I laughed and shut the hatch. “It might have crossed my mind.”
“Guess you’ll need to book some clients quick, so you can make enough money to fill it up,” she replied, throwing a playful elbow my way.
“Preaching to the choir,” I grumbled as we started for the front porch.
The manor’s door opened just as our feet hit the first step on the wraparound porch and Holly appeared in the doorway. Her long auburn hair was tied back in a long ponytail and she was dressed casually in a pair of faded jeans, a t-shirt, and a pair of chunky sneakers. “You’re here!” she exclaimed, throwing the door open wider. “Do you need help with your bags?” she asked, not waiting for an answer before glancing over her shoulder and bellowing, “Adam!”
When no reply came, she turned back to us and rolled her eyes. “He’s off in cyberspace.”
Harmony glanced at me and I explained that Adam St. James, Beechwood’s resident mischief-maker and former town flirt, was a tech wizard.
“Literally?” Harmony asked. “I didn’t know that was possible. Tech and magic don’t usually play nice together.”
“Oh, no. Literally he’s a shifter. He takes on a dog form,” Holly jumped in to explain, taking a bag from Harmony before ushering us inside. We shuffled through the foyer and stopped in the formal living room.
The interior of the house matched the outside to perfection. Just as there hadn’t been a blade of grass out of place in the yard, the interior was equally well-appointed and cared for. Polished wood floors ran throughout the house, a soft light bouncing off them from the decorative sconces and light fixtures. The art and decorations all had a certain old world charm to them but with an artful touch here and there that kept it from looking like the set of historical movie.
“You can leave your stuff here,” Holly said. “I’ll have Adam take everything upstairs later.”
“Are you sure?” Harmony asked, glancing at the pile of bags.
“Of course! Now, come on, I’ll show you to your bedroom.” Holly took the first two steps and then turned back, beckoning us to follow. “How was the drive?”
I dropped the duffel, rolled my shoulder a few times, and followed Harmony and Holly up the staircase. “It was great. We lucked out with the weather.”
“We stopped a few places along the way,” Harmony added. “Then we drove through town a little when we got here. I can’t believe how small this place is!”
Holly laughed. “I remember that feeling. Trust me, you get used to it and then when you go into the city, it feels so big and loud.”
Holly would know. She’d moved—not by choice—to the small town after running into some trouble with the SPA a couple years ago. Though looking at her now, it was hard to remember her living any other place. The small town wasn’t supernatural, but it had worked its magic on Holly, and I didn’t think she’d ever leave it.
Would Harmony feel the same if given enough time?
Holly showed Harmony the room that would be hers. It was spacious and came completely furnished with a full-size bed, bookcase, dresser, and a generous closet. She’d be sharing a bathroom with Evangeline Loren, one of the other roommates sharing the large house. Evangeline was a former supernatural soap-opera star who’d transplanted to the harbor from the flashy Los Angeles Haven.
As we descended the stairs, the front door swung open and a blonde woman stepped inside. She wore running clothes and stared down at her phone with an intent gaze.
“Meryl?” I said, recognizing her profile.
“You hired an SPA babysitter?” Harmony asked, sliding me a quick scowl. Meryl was one of Caleb’s agents and had helped us several months back when I was being chased by a maniacal sorcerer.
Meryl was wearing earbuds and didn’t hear us but when she glanced up from her phone, she started. “Anastasia? Harmony?” She reached up and removed one of the buds. “What are you two doing here?” she asked with a delighted laugh.
“Harmony’s our new roomie,” Holly answered. “She’s going to be my apprentice.”
Meryl smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Stars! I don’t know how I didn’t make the connection.”
Harmony still looked skeptical. I scoffed and tossed my hands in the air. “Oh, for crying in a cauldron, Harmony. I did not--” I looked to Meryl for backup, quickly explaining, “She thinks I hired you to look after her.”
“It’s sheer coincidence, I assure you,” Meryl laughed. “The agency’s seen a spike of supernatural residents in Beechwood Harbor and wanted an agent posted here full time, just to keep an eye on things.”
“Uh huh.” Harmony frowned. “Why do I get the feeling those eyes are going to be on me, more often than not?” she asked under her breath.
I smiled and nudged her with my elbow. “Guess you better make sure you keep your nose out of trouble.”
“Are you staying for dinner, Anastasia?” Holly asked.
“I don’t think so,” I replied. “I’m still pretty full from lunch. Besides that, I should head back. It’s another three hours to the city, and I’d like to take advantage of the tiny bit of daylight left.”
Holly looked disappointed, but I knew she understood. I wasn’t eager to get back behind the wheel for another long stretch of driving, but I didn’t want to intrude too much. Harmony didn’t need her big sister hovering around as she met her new roommates and settled into her new home.
“Maybe we could go see the workshop?” she asked, giving Holly a tentative glance.
Holly smiled. “Absolutely! We can order pizza when we get back.”
“I’m headed up to shower and change,” Meryl said, pointing at the stairs. “It was good to see you again, Anastasia. Say hello to the boss for me.”
I smiled. “Will do. And it was nice to see you too.”
We exchanged a glance and she gave me a knowing smile. She might not be there as a babysitter, but I knew she’d look over Harmony all the same.
I wasn’t sure how much Harmony knew about Holly’s record with the SPA. They’d done a good job of keeping her … adventures, out of the public record, but I’d heard most of the stories firsthand. Trouble followed Holly around like a lonely dog, and I was thankful she had her new business ventures to keep her busy. If nothing else, they would keep her from racing headlong into danger with Harmony one step behind her.
At least, I hoped.
Knowing Meryl was around helped ease the niggling fear that I hadn’t fully realized was bouncing around in the back of my mind.
I embraced Holly, quietly thanking her for finding a place for Harmony, and then promised to come for a longer visit soon.
Harmony walked me back out to the SUV, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her ripped-up jeans. It was colder along the coast than it had been back in Seattle, but in another month or two, it would warm up. For a long moment, we stood in silence, neither of us sure what was left to say.
“Thanks for driving me out here,” Harmony said, breaking the silence. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night and drive back in the morning? The bed in my room is plenty big enough for us both, you know.”
“Thanks. But I’ll be fine. Besides, I didn’t leave food for Peaches.”
“Patrick could go over and feed her,” Harmony suggested, her voice shrinking.
I smiled. “It’s your first night here. You don’t need your big sis hanging around.”
“What if I just want her?”
I pulled her into a hug. Tears stung my eyes and I gripped her even tighter. “You’re going to do great. I can’t wait to hear about all the potions you two come up with.”
Harmony sniffled, nodding silently against my shoulder. After a moment, she laughed. “I don’t know why I’m being so clingy! It’s not like this is my first time away from home, or something. Stars!”
I laughed softly and stepped back, still keeping my hands on her arms. “I’m taking it as a compliment.”
Harmony wiped at her eyes before her eyeliner could
run. “Thank you, Stace. For everything. I know that doesn’t begin to cover it, but—”
“I know,” I interrupted, smiling softly as more tears blurred my vision. “And you’re welcome. I honestly couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thanks.” She looked down at her scuffed sneakers.
“Remember to listen to Holly,” I said. “She’ll keep you out of trouble.”
Harmony held back a smile. “Why do I feel like this is my first day of academy all over again?”
We laughed and I pulled her back in for another embrace.
“I don’t … I don’t know what I would have done without you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to continue. “When you showed up on my doorstep that night, I didn’t even realize how lost I was.”
I squeezed my eyes closed, and the tears finally broke free and slid down my cheeks.
“I know we drive each other crazy sometimes and have our moments, but I really can’t imagine my life without you in it and I don’t want things to go back to the way they were before, even though, we live far away now.”
Harmony sniffled. “We won’t let that happen.”
“Good.” I smiled and pulled out of her arms. Wiping my own eyes, I laughed softly. “I didn’t think this would be so hard.”
“Call me when you get home?” she asked.
“I will.”
She smiled wistfully. “Bye, Stace.”
“Goodbye, Harmony.”
We embraced once more, lingering a few more moments before I swung open the driver’s side door and climbed into the SUV. I backed down the drive and paused at the sidewalk, waving at Harmony before pulling away.
From the rear view mirror, I watched her wipe her eyes and then turn away to go back inside the manor.
She’d started her new life, and it was time for me to get back to Seattle and do the same.
Chapter 17
The next six months passed by at top speed, spring blurring into summer and then melting into fall. Some days felt long, but the weeks flew by and before I knew it, I was hours away from my official debut as a wedding planner. Miraculously—with Aurelia’s help—I’d also managed to snag a booth at the haven’s annual wedding convention. It was held in San Francisco this year, and Caleb was attending the entire weekend, working as my honorary assistant for the event.
I’d booked a handful of clients and done two small weddings over the summer, enough to keep my condo and keep the lights on, but the convention was the first chance I’d get to make my debut splash and let the entire industry know that I’d arrived.
Including Kait and Hyacinth.
In fact, the firm’s booth was kiddy-corner to mine, separated only by the wide aisle runner that marked the path through the event for attendees.
“Maybe a little to the left,” I said, considering the glossy banner. “And higher.”
Caleb grunted as he stretched up to adjust the clips fastening it to the poles of my indoor tent.
“There!”
Caleb fastened the sign tight and then lowered his arms and stepped back to consider his handiwork. “No way they’re going to miss it now.”
I smiled triumphantly and shot a look over my shoulder at the A Touch of Magic Events booth. “Nope!”
Caleb looped an arm around my waist and kissed the side of my head. “It looks great, love.”
“It really does,” I replied, more than a little awestruck as I breathed it all in.
Elegant Affairs by Anastasia
In the end, starting my own business was the best thing that could have happened to me. With some distance and time, the bitterness had faded—though, that didn’t stop me from wanting to catch the looks on Kait’s and Hyacinth’s faces when they saw me at the convention—and I realized that while it hadn’t maybe been the best timing, the decision was the right one.
“What time is Harmony getting here?” Caleb asked, glancing at his watch.
“I think three-thirty. Holly’s sneaking her through one of the SPA portals, so she didn’t have to fly.”
“She didn’t ask for permission?” Caleb cringed. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t tell me that part.”
I laughed. “Oops. Sometimes I forget I’m dating a cop.”
“Agent,” he corrected, a teasing grin pulling at his lips.
“Our reservations aren’t until eight-thirty,” I said, fiddling with the stack of business cards on my table. “That is, if I don’t pass out and spend the evening in the hospital.”
“You nervous?” Caleb asked.
I glanced up and found him watching me fidget with the cards. “A little.”
“You’re going to be great. Look at these pictures! Anyone who steps one foot in this booth is going to hire you on the spot. You should only be worried about finding time for them all.”
“Thanks.” I set the cards aside and drew in a deep breath. “There’s one contract I really am hoping to nab this weekend. Word on the street is that Darla Manuel and her newly minted fiancé, Rye Suarez are attending the convention. She’s originally from the Seattle Haven and that’s where they’re planning on holding the wedding. They had a consultations with A Touch of Magic but they didn’t sign a contract yet.”
“How do you know that?” Caleb asked.
“I have my sources,” I said, wiggling my brows.
Caleb looked impressed. “Wow. I should recruit you to work for me.”
I laughed. “I’ll plan the annual picnic and Yule parties, but I think I’ll leave chasing the bad guys to you and your team.”
“Deal.” He chuckled. “As to the happy couple, I’d say you’ve got this in the bag.”
“Thanks. I really hope you’re right. A contract like that could open a ton of doors for me.”
Caleb leaned in and stole a quick kiss. “Then it’s a good thing I’m always right, huh?”
I rolled my eyes but laughed along with him. “I’m not going to argue, but only because I don’t want to jinx myself.”
“We wouldn’t want to do that,” Caleb agreed, still grinning.
The loudspeaker crackled to life, and someone announced the doors would be opening in five minutes. A quiver of anxiety slid down my spine and it took all my concentration to keep my legs from collapsing.
“This is it,” I breathed.
No sooner than the words left my lips, two pencil-skirt clad figures marched around the corner and stepped into the Touch of Magic booth. My stomach twisted. Hyacinth and Kait. Even though I’d known they would be there representing the company, the sight of them still made me nervous. What would they say when they saw me and my booth? Would they laugh and jeer? Would they sling insults about my cheaply printed materials? Or would they silently fume whilst spreading rumors about me to anyone willing to listen?
I wasn’t sure which scenario would be worse.
Caleb placed a reassuring hand on my lower back. Hyacinth stepped to the counter of their booth, her cold eyes considering every detail, from the glossy brochures, embossed business cards, and magically branded company pens. A mountain of flashy gift bags were stacked to one side, traditionally handed out to each visitor that stopped by the booth.
“Now, remember, if you see Darla or Rye, you’re to come and get me,” she snapped.
“Yes, Hya—”
Kait sputtered to a stop, her eyes locking on me. Wordlessly, she tapped Hyacinth on the shoulder.
My spine straightened.
Both women turned to look at my booth. Hyacinth’s thin lips jerked into a not-quite-concealed snarl. Kait’s mouth remained open as she read, and then re-read, my banner. With a blink of her eyes, Hyacinth rearranged her expression into a placid smile before sauntering across the wide aisle way.
“So, the rumors were true, then?” she said, flashing a disapproving look at my brochures. “I didn’t think you’d have it in you.”
“Why not? I’m qualified, I have industry experience, a strong network of partnering vendors, and most of all, I don’t c
ome tethered to a bloated firm that’s riddled with unnecessary service fees and the pressure to up-sell. I offer a boutique service without nickel and dining my clients.”
Hyacinth’s cheeks reddened, sending a little flurry of pride through me.
Okay, so I might have practiced my opening line in the mirror once or twice.
“I see.”
Kait saddled up to her boss, still looking shell-shocked. “You’re really doing this?”
“Yes, Kait. I am. And I’ve never been happier.” I thrust my shoulders back and held my chin high. “I’ve already done a few small weddings over the summer, but this convention marks my official grand opening.”
“You’ll never be able to compete with us,” Hyacinth said, her eyes frosted over. “The big fish expect a team of professionals, not one wedding planner working out of her kitchen. Do you even have an office?”
“I don’t need one,” I replied, keeping my tone matter-of-fact.
Kait scoffed. “So, wait, if Darla Manuel and Rye Suarez stop by and ask for a consultation, you’d what … invite them to meet you at a coffee shop?”
I shrugged. “Sure. Or a swanky martini bar. Whatever would make them most comfortable. Because, at least for me and my business, that’s what really matters.”
Hyacinth clicked her tongue. “I see.” A slow smile melted across her face, though it did nothing to take the frostbite edge from her eyes. “Well, Anastasia, I wish you the best.”
They turned away and I heard Kait mutter, “She’s gonna need it,” under her breath.
I exhaled when they were safely ensconced in their own booth.
“You were great!” Caleb exclaimed, careful not to appear too excited.
We’d agreed to play it cool all weekend, no matter what Hyacinth and her little stooge tried to do to rattle our cages.
“Now, we just need to land Darla and Rye.”
Caleb chuckled. “I still can’t believe that’s his name. It just makes me want a sandwich.”
“Hey, his name could be pumpernickel and I’d still bend over backward to get his business. They both come from exceedingly wealthy backgrounds. Rumor has it their guest list will be over five hundred. I’d need to hire an entire horde of assistants, but the commission check would probably be enough to cover all my bills for the next two years!”
Wedding Bells and Deadly Spells Page 12
