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, Ja
ke," 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.
I stopped on the very edge of the dock. Now all I had to do was dive.
I could do this. I was ready. I took a deep breath and gave Steve a pet on his little head. "I'm so glad my family does exist. You know? I finally have my family back."
"Of course." Jake's blue eyes glistened as he squeezed my hand.
We both stared into the blue waves, the current revealing swirling depths of purple and black.
"I'll do everything I can to be back for our date tonight," I said. " I promise."
Jake nodded. He leaned over and kissed me. "Do what you need to do. I'll be waiting for you when you get back. No matter how long it takes."
I kissed the top of Steve's head. "Will you keep an eye on him for me?" I asked. I slid the kitten into Jake's arms.
"Sure," Steve and Jake both said at the same time.
I laughed. "Good!"
"I'll make sure this bear shifter is worth your time," Steve said in his ironic voice.
"I'll keep your kitten safe," Jake said. "He sure does meow a lot."
I nodded. I was set. It was time for me to learn the truth about my long-lost family. I raised my arms and clasped my hands above my head. "I'll be back soon!"
"Good luck!" Jake and Steve both said.
I took one more big breath and dove in to the ocean.
Vamping and Glamping is available now. Click here to keep reading about Sadie, Jake, and Steve!
You’ve Got Bear
There’s Something About Shifters
Supernatural beings live among us.
When curvy chocolatier Amy loses her storefront, she knows a fresh start is right around the corner. What she doesn't know is that her elusive landlord-to-be is a billionaire bear shifter--and she is his fated mate. Once vandals target Amy, she must rely on Zach for protection. But will she ever learn to really trust him?
Grizzly bear shifter Zach doesn't have time to court Amy the way she deserves. He's too busy protecting his billionaire family from vicious thugs attacking their properties across the Pacific Northwest. He knows she wants him, and he helped her business, so why won't she trust that he's serious about her? Zach is a shifter who knows how to get what he wants, but convincing Amy of his love might be the biggest challenge he's ever faced.
Chapter One
If at first you don't succeed, kick up your heels and try again. A brand new day is right around the corner. That’s what Amy's mama had always said. Amy still believed it.
Most of the time.
But today was her chocolate store’s last day in business. And unless a miracle happened, Peace, Love, and Chocolate was closing for good. Amy's optimism was on shaky ground.
She'd just finished filling a storage box with jars of chocolate mint sugar scrub when her roommate Steph rapped on the store window.
Amy nearly dropped her tape gun. "You scared me to death!" she laughed. She fluffed her choppy blond hair and smoothed her dress, which draped softly from her waist with waves of pink peonies.
Steph grinned and bounded in between the LOST OUR LEASE! and HUGE SAVINGS! signs at the door. She presented Amy with a steaming to-go cup. "Mocha latte! Just what the doctor ordered!"
Amy's heart swelled. "Aww… Thank you!" She took a sip then set the cup on the counter to cool.
"You're welcome, sweetie!" Steph tucked her car keys into the pocket of her pink nurse’s scrubs and gave Amy a big hug.
Amy was happy to have a visitor. The entire mall was shutting down, and it was nearly deserted. Most of the other stores had already closed. Amy was still packing everything for storage, hoping to sell more of her inventory. "What would I do without my roommates?"
Steph squeezed her hand. "Lucky you won't ever have to find out. At least until I leave for work in five minutes." Her long brown hair was pulled up in a high ponytail.
Amy's roommates were like her family. They'd been living together for eight years, ever since Amy was eighteen. Even back then, Steph had worked at the hospital downtown. Their third roommate, Cleo, had recently scored a new job in the Seattle mayor’s office.
Now it was Amy's turn to figure out her next move. She took a deep breath. "I’ll start looking for a job next week."
Steph tapped the coffee cup lid with her index finger. "In honor of all the deliciousness yet to come in your life, which could be as close as this very cup. We never know what's heading our way."
Amy relaxed as she sipped the sweet, hot drink. "You’re right," she said. "But it’s still hard."
Peace, Love, and Chocolate sold her dearly departed mama's secret recipe chocolate candies and Amy’s chocolate body products, from chocolate caramels to chocolate body lotion. Her motto was: If you can't eat it, you can slather it all over your body. If you're lucky, you'll do both at the same time—or have someone else do it for you!
"It's not your fault the mall is closing," Steph said with a shrug. "It's just bad timing. And bad luck."
Amy had no idea what she was going to do for work. She'd been a coffee barista before opening her shop. "I don't want to go back to Starbucks. Even though I love their coffees." She took another sip. "Maybe I could work at a dress shop?"
Steph frowned and bit her lip. "Any luck finding a new storefront?" she asked.
Amy poured chocolate almonds into a pretty pink bowl. "Nothing I can afford." She'd been searching for a new space, mostly responding to ads on Craig's List.
She set the bowl on the counter next to a sign that read FREE SAMPLES!
Steph took a few and popped them in her mouth. "What are they doing with this mall, anyway? Have you heard?"
The North Seattle Mall had been built in the 1960s. It wasn't decrepit, but it wasn't fancy, either. It was just a typical suburban mall. And now it wouldn't even be that.
"The new owners are turning it into a 'virtual mall space.' Whatever that is." Amy couldn't even get a meeting with the new owners, Harris International. They had sent out form letters terminating everyone's rental agreement, and that was that. The jerks. She sipped her coffee.
She’d heard a rumor that Harris International was run by a shifter family, but Amy wasn't sure she even believed in shifters. Wolf and bear shifters were urban legends; that was her opinion, but it wasn't a popular position in the Pacific Northwest, where people took their myths like they gulped down their coffee—every day and with utter conviction bordering on blind faith.
"You'll be back on your feet before you know it," Steph said, nodding. "This is Seattle! The city of rain and opportunity!"
Seattle was a beautiful place, especially now, in early autumn when it was often sunny and the air was crisp. Amy loved living here. She had taken a bus from Missouri the day after she’d graduated high school. Since she’d lost her mama to cancer when Amy was just seventeen, there had never been a reason to go back. Thank goodness for Steph and Cleo.
Am
y would be breaking even financially this month, which she knew was better than some of the other stores in the mall. Still, she had barely enough money in her checking account to stay afloat until she got a job, much less put a deposit on a new store.
"Hey, look on the bright side. At least you won't have to see Mr. Jerk-face every day," Steph said with a sweet smile. She pointed outside as Amy's ex, Mitchell, strode past in his security guard uniform.
As usual he walked around as if he owned the place. He didn't even look in at them.
Amy's chest tightened, and she shifted her weight onto her heels. "Good point," she said.
They'd only gone out for a few weeks, but Amy was still annoyed every time she saw Mitchell. He was blond and lean and she'd had a huge crush on him before they’d dated.
Mitchell had broken up with her because she wouldn't jump into bed with him after three dates. And then he'd gotten so nasty.
He'd told her, "You're the kind of girl who should be happy to get me into bed. Look at you. And look at me. You're lucky I'm even giving you a chance to rock my world."
She’d been so hurt and shocked she couldn’t even say anything in response. Sometimes she still cried about it.
"You're too good for him," Steph said.
It was true. But even that didn't soothe the sting. Amy took another sip of her coffee. She just didn't understand men. Maybe it was because she'd been raised by her mother alone. Maybe it was because most men didn't go for women who looked like her: soft and round.
Amy worried that her curviness made men overlook her, but that didn't mean she didn't want and need love. She had a lot to offer someone.
The right someone.
"I just wish I had more time to get on my feet," Amy said. "And save up for a new lease."
"Running a business is hard," Steph said. "Eight out of ten businesses fail, as you know, because I've been telling you all month. You can't take it personally."
Everyone knew business ownership was risky, but Amy had been doing okay. It was hand to mouth, sure, but she'd planned to expand once things had steadied. She made great products—everyone especially loved the sugar scrubs—but there weren't always a lot of customers in the mall. She didn't know what she was going to do now.
Shifting and Bewitching (Enchanted Shores Book 1) Page 13