“Excellent!” Luke said, shaking his hand. “I was appointed sheriff and now I can appoint you until the next election. I have a feeling you’ll win by a landslide. I’m always a phone call away and will be visiting once a month to make sure everything is running smoothly.”
“I’m happy for you, Luke. You’re a good man. I wish you happiness in Keeneston.”
* * *
Zoey watched as Luke practically ran from the shop. She grabbed Slade’s favorite muffin and ducked through the crowd. “What was that all about?”
“How do you feel about being married to the sheriff of Moonshine?”
“Seriously? You’re perfect for that!” Zoey bent and gave him a kiss. They planned to be married on the winter solstice and all of Moonshine, the Claritase, and the Tenebris were invited. She couldn’t wait.
Chance barked where he lay at Slade’s feet, and Slade gave him a pinch of the muffin. “You better get back to work. I have to meet with Luke for a while. I’ll see you tonight.”
Slade stood and kissed her in the middle of the bakery as if no one was there. He gave her a wink and then with a pat of his leg, Chance jumped up and followed him from the shop.
“That was so sweet!”
Zoey smiled as she turned to Maribelle. Dale stood next to her with his arm around her waist.
“And look at you two!” Zoey said happily to her friends.
“I’m just so relieved the gas leak is over and those women were found in the woods. How scary to have been lost for two days like that. I guess that shows moonshine and camping isn’t the best idea. At least now we can have our engagement party with no worries.”
Zoey smiled at Maribelle. The women taken by Alexander’s men had to go undergo multiple visits with Agnes and Vilma for tea and cookies. Their husbands also attended and now the story of the kidnappings was laughed at as silly rumors.
“What is left for you to do?” Zoey asked as Maribelle began a long list of things that needed to be done for their party next week.
“The most important part is done,” Dale said, cutting off the list of to-dos. “She said yes.”
“Of course I did.” Maribelle hugged her mountain of a man and Zoey was hit with image after image. Maribelle and Dale saying “I do.” Maribelle and Dale holding a newborn. Maribelle and Dale walking hand in hand with a young child between them. Maribelle and Dale clapping at graduation.
“Zoey, will you introduce me to your friends?”
Zoey was brought back to the present as Lauren rested her hand on Zoey’s arm.
“Lauren, this is my best friend, Maribelle, and her fiancé, Dale. They’re getting married this fall.”
“Maribelle and Dale, this is Lauren. She’s the new physician’s assistant in town.”
“Wow, what amazing eyes you have. There was this cat around town with that same eye color. I tried to rescue the poor thing, but I haven’t seen her recently. I hope she’s okay. Anyway, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Lauren laughed as she shook Maribelle’s hand. “Nice to meet you too. If you’re a friend of Zoey’s, I’m sure we’ll be fast friends.”
Zoey felt drained as she let Maribelle and Dale talk to Lauren.
“Zoey,” Maribelle said as Lauren nudged her.
“Yes?” Shoot, she’d missed the entire conversation.
“I was telling Lauren you’re my maid of honor, and we’d love to have her join us for the bachelorette party next month. Is there room?” Maribelle asked.
“Of course.”
“Great. I can’t wait to get to know you better. We have to get going. Dale and I have to pick up all the lights to string in his family’s barn for the party. Hope you can make it too.”
Zoey and Lauren bid goodbye to the couple, and Lauren looked around to make sure no one was listening. “What just happened?”
“I saw their future.”
“Well, now that’s interesting.”
“I thought only grand mistresses could see the future when they were dying?”
“Only Grand Mistress Celesta could see it on a regular basis, but you’re a Rode and Rodes are very powerful. I think someday you’ll find yourself the head of the Claritase, and we’ll prosper under your rule.”
“Just what I need, another prophecy.”
Lauren tossed back her head and laughed. Zoey grabbed Lauren’s hand in hers and joined her.
“How’s this for a prophecy?” Lauren asked. “You and Slade will live happily ever after.”
“I like that prophecy,” Zoey said with all her heart.
Epilogue
“I do.”
“Then you may kiss the bride.”
Slade’s hand slid over Zoey’s as Dale leaned down to kiss Maribelle. The town cheered as the happy couple turned to face the audience as husband and wife. The town had grown in the past couple months, but Zoey was most excited about Polly, Samuel, and Linus all moving in. Neferu was scheduled to arrive in two weeks, which was just as surprising as the visit last month from Zoey’s mom and Bradley. It had been an emotional reunion between them and her father. Her father had hugged her mom and Bradley, and thanked them with his whole heart for protecting Zoey.
Witches had been popping up every day to visit the quaint small town that was now their headquarters and to meet Zoey and Slade personally. And at night, Magnus and his daughter worked with witch after witch to learn, test, and control their powers. As expected, Magnus was a quick study and was already mastering skills that took others decades to learn. Like daughter, like father.
Luke had appointed Slade sheriff and had left town two weeks later. Now he and the cute Dr. Ava sat across from them. Every now and then, Luke looked at Slade and Zoey as if trying to remember something. But it was clear whatever magic Agnes and Vilma had weaved to protect him from his memories had worked.
Zoey looked to her other side as Samuel nervously shifted his large leg to “accidently” brush against Polly’s. Polly turned bright red and bit her lip at the contact. Maybe it wasn’t too soon to start building a new school for little witches. After four hundred years apart, love was in the air.
Slade’s phone buzzed, and he looked at it after Dale and Maribelle walked out of the church.
“What is it?” Zoey asked.
“A hiker just found some remains in the woods. I’ll meet you at the reception.”
Zoey kissed Slade before he and his new deputy, Samuel, slipped from the church. There were still plenty of mysteries in Moonshine, but there was also plenty of love. And when Slade surprised her at the reception by slipping his arm around her waist from behind and kissing her neck, she knew her own love story still just beginning.
She danced with Slade under the glowing white lights in the barn as their hearts beat as one. Soon they too would be husband and wife. Around them humans and witches danced; the humans blissfully unaware of the alternate reality all around them.
The song ended and a woman cleared her throat behind them. Slade slipped Zoey’s hand into his as they turned. The woman had worn clothes, a thick northern accent, and wore muddy hiking boots.
“I’m sorry to interrupt this celebration. My name is Jane, and I’m looking for Lauren. Do you know her?”
“Yes. I’m Zoey, and this is Slade.”
“The prophecy,” Jane whispered softly with wide eyes. “I need help, and I was told I would be safe here.”
Slade held out his hand. “We’ll keep you safe. Welcome to Moonshine Hollow.”
Zoey placed her hand on Jane’s shoulder and flashing images took over. Images of Jane running through the thick woods, of a lone hunter with bright red hair after her, of her hitchhiking to Moonshine, of the hunter’s feral smile, and finally an image of Jane in the future. She had a smile on her face, surrounded by friends in Moonshine. “Right this way, Jane. You’ll have a very happy life in Moonshine. I’d bet on it.”
Zoey introduced Jane to Grand Mistress Lauren, or just Lauren as she was now known in Moonshine, before joining Slade
again. He pulled her close, putting her hand over his heart as they swayed to the slow country music. “Did you have another flash? You’re having them more and more now.”
“Yes, there’s a hunter out there somewhere.”
“I was worried about that.”
“But it’ll be okay. At least it will be for Jane.”
Slade’s fingers trailed down her back before he cupped her waist as they danced. “Did you see him?”
“Yes,” Zoey said as she rested her head on his shoulder. “He looks like Edan but with bright red hair.”
She felt Slade’s muscles flex until he forcibly relaxed them. That’s Ian, Alexander’s second-in-command. They’re brothers. I’ll have to take care of him at some point.”
“No, we’ll take care of him. We might not be the grand master or grand mistress, but we are the protectors of the Claritase and Tenebris.”
“There’s no one I rather have by my side,” Slade said, kissing her in the middle of the dance floor.
“I guess it’s a good thing we’re getting married,” Zoey teased.
“I love you, Zoey. Now and forever.”
And he would. Zoey had seen it, after all.
* * *
THE END
Bluegrass Series
Bluegrass State of Mind
Risky Shot
Dead Heat
* * *
Bluegrass Brothers
Bluegrass Undercover
Rising Storm
Secret Santa: A Bluegrass Series Novella
Acquiring Trouble
Relentless Pursuit
Secrets Collide
Final Vow
* * *
Bluegrass Singles
All Hung Up
Bluegrass Dawn
The Perfect Gift
The Keeneston Roses
* * *
Forever Bluegrass Series
Forever Entangled
Forever Hidden
Forever Betrayed
Forever Driven
Forever Secret
Forever Surprised
Forever Concealed
Forever Devoted
Forever Hunted
Forever Guarded
Forever Notorious
Forever Ventured (coming later in 2019)
* * *
Shadows Landing Series
Saving Shadows
Sunken Shadows (coming May 14, 2019)
Lasting Shadows (coming later in 2019)
* * *
Women of Power Series
Chosen for Power
Built for Power
Fashioned for Power
Destined for Power
* * *
Web of Lies Series
Whispered Lies
Rogue Lies
Shattered Lies
* * *
Moonshine Hollow Series
Moonshine & Murder
Moonshine & Malice (coming March 26, 2019)
Moonshine & Mayhem (coming April 16, 2019)
About the Author
Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen’s stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass Series and follow-up Bluegrass Brothers Series feature small town charm with quirky characters that have captured the hearts of readers around the world.
* * *
Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations such as Friends and Vets Helping Pets whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.
* * *
Email Notice of New Releases
https://kathleen-brooks.com/new-release-notifications
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www.kathleen-brooks.com
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Twitter
www.twitter.com/BluegrassBrooks
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Moonshine & Mayhem Page 9