Vamping and Glamping
Enchanted Shores Book Two
Carrie de Croix
Brontë & Bell
Copyright © 2017 by Carrie de Croix
All rights reserved.
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Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Newsletter
You’ve Got Bear
Books by Carrie de Croix
About Carrie de Croix
Chapter 1
Sadie
"$6,432!" I signed my name with a flourish and handed the check to the Enchanted Shores town clerk, meeting the property tax deadline with minutes to spare. Sweet relief flooded through me. I could keep my house!
The clerk let the check flutter down to his desk, then glanced up at me and sniffed, saying nothing. His bald head reflected the ceiling's fluorescent lights.
Wasn't it his job to accept tax payments? It hadn't been easy pulling these funds together. I pushed my hair behind my ear and continued, "1419 Oak Street? My deadline was today."
Tapping his computer mouse with an aggressive index finger, the clerk scrolled through spread sheets.
I slid the check closer to his side of the desk.
"I'll need your name," the clerk droned.
"Sadie Summer."
"You owe $4,832," the clerk said finally, peering down at the check. He pushed it toward me. "This is wrong."
"It's for this year's taxes—and next!" I'd received a signing bonus and promotion at my job with the Shaggy Puppy hair salon, so I could afford to get next year's taxes out of the way too.
The clerk rolled his eyes. "Where'd you get that amount? I haven't even sent you a bill for next year!"
"I guess-timated!" I said proudly. I nodded and lifted an eyebrow at my kitten, Pudgie, who still allowed me to keep him in my backpack, even though his name was Steve now. And he could talk.
"Are you on allergy medicine? We don't 'guess-timate' in the town tax office!" The clerk pulled a tissue from an extra-large box on his desk and blew his nose hard, making a snorting sound.
"I'm being proactive," I said with pride.
He swabbed at his nose. "We haven't even opened the books for next year yet!" he hissed. His face turned a purplish shade of red.
"Sorry?" I said. He didn't have to get so angry. I'd thought he would have been happy to receive money early.
Ever since I'd learned that the small town of Enchanted Shores was full of paranormals living side by side with humans, I'd been wondering if everyone I knew was human—or something else. Maybe this clerk was a boar shifter if such a thing existed. Maybe a demon.
"Told you so," Steve mewed. "The town doesn't want to receive next year's taxes yet. They have a system. You're disrupting it."
"Is that a cat?" The clerk jumped up and backed away from us. "You need to get that thing out of here."
Everyone else just heard a kitten meowing whenever Steve spoke to me. They didn't know how lucky they were. I heard every disapproving word. I closed the top of my backpack to quiet him.
"Thing!" Steve meowed, pushing his little kitten head out of the backpack. "Thing?"
"Get out!" The clerk waved his hand at us. "Go! I'm highly allergic."
"So we're good then?" I said, backing to the door. "With the check?"
"Just go!" the clerk cried, pointing to the door.
I walked into the hallway, closing the door behind me. I had to smile. "That didn't take as long as I thought it would."
"Thing?" Steve was still fuming.
"There, there, Pudgie." I pulled him out and kissed the top of his head until he settled into my arms. "I'm sure he didn't mean to call you a thing."
"How many times do I need to tell you? My name is Steve." For reasons I didn't quite understand, only I could hear Steve's deep, male voice—or knew he was anything other than an adorable black kitten with white paws and whiskers.
I guessed it was part of the whole ‘Surprise! You're a sea witch’ thing. Whatever.
I hadn't figured out what Steve was exactly. Besides a talking cat, I mean. When I'd asked him to explain himself this morning he hid under the bed until I'd dropped the subject.
Was Steve a genie?
A witch?
A kitten shifter? I laughed quietly as I trotted down the stairs of town hall.
In the lobby of Enchanted Shores' town hall, Jake leaned against the wall, reading something on his phone as he waited. He wore what I was realizing was his daily uniform: blue flannel shirt, faded jeans, and work boots. His wavy golden hair touched the top of his collar.
I sighed, my heart twirling in my chest. I still couldn't believe Jake was waiting for me. Or how much everything had changed in one week. Last Monday, I hadn't even known Jake—or his family. Now I couldn’t imagine my life without them.
"Hi," I said, touching his shoulder.
Jake turned to me, his blue eyes twinkling as he broke into a grin. "All set?" he asked, leaning down and giving me a kiss on the lips.
I felt a shiver of desire. Jake Serrano, kind, loyal, and the hottest fisherman this side of the Indian Ocean, just gave me, Sadie Summer, fledgling hair salon manager, former orphan, and magical sea witch, a kiss. And I kissed him back.
Sigh.
I was still amazed that Jake and I were a thing. And we were having our first official date tonight, complete with fancy restaurant and wine—and everything that came after. Another shiver swam through me. I took a deep breath. All I had to do first was dive to the bottom of the ocean to visit my long-lost magical relatives. And swim back to Enchanted Shores afterwards, of course. Then… tonight. A wave of desire tickled me all the way to my toes.
Get a grip, Sadie!
And the talking kitten in my arms? He never left my side. I was even used to his new name, Steve, although I still liked to call him Pudgie just to watch his claws pop out and his fur stand on end.
He hated that name.
As it turned out, grumpy kittens were fun to tease. Especially when they could talk back.
We all walked outside into the sunny day. A cool breeze gusted, blowing my blond hair across my face. I pushed it back.
"What's next on your list of things to do?" Jake asked. He petted Pudgie's head and then took my hand.
"Are you really doing all my errands with me today?" I asked.
Jake nodded. "Now that Nate is back in the office, I can take a few days off and there's nothing I'd rather do than help you."
Warm pleasure coursed through me. I smiled. "In that case," I said, "I think what I most I need is another kiss."
"Your wish is my command." And then he kissed me.
He was an amazing kisser.
Jake had been obliged to run his family's shipping corporation when his brother Nate was in the hospital. Their entire family was bear shifters and Nate had accidentally hibernated, even though bear shifters never hibernated. It was considered uncivilized. I was still getting used to the idea that bear shifters were a thing. I'd even seen Jake shift into a huge grizzly. It took some getting used to, but I'd get there.
Especially if he kept kissing me like this.
I had to lean on his chest to catch my breath. "Next up is to check in with Hannah," I said after I’d recovered, leading the way toward the Shaggy Puppy hair salon.
Hannah was my best friend and fellow stylist. It was just the two of us at the Shaggy Puppy now. "If I'm going to see my family, I need to make sure Hannah's cool with my being away," I told Jake.
Last night my aunt had summoned me by appearing in my water bottle and insisting I come home. She was the one who told me about my fledgling magical powers. I figured I could get in and out in an hour, tops, once I swam to their magical world—wherever that was.
I'd been kind of busy last night saving myself from a man named Eddie who had tried to kidnap and ransom me—to the very same family I would meet later today. Eddie was locked up in magic jail now so I could visit my family.
They lived somewhere under the sea.
My stomach gave a little flip. I was nervous to meet my family. I hadn't seen them since I was a toddler and hadn't even known they were alive until last week.
"How long will you be gone?" Jake asked as we passed by Donny's Bistro.
"I don't know. I just want to figure out how to see them regularly while also running the Shaggy Puppy and taking care of Steve." And seeing Jake. "I should be back by lunchtime."
I glanced in the Hair Atelier window and saw Ray, the receptionist. He gave me a wave, and I waved back. I was glad that he and I were friends now. The Hair Atelier had been Eddie's hair salon. Now Eddie's daughter Daphne was running it. "I'm supposed to swim to the shell and when I touch it, my aunt will know I'm ready. And she'll come get me."
"What's so special about the shell?" Jake asked.
"Well, it's huge for one thing. And I guess it works something like a doorbell?"
Jake held his hands about a foot apart. "How huge?"
I shook my head. "Much bigger. It's the size of a small car and smooth as glass. Also, it glows!"
"I wish I could see it. It's by the pier?"
I nodded.
Yesterday, I'd told Jake everything about discovering my magical underwater family and how they had wanted me to come back and see them. Well, almost everything. I didn’t mention that I grew gills once I went underwater. It still seemed a little gross, even though I loved staying under water for as long as I liked.
Family. I wish I knew what they were. My aunt had promised to answer all of my questions.
"You said you'd heard about sea witches before. What did you hear?" I asked Jake.
"Only that they were among the most powerful of paranormals. And they lived around here somewhere. I'd never met a sea witch before you, though, Sadie. They're rare and mysterious."
"If they live near here, though, why didn't they find me? I don't understand that. They lost me over twenty years ago."
"You'll ask them, right? When you get there? Maybe it's because they're banished from Enchanted Shores?"
I nodded. "I guess. I wonder if I'll recognize anything. I mean, I lived there when I was a baby. But I can't remember the place or the people."
"If you want me to go with you, just say the word, Sadie." Jake squeezed my hand.
I opened the door to the Shaggy Puppy. Some things I needed to do on my own. Meeting my family was one of those things. Still, it was nice that he offered. "I will. Thank you."
The Shaggy Puppy looked like what it was: a children's hair salon, even though we also got a small number of adult clients, especially seniors. The bright walls and furniture were gleaming in the bright morning light. It was quiet, even for a mid-week morning.
Hannah was busy cutting the hair of a boy I didn't recognize. He was an older teenager, too big to fit in the kid-sized Labrador chair. He had tight curls and rich, dark skin.
Hannah's hair was dyed red today, and she had on a sleeveless dress that showed off the tattoos on her arms.
"Hey, guys!" I said, setting Steve on the floor and stashing my backpack. "Nice haircut."
"Thanks!" the boy said with a huge grin. His face was open and friendly.
Hannah glanced up at me. "This is Michael Higgins. He's fourteen years old, and he wants to make us a salon chair that will fit big kids and adults. Isn't that a great idea?"
"Yes, it's brilliant. What breed of dog?" All the chairs in the Shaggy Puppy were shaped and painted like cartoon dogs. "I'm Sadie, by the way. Nice to meet you." I shook his hand.
"We were just talking about the breed," Hannah said. "What do you think, Michael?"
"Well, you already have a Labrador, a poodle, a pug, and a Chihuahua. How about a Great Dane?" Michael said. Then his voice squeaked, and he ducked his head, blushing.
Puberty. Gotta love it.
Michael continued, "Maybe a shaggy dog like a Saint Bernard? That would be fun to make."
"I love it," I said. A large chair was just what this place needed. In addition to big kids, the senior citizens who loved our salon would have a comfortable place to sit. We could service even more adults.
Steve rolled on his back. "How about a cat chair? A tiger or a lion?"
"Oh, what a sweet little kitten!" Michael said. "It's like he wants to join the conversation!"
"I'm out of here!" Steve flipped over and dove under the counter to hide.
I smiled. "Have you ever made a chair before?" I asked Michael.
"Yes! My dad has a wood shop and I've been making stuff since I was a little kid."
"Well, I love the idea. Why don't you make some drawings of what you'd like to do and estimate the price? We can meet again in a few days to finalize a plan."
"Really?" Michael said, his grin getting even larger. "Okay!"
"And we are all done, sir!" Hannah removed Michael's salon robe, and gave his T-shirt a quick brushing to remove stray hairs.
He launched himself out of the chair and ran towards the door. "Oh! Did my mom pay you?" he asked before he left. "For my haircut?"
Hannah nodded. "Yup!"
"Okay! See you soon. Or tomorrow. Probably tomorrow!" Michael threw open the door and hurried out.
Hannah and I turned to each other with smiles. We loved it when kids were happy. "Have you met Jake?" I asked her. "He's helping me run errands."
"Hello, Hannah," he said.
"Hello, Jake," Hannah said. She turned abruptly back to me. "What's on the agenda for today?"
"Can you watch over the Shaggy Puppy for the rest of today and maybe tomorrow, but probably just the rest of today?"
"Sure, sweetie." Hannah shrugged. "No problem. Where are you going?"
Although Hannah knew about Marcy's death and what Eddie had done, I hadn't yet told her about finding my family or all the magic that I'd discovered. I wanted to tell her but now was not the time. We had too much catching up to do. "It's a long story," I said. "Let's have dinner and I can tell you everything."
"Okay," she said slowly as a shadow passed over her face. "But not tonight. I have plans."
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
Her eyes filled with tears and she turned away.
"What is it, honey?" I touched her arm.
Jake walked to the door which gave us a moment of privacy.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Barry and I are having… issues. We have therapy tonight." Barry was Hannah's boyfriend. They had been drifting apart all year.
I gave Hannah a hug. "You've been trying to make things work for months now."
"I know. It's for the best. It's just… hard."
"Oh, honey. I'm sorry."
"There's no bad guy." She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it's time to admit that Barry and I have both changed, and it's not working anymore."
My heart ached for her. "Is that what you think?"
A tear rolled down Hannah's cheek and she pushed it away with the back of her hand. "I do."
As hard as it seemed, I was glad that she was facing her issues with Barry. Hannah deserved to be happy. We all did. "Sweetie, are you okay?"
She nodded. More tears spilled down her face.
I hugged her again. Hannah always gave to others. I could feel that she needed me now. "Can we have dinner tomorrow? I'll do everything I can to come back from my trip by then."
"Okay, but if you can't make it, just know that the salon is fine. I've got it under control. Go do your errands or whatever else you need. I'll hold down the fort until you get back." She nodded.
The door chimed as Mrs. Robinson, one of our favorite clients, opened the door with a grin. Her youngest son, Luca, ran in and jumped in the Labrador chair.
"Duty calls," Hannah said, breaking a smile for the eager boy.
"Thanks, sweetie." I squeezed Hannah's hand, then scooped up Steve.
I looked at myself in the mirror. It was time for me to face my family issues.
"Ready?" Jake asked.
I nodded and headed towards the door.
"Good to meet you, Jake," Hannah called after us.
As Jake, Steve, and I walked outside, the sun broke through the clouds and one of Enchanted Shores' famous double rainbows sparkled over the sea. Jake took my left hand, and I carried the kitten with my right.
We strolled down the sidewalk towards the docks. Although I was excited to see my family, I wasn't ready to leave Jake. Also, Hannah needed me. But I didn't see how I could stay, not when my family needed me. The message from my Aunt Tina had said: Your family requires you. Requires.
What did that mean?
"I literally don't know what I'm jumping into," I said as we neared the ocean.
"Literally!" Jake laughed.
"I don't want to leave my life here," I admitted. "I don't want to go."
"I don't want you to go," Jake said. "It would be one thing if you knew where you were headed or how long you'd be gone. But you don't know anything about your family except that they exist."
Uncertainty blossomed in my chest. Jake was right.
But at least I had a family. And they needed me too. I had to go see them and then get back to Enchanted Shores as quickly as possible to help Hannah.
Vamping and Glamping (Enchanted Shores Book 2) Page 1