I was back in the red gown.
Noelle had done a great job getting any stains out of the hem. I turned this way and that in front of the full-length mirror in my B and B bedroom. Not a water stain or smudge of dirt to be seen.
I couldn’t help myself. I twirled in front of the glass.
It wasn’t a full skirt, but it still had enough silk in the skirt to flutter prettily.
Unlike the last time I’d been decked out in this dress, this time I had a sumptuous black velvet cloak to keep me warm. Noelle had delivered it with the dress, but I couldn’t help wondering if Ethan hadn’t nudged her in the right direction.
Another change from before: I’d ditched the warm Uggs for the glass slippers Grandpa had given me.
They were shockingly comfortable. Magic, of course, because no glass slipper would shape to my foot so well. They were delicate and sparkly. Every girl’s fantasy footwear.
But even more important, they were a symbol. The shoes were worn by the Belle of the Ball each year. Noelle had explained that it was a bit like being crowned queen in a small-town pageant. There were responsibilities attached to the title, including preparing for next year’s annual Spirit of Christmas ball.
Noelle had hastened to assure me that I wouldn’t be expected to do any such thing, and that my grandfather had simply been so excited that I would be here for the ball that he’d asked for me to have the honor this year.
But I’d be taking note of those responsibilities before I left, and I’d be coming back to fulfill them. I could event plan with the best organizers. And…I liked it here.
A lot.
As I’d washed, dried, and curled my Christmas-green hair, I’d thought about exactly how much I enjoyed my time here. How much I enjoyed reconnecting with my grandfather. It was heartbreaking that we’d allowed so much time to pass.
I wanted more time with him.
I wanted more time in Hidden Haven.
And I also considered my responsibilities in Austin. The house and business I could sell. Twinkles, my cat, would live wherever I lived.
But then there was Star, my mentee.
She was ready to end her apprenticeship. She had been for some time. The moment she’d met that boy Ben, I’d seen a change in her. She’d always been a solid witch, if somewhat lackadaisical in her training. Her power was nothing short of remarkable, and she hadn’t needed to put forth much effort. But now? She was seeing the world around her. Recognizing the consequences of her actions. She was becoming a truly exceptional person. As a result, I had no doubt that she would be an unparalleled witch. Watch out, Austin, whenever she got around to realizing that fact.
But yes, it was time to wean away my supervision, minimal as it’d been.
There was a knock at my door.
Since I’d obviously be staying a few nights, Grandpa had hooked me up with accommodations at the local B and B. That was where Noelle had dropped off my clothes—and this time I’d hugged her breathless for her efforts—and also where Grandpa had agreed to pick me up. He was my ride. His date was Mabel—obviously—but I didn’t mind that she’d be on one arm and I on the other. Mabel made him happy, and he deserved that.
I opened the door to a strange man.
An incredibly handsome man.
One who bore more than a passing resemblance to Hidden Haven’s hot librarian.
I crossed my arms and smirked. “Ethan.”
He shrugged, as if it was no big deal that he was showing up at my door, human, dressed in a tux.
Goodness, but he did look handsome. His jaw was firmer than Victor’s, his shoulders broader. His hair was graying at the temples, instead of the uniform brown of his nephew’s. Tall, fit, and…just a bit grumpy, based on the expression he was wearing.
I laughed. “How’d you manage this?”
“Abject begging.” He took the cloak that was draped over my arm. “May I?”
I turned around in response and felt the warmth of the soft fabric touch my skin as he draped it over my shoulders.
His fingers brushed my bare arms as he settled the fabric into place. “No gloves?”
“No.” And since he’d made the first move by showing up, I made the second. I slipped my hand into his. The warmth of his fingers would chase away any chill, I was sure. “Tell me all about this begging that you did. I thought she couldn’t help you, because she was too far away.”
“I took a chance and called anyway.”
“And then begged.” I couldn’t help a chuckle, because it really didn’t seem the sort of thing that would have been easy for him.
“Abjectly,” he reminded me. He closed the door behind us, then tucked me close to his side and wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked through the hallway. “I might have also mentioned that I’d met someone.”
“You didn’t.” Because that was exactly what not to say to an ex.
“I did. She’s a good person…usually. The hex was an aberration.”
“Hmm. And that worked? Mentioning that you met someone?” It was amusing that I was that someone. And, I couldn’t help but admit to myself, a little thrilling.
“No. Not at all. But then she asked about you.” He opened the front door for me. “And I told her about you, described our day.”
“And that worked?” Because surely not.
He stopped in front of a sleigh. A gorgeous bay Clydesdale with four white socks, beautiful feathering, and a bold blaze down its nose stood patiently in harness, waiting.
“Yes, that worked. She said she could hear something in my voice when I spoke about you.” He didn’t say what that “something” was. “Not a dog sled, so I’m hoping this works for you. I didn’t want you to walk in those shoes.”
There was a pile of velvet blankets in the sleigh.
“It’s perfect, Ethan.” I had a sneaking suspicion I knew what she’d heard in his voice, because it was exactly how I felt about him. A connection. An affection. An open door to the possibility of so much more.
I tugged him close, looked up into eyes with ridiculously long lashes, grinned, and said, “Kiss me?”
And he did.
Thank you for reading Bewitched Christmas! I hope you enjoyed Hidden Haven’s Christmas mystery, and Camille’s reconciliation with her grandfather.
For another holiday mystery set in the same magical world, check out Camille’s cat’s adventure as a human in Twinkles Takes a Holiday. He thinks he’s an evil genius, and he might be right, but he’s also a cat who’s been accused of committing a terrible crime. Twinkles is the fourth mystery in the Night Shift Witch series, and you might best enjoy reading them in order, so I’m including a link to the four-mystery collection.
For another magical mystery set in the same world as Bewitched Christmas, check out Vegan Vamp Mysteries. The heroine, Mallory, isn’t at all what a vampire is supposed to be, but she’s all the more fabulous for it!
Turn the page to read an excerpt from the first book in the series, Adventures of a Vegan Vamp…