Doom and Broom (Spellbound Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 2)

by Annabel Chase

  “This one’s better. You need to come outside.”

  My present was outside? “Okay.” I said with exaggerated slowness.

  “Oh wow,” Gareth said. “You’re not going to believe what it is.”

  “Don’t ruin it,” I snapped.

  Daniel glanced at me. “How would I ruin it?”

  I softened my tone. “Sorry. Not you.”

  “Gareth?”

  I nodded and stepped onto the front porch. In the driveway sat my green 1988 Volvo.

  “Sigmund,” I cried. I couldn’t believe it. The last I saw of Sigmund, my beloved car was being swallowed by Swan Lake. “How did you manage it?”

  Daniel beamed. “It wasn’t easy. I needed help from a few strong dwarves and one inventive elf.”

  “Quinty?” I’d heard about Quinty’s engineering prowess.

  He nodded. “Quinty fixed it so that it runs on magic like the rest of the cars here.”

  I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, trying to ignore the feel of his taut muscles beneath the thin layer of clothing. “Thank you so much, Daniel.”

  “It’s nothing,” he said, disentangling from me. “Just a show of gratitude for helping me to avoid Sheriff Hugo.”

  I hopped down the steps and hurried over to caress my car. “I never thought I’d see you again,” I murmured.

  “It was rusted from the lake, so the elves gave it a fresh coat of fairy paint and replaced all the necessary parts with magical ones.”

  “No more walking all the way to town,” I said happily.

  “And you don’t need to ride a broom if you don’t want to,” Daniel added. “I know how you feel about heights.” He opened the driver’s side door and gestured for me to enter. “Let’s take it for a spin.”

  Gareth sat beside me in the passenger seat. “Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.

  “I want to go for a ride,” he said.

  I jerked my thumb. “Out.”

  Daniel opened the passenger door and sat down just as Gareth disappeared. “Do you know what to do?”

  I studied the dashboard. It was both familiar and mind-boggling. “Not a clue.”

  He grinned and my insides melted. “Hit that button there.” He pointed to a red button on the steering wheel.

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked, my finger hovering over the button. “You said you weren’t suicidal anymore.”

  “I trust you.”

  I hit the button and my heart soared along with the magical engine.

  We drove into town, past the impressive fountain designed by the naiads. Past the town square and the clock tower. Past the charming shops and restaurants. I tried to take in every detail from this new perspective without running anyone over.

  “Sigmund has never run so well,” I said. “It’s like he’s had a transplant of all his internal organs.”

  His sensual mouth quirked. “And that’s a good thing?”

  “He was on his last legs,” I said. “I just didn’t want to admit it because this car was the last physical connection to my grandmother. To my family.” Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. “I miss them every day.”

  Daniel reached over and patted my thigh. “They’d be really proud of you.”

  I hoped so. “Thank you. This is the best present you could have given me.”

  “I’m glad.”

  I cast a sidelong glance at him. “Am I part of your redemption package or something? You do enough nice things for me and your halo returns?”

  His pleased expression faded. “You think I have an ulterior motive?”

  No, but I wanted him to. “You’re going out of your way for me and you hardly know me.”

  “I know it’s strange to say, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

  I smiled. “Yeah. Me too.”

  That was the thing about Spellbound—forever wasn’t much of an exaggeration.

  I returned to the house an hour later, elated.

  “Did you see my car?” I asked Gareth.

  “You know I did.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful?” I spun around the room.

  “I think you mean isn’t he wonderful?”

  “Don’t ruin the moment, Gareth. Let me enjoy it.”

  “Go ahead and enjoy it, but just remember—the car is an act of kindness, not a promise to love you for eternity.”

  I placed my hands on my hips. “Hey, that reminds me. What about your promise? The big secret you promised to reveal?”

  Gareth feigned innocence. “What secret?”

  “I’ve passed my broomstick class,” I said. “You owe me one Spellbound secret.”

  “Well remembered, Emma.” Gareth smiled, showing his ghostly fangs. “Do you know what Lady Weatherby’s given name is?”

  I thought for a moment. “J.R., isn’t it?”

  “And what does J.R. stand for?”

  I shrugged. “Jacqueline Rose?”

  “Jacinda Ruth.” He paused. “If you really want to annoy her, call her by her childhood nickname—Cindy Ruth. She absolutely detests it.”

  Somehow, Cindy Ruth wasn’t nearly as intimidating as Lady Weatherby. “Thanks, Gareth. I can work with that.” It was like picturing the audience naked during a public speech. The name humanized her.

  “You’re welcome. Use it wisely.”

  I cocked my head and studied him.

  “What?” he asked warily. “What’s that look? It has a rather saccharine quality to it.”

  “I really want to hug you right now, but you’re too intangible.”

  “Thank the devil for small favors.”

  “I mean it, Gareth. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’m so glad you’re in my life.”

  I felt a gentle breeze caress my skin as he reached out to touch my cheek. “And I’m so glad you’re in my death.”

  I laughed. “Do you want to sit in my car and pretend to go for a drive?” I figured as long as we stayed in the driveway, Gareth wouldn’t disappear.

  “I’d love to. You can tell me about your grandmother,” he said. “I want to know everything there is to know about Walnut Grove. All the juicy details.”

  “Lemon Grove,” I corrected him. “And I’ll tell you every boring detail.” Because I trusted him. It was a huge risk, placing my faith in someone else, but I decided it was one I was willing to take.

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