“I know, I know. I’m late.” I brushed past him and pushed the kitchen door open. He chased after me and only relented from weaving around my feet when his bowl was set in front of him.
The kitchen was empty and I went about making myself a hearty bowl of pasta. I needed comfort food. All afternoon, I’d been replaying the way I acted toward Evangeline, and hated myself a little more with each passing hour. There was no excuse for my petty attitude.
Why should I care if she was gorgeous, famous, and enchanting? It didn’t take anything away from me.
Except Adam’s attention, but that wasn’t something I wanted anyways. Was it?
“Ugh,” I groaned and threw myself down into the chair at the head of the table. I twirled my fork through the noodles but didn’t lift a bite to my lips. I was suddenly not in the mood to eat. Despite my growling stomach.
I was about to get up and throw the meal into a leftover container and stash it in the fridge, when the kitchen door swung open. Adam sauntered into the room and flashed me a wide smile. “Hey, gorgeous.”
I flushed at the use of his nickname for me. It made my heart race more than I would ever admit to anyone other than myself. “Hey, Adam. You want this pasta? I just made it but decided I don’t want it.”
“Why not?” He leaned over my shoulder and took a deep whiff of the steam rising from the plate. His lips were too close to my ear. He straightened, and I shrugged my shoulders trying to forget the way his body warmth had enveloped me.
“I’m not hungry anymore.”
Adam sank down onto the chair beside me, took the fork from my fingers, and ate a bite. “Mmmm. That’s really good. So, gorgeous, what’s eating you up?”
“I’m fine.”
He arched a brow at me.
I sighed. “I am. I promise.”
“So, it has nothing to do with Evangeline moving in today?”
“No,” I tried to force a laugh. “Why would you think that?”
Adam chuckled. “Because you were kind of an ice queen to her and then disappeared for the rest of the day.”
“I didn’t mean to be an ice queen.” I stared down at the table, studying the knots in the wood.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just say you were stressed about work or something. No one’s judging you. Evangeline didn’t even let on that she noticed.”
I decided that I hated the way he said her name. I pushed the plate over so it sat in front of him. “Then it’s all good.”
Adam considered me, his expression intent. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?”
“Yep.”
Boots finished his dinner and came over to bash his face against my legs. His cat way of apologizing for his hangry attitude out in the hall. I leaned over and scratched him on the head.
The door opened again and Lacey strode into the room. She was wearing a hot pink minidress, her hair teased into an impressive bouffant, with heels so high they made my ankles hurt just watching her walk across the kitchen.
Adam opened his mouth, apparently struggling to come up with the right barb to throw at her. I silenced him with a dirty look.
“Can you guys even believe that we have a real life star living here?” she marveled, clicking over to the fridge. She retrieved a can of her favorite O positive blend and her crystal goblet. “I just can’t figure out what she’s doing here, in Beechwood Harbor.”
Adam perked. “She’s taking some time off from acting to go back to school.”
Lacey and I both gaped at him.
“That’s what she told Posy and me after you both left. She’s practicing her spellcrafting skills in preparation for a new business venture. I don’t know the specifics, just that she needed a quiet place to study and practice away from her busy life in the LA Haven. So, she’s here for a few months before shooting picks up again.”
Relief flooded through me. She was only going to be here for a few months?
Lacey pouted as she swirled the deep red beverage in her fancy goblet. “That’s a downer. A few months isn’t that long…”
“I don’t know if it’s really something that can be mastered in a few months,” I said. “Spellcrafting is really advanced magic.”
Wand work in general was notoriously difficult. Few witches could master spellcrafting entirely. Evangeline had already shown a preference for casting with a wand. Most magic could be achieved without it, but with a wand, everything became more precise and intricate.
Personally, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d held my own wand. It had probably been a few months. As an elemental, most of my power flowed through my hands just as if I were using a wand, but there were still spell that required a wand. They just weren’t things I needed to do on a regular basis.
Besides that, I had a terrible tendency of losing or breaking the darn things.
“What else did you learn?” I asked.
Adam shrugged. “Not much. She seems nice. Very intelligent.”
Lacey scoffed and took a long sip from her goblet. “Yeah. Like that’s what you were assessing. Her intelligence.”
He smirked at her, perusing her short dress. “Isn’t there a pole somewhere missing its vampiress?”
Lacey glared at Adam. “Let me guess, you’re mad because she already shot you down so hard that you cried a little?”
Adam growled. “Not as hard as she’s gonna shoot you down the second you try and recruit her for your beauty pageant posse.”
Lacey snarled at Adam’s sarcastic reply. “Bite me, mutt.”
“Guys, enough,” I hissed. “You’re giving me a headache.”
Adam shrugged and went back to devouring my forfeited plate of pasta. Lacey drained the contents of her goblet, wiped the corner of her mouth, and rinsed out her cup. She stalked back out of the kitchen, offering a frosty goodbye as the door swung shut.
I turned to Adam and cocked my head. “So, did you ask her out?”
Adam nearly choked on his bite of pasta. “What? Holly, no.”
I leaned back in my chair. “Why not? She’s very pretty.”
Adam grinned. “She is, but I have my eye on someone else right now.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“I was hoping we could try another non-date, date. And maybe this time we end it together instead of winding up at a crime scene?”
I laughed at the memory. “I’d like that. I do have a request though.”
“What’s that?”
“You keep your gawking at Evangeline to a minimum until we decide what we’re doing.”
Adam laughed. “I wasn’t really gawking...”
I snorted. “Adam, even I was gawking.”
“I just find it entertaining that I’m the only guy in the manor. It’s like these SPA guys have it out for me or something. They’re trying to get me killed.”
I laughed. “I didn’t really think about it that way.”
Adam grinned and leaned forward. “Trust me, gorgeous, you’re the only one I’m really staring at these days.”
I tried to remind myself about the rules, the non-dating, the no-shifters, and the reasons why I’d ended up in Beechwood Harbor in the first place, but it was hard to keep those things in mind with Adam’s dark eyes staring back at me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“SPECIAL DELIVERY.”
Nick’s head popped up as I strode into his office. He grinned as I handed him a paper cup from Siren’s Song. “Mocha?”
“Yes, sir. I have these too,” I said, holding up a bag. “Fresh chocolate chip cookies.”
“Mmm.” Nick took a drink. “Thanks, Holly. What’s the occasion?”
“Cassie insisted,” I answered. I set the bag of cookies on his desk and laughed as he dove right in, grabbing three out in one handful. “She still considers you her personal knight in shining armor and wants to spoil you accordingly.”
Nick placed the cookies on the desk in front of him and then waved for me to sit down in one of the upholster
ed chairs opposite his. All of his furniture had been delivered since my last visit and the place had come together nicely. Nick either had excellent taste or a talented interior designer. His desk was a beastly thing made of glossy dark wood. The chairs were a nice contrast, a rich royal blue. A large, old fashioned globe in a wooden frame sat in the corner, beside a large bookshelf made from the same wood as the desk. A few potted plants, knick-knacks, and a row of sleek gunpowder metal filing cabinets completed the space and pulled it all together.
“I like what you’ve done with the place. Very pro.”
“Thanks.” Nick nodded and swept his eyes around the room like he was still getting used to it too. “Were you on your way out of the shop for the day?”
I nodded. “Yeah. Today’s my short day. So, I thought I would drop this stuff off and see how you’re doing.”
Nick smiled and took a bite of cookie. “Much better now.”
I laughed. “Right.”
“I’m good. Things are picking up. Chief Lincoln put me in contact with the powers that be around here and the word about my practice is getting out. What about you?”
“Good too. Busy with work, mostly. I’m Cassie’s right hand woman, now that she’s the boss.”
“I’m sure she appreciates having you around. From what I’ve seen, the two of you make a good team.”
“Thanks.” I bobbed my head. “So, there was something besides the delivery that brings me by today.”
“I thought there might be,” Nick replied.
I smiled at him. “That’s why you’re the PI, right?”
“I guess so.” He laughed. “What’s on your mind?”
“It’s occurred to me that I owe you something.”
“Is that so?” Nick drawled, grinning at me over the top of his laptop. “What did you have in mind?”
“The night that we searched Siren’s Song together, we made a deal. I told you that if you helped me with proving Cassie’s innocence, I would let you have one tour at the mansion.”
“Holly, you don’t have to do that.” Nick waved a hand, dismissing my idea.
“No. I do. Nick, I made you a deal and while you held up your end, I didn’t hold up mine. I would like to make that right. If you’re still interested.”
He sat forward in his chair. “I’m definitely still interested.”
“Okay. Well, like I said, it’s a one-time deal. Hopefully that will be enough to satiate your tour group’s curiosity.”
“You know, actually, I don’t think I’ll bring a group. But I would like to see the place, if you’re sure that would be okay...”
I smiled. “I’m sure. But why don’t you want to bring a group with you? I thought that was the whole point? Don’t tell me you’re too swamped with cases that you don’t have time.”
Nick laughed. “In Beechwood Harbor? I doubt my case load will ever be that full!”
“I kind of hope it stays that way.” I laughed. “I’m certainly not eager to stumble across another dead body anytime soon.”
He nodded. “Yeah, probably not gonna happen. But you know, long lost relatives, missing jewelry, cheating spouses. That stuff happens everywhere. Even in places like Beechwood Harbor. So, I guess you’re kind of stuck with me awhile.”
I smiled and ran my finger along the edge of his desk. “I’m okay with that. But seriously, you’re sure you don’t want to do a whole tour?”
“Yeah. I don’t want to subject you all to a group of lookie-loos on the front lawn.”
I inclined my head, filled with relief. Sneaking one person into the manor was easy. “Thanks, Nick. That’s very kind of you.”
He leaned in. “Besides, I think your roommate Adam would chew my face off if I tried.”
I winced at the expression. Nick had no idea how accurate it actually was.
Nick laughed. “So when can I stop by? There’s a full moon coming up soon. The perfect night for a spooky tour.”
“Works for me.” I pushed up from the chair and started back towards the door.
“Thanks, Holly.”
I turned back and smiled at him. “You’re welcome, Nick. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Likewise.” He leaned back in his chair and eyed me, smiling widely. “You know, we do make a pretty good team. I might just give you a call the next time I run into a case that I can’t crack.”
I laughed and pulled the door open. “Careful, or I’ll make you put my name on the door.” I pointed to the vinyl lettering on his door as I swung it open.
On the eve of the full moon, I followed through on my promise, and managed to sneak Nick into the manor while everyone was out. Posy was home, but she was up in the attic and had no idea that the thing she feared most was happening right under her nose. Literally.
I took Nick through the house, stopping at each room to explain the history that had been relayed to me when I first moved in. Nick soaked it all in like a child at a theme park, and I had a feeling that the reason he’d forgone the tour idea was so that he could see it for himself the first time. If he had a crowd of people to herd along, he wouldn’t have been able to personally enjoy any of it.
He had a paranormal investigators kit, filled with ghost hunting gear, but shockingly, none of it showed the slightest signs of activity as we went through the house.
Not that I had been worried he might.
When he had seen all the main living spaces, we circled back through the house, and went out onto the front porch. The night was fairly warm with the Summer Solstice right around the corner. I was comfortable even without a sweater.
“Well, was it all you hoped for?” I asked.
Nick smiled. “It’s an amazing house to be sure. But I think you’re right, Holly. It wouldn’t have made for much of a tour. Maybe it is all just a bunch of fairy tales and make-believe for the delusional and paranoid. I think those were your words.”
I flushed. “I shouldn’t have said that, Nick. I’m sorry.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I get it. In hindsight, showing up in your rose bushes with a business card and a camera wasn’t a smart plan.”
I glanced over to where the rose beds started and chuckled at the memory of stalking around the corner and nearly stunning Nick on sight. We’d certainly come a long way since then.
Although, he still made me want to stun him sometimes.
Nick grinned, and I wondered if he was thinking back on our original meeting too. “I guess I’ve just always wanted to believe that there was some big secret, you know?”
“Like ghosts and vampires?”
Nick smiled, his eyes sparkling under the porch lights. “Yeah. Something amazing and unexplainable.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. I pocketed my hands and shifted my weight back into my heels, rocking slightly on my feet. “I think a lot of people want that.”
“You don’t?”
I smiled. “My life is complicated enough, I think.”
“Fair enough.” He chuckled. “Well, thanks for showing me around, Holly.”
“I would say anytime, but, you know…” I said with a laugh.
Nick smiled. “Right.”
We walked toward the edge of the porch and Nick trotted down the steps. He stopped at the bottom and turned back to wave. “Goodnight, Holly.”
“’Night, Nick.”
I watched him continue down the drive and wondered what he would say if he knew the truth about me.
“Never gonna happen,” I muttered to myself.
When Nick’s taillights disappeared into the night, I went back inside the manor.
I might not be normal, but I was starting to think that maybe, by some turn of luck, I’d finally found the one place that could feel normal to me.
A place that felt like home.
Want to find out how Holly ended up in Beechwood Harbor?
Go to www.daniellegarrettbooks.com/newsletter and have the prequel novella, A Witch of a Day, sent directly to your in
box for FREE!
Holly is having a witch of a day.
Friday the thirteenth should be a day of paranormal delight, but instead, Holly is fighting off the ghosts of her past—the kind that can’t be exorcised.
When a strange, hooded figure approaches her with an unthinkable task, Holly is forced to walk the line between light and dark magic.
One wrong step could ruin everything.
Acknowledgements
FIRST OF ALL, I would like to thank my parents, who fed my love of reading from an early age. My sister, for supporting my desire to tell stories since I started “over complicating” our barbie doll’s lives.
For my handsome husband, Tim, you know I love you and I appreciate your daily support (and for listening to all of my writerly rants and keeping my caffeinated at all times).
Thank you to Tina, my fabulous editor for all of your tips and kind words. And Keri, for the kick ass covers.
Writing can be a solitary passion, but with all of you beside me, it’s never lonely.
Thank you.
About Danielle Garrett
FROM A YOUNG age, Danielle Garrett was obsessed with fantastic places and the stories set in them. As a lifelong bookworm, she’s gone on hundreds of adventures through the eyes of wizards, princesses, elves, and some rather wonderful everyday people as well.
Danielle now lives in Oregon and while she travels as often as possible, she wouldn’t want to call anywhere else home. She shares her life with her husband and their house full of animals, and when not writing, spends her time being a house servant for three extremely spoiled cats. For more about Danielle and her work, please visit her at:
www.daniellegarrettbooks.com
or at
www.facebook.com/daniellegarrettbooks.
Murder's a Witch: A Beechwood Harbor Magic Mystery (Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries Book 1) Page 20