“Thank you for changing the time on our dinner plans.” Liam finally stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind him. Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed the cold. “The booking process and paperwork didn’t take long, especially once Bonnie’s lawyer was called. She now resides in a holding cell in a proper city jail. The county sheriff was kind enough to transfer her for me.”
I had taken the vase when Liam had closed the door. As much as the roses would make the perfect centerpiece on the dining room table, I wanted to be able to see Liam while we ate. The coffee table would have to do, and I gave Leo a warning glance that he should leave them alone. He had a propensity to knock things over when he didn’t feel he was getting enough attention.
Lies. All lies. The masses are nothing if not jealous.
“I still can’t believe that Bonnie was the one who started those fires all to hide the fact that she was stealing from the malt shop.” I stepped back around the couch, but Liam had already taken off his suede jacket and hung it up on the antique coat rack. I’d swear his black sweater was cashmere, but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself by running my fingers down the fabric. “I’ve already opened a bottle of wine, if that’s okay.”
I’ll just sit here and debate if I’m losing my mind. It’s okay. Just ignore me. I’ll play the “she got me a gift, she didn’t get me a gift” game with my…hey, didn’t I have seventeen claws at the beginning of this story?
“I think we both deserve a drink after a day like today,” Liam agreed, following me across the hardwood floor. He took a seat at the counter, leaning back on the stool and watching me as I began to pour the open bottle of red wine. I was quite proud of myself that I didn’t spill any, especially with my accident-prone tendencies. “We made quite a team. You kept everyone calm, which was quite a feat considering Cora has a tendency to dramatize any situation.”
“I think she was too stunned by what was taking place to make it all about her.” Today had gone smoothly, and this was the perfect way to end a very chaotic week. I slid Liam’s wineglass closer to him while lifting my own. “Here’s to solving another mystery.”
What am I? Chopped liver?
Liam showed me that sexy grin of his, only lifting one corner to say he found my toast amusing.
“I think you’re the mystery that needs solving, Raven Lattice Marigold.”
I wiggled my eyebrows as I took a delicious sip of the red wine, telling myself it was okay to keep Liam guessing. That sort of thing made for an exciting relationship, right?
“Oh!” I exclaimed, having almost forgotten my promise to Leo. “I’m sorry. I almost forgot to give a small Valentine’s Day present to Leo.”
I knew you forgot.
I turned on my black heels and opened up the cupboard where I’d stored Leo’s gift. I’d had to seal the area with a spell to make sure Leo hadn’t caught a whiff of the all-natural Black Forest grown catnip I’d ordered.
I leaned in close to Liam as I walked past, having him play along. He was a good sport about Leo and my eccentricities.
“Trust me, it will keep him busy while we enjoy our evening together.”
I heard that.
I continued to smile as I walked up to Leo, who had thankfully closed his hind legs after finishing his bath. At least he was showing some measure of decorum this evening.
“Here you go,” I whispered, setting down the fresh grown plant that was in a heart-shaped white planter. The green blades were healthy and sticking straight up one by one. “This is an all-natural catnip grown in the deepest, darkest glades of the German Black Forest. It is as exclusive as you’re going to get, my friend.”
You…you bought me a real live imported catnip plant. Look at it. It’s…beautiful.
Leo had used his two front legs to push himself back on his haunches, his larger left eye staring at the gift as if he’d never seen anything so delicious. It warmed my heart to be able to give him something back.
And for once, it seemed as if I’d made Leo somewhat speechless. Trust me, that was a feat unto itself. As a matter of fact, I was quite proud of myself.
“You’re my partner in crime. No matter who may come or go in my life, you’re my constant.” I planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Leo.”
That literally should have been the last line at the end of this book. My quiet evening with Liam should have commenced without another hiccup, and I would have had wonderful memories to share with you in our next story.
Unfortunately, I was going to have to work a little bit harder on my goal of making Leo speechless. Honestly, I was lucky I didn’t trip in these high heels at the shocking revelation he just couldn’t keep to himself for only a few more hours. I mean, that hadn’t been asking for much, right?
Is now a good time to tell you that I think Rye Dolgiram is a warlock?
~ The End ~
Thank you so much for reading Charming Blend! And don’t worry, there are more shenanigans ahead for Raven and Leo. Spellbinding Blend is the next cozy mystery this comical duo must solve, and you can read all about it below!
Click HERE
This is one spellbinding tale of magical chaos you won’t want to miss in the continuation of USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne’s cozy paranormal mystery series…
The flowers are in bloom, the songbirds are singing, and the tourists have begun to flock to the small coastal town of Paramour Bay for the Spring Festival. All is going according to plan, but Raven Marigold has one itsy-bitsy loose end to tie up regarding a possible warlock posing as one of the townsfolk. There has to be a simple solution, right?
Well, one itsy-bitsy loose end turns into two…maybe three…when a body is found behind the kissing booth at the traveling carnival on the edge of town. When Raven discovers a connection between the victim and the warlock she’s been keeping a close eye on, she and her trusty familiar will have no choice but to take the case. After all, it wouldn’t do to have the residents know that magic exists!
Grab a ticket and take a ride on this swirling mystery that will leave you dizzy with misleading clues, magical chaos, and a spellbinding blend that doesn’t quite go according to plan!
Books by Kennedy Layne
Paramour Bay Mysteries
Magical Blend
Bewitching Blend
Enchanting Blend
Haunting Blend
Charming Blend
Spellbinding Blend
Office Roulette Series
Means (Office Roulette, Book One)
Motive (Office Roulette, Book Two)
Opportunity (Office Roulette, Book Three)
Keys to Love Series
Unlocking Fear (Keys to Love, Book One)
Unlocking Secrets (Keys to Love, Book Two)
Unlocking Lies (Keys to Love, Book Three)
Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four)
Unlocking Darkness (Keys to Love, Book Five)
Surviving Ashes Series
Essential Beginnings (Surviving Ashes, Book One)
Hidden Ashes (Surviving Ashes, Book Two)
Buried Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Three)
Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four)
Rising Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Five)
CSA Case Files Series
Captured Innocence (CSA Case Files 1)
Sinful Resurrection (CSA Case Files 2)
Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3)
Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4)
Internal Temptation (CSA Case Files 5)
Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files 6)
Redeem My Heart (CSA Case Files 7)
A Mission of Love (CSA Case Files 8)
Red Starr Series
Starr’s Awakening(Red Starr, Book One)
Hearths of Fire (Red Starr, Book Two)
Targets Entangled (Red Starr, Book Three)
Igniting Passion (Red Starr, Book Four)
Untold Devotion (Red Starr, Book Five)
&
nbsp; Fulfilling Promises (Red Starr, Book Six)
Fated Identity (Red Starr, Book Seven)
Red’s Salvation (Red Starr, Book Eight)
The Safeguard Series
Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One)
Faithful Addiction (The Safeguard Series, Book Two)
Distant Illusions (The Safeguard Series, Book Three)
Casual Impressions (The Safeguard Series, Book Four)
Honest Intentions (The Safeguard Series, Book Five)
Deadly Premonitions (The Safeguard Series, Book Six)
About the Author
First and foremost, I love life. I love that I’m a wife, mother, daughter, sister… and a writer.
I am one of the lucky women in this world who gets to do what makes them happy. As long as I have a cup of coffee (maybe two or three) and my laptop, the stories evolve themselves and I try to do them justice. I draw my inspiration from a retired Marine Master Sergeant that swept me off of my feet and has drawn me into a world that fulfills all of my deepest and darkest desires. Erotic romance, military men, intrigue, with a little bit of kinky chili pepper (his recipe), fill my head and there is nothing more satisfying than making the hero and heroine fulfill their destinies.
Thank you for having joined me on their journeys…
Email:
[email protected]
Facebook:
facebook.com/kennedy.layne.94
Twitter:
twitter.com/KennedyL_Author
Website:
www.kennedylayne.com
Newsletter:
www.kennedylayne.com/aboutnewsletter.html
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
About Spellbinding Blend
Books by Kennedy Layne
About the Author
Charming Blend (A Paramour Bay Cozy Paranormal Mystery Book 5) Page 16