“Well, in case it’s escaped your memory, one of my parents died when I was a baby and the other one was left to raise me alone, so not sure that the destined-for-each-other thing worked out in the end.”
He studied me for a moment—so closely that I felt his breath warm on my neck. My pulse picked up the pace and I hoped like hell his vampire hearing didn’t detect the rapid beat of my heart.
Finally, he clucked his tongue. “So cynical, Ember Rose. Perhaps Starry Hollow will cure what ails you.”
I bristled. “Nothing ails me, thank you very much.”
He met my firm gaze. “Apologies. Offending you was not my intent.”
“That’s quite all right, Alec,” I said, and caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes. No more Mr. Hale. From now on, he was Alec to me and he was going to like it.
“I’ve written a story on Fleur, as well,” he said. “I took it over from Bentley.”
“Why? I thought you assigned it to me.”
“And I wasn’t certain what the outcome would be.” He placed the papers on the desk in front of me. “Would you like to read it and decide which one is best to use? No pressure to use mine, of course.”
Now it was my turn to show surprise. “Me? Why would I know which one is best? You’re the big deal editor.”
“Isn’t it obvious? You have gotten to know Fleur better than anyone in this office. You asked the right questions and elicited the right answers from your interview subjects.” He placed a strong hand on my arm and the effect was nothing short of electric. “I think you might make a fine journalist one day, given the proper training.”
“I think so, too,” I said, trying my best to sound confident.
“Not to mention your continued employment here will exacerbate the sheriff’s persistent foul mood,” he added with a mischievous grin.
“You two really dislike each other, don’t you?”
He gave a modest shrug. “Werewolves and vampires have never been the best of friends under any circumstances.”
“Well, you’re in good company because he doesn’t seem to care for my family very much either.”
“I know, which is why it pleases me to no end that you’re a Rose.” He rolled back the chair and stood. “Have a pleasant evening, Miss Rose. I expect I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
“Goodnight…Alec.”
It was only after he left the office that his statement dawned on me. Why on earth did it please him that the sheriff didn’t care for me? I had no idea. Too bad I couldn’t read his mind.
I lifted the papers from my desk and began to read.
Prescott Peabody III ran to the front door, barking like a crazy dog.
“What’s the matter, buddy?” I asked. No one knocked or rang the bell. Maybe Florian was out in the field shooting birds or taking down broomsticks, although I didn’t hear any gunshots.
I opened the front door and peered outside. Nothing and no one. As I went to close the door, my gaze dropped to the front step and I saw the potted flower.
“Oh.” I lifted the white ceramic pot and admired the single purple flower. I recognized it as an orchid like the ones Garland had shown me in the high school greenhouse.
Marley joined me in the doorway. “How pretty. Is there a card?”
I turned the pot from side to side. “No card.” I brought it into the house and closed the door. “Where should I put it?”
“I think orchids need lots of sunlight. I’ll look it up.” Marley retrieved her tablet from the coffee table.
“Maybe I should leave it in your capable hands,” I told her. “You know I kill all living things.”
Marley smiled. “That’s not true. You’ve done a pretty good job with PP3 and me.”
“Yes, but you’re easy,” I said, rubbing the top of her head. “I just water you and feed you and you seem to thrive.” It was nothing to do with me. Marley was a marvel all on her own.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Mom,” Marley said. “Yes, it says here to put it somewhere with lots of light.”
I placed the pot on the ledge of the kitchen counter, above the sink but below the decorative willow heart.
“It looks nice there,” Marley said. “Just don’t forget to water it.”
“You’ll need to send me daily email reminders,” I said.
“You’re not that forgetful,” Marley replied. “Who do you think left it for you?”
I honestly had no idea. Garland and I had talked about flowers, but it seemed unlikely that the herbology expert would anonymously drop off an orchid.
“We’ll need to ask Aunt Hyacinth if her security cameras picked up anything,” I said.
“Don’t do that,” Marley said. “Whoever left it obviously doesn’t want you to know it was him.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “And what makes you think it’s a him?”
Marley giggled, reminding me of the ten-year-old that still lurked within the old soul of my daughter. “You’re an eligible maiden in a village of knights. Of course it’s a him.”
“First of all, we’ve already established that I am definitely not a maiden, nor a damsel-in-distress. I don’t need a knight because I don’t need rescuing.”
“Okay, fine. You don’t need one, but does that mean you can’t want one?”
I tousled her hair. “Right now, I’m perfectly content with PP3 and you.”
She bonked me on the nose. “Right now is the important phrase in that sentence.”
“Mind your own business, young lady. I don’t need you taking an interest in my love life.”
“Someone has to, if you expect to ever have one.”
I dusted off my hands. “I don’t expect to ever have one, so that solves that problem.”
Marley groaned in exasperation. “Mom, this is our chance for a fresh start. You know Dad wouldn’t want you to live the rest of your life alone. You’re too young for that.”
I kissed her forehead. “I’m not alone, silly.”
“I’m already ten,” she said. “In seven more years, I’ll leave for college. You need to focus on yourself.”
I popped my hands over my ears. “I can’t hear you. La la la.”
She rolled her eyes. “Very mature. Fine. Ignore the orchid. Ignore the town full of new opportunities.”
I heaved a sigh. “I’m not ignoring anything, Marley. I’m just…not ready.”
“Well, if you don’t start making an effort soon,” she warned, “I’m going to sign you up for every dating site in town. You won’t be able to keep up.”
My eyes bulged. “Do that and you won’t see the outside of these four walls for the next seven years. Consider it your princess tower.”
A knock on the front door startled us. I gave PP3 a sharp look. “Now you don’t bark?”
Florian stood on the front step. “Mother asks that you come to dinner tonight in the main house. Word has gotten back to her and she wants to hear all about your recent adventures.”
Oh, boy.
I fixed him with my hard stare. “Tell me the truth, Florian. Am I in trouble?”
He appeared surprised by the question. “In trouble? Goodness, no. Mother hasn’t sounded this excited since she enrolled Precious in feline finishing school. Oh, and she also has your passports.”
Our passports? “Then we accept the invitation.” I called over my shoulder to Marley. “Come on, kid. We’re wanted in the main house.”
For a brief moment, I pondered those words. We’re wanted.
“I’m right here,” Marley said, standing beside me.
I took my daughter by the hand and followed Florian back to the family home.
Thank you for reading Magic & Murder! If you enjoyed it, please help other readers find this book so they can enjoy the world of Starry Hollow, too ~
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Also by Annabel Chase
The Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery series ~
Curse the Day, Book 1
Doom and Broom, Book 2
Spell's Bells, Book 3
Lucky Charm, Book 4
Better Than Hex, Book 5
Cast Away, Book 6
A Touch of Magic, Book 7
A Drop in the Potion, Book 8
Magic & Murder (Starry Hollow Witches Book 1) Page 17