Spirit of the Witch

by Deanna Chase

  Yvette let out a sardonic laugh. “Is that why you and Clair still live in separate houses after fifteen years together?” Clair was his longtime girlfriend. For most of their relationship they only saw each other about twice a week, but since her father had been diagnosed with cancer, Clair had been around more often.

  “Yep.” He finished off the rest of his coffee then slid off the stool. “Are you still coming by for dinner tonight? Faith and Noel will be there. Clair’s cooking lasagna.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” Yvette said, hoping that one day when she was ready to date again, she wouldn’t end up with a part time relationship like her father’s. While she cherished her store, she actually had loved being married and had been thinking that it might even be time to start a family. Too bad her husband had turned out to be in love with another man.

  Her father held his arms open. “Give your old man a hug before I go back to work.”

  Yvette let her dad wrap her in his safe embrace. Once again, she was reminded of how thin he’d gotten, and when she pulled away, she said, “You need more pie.”

  His lips twitched. “How much?”

  “With every meal. That’s an order. Got it?”

  “Got it.” He kissed the top of her head, and as he strolled back to his office he called over to Rhys, “Did you hear that? Pie for every meal from here on out.”

  “What kind?” Rhys asked without missing a beat.

  “Blackberry. If we’re out, then apple.”

  “I’m on it.” Rhys made a note on his chart, nodded to Yvette, and then crossed the bar to flip the open sign. The brewery was officially open, and that meant her pity party was over. Time to get back to the store.

  Yvette, feeling a thousand times better than she had when she’d barged into the brewery, reached into her bag to grab her wallet. None of the Townsend girls paid for drinks or meals at their father’s brewery, but without fail, each of them left generous tips for the staff. As teenagers, they’d all worked there at one time or another and felt a kinship with all the servers. She threw a couple bills on the bar and headed out.

  Chapter Four

  Yvette swept into the Incantation Café, ready to take on the world. The more she thought about partnering with Mary, the more excited she became. She stood just inside, rubbing her cold hands together, waiting for the warmth to thaw her frozen nose. It was early January, and Keating Hollow sat about thirty miles inland from the northern California coast. The air was damp and had chilled her to the bone.

  “Hey, Yvette!” Hanna, the Pelshes’ daughter, waved from her place behind the counter. Her dark skin glowed under the recessed lights, and her wide, welcoming smile made Yvette grin back at her.

  “Hey, Hanna.” Yvette strode past the mismatched tables and chairs to meet Hanna at the register. “Is your mom in today?”

  “Sure. She’s in the back doing paperwork. Want me to get her?”

  “Yes, please, but can I get a coffee first? A big one.” After the two ill-advised beers, Yvette needed the caffeine to perk herself up.

  “Of course.” Hanna filled a large cup of coffee, handed it to Yvette, and waved off her attempts to pay for it. “Next time.” Then she disappeared into the back.

  Yvette doctored her coffee with a healthy dose of cream and took a long sip. She was still standing near the counter waiting for Mary when she heard the door open, followed by the sound of her husband’s voice.

  Ex-husband, she reminded herself.

  He was chattering about his gym workout and how hard he’d been working.

  “Well, babe, your abs certainly look like it,” another man said.

  Yvette jerked her head and laid eyes on the prettiest man she’d ever seen. He had bronze skin, brilliant blue eyes, and a body that looked like it was made for a Calvin Klein ad. Red-hot anger shot through her as she stared at Jake Jackson, the love of Isaac’s life and the man who’d ultimately broken up her marriage. In a moment of weakness, she’d decided that if Isaac could have a Jake, then she could too. It wasn’t long after that when she’d left the wedding party with Jacob.

  Isaac’s face lit up with a pleased smile as he slipped his hand into Jake’s. Happiness radiated off them, and for the second time that day, Yvette wished with everything she had that the earth would open up and swallow her whole.

  “Yvette?” Isaac asked, surprise coloring his tone.

  She had no idea why he was so surprised. It wasn’t as if she never frequented the café. It was less than a mile from her store. “Isaac,” she said coolly. “How are you?”

  He quickly dropped Jake’s hand as his cheeks turned bright pink. “Fine.” He turned to Jake and whispered something then strode over to Yvette and took her by the arm, leading her toward a table near the window. “What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

  She froze and yanked her arm from him. “What do you mean, ‘what do I think I’m doing?’ Getting coffee. What does it look like I’m doing?”

  He frowned and shook his head. “I’m talking about Saturday night. Everyone saw you leave with that bartender.”

  “So? It’s nobody’s business what I do, especially not yours.” Yvette cut her gaze to Jake, made a face, and then turned her attention back to Isaac. “You served me with divorce papers, remember?”

  “This isn’t about me,” he said, his cheeks now turning dark red. “It’s about… well, Yvette, you didn’t even know that guy. And from what I hear, you took him home with you. What’s going on? That isn’t you. You take your time and are careful with relationships.”

  “It’s none of your business, Isaac,” she said coolly. “Or did you forget that you gave up that right a few weeks ago when you decided you were in love with someone else?”

  He sighed heavily. “Just because I finally stopped lying to myself doesn’t mean I don’t love you, Vette. You were my best friend. I just want what’s best for you. We both know rushing into any sort of physical relationship isn’t your style. You care too deeply and always have. I’m just asking you to be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.”

  Intense anger rose up the back of her throat like bile, and Yvette wondered if she opened her mouth if she’d start to breathe fire. For half a second, she contemplated ripping the top off her coffee cup and dumping the contents over his head. How dare he act concerned and question anything she chose to do? “Your opinion on this subject isn’t welcome, Isaac. I think we’re done here.”

  She turned and started to walk back to the counter, but Isaac reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Yvette, wait.”

  Everything inside of her tensed as she glanced back at him. “Let go. Now.”

  They both stared at his hand wrapped around her arm. It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat that he let go.

  “Is everything okay here?” the new arrival asked.

  Oh, goddess above, Yvette thought as she tilted her head and stared at the ceiling. This was not happening right now. It couldn’t be. Why had Jacob Burton chosen that particular moment to patronize the coffee shop?

  “My wife and I are just fine,” Isaac said.

  “Wife?” he asked casually as he glanced at Isaac’s boyfriend. “I was under the impression that she was divorced.”

  “She’s not divorced yet,” Isaac said, his eyes blazing.

  Yvette stared at Isaac, her eyes wide as shock rolled through her. He was angry and… jealous. Her shock turned to pure satisfaction, and she took a step closer to Jacob out of sheer spite. She glanced at Jacob. “The paperwork has already been filed. We’re just waiting for it to be finalized.”

  He nodded and placed his hand on the small of her back as he turned his attention back to Isaac. “Looks like she’s free to fraternize with whomever she pleases then.”

  Isaac glared at Jacob. “And you think you’re just the guy for the job, do you?”

  “This is ridiculous.” The other Jake stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over in the process. “Isaac what is wrong with you?” he asked i
n a disgusted tone. Then without waiting for an answer, he swept out of the café.

  “Jake, wait!” Isaac called out as he took off after his significant other. Just as he reached for the door handle, he glanced over his shoulder at Yvette. “I was just trying to look out for you.”

  “Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you left her and forced her to buy you out of her bookstore,” Jacob said calmly.

  “That is none of your business,” Isaac said.

  “Actually,” Yvette said, “it is. He’s my new business partner.” She raised her eyebrows and nodded toward the plate-glass window where they could all see Isaac’s boyfriend pacing back and forth on the sidewalk. He had his hands fisted in his hair, and he appeared to be talking to himself. “It looks like you have more pressing problems to deal with than my personal life.”

  Jacob’s body trembled with a silent chuckle, and she smiled up at him.

  “Dammit, Yvette,” Isaac said. Then he yanked the door open and hurried outside.

  Yvette and Jacob watched Isaac chase after his significant other as Jake stalked down the street, shaking his head.

  “That was entertaining,” Yvette said, grinning up at Jacob. “Thanks for… well, you know. Having my back.”

  He smiled down at her. “Any time. That guy has some nerve.”

  She snorted. “He does, doesn’t he?”

  Jacob just nodded.

  The two of them fell silent, and suddenly Yvette became acutely aware of his hand still resting on the small of her back. His touch seemed to burn straight through her shirt and into her skin. She quickly sidestepped away from him and cleared her throat. “Sorry. I just—”

  “It’s fine, Yvette.” He held out his hand. “Why don’t we start over? Hello, I’m Jacob Burton, your new business partner.”

  The tension drained from her shoulders, and she nodded as she gripped and shook his hand. “Yvette Townsend. It’s nice to meet you. And for the record, I’m sorry I blew up at you this morning.”

  “Don’t be,” he said, shaking his head. “You were right. I shouldn’t have steamrolled you with my ideas.”

  “True. You shouldn’t have. But… after giving it some thought, I think you might be on to something. Customers would like a coffee bar. And that’s why I’m here.” She turned and spotted Mary and Hanna watching them from behind the counter. Yvette waved at them.

  They grinned and waved back.

  “I figured if we partnered with the café, it would be a win-win for both businesses. Care to join me while I have a chat with Mary over there?”

  “A partnership,” he said, nodding. “I like it. Lead on, Ms. Townsend. Lead on.”

  “This way.” Yvette strode over to the counter where Mary was waiting for her. She gave the other woman a hug. When she released her, she said, “Mary Pelsh, meet Jacob Burton, the new co-owner of Hollow Books.”

  “Hi.” The older woman held her hand out and smiled at him. “You’re a handsome one.”

  Jacob chuckled and took her hand. “Thank you. You’re not bad yourself. Love the hair.”

  She used her free hand to very gently pat her dark curls and glanced away as she said, “You’re too kind.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Mary,” Jacob said. “I hope we’re not interrupting you.”

  “Oh no, not at all.” She glanced down at their still-clasped hands then let out a small gasp. “Wow. You’re quite a gifted air witch, aren’t you?”

  “An air witch, sure. Gifted?” He shrugged one shoulder. “The fact that you can tell what kind of a witch I am just by shaking my hand tells me that you’re the gifted one.”

  Mary cut her gaze to Yvette and lowered her voice as she said, “He’s charming, too.”

  “Yes, he is,” Yvette agreed. “The customers will love him.”

  “They sure will,” Hanna cut in, pumping her eyebrows. “So… are you single?”

  “Hanna!” Yvette said.

  Jacob pulled his hand out of Mary’s and shoved them both in his front pockets. “I’m single, but…” He glanced at Yvette quickly, before turning his charm on Hanna and adding, “I’m not really in the market to date right now, so don’t go trying to set me up with all your girlfriends.” He paused then added, “At least not yet.”

  His words irritated Yvette, and she had to stifle a frown. He just said he wasn’t in the market to date, but he sure hadn’t had any problems jumping into bed with her. But then, she hadn’t intended to date him either. That had been a one-time thing.

  Dammit. Isaac was right. She wasn’t one for casual relationships. Her reaction to Jacob proved it. She closed her eyes and sucked in a fortifying breath. She had to let the other night go. It was the only way she was going to be able to work with Jacob.

  “Mary,” Yvette said, making eye contact with the other woman. “We were hoping we could talk to you about stocking the bookstore with your coffee and maybe some specialty items. Do you have time to sit down and discuss some ideas?”

  “Sure,” Mary said. “Come on back to my office.”

  Mary’s office was small but neat. A wooden desk sat at one end of the room, and a white plastic table full of stacked merchandise sat at the other. Mary pulled two folding metal chairs out of a closet and set them up for Yvette and Jacob before taking a seat behind her desk.

  Yvette perched on the edge of her chair and leaned forward, while Jacob sat back with one ankle propped on his opposite knee.

  “So,” Mary said as she flipped open a notebook. “What were you thinking? Coffee beans? Pastries? Cookies?”

  “Yes, but not the regular stuff you serve here,” Yvette said.

  Jacob turned and gave her a questioning glance. She gave him a self-satisfied smile.

  Mary tilted her head to the side. “Specialty items?”

  “Yes.” Yvette nodded. “Of course the coffee will be your regular blends, unless you have something else you recommend, but for pastries I was thinking it would be fun if we could get themed cupcakes that are decorated with nods to popular books, cookies with famous literary quotes, and maybe slices of cake that have edges that look like book spines.” She turned to Jacob. “What do you think?”

  His eyes crinkled at the corners as he flashed her a smile. “It’s brilliant, Yvette. Much better than anything I was thinking.”

  Yvette’s insides warmed, and she started to feel as if this partnership might actually be for the best. She turned back to Mary who was frantically scribbling in her notebook.

  “‘It was a dark and stormy night,’” Mary said to herself. She glanced up and continued, “‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.’ ‘The boy who lived.’”

  Yvette grinned, recognizing all three lines instantly. “Nice. Paul Clifford, Gone with the Wind, and Harry Potter. How about ‘Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone?’”

  “Outlander! Yes,” Mary said, bouncing in her seat. She scribbled it down, then stared pointedly at Jacob. “How about you? Any lines you want to see on the cookies?”

  Jacob shifted in his seat. “Um…”

  After he squirmed for a minute, Yvette laughed. “Seriously? Mr. Bayside Books can’t come up with one quote?”

  “I can, I just…” He gritted his teeth.

  “Don’t worry, Mary. I’ll get you a list,” Yvette said.

  “Wait. I have one,” Jacob said. “‘Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.’”

  Yvette gave him an appraising look and nodded. “Nice one.”

  “What’s it from?” Mary asked.

  “Frankenstein,” Jacob said and sat back in his chair.

  “Perfect.” Mary scribbled a couple more notes. When she was done she said, “I love it. I assume you’ll want fresh stock every day?”

  “Yes. That’s the plan. We’ll place conservative orders to start, but if they take off, we hope to be a bulk account,” Yvette said.

  Mary waved an unconcerned hand. “Don’t you worry about that. Whatever you ord
er will be as a wholesale customer. I’m always thrilled to partner with other Keating Hollow businesses.”

  Her dad had been spot-on with his advice. She’d need to remember to thank him, preferably with one of Mary’s coffee cakes.

  “Give me a few days,” Mary said, “and I’ll get some samples over to you. Then if you like what you see, we can work out a contract.”

  “Perfect,” Yvette said as she stood.

  Jacob got to his feet and offered Mary his hand again. “I look forward to tasting whatever you come up with,” he said as he shook her hand.

  “You bet your sweet cheeks you are,” she said with a wink. “My cupcakes will make you fall in love with me.”

  He laughed. “I bet.”

  “That’s enough,” Yvette said, pulling Jacob from the office before Mary had a chance to drool on him. “We have a bookstore to run. Mary, call me when you have something ready for us.”

  “Oh, I will,” she called. “Sooner rather than later!”

  “Is she always that excited?” Jacob asked her as they made their way back into the café’s storefront.

  Yvette shook her head. “Nope. Only when handsome new residents flirt with her.”

  “I wasn’t flirting,” he protested.

  “Sure.” She patted his arm. “You just keep telling yourself that.”

  Chapter Five

  Jacob Burton followed Yvette back into the bookstore. When he’d left over an hour ago to get a cup coffee, he’d been frustrated by his new situation. Now he was amused. He’d enjoyed teaming up with her to put her ex in his place. The guy had been way out of line, acting as if he had some say over Yvette’s decisions. And Jacob had been more than happy to help her put him in his place.

  Of course as soon as the jackhole had hightailed it out of the café, things had gotten a little uncomfortable. But that was only because the chemistry between him and Yvette was off the charts. Touching her had made him want her all over again. Then there was her sass. There was nothing he liked better than a woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself.