by Deanna Chase
Essence of the Witch
Witches of Keating Hollow, Book 8
Deanna Chase
Bayou Moon Press, LLC
Copyright © 2019 by Deanna Chase
Editing: Angie Ramey
Cover image: © Ravven
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.
Bayou Moon Press, LLC
www.deannachase.com
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Deanna’s Book List
About the Author
About This Book
Miranda Moon has been cursed. Ever since she had the misfortune to come in contact with a crude love spell, she’s had one bad date after another. After lighting a man’s hair on fire and ending up on a blind date with her cousin, she’s ready to lose herself in the books she writes and live her life as a spinster… until Gideon Alexander, the one man she’s always wanted, walks back into her life.
Gideon Alexander doesn’t date. He’s already found the one and lost her. But when he’s asked to plan the Keating Hollow Christmas ball with his old flame Miranda Moon, suddenly he finds himself breaking his own rules. Maybe dating the sexy author is just what his scarred heart needs. The only problem? Miranda’s curse has the potential to destroy their relationship before it ever begins.
Chapter One
Butterflies fluttered in Miranda Moon’s stomach as she stood in front of the Cozy Cave restaurant and steeled herself for the blind date Jacob Burton had sprung on her two hours ago. If Jacob hadn’t been one of her oldest friends, there was no way she would’ve caved and agreed to this date. She wasn’t so desperate that she needed to drop everything just to get dinner with a man. Even if that man was a respected screenwriter who happened to have written her favorite movie of all time.
Okay, she would’ve definitely caved. Who passed up a date with Cameron Copeland, the creator of Endless Shades of Midnight, the most romantic movie ever filmed? But she would’ve insisted on more than two hours’ notice. It usually took her that long just to settle on an outfit.
Miranda glanced down at her black-lace corset dress and second-guessed her choice. Maybe she should’ve worn the cream version with violet ribbons. It was decidedly more romantic and probably more appropriate for a date.
She let out a groan. If Cameron Copeland didn’t like her because she wore all black, a relationship would never work anyway. More than half her wardrobe was black.
“Miranda?” a woman called from behind her.
She turned and spotted Shannon Ansell, a tall redhead wearing a green wool dress and gorgeous black boots. It was a far cry from the jeans, T-shirt, and apron she wore every day at A Spoonful of Magic, the shop Miranda often frequented while getting in her daily word count for whatever book she was working on at the moment. “Shannon. Hey. Are you meeting Brian for dinner?”
Shannon shook her head and smiled wide. “Nope. Hope, Yvette, Faith, and I are having girls’ night out while Brian and Jacob entertain Skye.”
Skye was Jacob’s little girl he was raising with Yvette. And Brian, Shannon’s fiancé, was the toddler’s godfather. “I’m sure they’ll have a good time.” The two men were best friends, and both of them loved that little girl with a fierceness Miranda envied. Her own father had never had much interest in her when she was a child.
“Not as good a time as we’re going to have. We have big plans for margaritas,” Shannon said with a wry grin. “Everything is more fun with tequila.”
“I can’t argue with that, I guess.” Miranda laughed but had trouble picturing them downing margaritas on the chilly December night. If it were her, she’d be ordering Irish coffees instead of icy cocktails.
“Congratulations by the way! You must be so excited.” Shannon beamed at her.
“Um, sure?” Did Shannon just congratulate her on landing a date with Cameron Copeland? That seemed… odd. Shannon wasn’t usually the excitable type, and she sure didn’t swoon over the opposite sex or celebrities. She was more of a roll-her-eyes kind of girl until a guy proved he wasn’t going to be a complete douchebucket.
Shannon’s eyebrows shot up. “Sure? That’s a little subdued even for you, don’t you think? It’s not every day someone’s book gets made into a movie.”
“Oh, that.” Miranda shrugged, wondering if Yvette had said something about the deal she’d made with Witching Hour Productions. But that had been months ago, and Miranda hadn’t really talked about it since her last book signing at Hollow Books, the local bookstore that Jacob and Yvette owned. “Don’t get too excited. Movie options on books very rarely go anywhere.”
Shannon jerked back as surprise filtered through her green gaze. “You haven’t heard yet, have you?”
“Heard what?” Miranda’s skin started to tingle with a hint of excitement. Shannon’s brother was a young Hollywood star, and she’d recently started to manage his career. She had connections that could put her in the position to know if a project was getting off the ground. “What do you know?”
A huge grin claimed Shannon’s lips as her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Witching Hour wants Silas to play Mandy’s best friend. They’re talking about starting production this summer.”
Miranda’s breath left her as shock rooted her to the spot on the brick sidewalk. She forced air into her lungs and then whispered, “You can’t be serious. You are. Aren’t you? They really are moving forward with Witching for You?”
“Yes. They really are.”
“Oh my goddess. That’s… crazy.” Excitement mixed with pure panic rushed through Miranda. Witching for You was the first book she ever wrote and was based on her first love. She’d changed a lot of the details, but the heart of the story was all about her relationship with her college boyfriend. When she sold the rights, she hadn’t ever really thought a movie would be made, so she hadn’t considered what it might feel like to have her story up on the silver screen. It was both exhilarating and terrifying.
“I can’t believe you didn’t know this. Isn’t that information that your agent should’ve passed on to you?” Shannon asked.
Miranda snapped out of her daze and let out a humorless chuckle. “She might have if we hadn’t broken up earlier this year. She was upset that I didn’t take the last deal we were offered. The publisher lowballed me, so I just published it myself. She wasn’t thril
led and told me I should find someone new.”
“Whoa.” Shannon frowned. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been hard.”
Miranda waved an unconcerned hand. “It doesn’t matter. She was pushing me to do something that wasn’t in my best interest, and that’s not someone I want working for me. It’s fine. Except now I’m going to need to contact her about the movie. If they are moving into production, that means I’ll be due some extra funds.” Miranda stepped closer to Shannon and wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you. This is fantastic news.”
Shannon squeezed her tightly. “You deserve this. Witching for You is a wonderful book.”
“Thanks.” Tears stung Miranda’s eyes, but she let out a laugh, and as she pulled away, she wiped at her eyes. “I can’t believe I’m so emotional about this.”
“It’s a big deal. This time next year you could be famous.” Shannon winked.
Miranda grimaced. “Oh, no. Don’t wish that on me. I just want to hide out here in Keating Hollow and write.”
Shannon smirked. “You’re not the only one.”
Miranda was about to ask what she meant by that, but then Shannon swept her gaze over Miranda and said, “You look really good in that dress. Who are you meeting for dinner?”
“Jacob didn’t tell you?” Miranda asked, surprised that half the town didn’t already know that Cameron Copeland had landed in Keating Hollow.
Shannon shook her head. “Nope.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “Now spill.”
The wind picked up, chilling Miranda to the bone, and she clutched her wrap around her, trying to stave off the cold. “Blind date with a screenwriter. Cameron Copeland.”
Shannon’s eyes went wide again. “You’re having dinner with Cameron?”
Miranda tilted her head to the side. “Do you know him?”
“Yeah. We’ve met. Brian and I had dinner with him a few weeks ago when we were down in Los Angeles to visit Brian’s parents. Since then, Cameron has been talking about writing something for Silas as the lead, so we’ve been in contact.” She pursed her lips. “Hmm. In fact, Silas was supposed to hear from him sometime today. I wonder if they ever connected.” She pulled out her phone and sent a text. She got a response almost instantly, causing her to roll her eyes. When she glanced up, she said, “I think your date is going to be late.”
Miranda let out a sigh. Of course he was. All of her dates lately had been a complete disaster. The last one had ended up being a blind date with her cousin. Her stomach rolled just thinking about it. An author friend had set her up with her husband’s college buddy who turned out to be Perry, her second cousin on her mother’s side. Even if they hadn’t been related, the date would’ve been a total loss. Perry was an uptight businessman who thought Miranda was a flighty, free spirit who needed to grow up and get a real job. As if writing wasn’t a real job. She was still steamed every time she thought of his condescending tone.
“Is Cameron meeting with Silas right now?” Miranda asked her friend.
“It looks like it. Do you want to join me and the girls for dinner instead?” Shannon asked.
“Miranda?” A tall man with dark curly hair called out as he strode toward them. “Miranda Moon?”
“Yes?” she said as she turned and stared at the gorgeous specimen. He had brilliant aqua eyes, a lean but muscular frame, and an angular jaw that was to die for. With his sexy five o’clock shadow, he looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ.
“Hi.” He gave her a shy but oh-so-sexy half smile and held out his hand. “I’m Jax, Cameron’s assistant. He was unavoidably detained and asked me to step in for him and take you to dinner. I know I’m not who you were expecting, but if you’re game I’d love to share a meal with a gorgeous and talented writer.”
“Um…” Miranda started.
“She’d love to,” Shannon blurted and then nudged Miranda toward the beautiful man. “I recommend the seafood risotto.”
“Sounds fantastic.” Jax held his arm out to Miranda. “What do you say, Miranda? Are you ready?”
Miranda was speechless as she stared at him, her mouth dry. Had she ever seen a man so handsome before? With her luck, he was probably married already and just doing his boss a favor. Still, she’d gotten dressed up and was starving. If this lovely creature wanted to buy her a meal, she wasn’t going to say no. She flashed him a smile as she wrapped her arm around his. “Sure. Just as long as there’s wine.”
He laughed and started to lead her toward the restaurant’s door. “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”
Miranda glanced back at Shannon. “Thanks for the information. See you tomorrow at the shop?”
Shannon nodded and gave her a big thumbs-up as she mouthed, He’s hot. Take that one home tonight.
Miranda rolled her eyes but decided her friend had a point and silently prayed that her dating luck was about to change.
Chapter Two
Gideon Alexander sat at a table in the back of the restaurant and glanced down when his phone pinged with an incoming message. It was the fifth one in an hour from his father’s assistant. Instead of answering, he gritted his teeth, forwarded the texts to his own assistant with a note reiterating that he’d be unavailable for the next week, and then turned the thing off.
When was the last time he’d taken a real vacation? One that didn’t involve multiple conference calls and a dozen urgent emails a day? Never. But this time was going to be different. If he didn’t slow down and enjoy life a little, then what exactly had he been working toward the last fifteen years?
Sitting back in his chair, Gideon took a sip of his wine as his gaze swept over the quaint restaurant. The Cozy Cave was his favorite kind of eatery. The farm-to-table establishment had new daily offerings but was unpretentious with its mix-n-match place settings and casual atmosphere. It was a refreshing change from the fancy, high-end dining he was always roped into down in Los Angeles. The waiter arrived and took his order for ricotta cheese- and pesto-stuffed trout and a cranberry and walnut salad. His stomach rumbled with anticipation, and just as he reached for the fresh sourdough bread, his gaze landed on the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
The one he’d been dreaming about on and off for the last fifteen years.
He dropped the bread and leaned in, eyeing her. She had long, dark, shiny curls that framed a gorgeous heart-shaped face. And dammit if she wasn’t wearing a form-fitting dress that showed off all of her luscious curves. His mouth went dry and he blinked, wondering if he was seeing things.
Nope. She wasn’t an illusion. Miranda Moon, the woman he’d fallen in love with back in college, was right there only ten feet away on the arm of a younger man who looked all too familiar. Gideon was certain he knew him from somewhere; he just couldn’t place him. An actor maybe? He certainly was good looking enough.
His stomach clenched with the unmistakable signs of jealousy.
Son of a… Gideon had zero claim on Miranda. He’d been the one who’d walked away from her years ago. She’d been heartbroken, but what she’d never known was just how much he’d regretted it. At the time, he’d thought he had no choice. Now? What had he left her for? To make his father happy? To build a high-powered career in the film industry that was mostly about writing checks and had little to do with his artistic vision?
Gideon sighed and imagined what his life might be like if he’d defied his father and followed his heart. The vision was filled with Miranda, barefoot in a tiny sun-filled apartment, and a lot of laughter. What it didn’t have was a fancy house in Malibu or a shiny black sports car that never left his garage. He let out a humorless chuckle. There was no doubt he’d give up both in a hot second if he could go back and change things. But he couldn’t rewrite history. He knew that better than anyone.
A waiter appeared, cutting off his view of Miranda as he placed Gideon’s salad in front of him. “Can I get you anything else, Mr. Alexander? Another glass of wine?”
Gideon eyed his empty glass, surprise filtering through hi
m. He didn’t remember draining the glass. “Yes, please.”
The waiter nodded and took off back to the bar while Gideon let his gaze fixate on Miranda again. Her face lit up with a smile at something the man said, making his gut twist. He wanted to be sitting at that table with her. What would happen if he got up and went over and said hello? Would she be happy to see him, or would she be angry?
Gideon shook his head. How silly it was to think she would be angry. They’d broken up years ago. There was no doubt she’d gotten over him. Was he so egotistical that he thought she might’ve been pining for him all these years? Hell, he hadn’t been pining for her. Not really. He’d always thought of her as the one who got away, but it wasn’t as if he’d devoted any time to trying to find her. And yet there he was, unable to keep is eyes off her, his undeniable desire for her just as strong as it had been fifteen years ago.
He couldn’t let this moment pass him by without at least saying hello. Or getting her number. They’d been close once. They could catch up on each other’s lives, right? Gideon’s gaze locked on Miranda’s hands as he searched for a wedding ring. He frowned when he realized there was no way to easily tell if she was married. Almost every finger bore some sort of ring, just as they always had.
Screw it, he thought as he pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. There was no time like the present. If he let this moment go, he knew he’d regret it for the rest of his life. Straightening his shoulders, he adjusted the suit coat he’d worn to his meeting that morning before hopping the plane to Eureka, the nearest airport. He felt like a corporate drone, lightyears away from the man she’d known way back then. Gideon imagined that after they parted ways again she’d have a good laugh at what he’d become. The idealist artist who’d wanted nothing more than to open his own gallery in a beachside tourist town had long been buried by the bean counter who held the purse strings for a major media company.