Calculated Magic Read online

  Mom and Ry stared at him with confused expressions.

  “Some kind of chemical reaction,” Tikron clarified.

  “Ah, so he used logic on you. Big surprise there,” Ry said snidely.

  “Christ, you’re being so frickin’ negative. Just for that—” Tikron swiped the last potato from Ry’s plate and popped it into his mouth.

  “Hey! Give that back.”

  “What, this?” Tikron asked and opened his mouth.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you two hadn’t hit puberty yet,” Mom grumbled. She stood up and headed into the kitchen.

  Tikron and Ry cracked up. It had always been the way they’d dealt with stress. The more stress, the more immature they seemed to become. It was a great way to lighten a mood. A far better way to deal with difficulties than crying or pickling their livers from overindulging in alcohol. And with the amount of stress they’d had to deal with over the years, they’d have either been put in a padded cell or started each day hungover.

  Mom returned to the table with the pot of potatoes, and she dished Tikron and Ry heaping amounts before taking her seat. “Now, are you two children just about done with the shenanigans?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.

  “Good. Then you can continue the story, Tikron.” She pointed her fork at Ry. “Without any interruptions or comments from you.”

  Tikron relayed the story of what had transpired between him and Richard while they finished their dinner. As he told it out loud, it really didn’t sound all that impressive. I guess you had to be there. However, considering his prior interactions with Richard, they’d made huge strides. And that smile. Every time Tikron thought about it, he couldn’t help but do the same.

  Ry never commented on Tikron’s story. Instead he announced he was going to go check the books for a razzle-dazzle spell to wow the pants off Richard. Knowing him as well as Tikron did, he knew Ry was dying to ask more questions. He was smart, though, and he remained silent. Strangely, Mom did too. It wasn’t until they were standing at the sink doing the dishes that she spoke.

  “You know I trust you and your gut, but I have to admit, your story really didn’t leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside about this proposed romance.”

  Tikron scrubbed a plate and handed it to Mom to rinse. “I can understand that. But if you had witnessed the first two encounters I had with him, you’d understand. I was beginning to think the man was made of stone, but it’s a façade. Beneath that hard exterior is someone screaming for a little fun.” He bumped against Mom and handed her another plate to rinse. “And honey, if anyone can show him a good time, you know I can.”

  Mom laughed. “There is a whole lot of truth right there.”

  “Plus, he’s lonely, Mom.”

  “Are you sure? You said he chooses to be alone.”

  “He doesn’t. I know it. I’m not sure why he has a wall around him, but something tells me it’s not for the same reason I do.”

  “We all have them, I suppose,” Mom said soberly.

  “Yes, until we find the right person to help us tear them down.”

  The dishes finished, Tikron drained the water, rinsed the sink, and dried his hands. After Mom dried hers, Tikron slung his arm over her shoulder. “Everything is going to be okay,” he promised her.

  “I know it will. And if this doesn’t work out with Richard, I have your back.”

  “It won’t come to that, but thank you and thanks for dinner. I love you.”

  “You’re welcome, and I love you too.” Mom patted his belly, then shrugged out of his embrace. “Okay, let’s go see what kind of enchanted witchcraft Ry came up with.”

  Tikron followed her into the living room with a smile on his face. He had Mom and Ry on his side. No way could he fail.

  And that smile….

  Failure was not an option.

  The best magic always results from ecstasies of logic.

  ~Alban Berg~

  Chapter Nine

  A CRISP morning wind greeted Richard as he stepped out his door. He buttoned up his coat, then checked Albert’s. His pup wasn’t a big fan of his little red plaid coat, always walked a bit strange when sporting it. However, Albert was even less of a fan of the cold. With his short fur, he was shivering and shaking within minutes when the temperatures dropped below forty. Albert really would be happiest on a warm tropical beach in the winter. Richard would be quite content with warmer weather as well, but considering he always volunteered to work the holidays and rarely ever went on vacation, both he and Albert were going to have to suck it up and deal with the approaching frosty weather.

  With the end of Albert’s leash tucked in his gloved hand, Richard made his way down the sidewalk. It was his day off, and being a creature of habit, he took Albert to the park as he did each nonworkday. The early hour assured him there would be few, if any, people to encounter.

  As he walked, Richard considered that notion. At what point in his life had he started avoiding people? There had been a time when he was a young child that he wasn’t such a loner. Mom and Dad had sent him to a summer camp for gifted children when he was ten. Those two weeks had produced some of his fondest childhood memories.

  The camp’s academia had been superb and he excelled even among his talented peers, but the competition and camaraderie had been the highlight of the event. That same fall, he’d started high school, and the fun and games came to an abrupt halt. Being an adolescent among a sea of hormonal teenagers created nightmares. He didn’t do drama. He didn’t understand the insane urges to try to bed every creature. While he’d known at that age he preferred boys to girls, he certainly didn’t want to get to third base. Hell, he didn’t even think about stepping up to the plate.

  For the first time in his life, he experienced a pang of sadness at what could have been had he been allowed to grow up around children his own age. Normally he didn’t subscribe to the notion that it wasn’t things done that caused regret but those not done. He should be thankful that the isolation of his high school years had given him a much greater opportunity to dedicate his time and attention to his studies. It was the single most important factor that propelled him to success in his chosen field.

  A low rumbling growl pulled Richard from his walk along memory lane. He looked down at Albert, who had stopped just inside the park entrance. He followed Albert’s intense stare to find a squirrel sitting beneath a tree. Its cheeks were stuffed full to an exaggerated extent, and it was trying to shove yet another nut into its mouth. Richard cocked his head. It wasn’t the gluttonous squirrel that was the oddity but Albert’s reaction to it.

  Albert really wasn’t the typical canine. He rarely barked and always seemed to have the attitude that other creatures didn’t deserve his time or energy. Dear God! Richard suddenly realized just how much he and Albert were alike. Richard’s personality had obviously rubbed off on Albert. This, come to think of it, shouldn’t really surprise him. He had been Albert’s only companion since he was six weeks old, and just as the old saying went, the dog was this man’s best friend.

  Richard reached down and scratched Albert behind the ears. “What is it that has you feeling so frisky this morning?”

  Albert responded with a sharp bark and another low growl. The squirrel wasn’t the least bit intimidated by their presence or Albert’s aggressive sounds. Rather, if Richard didn’t know better, the squirrel seemed amused. This, of course, was ridiculous. Albert barked again, to which the rodent dropped its nut, stood up on its back legs, and vigorously shook its tail, giving it the appearance that it was dancing. Richard couldn’t help but laugh at the animal’s antics. His laughter died in his throat when the squirrel suddenly turned around and shook its furry butt at them. Now Richard wasn’t an expert on Sciuridae, but he was positive they didn’t go around dancing for a barking, snarling dog.

  The cold wind picked up, sending a chill down Richard’s spine. “All right, Albert, enough entertainment for one morning. Time
to get some exercise.” Richard took a couple of steps but halted when Albert refused to budge. Richard tugged gently on the leash. “C’mon, show’s over.”

  A loud chatter drew Richard’s attention back to the tree. Astonishingly, the squirrel was pointing at them, and the chatter morphed into boisterous laughter.

  What in the hell is going on?

  He closed his eyes and shook his head to dispel the impossible vision, but when he opened them, the rodent continued to point and laugh. “This can’t be happening. It’s not possible, logical. It’s not frickin’ normal.” He stood in utter shock, staring at the animal and trying in vain to come up with a plausible explanation for what he was witnessing.

  “Good morning, Richard.”

  Richard whirled around to find Tikron coming up behind him with a huge smile on his face. Why didn’t it surprise him that Tikron would be here? He always seemed to show up when weird things happened. It was like the abnormal followed the man around.

  “Morning,” Richard said curtly.

  “Wow, what a cute dog,” Tikron complimented and, without asking, reached down to pet Albert.

  Abnormal and rude, Richard thought.

  Albert didn’t take issue with it. Just as Tikron squatted down, Albert stood on his back legs, tail wagging wildly, while he tried to lick Tikron’s face. Albert never behaved in such a manner. Just like…. He turned around to see what the squirrel was doing only to find it gone. He frowned at the empty space, then at Tikron. He didn’t notice. He was too busy petting Albert and burying his face in the pup’s neck.

  Damn, he shouldn’t have gotten out of bed this morning. First some whacked squirrel and now Albert. It was a day of bizarre animal behavior. He’d definitely have been better off starting his day with a hot cup of coffee and the latest addition of MTCircular. He wouldn’t make the same mistake on his next day off. Time for some changes in his life.

  “I hate to interrupt your playtime, but Albert and I need to get going on our morning walk.”

  Tikron patted Albert’s head, then stood. “Would you two like some company?”

  “Actually—”

  Albert jumped up on Tikron and barked, his tail still wagging vigorously. Tikron laughed. “Looks like one of you would like the company. How about the other half of this party?” Tikron’s expression was pleading.

  Richard swallowed down his sigh. “Fine. Who am I to say no to Albert?”

  “Ah, I have found my in.”

  “Excuse me?” Richard asked, confused. He started down the path, and to his surprise, Albert fell in at his side between him and Tikron.

  “All this time I thought the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, but obviously you don’t follow that train of thought. The way to yours is Albert. Damn, guess I won’t need that awesome recipe for a yummy, gooey dessert I got from my mom. Wait! Do you bake?”

  “It is not one of my acquired skills. I found little reason to waste time in the kitchen making things I don’t indulge in,” Richard explained.

  “Oh, Richard. Life is much too short not to indulge in all things yummy and gooey.” Tikron’s tone was husky.

  Richard ignored the obvious sexual innuendos. He might not be able to control his body around Tikron, but he was most certainly in control of his mind. As they passed the tree in which the squirrel had put on his show, Richard caught movement above his head and found the critter sitting on a branch. He stopped dead in his tracks when the thing winked at him.

  “Did you see that?”

  “See what?” Tikron asked.

  Richard pointed upward. “That… that squirrel just winked at me.”

  Tikron came to stand next to Richard, making Richard feel like a dwarf compared to Tikron’s impressive size. “I don’t think squirrels can do that. I mean, I’m not an expert on Sciuridae, but I’m positive they don’t go around winking at people.”

  Richard gawked at him. Was it possible Tikron could read his mind? The thought was as frightening as it was ridiculous.

  “You don’t agree?” Tikron asked.

  “No, I mean, yes,” Richard stammered. “The fact that you know they are Sciuridae is almost as surprising as it winking at me.”

  Tikron laid his hand over his heart. “You wound me. Do you truly view me as all brawn and no brains?”

  Yes. “I suppose I don’t know you well enough to make—” The words died in his throat when the squirrel nodded its head rapidly.

  “To make what?” Tikron prompted.

  Richard glared at Tikron. “I suppose you didn’t see that either?”

  “See what?”

  Richard pointed at the squirrel again. “It… it…. Christ, it nodded its head when you asked if….” Shit, he was truly losing it. “Never mind.”

  Tikron waved a warning finger at the squirrel. “Hey! Did you just dis me, you fury little rodent?” The squirrel chattered angrily, hands waving, tail swishing madly, then suddenly ran farther up the tree and disappeared into the foliage. Tikron’s gaze settled on Richard. “Wow, not only is he opinionated, but rude as well.”

  Richard didn’t miss the mischievous glint in Tikron’s eyes. Or maybe it was a mocking one. He really couldn’t be sure, but he supposed it didn’t matter. Everything was confusing him this morning. His temples began to throb, and he reached up at the ache. Apparently he’d reached his quota of tolerance. “I think I’ve had enough fresh air for one morning.” He turned toward the exit to the park.

  “Aww, c’mon. It’s a beautiful morning, and I know Albert was looking forward to his walk. Weren’t you, boy?”

  Albert gave an excited yip.

  Richard started to protest, his head truly beginning to hurt, but it wasn’t fair to Albert. “Fine. One quick walk around the main path.”

  “That’s the spirit!”

  Richard gritted his teeth at the loud, happy sound of Tikron’s voice. As they walked, Richard glanced over at Tikron. “What are you doing here so early? Are you following me?”

  “I could ask you the same.”

  “What? I most certainly was not following you.”

  “Well… I was here first,” Tikron pointed out.

  “Yes, well. Albert and I come every Saturday morning at precisely this time, and we have never encountered you before. So again I ask, what are you doing here?”

  “So you come every Saturday? Hmm, that’s very good to know,” Tikron commented, ignoring Richard’s question.

  Richard was instantly sorry he’d said anything. The man was already disturbing his evenings at the bakery. Richard most certainly didn’t need him interrupting the solace of his Saturday mornings as well. He swallowed down a sigh. Well, he did say he needed a change in his life. He picked up the pace to a brisk walk. He needed some time to think about what had happened and why he was allowing Tikron to fill his thoughts. Why in the world he had allowed the man to walk with him? Nuts. That’s what he was. Just like that damn squirrel.

  “Have you decided when you’re going to let me take you out on a real date?”

  “I haven’t given it any thought,” Richard lied.

  “I really think you should let me take you to dinner or out dancing or whatever kind of activities you enjoy.”

  “Why do you think I should?”

  “Because it would be fun,” Tikron said easily. “You need some fun in your life.”

  Richard gave him a sideways look. “How would you know what I need? You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I know you’re a mathematician, you like your solitude, black coffee, and bran muffins. You have the cutest dog in the world, who just so happens to adore me. And you’re as attracted to me as I am to you.”

  That stopped Richard short. He stumbled but caught himself quickly and resumed his steady pace. “I have made it painfully clear that I do not want your company. You, on the other hand, are quite pushy and can’t seem to take no for an answer.”

  “Do you really wish me to leave you in peace?”

  Yes. It
was on the tip of his tongue, but for some reason he simply couldn’t bring himself to say it. He was attracted to Tikron even if he wouldn’t admit it to the man, and he was definitely flattered and…. Who was he kidding? With all his posturing and denials, he was kind of enjoying Tikron’s attentions.

  “What I want is to get this walk over and get a nice hot cup of coffee.” And some aspirin for my throbbing head.

  Tikron smiled broadly. “You didn’t say yes. I may just have a shot at getting you to go out with me yet.”

  Richard refrained from rolling his eyes, but just barely. Back at the park entrance, he nodded cordially to Tikron. “Thank you for the company.”

  “Can I walk you home?”

  “No, no. That’s quite all right. I have a touch of a headache and am just ready to go home.”

  Tikron’s smile faltered briefly, but he recovered quickly. “Okay. I hope you feel better and we get a chance to see each other again soon.”

  “Perhaps,” Richard said without commitment. Albert got pets from Tikron and, with a little encouragement, finally followed Richard out of the park.

  THE instant Richard disappeared, Ry popped up next to Tikron, laughing like a loon. “Oh. My. God. Did you see his face?”

  Tikron frowned. “I think you may have taken it a bit too far.”

  “Are you crazy?” Ry protested. “It went totally to plan. I had him questioning what he was seeing without going over the top and sending him running in horror.” Ry put his hands on his hips and pushed his broad chest out. “I deserve an Academy Award for that performance, thank you very much. Because, dude. I frickin’ hate nuts.”

  Tikron raised a brow. “Perfect, huh? I might give you that had you not accused me of being all muscle and no brains.”

  “I did no such thing. I was simply agreeing with you,” Ry countered. “Besides, you only had it half right. You’re the brawn and I’m the brains.”

  “You wish.” Tikron reached out to pop Ry upside his head, but he spun easily and dodged it.