Spells A La Carte (Mystic Cafe Series Book 3) (19 page)

Maybe he had second-guessed his decision to ask me to come along on the investigation. I really couldn’t blame him if he had. After all, I really didn’t think I was the best pick for a partner on any investigation. There had to be someone else out there who would do a better job. What made Tom think I could do it? Just because I’d recently gotten a few spells right? Maybe I was being hard on myself, but I had to be honest with myself. All my thoughts led back to me wondering if I had made the right decision. When would I stop thinking this way?

I looked at my watch again. Should I try his cell phone? No, if he didn’t plan on coming, then it would be an awkward phone call. Though he probably wouldn’t answer if that was the case. 

That owl hooted from a nearby tree and I jumped. Okay, so I was still a little on edge. As beautiful as it was, the park could still be a spooky place at night, especially when I was here all alone. The bushes near the gazebo rustled and I scooted down the bench away from them. If there was something in there ready to jump out, I didn’t want to be too close.

The wind picked up, stirring the leaves on the nearby trees. I hadn’t sensed any magic yet. Usually I did when Tom was nearby. The thought had barely left my mind when a tickle of something carried across the air. Was it just my imagination?

I’d just looked at my watch again when the magic carried across the breeze. It traveled up the path and whispered across my skin. It stirred through the air, as powerful and as strong as ever.

When I looked up, I spotted Tom walking down the path toward me. Butterflies danced in my stomach. He smiled widely as the twinkling lights lit up his handsome face. I stood and moved closer down the path to meet him.

Tom had shown up after all. I had almost convinced myself that he wasn’t coming. He looked more handsome than ever. Maybe it was the magical settings or just the beautiful night impairing my judgment. Though I’d always thought Tom was gorgeous. Tonight even more so than usual.

Tom stepped in front of me. He was standing so close that his spicy scent encircled me. His presence made my whole body tingle. His hand felt so right wrapped around mine.

“You came,” he said.

I smiled. “Yes, I came.”

“I was hoping that you would come, but I really didn’t think it would happen. I’m just glad that you’re here.” Tom studied my face. “You look wonderful.”

My stomach flipped. Now was the time. I had to make the decision final now.

Tom reached out and took my hand in his. He pulled me down the path. “Let’s get out of here. We have work to do.”

I walked with him down the path toward the park’s entrance. I couldn’t believe how magical the evening felt, and that was without any magic at all. It was just nature around us. Sometimes that was the best magic of all. Tom glanced over at me and smiled again. He looked as happy as I’d ever seen him. We were just about to step onto the sidewalk when I stopped. Tom looked at me and I met his gaze. His eyes were full of excitement and sadness at the same time.

“Wait, there’s something I need to tell you,” I said.

“I have a feeling I’m not going to want to hear this,” Tom said.

Rose Pressey is a USA Today bestselling author. She enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties.

Rose suffers from Psoriatic Arthritis and has knee replacements. She might just set the world record for joint replacements. She’s soon having her hips replaced, elbows, and at least one shoulder.

Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son, and two sassy Chihuahuas.

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