Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

A S THE MEETING CAME TO A CLOSE, the room filled with friendly chatter. People seemed in no hurry to leave, instead lingering to catch up with neighbors and discuss the evening’s topics. It was clear this was as much a social event as it was a meeting, with everyone enjoying the chance to connect.

Not quite comfortable enough to join in the post-meeting conversations, and wary of any further mention of my father’s business, I quietly slipped out. The cool night air greeted me, refreshing and crisp.

A sense of calm washed over me as I took in the scene: the stars twinkling brightly in the clear night sky, the occasional hoot of an owl echoing in the distance. It was a stark contrast to the city nights in Cresden, where the skyline was always lit up, masking the stars, and the constant hum of traffic replaced any chance of hearing nature .

“Hey, Vinnie,” Ethan called out, his voice warm and inviting. I turned to see him strolling over, looking attractive in a flannel shirt that fit him just right. His sleeves were rolled up, showing off his toned forearms, and his dark jeans with sturdy boots gave him a rugged, approachable vibe.

“Hi, Ethan,” I said, trying not to stare too much. He had a way of making casual look incredibly attractive.

“So, how did you find the meeting?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

I gave a small, uncertain laugh, trying to find the right words. “It was . . . intense,” I finally said, then added with a grin, “But Danny’s rant about the veggie thief was definitely entertaining.”

Ethan chuckled, his laugh rich and contagious. “Yeah, Danny’s a character. Most of us think the thief is just a bunch of raccoons with a taste for fresh veggies.”

I giggled at the image. “Honestly, that sounds pretty plausible.”

A sudden gust swept through the square, causing a speck of dirt to fly into my eye. I blinked and rubbed at it, wincing slightly.

“Hold still,” Ethan said softly, stepping closer. He peered into my eye, a concerned expression crossing his face. “Looks like an eyelash,” he murmured, his voice gentle. His fingers brushed my cheek, carefully coaxing the tiny eyelash away. His touch radiated a gentle heat, lingering a moment longer than necessary. The warmth of his breath mingled with the cool evening air, creating a charged silence between us. It felt like we were the only ones there, wrapped in an intimate bubble.

“Thanks,” I whispered, meeting his gaze. His smile was gentle, but there was an unmistakable spark in his eyes that made my heart race. The concern in his eyes softened into something warmer, more magnetic. His lips curved into a slight, teasing smile as he leaned in just a fraction closer, the air between us thick with unspoken anticipation .

“No problem,” he murmured, his voice low. Realizing how close he was, Ethan stepped back with a playful grin. “Didn’t mean to invade your personal space,” he joked, his tone light.

As he stepped back, I felt a sudden emptiness where his warmth had been, a chill creeping in to replace it. My heart, which had been racing, slowed, leaving a fluttery sensation in my chest. Even with the distance, I could still catch the scent of his cologne, a mix of woodsy notes and a fresh citrusy hint that lingered in the air. The moment was brief, but it left a lingering sense of excitement, and a surprising desire for more of that closeness.

Ethan cleared his throat, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us. “So, I’ve been hearing some rumors,” he began with a playful grin. “Word around town is that you’re thinking about opening an art gallery. News travels fast in Hallow’s End.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. “I’m not surprised. Small towns and their grapevines, right? But I wouldn’t say I’m opening anything just yet. I’ve just been looking around, seeing if it might be a possibility.”

He nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest. “That’s exciting. We don’t have anything like that here, and honestly, it’s something the town could really use. My students would love it—getting out of the classroom and seeing some real art. They could use a cultural day out.”

His mention of students piqued my curiosity. “Wait, are you an art teacher?”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I don’t have the eye or the patience for that. I can appreciate art, but teaching it? Let’s just say I prefer not to inflict my terrible drawing skills on anyone.” He grinned. “I teach English and literature. I love helping students dive into stories and discover the magic of words. That’s where my passion lies—guiding them through new worlds and watching their faces light up when they connect with a book.”

As he spoke, I found myself imagining him in a classroom, standing confidently at the front, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal his strong forearms. I could picture him gesturing animatedly as he explained a classic novel, his deep voice filling the room with excitement and passion. The thought of him captivating a room full of students with his charm and enthusiasm made him even more attractive, his arms moving gracefully as he wrote on the board, each stroke deliberate and sure. It was easy to see why his students would be drawn to his classes.

I smiled, pulled from my daydream. “That sounds really fulfilling, helping kids find their voices through literature.” I paused, glancing around at the empty street before looking back at him. “Are your parents teachers, too?”

Ethan nodded, a fond smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, they both taught at Hallow’s End Elementary before they retired.” He hesitated, then continued with a chuckle, “We were all in one house for so long, including my little sister, Lily, who’s six now. It was getting a bit crowded.”

I tilted my head, intrigued. “Did you live with them the whole time?”

“Actually, I moved out of the family home when they retired early about two years ago. My mom wasn’t thrilled about me leaving the nest, but at twenty-five, I was ready for my own space, especially with the new job. Though I still just live down the street, so I’m not too far.” He grinned. “I guess I can’t escape home that easily.”

“That sounds really nice,” I said, genuinely touched by the close-knit nature of his family. It was a stark contrast to my own experiences, and a part of me wished I had that kind of warm, uncomplicated relationship with my own parents. Ethan’s life seemed filled with the happy, familial connections I craved. It made me wonder what it would be like to have that kind of support and closeness.

As we stood there, people finally began filtering out of the town hall, done with their socializing for the night. I smiled. “I guess the meeting is over now, huh?”

Ethan chuckled, glancing around as the last few people trickled out of the town hall. “Looks like the excitement’s winding down,” he said, shifting his weight slightly, his hands slipping into his pockets. There was a brief pause, and a hint of awkwardness in the air, as if he was searching for something to say to keep the conversation going.

“So . . . what kind of things do you paint?” he asked suddenly, his tone a bit hesitant, almost as if he’d blurted out the first question that came to mind.

I couldn’t help but smile, noticing how he was clearly eager to stay and talk, even if it meant asking a random question. It was endearing, and it made me want to keep the conversation going, too

“I mostly paint bold and intense abstract pieces. Playing with colors and textures to evoke emotions is something I love. My work is all about capturing the essence of a moment, or a feeling, rather than something realistic. It’s a way for me to express things that are hard to put into words.”

“That sounds really cool. I’d love to see your work someday—though, fair warning, I might be terrible at understanding it. You might have to explain it to me like I’m five,” he joked, his eyes sparkling with playful sincerity. His genuine warmth made me smile.

Ivy emerged from the town hall with Mayor Hale and Margie, all chatting enthusiastically and, as they drew closer, a wave of disappointment washed over me. I had enjoyed talking with Ethan far more than I expected, and I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye .

“By the way, I’m sorry again about the coffee this morning,” I said, feeling a pang of guilt. “I hope I didn’t make you late for work or anything.”

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. “No worries. The students thought it was hilarious, though. I had to hide the stain with my sweater all day. Gave them a good laugh, at least.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mayor Hale saying goodbye to Ivy and Margie. But Ivy lingered, not approaching me yet, giving me a bit of space and privacy with Ethan. Whether or not it was intentional, I appreciated it nonetheless. It felt nice to have a few more moments with him.

Ethan glanced over at Ivy and then back at me.

“I wanted to—” I began.

“Vinnie, I was thinking—” he said, our words overlapping. We both paused, then laughed.

Ethan’s gaze softened, a playful intensity in his eyes. With a slight, almost bashful smile, he said, “You know, I really meant it this morning when I said I’d like to see you again.”

I felt a blush rising to my cheeks. “I would like that.”

Before he could say anything else, Ivy and Margie approached, popping our little bubble. Ivy’s eyes twinkled with curiosity, and Margie gave us both a warm smile, as if she had been watching us all along.

“I see you two are getting along well,” Ivy said, a mischievous glint in her gaze.

“We were just talking,” I said, my voice slightly awkward, my gaze drifting to the floor as I struggled to meet Ivy’s eyes.

“Oh, really?” she nudged me playfully.

Margie and Ivy exchanged knowing looks and grinned at each other. Ethan noticed and chuckled. “Well, I’ve got an early morning. ”

He paused, his gaze lingering on me for a moment as if considering his next words. He glanced at Ivy and Margie, then back at me. A slight hesitation flickered in his eyes, but then he simply smiled and said, “I’ll see you soon, Vinnie.”

The air between us felt charged, but Ivy smoothly broke the tension by turning to Margie with a warm smile. “Vinnie, I don’t think you’ve officially met Margie, the owner of Willow Cottage.”

Margie stepped forward, her wild red hair catching the light from the streetlamps. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, with kind eyes that shone with a gentle, motherly aura. She extended her hand to me. “It’s great to meet you, Vinnie. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to greet you when you arrived. Hope you have settled in okay?”

“It’s been lovely, thank you.” I shook her hand, grateful for the easy shift in conversation. “And no worries, Ivy’s been wonderful, and made me feel right at home.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Ivy’s great at making everyone feel welcome. If you need anything, or have questions, just ask. We’re all here to help.” She chuckled. “Though, knowing Ivy, she’s probably already told you everything you need to know.”

Ivy grinned, crossing her arms playfully. “What can I say? I’m thorough.”

Margie glanced at her watch and sighed. “I’d love to stay and chat more, but I’ve got to run. It’s my kids’ bedtime, and the babysitter has to get home soon.” She smiled apologetically. “Mom duties never end, right?”

I nodded, returning her smile. “It was nice to meet you, Margie. I hope to see you around town.”

“I’m sure you will,” Margie replied with a warm laugh. “This place is small enough that it’s hard to miss anyone. Have a great night, Vinnie, and enjoy your stay.” With a quick wave, she turned and headed off .

Ivy turned to me. “Want some company on the walk back? The cottage isn’t far from my place.” I nodded, appreciating the offer.

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Ivy glanced over at me with a slight smile. “So . . . Ethan is nice, yes?” Her tone was casual, but there was a hint of teasing curiosity in her eyes.

I shrugged, a small smile playing on my lips. “I spilled coffee on him at the café this morning. It was a pretty embarrassing way to meet someone, but he was really nice about it.”

Ivy nodded, her eyes glinting with playful interest. “He’s one of the good ones around here. Solid guy. The kids at school love him, and he’s always involved in community events.” She paused, giving me a sideways glance. “And he’s single, if you’re wondering.”

I laughed, feeling a bit of a blush creep up. “Noted. But honestly, it’s just nice talking to someone who isn’t . . . complicated, you know?”

We strolled past the darkened shops of the town square, the twinkling string lights casting a soft glow on the cobblestone streets. Even with the businesses closed, the town kept its charming allure, the lights giving everything a warm, magical feel.

Ivy grinned, nudging me playfully. “You know, Margie and I were talking, and we both thought Ethan seemed pretty interested in you. We didn’t want to interrupt, but Margie was eager to meet you.”

A blush crept up my cheeks, and I chuckled softly. “It’s fine, really.”

I thought about the nature of small-town gossip. It was different here—nothing like the catty and malicious rumors that spread in Cresden. This felt more innocent, a kind of harmless curiosity.

We moved through the residential area, where quaint houses lined the street, and I recognized the route as the one I drove through on my first day .

Feeling a bit awkward and unsure, I hesitated before blurting out, “Do you really think he was into me, or was he just being nice?”

Ivy gave me a reassuring smile. “Oh, definitely. Ethan’s always polite, but he rarely lingers after town meetings, or shows much interest in the women around here. He’s definitely nice, but this was different.”

My heartbeat picked up, excitement and nervousness fluttering through me. “Really?”

Ivy leaned in, clearly enjoying the chance to share a bit of town gossip. “You remember Emily?” I nodded, trying to hide my curiosity. “She’s been pining for Ethan for years. She’s always been very . . . persistent, trying to flirt and catch his attention, but he’s never asked her out. Despite all her efforts, it’s always just been polite exchanges and nothing more.”

Hearing this sparked a curiosity within me. Ethan’s apparent disinterest in the women of Hallow’s End only made his behavior with me stand out more. Was there really something there, or was I reading too much into it?

Ivy continued, “Ethan’s always been a bit of a mystery in that way. The fact that he seemed genuinely interested in talking to you is . . . well, it’s notable.”

I couldn't help but smile. “Well, he did ask me for coffee.”

Ivy's eyes lit up, and she squealed. “That’s fantastic! I’m so excited for you.”

I laughed, feeling embarrassed. “It’s just coffee. We didn’t make any actual plans, and he doesn’t even have my number.”

“Semantics,” Ivy said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “Sometimes the most meaningful connections start with just a simple cup of coffee.”

As we reached the turn for the cottage, Ivy stopped and smiled. “I live just a bit further down this street,” she said, gesturing ahead. She pulled out her phone. “Here, give me your number, and I’ll text you mine. We should plan something together soon. ”

I handed her my phone and, after exchanging numbers, we said our goodbyes. As I walked down the star-lit road towards the cottage, I felt a comforting sense of belonging. It was strange how, in just two days, Hallow’s End already felt more like home than Cresden ever had. Maybe it was Ivy’s warmth and openness, or perhaps the charm of small-town life itself. Either way, the simplicity and kindness here were a refreshing change.

Looking up at the twinkling stars, a rush of possibility washed over me. The idea of dating again made me a little nervous—was I ready? But there was something about being in Hallow’s End that made me feel brave and free. I wanted to see Ethan again, and Ivy was right; it was just coffee, and that was a good place to start. Baby steps, I thought, smiling to myself.