as fully as Brian’s arms had. The kiss was soft, gentle and turned her knees to jelly. Everything in her turned loose, and liquid desire flowed through her. Her arms wrapped around him, her fingers diving into his hair. She’d never felt this kind of wanting before, Reena thought distantly even as her lips trembled open, and she breathed him in. Never thought that she could want like this.

He’d never been the kind of man who could easily kiss a woman he’d just met, but, with Reena, he’d been breaking all kinds of personal rules. Holding her felt right, and he heard her moan even as he tried to rein in the sudden desperate need he felt. For Reena. He’d never felt like this with Juliet, his mind murmured.

Juliet.

And, suddenly, Brian pulled away and turned to stare blindly out at the waterfalls. His breathing was ragged, and, though he knew he wanted nothing more than to take Reena back in his arms, he controlled the desire. For the second time in twenty-four hours, he’d kissed Reena when he was still committed to a relationship with Juliet. Part of him was ashamed for betraying Juliet, but another, larger part of him said it was about time he found what he’d been looking for.

“Brian?” Reena wondered what he was thinking. She couldn’t see his face, but his back was stiff.

He turned to her and smiled slightly. “Reena, I can’t do this. I’m supposed to be with someone else, but I can’t stop wanting to be with you. I’ve only known you for a day, and you’re already making me crazy. I feel like a hormone-crazed teenage boy.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. “Really? I’m flattered.”

“Reena. I’m serious.” One look at his face, and she knew he wasn’t joking.

“Well, what do you want me to do? Stop being me? Stay away from you?” She began pacing. “Brian, whatever’s happening between us is hard for me to resist. I…I’m ridiculously attracted to you, and those kisses…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

“Are amazing?” he suggested. “I know. I’m gonna be honest with you, Reena. I’ve been dating one woman for the past six years because it was comfortable and easy. The thing is, even though I’m not in love with her, she’s in love with me. I can’t just disregard her feelings just because we have some incredible chemistry between us.” He sighed. “I care about her too much to hurt her.”

Reena nodded. “Okay. I like you, Brian, and I think it’s incredibly noble that you want to protect the woman you’re with.”

“But it doesn’t change the fact that I do have feelings for you,” he told her.

“I—you do?” Maybe there was still hope.

Brian nodded. “I just need time to figure some things out, right now.” He grinned. “You know, the day before yesterday, my life was really simple. Suddenly, it’s gotten complicated. I like you, Reena, and I’d like to think that, whatever happens, we can be friends anyway.”

Reena smiled back. “I think that’s a great idea. And, Brian? You make me feel like a hormone-crazed teenage girl, too.”