Power of the Witch
Page 19
All of the women roared with laughter. By the time they finally calmed down, most of them were winded and had started to cry from laughing too hard.
Shannon got out of her chair and walked over to the man she would now forever refer to as the sexiest man alive and rewarded him with a searing kiss. Their audience came through with plenty of encouragement in the form of wolf whistles and chants of “get a room!”
When they finally pulled apart, Brian asked, “What was that for?”
“For being the best damned boyfriend that ever lived. Why in the heck would you put a G-string on and perform for my girlfriends?”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I wanted this day to be memorable.”
“Oh, it’s memorable all right. But why today?”
“Because Shannon Ansell, I have something to ask you.” He got down on one knee, slid a platinum and diamond ring off his pinky finger, and held it up to her as he said, “I wasn’t joking when I said I wanted to bring you to my sister’s wedding as my fiancée. I have wanted you pretty much since the first time you flashed that gorgeous smile at me. I don’t see that changing… well, ever. So I’m asking… will you marry me?”
Pleasure flooded her body from head to toe, and Shannon couldn’t remember a moment that had ever been so perfect. “After seeing those twerking skills, I think I’d be crazy to say no.”
He laughed. “Is that a yes then?”
“Yes.”
Brian jumped to his feet, wrapped his arms around her, and swung her around with a joy that lit her up inside. One thing was for sure, whatever adventures were in store for her with Brian Knox, they were bound to never be boring.
“Oh my goddess!” Yvette called out, and at first Shannon thought she was just really happy for her and Brian. But then she said it again, and there was definitely a hint of panic in her voice when Shannon turned to see her speaking on her phone.
“What is it, Vette?” Wanda asked. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Noel. She’s in labor. That little girl is coming today!” Yvette hopped out of her chair and was quickly followed by the rest of the ladies, who were all close to Noel. They all wished her and Brian congratulations, apologized for cutting the pool date short, and then ran off to wait for what would probably be hours in the waiting room.
Brian followed Shannon into the house as the ladies left, and the moment the front door closed, he asked, “Is Silas here?”
“Nope. He’s out with Levi for the day.”
“Good.” Brian scooped her up and took the stairs two at a time. “I have a fiancée to oil up.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
November
Rex Holiday walked behind his coupled-up friends through the enchanted town of Christmas Grove and knew he’d already fallen in love with the place. It wasn’t all that different from Keating Hollow actually. Main Street was filled with quaint magic-oriented stores. There was Santa’s Little Workshop, where toys seemed to be produced out of thin air, the Spellbound Bookstore, the Enchanted Bean Stalk that served everything from coffee to wheatgrass, and of course the Love Potions Chocolatier.
But what he loved most about the town were the people. They’d already run into the senior citizen polar bear club, which consisted of five older women who were committed to riding snowmobiles all winter and skinny dipping in Silver Moon Lake every chance they got from October through March. There were a group of teenagers taking it upon themselves to decorate the town with all things Christmas. And then there was the book club… four men, all of different ages, who delighted in picking outlandish titles for the group to read and then recommend to the rest of the town.
Everyone seemed happy, content. It was a state of being that had eluded Rex in the past. Sure, he’d had moments of those things, but they were fleeting. But this town… There was something about it that settled in his bones and made him think he could feel like that for forever.
It was too bad he had a job to get to in New York state come January. He would’ve liked to have tried living in Christmas Grove for a while.
Jacob paused and turned around, meeting Rex’s eyes. “We’re headed to the tree lighting ceremony. You up for that?”
“Sure. Let me stop in somewhere and get a drink. I’ll meet the rest of you over in the square. Does anyone want anything while I’m poking around the stores?”
Jacob asked his wife, Yvette, and then Brian and Shannon, who were so loved up on each other Rex had trouble believing they’d even heard Jacob’s question. It was sweet, if not slightly annoying. He’d had a bit of a crush on Shannon before he realized his buddy had his eye on her. Still, he conceded it was probably better Brian got to her first. Rex’s track record with relationships was worse than mediocre. His longest relationship had lasted all of three months. Not very impressive for a thirty-five-year-old man, was it?
“We’re good,” Jacob said. “We’ll be by the giant reindeer.” He chuckled. “Skye wants to pet it.”
“Of course she does. Look at it.” He nodded toward the eight-foot-tall stuffed animal. It was a child’s dream. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Jacob nodded and ushered his small family, along with Shannon and Brian, toward the square.
Rex turned around and headed straight back toward the Love Potions Chocolatier. There was a chocolate covered caramel square in the window that was calling his name. Because the tree-lighting ceremony was getting ready to begin, by the time he made it into Love Potions the place was empty except for one really pretty, curly-haired redhead who was leaning against the counter, waiting for help.
“Hello,” Rex said as he joined her. “Have you seen anyone yet?” he asked curiously, just to make conversation. He didn’t really care how long it took. He wasn’t in any hurry to get anywhere. The tree was going to be just as sparkly an hour after they lit it, wasn’t it?
“Sure,” the woman said, scanning him from head to toe with her enchanting green eyes. “Mrs. Pottson is in the back getting my holiday cheesecake.”
Feeling a little like she’d just looked at him with x-ray vision, Rex decided turnabout was fair play, so he took her in just as leisurely as she had him. Damn, she was gorgeous. Long, shapely legs, round hips, hourglass figure, and a face he could stare at for hours.
She laughed. “Like what you see?”
Her bluntness snapped him back to himself, and he grinned like a fool. There was nothing he liked better than a straight forward, direct woman. He supposed that was why he’d been interested in Shannon before she’d been removed from the dating pool. “As a matter of fact, yes. Your legs are incredible. Are you a dancer by chance?”
She tilted her head to one side to study him. “How did you know that? Do you dance, too?”
He shook his head. “Sadly, not even one step. My sister did it competitively for years though. You could say I’ve seen my fair share of dancers’ legs.”
“I bet.”
Mrs. Pottson returned with the cheesecake box and handed it to the gorgeous creature in front of him. “Here you go, Holly. Sorry it took me so long. It was hiding behind the garden cake. You know how big those flowers grow.”
Holly told the woman it was no problem and then when she turned to leave, she glanced at Rex. “It was nice chatting with you.”
“Wait,” Rex said, stepping into her path. He held out his hand. “I’ve only been in town a few weeks, and I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m Rex Holiday, and I’m here helping out my buddy at Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm. Thought it might be nice to introduce myself.”
Holly gave him a polite smile and shook his hand. When she let go, she said, “Holly Reineer. I’m not new in town. You can usually find me running the desk at the town library. It was nice to meet you Rex.”
She spun on her heel, maybe a little too fast, and headed for the door.
“Hey, Holly?”
She paused and turned to look at him. “Yeah?”
“Would you maybe be interested in drinks or, better y
et, dinner tonight?”
Those gorgeous green eyes flashed with something he was certain was interest. But it vanished just as fast as she said, “Sorry. I don’t date temporary men.”
The door swung open, and before he could think of a comeback, she was gone.
“Damn. It was worth a try,” he said.
“It sure was, young man,” Mrs. Pottson said.
Rex turned his attention to the round older woman with a kind face. “What did she mean by temporary? Is that some new insult I haven’t been paying attention to?”
Mrs. Pottson laughed. “No, sweetie. It means she knows you aren’t staying in this town for long.”
He frowned. “How could she possibly know that?”
“Vision,” she said simply. “Holly is always the first to know everything.” She winked and then propped her arms up on the counter. “Now, what can I get for you today?”
“Whatever that chocolate covered caramel thing is that’s advertised on the window and something to drink.”
“Are you headed to the tree lighting ceremony?” she asked as she retrieved his chocolate.
“Yep. My friends are waiting there for me.”
Mrs. Pottson nodded as if he’d just told her something important. Then she smiled and asked, “Do you like cider?”
“Sure.”
“Good. One cup of Cupid’s cider coming right up.”
Five minutes later, Rex had his chocolate and his drink in hand and was weaving his way through the crowd trying to get to the giant stuffed reindeer that Skye loved so much. He spotted Brian and Shannon leaning against a railing and made a beeline for them. Within moments, he spotted Yvette and Jacob and Skye playing directly under the reindeer with another toddler who seemed fascinated with the giant beast. “I don’t know how they do it,” Rex said.
Brian followed his gaze until he spotted Jacob and Skye giggling like fools. “It’s some sort of weird baby serum that parents just sort of end up with,” he said, grinning at Rex. “They fall in love with those little monsters, and then they are lost to the dark side. Word of caution; If you don’t want your days filled with stuffed animals and hair bows, keep it wrapped up.”
Rex barked out a laugh and saluted his friend. “I’m on it, Captain.”
“Good man,” Brian said as he turned his attention to the woman who’d just stepped behind the microphone.
The pretty, light-haired woman was dressed almost exactly like Glenda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz. She wore a sparkling beige dress, a fancy crown, and carried a wand that was in the shape of a star. It was cheesy and adorable at the same time. She read a Christmas poem, sang a Christmas song that he’d never heard, and then ended with a sort of prayer. “May your nights be full of warmth and your days full of friendship. Let love in this holiday season, let it grow, and most of all believe. Happy holidays everyone!” She raised her glass and took a gulp.
Rex repeated her incantation and downed his cider. Immediately his limbs started to tingle, and he felt a little warmth in his chest. But both sensations vanished, and he was left with a sense of longing. He wasn’t so sure that was the best emotion to come away with, but at least it was honest. He did want someone in his life, someone to call his own. He just wasn’t sure he was ready for it.
“Holy hell, Rex. Did you drink a love potion?” Shannon asked.
“What? Why do you say that?” he asked, looking down at himself as if he expected to see a pink halo.
“You’re glowing.” She touched her finger to her chest. “Right here. X marks the spot.”
This time when he looked down, he saw what she meant. A small circle of light was right where his heart was. He wondered what it meant.
Someone bumped him from behind, sending him forward.
“Oh, crap. I’m so sorry,” the woman said, tugging on his hand to steady him.
All that tingling and warmth he’d felt after the tree ceremony rushed from him and straight into Holly Reineer. She yanked her hand back, stared down at her palm, and cursed. Loudly.
“What is it?” Rex asked.
“You idiot. You just unwittingly hit me with a love potion.”
“I did?” he asked, completely taken aback.
“You did, and now I’m going to have to spend the next four weeks trying to get rid of it. Like I said, I don’t do temporary men. Thanks a lot, Rex.” She stalked off, leaving him to admire her perfect backside.
A slow smile claimed Rex’s lips as he considered her words and then thought, We’ll just see about that.
***
Get the next Witches of Keating Hollow book: Essence of the Witch (Witches of Keating Hollow, Book 8).
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For Rex’s Story get A Witch For Mr. Holiday (Witches of Christmas Grove, Book 1).
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Dear Reader, Reviews are always appreciated. Did you love this book? Please take a moment to let others know in the form of a review on your favorite vendor. XOXO, Deanna
Deanna’s Book List
Witches of Keating Hollow:
Soul of the Witch
Heart of the Witch
Spirit of the Witch
Dreams of the Witch
Courage of the Witch
Love of the Witch
Power of the Witch
Essence of the Witch
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Witches of Christmas Grove:
A Witch For Mr. Holiday
* * *
Jade Calhoun Novels:
Haunted on Bourbon Street
Witches of Bourbon Street
Demons of Bourbon Street
Angels of Bourbon Street
Shadows of Bourbon Street
Incubus of Bourbon Street
Bewitched on Bourbon Street
Hexed on Bourbon Street
Dragons of Bourbon Street
* * *
Pyper Rayne Novels:
Spirits, Stilettos, and a Silver Bustier
Spirits, Rock Stars, and a Midnight Chocolate Bar
Spirits, Beignets, and a Bayou Biker Gang
Spirits, Diamonds, and a Drive-thru Daiquiri Stand
Spirits, Spells, and Wedding Bells
* * *
Ida May Chronicles:
Witched To Death
Witch, Please
Stop Your Witchin’
* * *
Crescent City Fae Novels:
Influential Magic
Irresistible Magic
Intoxicating Magic
* * *
Last Witch Standing:
Bewitched by Moonlight
Soulless at Sunset
Bloodlust By Midnight
Bitten At Daybreak
* * *
Witch Island Brides:
The Wolf’s New Year Bride
The Vampire’s Last Dance
The Warlock’s Enchanted Kiss
The Shifter’s First Bite
* * *
Destiny Novels:
Defining Destiny
Accepting Fate
* * *
Wolves of the Rising Sun:
Jace
Aiden
Luc
Craved
Silas
Darien
Wren
* * *
Black Bear Outlaws:
Cyrus
Chase
Cole
* * *
Bayou Springs Alien Mail Order Brides:
Zeke
Gunn
Echo
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Deanna Chase, is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn't writing, she is often goofing off with her hus
band in New Orleans or playing with her two shih tzu dogs. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her website at deannachase.com.