Adored by A Dragon: A Shifters in Love Fun & Flirty Romance (Mystic Bay Book 4)
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“Tired?” he interrupted her musing.
“A bit. We were really busy all day, I was rushed off my feet. You wouldn’t think that an art show would trigger a mass desire to buy the raw materials, but it does.”
He laughed. “I could do that myself!” he declared in a falsetto.
Angie chuckled at his imitation. “If I heard that once today, I heard it a hundred times,” she admitted. “Or my favorite, ‘My dog could do that!’” She paused. “You notice they don’t say that about those oil sketches Hope Greene peddles.”
“They’re cheaper and easier to understand,” Daniel pointed out. “I ran into Robin. She was thrilled that Main Street was even busier than usual. And FYI, the Greene Gallery ran out of those pretty peeps.”
“Folks love those little oil sketches of the harbor. Hope Greene does a good business,” Angie said happily. “And it’s not as if the co-op didn’t have a bumper day too. All the merchants have reason to celebrate this summer.”
“Is Hope any relation to Celeste?”
“Hope is Celeste’s mother-in-law. I hope you didn’t go into the Greene Gallery?” Angie asked worriedly.
His voice was wry, “I didn’t need any kitsch this afternoon. Although they had a steady stream of tourists all day. Everyone came out with a bag.”
Angie delivered another warning anyway. “You need to keep away from those gazelles until the residents accept us.”
“Fair enough.”
“I didn’t realize how far from Mystic Bay the house is,” she said after they had driven for miles along the curving coast road.
His lips pursed in private amusement. “That’s because it’s not only on the other side of the island, but this road follows the shore exactly. Too far?” he asked.
“Not really. It’s just that I didn’t really think anything was that far from Mystic Bay. This island isn’t very big.”
“For sure it would be faster to use a little motorboat to go to town. Tracing the ins and outs of the coastline adds a lot to the distance. In a boat you could skip a lot of the bays. I don’t know why the Spicers let their boathouse fall into disrepair.”
“If I buy the property, the boathouse and dock will have to be rebuilt. To say nothing of those stairs,” she said.
She thought Daniel’s amusement increased, but his tone was mild when he answered her. “I wouldn’t want a property on the water with no access. We’d want a sailboat as well as a motor launch.” He sounded happy. “Besides, you’d have to bring the place into good repair if you wanted to live out there with a child.”
She thought about it. She loved sailing. And boating too. Boating to town to buy groceries sounded pleasant. Of course, in the stormy winters they would have to take the car. If they stayed. If she stayed. Hadn’t she decided that whatever Daniel did, she would stay?
Yet after only four days of living with him, she couldn’t bear the thought of being apart again. The fact that he was making plans as if he had really considered buying this house and living there together, warmed a frozen place inside her.
Breathe. Live in the moment.
They came to an elaborate set of gateposts with ornate wrought-iron gates which were standing open. “If I had seen those first,” she vented her offended sensibilities, “I’d never have expressed an interest in this place.”
“They can be replaced.”
“With nothing. Well, maybe a rustic mailbox or a discreet sign.” The SUV bumped along a potholed driveway. “Those vulgar gateposts,” she exclaimed, “And then a driveway like a lunar landscape! Those sorcerers certainly spent their money oddly.”
“No argument. Here we are.”
The house was just as lovely as she recalled. A house for a seafaring hobbit. The grounds were still an eyesore. There were however several vehicles parked on the lawn, which had been mowed. “It’s going to be quite a ceremony,” she said in surprise. How many sensitives did it take to clear out black magic?
“So I understand. You may even be asked to contribute,” he opened her door and helped her down carefully.
“I’ll do my best.”
Daniel produced a front door key.
“Where did you get that?”
“Melissa Babcock.”
“Oh.”
The house smelled faintly of paint. The dingy beige on the walls had been replaced with a pale greenish-blue reminiscent of shallow water under a gray sky. A calm and lovely neutral. Despite the tang of new paint, the air felt light and refreshed.
“I like this color,” she said. “Don’t you? And they must have used magic paint, I don’t sense any black magic at all now.”
His blue eyes twinkled. “I believe you must be right. It’s a great improvement.” He raised his voice. “Hello.”
“Downstairs,” boomed a voice. Surely that was Gordon Sullivan? What was the skipper doing here? Of course he was a powerful mage.
The large downstairs room had also been repainted. And furnished as a sitting room. She guessed Daniel was over his jealousy. Pale blue-gray couches and coordinating armchairs sat on neutral sisal rugs. The room now had a beachcomber vibe, complemented by the blond wood tables.
On the long wall, over the largest couch, one of Quinn’s intricate landscapes hung in solitary splendor. No furniture had been placed in front of the windows, so that the unbelievable beauty of the view remained the focal point.
The sliding doors were open and the deck was crowded with her friends who had been sitting on the new wicker chairs and sofas. Planter boxes hooked to the railings, and grouped in the corners, bloomed in a rich profusion of yellows and oranges with trailing green vines.
“Surprise,” everyone chorused.
“Like it?” asked Daniel anxiously.
“I do. I don’t understand what’s going on, but I do like it.” For a start, why were their friends downstairs instead of up? The view was a little better upstairs.
“We have a two-month lease,” he announced. “Our friends are here to sweep out the last of the ill will and black magic and throw us a housewarming party.”
Robin stepped out of the throng. “Melody Warnocki and I held a cleansing ceremony two days ago, so Daniel didn’t contaminate your new furniture with black magic. Melody, Gordon, Moira, let’s form a ring with Angie and complete the purge.”
They joined hands and began to hum. It had been decades since Angie had participated in a group spell. The power and good energies of the others were amplified by their joined hands. They circled slowly, in time with their humming. Waves of clear, peaceful energy expanded outward from their healing circle, encompassing the entire house.
At a nod from Sully, their ring dance became a chain as they added the other guests and moved outdoors. There was a brief pause to permit Alister Drake’s wheelchair to be lowered to the grass by Daniel and Anton, and then Melissa Babcock placed one hand on Alister’s shoulder and gave the other to her husband, and the line was off.
Sully led them along the brick wall and all through the gardens. Their stately promenade was accompanied by delicate chimes – as if an unseen orchestra played for them. And yet this communal exercise was joyful and comradely too. Daniel’s hand clasped hers and feeling flowed between them. Speaking was inappropriate to the solemnities, but she thanked him with her eyes.
To her astonishment, the collapsing boathouse and stairs had been swept away. They had been replaced by sturdy new stairs and a dock. The Seagull and a small cruiser were tied up at the new jetty. Daniel had certainly been busy.
At last they reached the edge of the Old Forest. Sully did not lead them into it, but ethereal figures stepped out of the dim woods and danced before them as if they were performing the most ancient of country dances. Behind them, despite the lack of wind, the trees swayed in time to the music.
That delicate music became wilder, louder. All-encompassing. The sound waves passed through their auras in healing pulses. Her spirit and those of her friends and husbands met in another timeless dimension.
They were one and yet separate. She was surrounded by love.
Gradually she returned to her body. Daniel was blinking as if he too was bemused. The trees were just trees. The dryads had disappeared. Everyone’s face glowed with inner peace and beauty. She had known she liked Robin and Moira. Participating in the circle had expanded her positive feelings to a deeper affection that included all her friends. She had truly come home.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Daniel~
The mass embracing and kissing at the end of the healing ceremony took him by surprise. He had not expected to be so moved by it. He had known of course that his wife was an accomplished fairy. How not after living with her brand of magic for so long? But he was unprepared for the waves of positive magic that spread through the house and his mind after the march of sensitives was over.
They trooped back to the house in high spirits talking of dinner. Anton introduced him to his hugely pregnant wife. Serena Merryman Benoit’s hair was as vibrant and unusual as it had appeared in the photo in his office. Her emerald green eyes were alight with pleasure.
“Hi, Dan,” she said. “I’m glad to meet Angie’s husband. I feel so honored to have been included in that ceremony.”
“A truly impressive display of white magic,” Daniel agreed.
“Maybe we should ask everyone to do a repeat performance at our family reunion?” Serena exchanged a worshipful glance with her husband.
“If anything could restore harmony to your family,” Anton said wryly, “It would be that kind of magic. Serena’s brother has only recently reconnected with her family after years of estrangement*,” he explained. “They are still working on being happy.”
Daniel had heard something of the mer politics involved in Anton’s marriage. The Bean and Bran was a hotbed of gossip. But he did not comment directly on Serena’s family dynamics. “I hear your brother’s paintings are the leading contenders for first prize at the Art Fair.”
Serena’s happy glow increased. “Carlyle’s art stands out in a roomful of wonderful entries. I certainly hope the judges agree with you.”
Angie had a glass of sparkling water in one hand and was leaning against the deck railing while Melissa Babcock pointed out things in the distance. Although the rabbit was much younger than his wife, they seemed to be getting along like a house on fire. Angie was having a good time, and she seemed to approve of the house.
Sully handed him a beer. “Melissa is telling your wife what all those little islands are.”
“Whose house is that with the turrets?” Daniel pointed directly across the water.
“The Castle?” Sullivan frowned. “It keeps changing hands. The house was built by a lumber baron in the early twentieth century. One of those cottages that is really a mansion. The house is known as The Castle and the island as Castle Rock. The last owner was an IT billionaire. Rumor has it he got bored with his island paradise and sold it on.”
“Do you have a name for my neighbor?” Daniel asked.
Sullivan shook his head. “I haven’t heard. And that’s odd when you think about it. The new buyer hasn’t come across to West Haven yet. His housekeeper buys her supplies here. In fact she’s a resident. But the owner has a helicopter and commutes to the mainland. I’ll ask around.”
“I was thinking about a helicopter myself,” Daniel said. “Be convenient for quick hops to Portland or Seattle.”
“The council probably would nix that,” Sullivan warned. “They will start muttering about the noise and disruption and change.”
“Then I won’t mention it,” Daniel said.
“I better go tend that grill, otherwise Wally will have cooked everything dry.” Sully moved across to the enormous new barbecue.
Walter Babcock had an apron on over his civilian clothes. He greeted Daniel with a wave of his tongs. “This is some awesome grill, Dan, my man.”
The three of them contemplated the barbecue respectfully. Daniel had never owned one before and now that he was confronted with this enormous gleaming array of metal, wondered if he had perhaps gotten overexcited by the manufacturer’s website. It was certainly a beauty.
“I’ve known landing strips shorter than that puppy,” said Quinn’s deep voice from behind them. “What’s on the side burners?”
“Baked beans,” Sullivan replied. “Serena made them. The other one is a pot of water for corn on the cob.”
“For sure I have grill envy,” agreed Walter as he applied steaks to the racks.
“Me too,” said Lloyd. He was sipping a tall glass of soda. He claimed enlightenment was enough of a buzz.
“Martha did a great job with the plants out here,” Daniel said. “Angie and I are going to enjoy them all summer.”
Sullivan chuckled. “If Martha planted them, they are going to grow like a house on fire. That woman doesn’t just have a green thumb, she has green hands.”
“She certainly does. Are those tomatoes in that corner?” Daniel pointed to a box near the grill.
“You bet. And those are herbs beside it. Martha is a big believer in growing your own.” Lloyd beamed at them.
“I better go thank her myself,” Daniel moved on.
Martha was sitting with Gabriella Zhadanov from Bear Claw Construction, who had done a rush on the studio. “I need to thank you both,” He sat down on a wicker footstool.
“No thanks necessary. Consider it a housewarming present,” Martha said.
“Angie has always enjoyed our balcony garden,” he said. “But this is amazing. And she loves what you did with the great room, Gabriella. So do I.”
Both women lit up like beacons. Alister hailed him from his spot next to a burbling fountain. He was engrossed in his conversation with Robin. Daniel shook hands with him.
“I was just telling the mayor that you have agreed to restore those model ships,” Alister said.
“I could attempt to do a repair with magic,” Robin offered hesitantly. “But I don’t think I have sufficient knowledge of shipping to get it right. And I understand that Eleazar Jackman let his grandson play around with the pieces first.”
Jackman was supposed to be anonymous. Yet the mayor had his name on her lips. Alister winked at him.
“Probably better not. As it is, I am going to have to try to take the mismatched pieces apart,” Daniel explained. “They won’t be museum quality when I’m done,” he warned. “Be too many patches. But if you get that Discovery Room going for the kids, Alister, they will be an educational addition.”
The curator leaned forward happily. “We’ll see. I planned to use only reproductions there. Because you have to expect breakages.”
Daniel had some ideas about that. Robin drifted away. He and Alister chatted until Sullivan’s voice announced that the meal was ready.
After a good meal, and more conversation, their friends left in a flurry of mellow goodbyes. Alister Drake had the last word as he rolled his wheelchair up the ramp into his van. “You gotta do this more often, Lindorm.”
*Beloved by the Bear
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Angie~
She was too buzzed to sleep. She was weary. It had been a long day and a long party. And that ceremony had been both exhilarating and exhausting. Daniel found her contemplating the new studio that Gabby Zhadanov had built.
A long counter on wheels with cupboards below had been installed across from her easels, clay table and shelving. A deep sink and broad counter had replaced the wet bar.
“It’s not finished,” he apologized.
“It’s lovely.” Night pressed against the wall of windows. Only the stars were visible.
“You don’t mind that my workshop is also in this room?” he asked anxiously. “I’ve promised to try to restore some model ships for the museum.”
It was more evidence that he was trying to fit into Mystic Bay life. She smiled up at him. “I think sharing might work quite well. The light in here is amazing. I’m glad you decided not to put the studio in the basement.”
She let him enfold her in his arms. Leaned back blissfully. “Nope. We’ve never worked in the same space before. I think it will be good for us.”
“Gabby Zhadanov got her crew from Bear Claw to take time from the high school extension to install it for us.”
“I know. Also that dock. I thanked her myself. Did you know she is Anton’s cousin?” Angie asked.
“His cousin’s wife actually,” Daniel said. “Anton is godfather to her son.”
“Mystic Bay has more interrelationships than a ball of string!”
Daniel laughed. “Gabriella is going to build an outdoor workshop in the old garden shed where I can do any sawing without making dust in here.”
She had met Gabriella at the party and liked her at once. Gabby was a lot younger than her but also a military wife*. She had told Angie how relieved she had been when her husband was promoted to a desk.
“Roman doesn’t love his desk job as much,” the she-bear had told her. “And he still gets assignments that make him miss family events, but at least he isn’t sent out to do the impossible anymore.”
That sounded like heaven to Angie. But to Daniel she only commented on Gabby’s outdoor work idea. “Good plan.” She looked around at the cables snaking across his section of the room. “You should have floor outlets,” she said disapprovingly. “Those rubber covers for the extension cords are clumsy looking and a trip hazard.”
“We’ll have to watch our feet for the present, love. Melissa couldn’t get the Spicers to agree to adding more electrical outlets. If we want to run another faucet,” he pointed to the counter with the deep sink where she could wash up or clean her equipment, “Or build in permanent workstations, we’ll have to buy first.”
“What about a fume hood?” she asked.
“Unnecessary. I have to use water-soluble glues so any restoration I do can be reversed. Alister is going to go back to the donor and ask if there could be more boxes of ships. He suspects his donor hung on to the ones that were knocked together into something he found attractive if not authentic.”