by Cate Masters
“The newspaper article about Carter giving money to Oren. I want to believe he didn’t know about it, but….” She shrugged.
“Honey, did he tell you he didn’t know about it?”
“Sure, but—”
“Have a little faith.” Shotsie winked and turned her attention back to the stage.
After finishing up What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, Rosalie thanked everyone for coming. “One more song ends tonight’s program. Please give a warm welcome to a special performer.” She beat a hasty exit like zombie elves pursued her.
Carter? He walked into the spotlight wearing a Santa cap. Sierra couldn’t stop grinning as he zeroed in on her and began strumming something familiar.
Wait, this isn’t a Christmas song. It’s Love, Reign O’er Me. The song he’d tried so many times to play when they were young, but could never get right.
He’s getting it right now.
He sang to her as if no one else existed. As if no one else mattered. Emotions so intense and gut-wrenching, Eddie Vedder might have shed a tear. How could Carter play the guitar like that? He’s been practicing. And he’s different.
He’s really staying in Bliss. And he’s divorced. How she knew, she had no idea. But she knew. A laugh burst out. She bit her lip, but couldn’t stop smiling.
Like a wolfman on the first night of a full moon, he howled the end of the song, leaning back as he strummed so fast, his hands blurred in her vision.
She applauded along with the rest of the sparse crowd. After he set the guitar down, he wove through the crowd toward her.
“Is it true? You’re moving back to Bliss?”
“I think I already did.” He almost looked apologetic.
If only she could hold him. “But all your belongings are still in….” She didn’t finish. She didn’t have to.
“I told my lawyer to donate them to charity.”
“And you’re divorced.” It was more of a feeling, but it hit her with absolute certainty.
“The lawyers are processing the signed papers as of today. How did you know?”
“You told me. When you sang that song.” Once again, they were teenagers, full of plans for the future and madly in love. But at the same time, they were the people they’d become, shaped by heartbreak and experience. “And you’re different.”
“No, I’m the same. But I love your hair layered like it used to be.”
“Thanks. But that’s not what I meant. You’re more relaxed and happy.”
“I noticed that about you, too. It’s a nice change.”
“I think so, too. Your hair’s longer, like it was in high school, and you haven’t worn a suit since the day before Thanksgiving when we bumped into each other on the way here. It’s like you’re you again.”
“I’ve been me, but I know what you mean. I forgot who I really was for a while. What kind of life I wanted. Sierra, I—”
She placed her finger on his lips. “I know. You told me it would work out, and I should have had faith.”
He nodded, so gently it didn’t disturb her touch then he wound his arms around her waist.
A thrill shot through her, like the launch of fireworks. “And you told me you were going to stay in Bliss.”
He nodded again.
Much as she hated to move her hand, she let it fall to his chest. “And that this was our second chance.” The internal fireworks blossomed into dazzling color.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Do you believe it?”
“As much as I believe in blue moons.” After the last one, she did with all her heart.
“They’re a documented fact.” He guided her behind the Christmas tree, and reached for a small box wrapped in shimmering blue paper with a blue bow.
“What’s this?” She hadn’t had a chance to give him his presents—something the man who had everything couldn’t buy anywhere. She’d handwritten coupons for him to redeem whenever he wanted hugs, kisses, or other special treats.
He shrugged with a smile. “A little something extra for your tree. A memento.”
The lid lifted easily and from beneath the tissue paper, she drew out a ceramic full moon, painted a luminous blue. “I love it. And after the holidays, I’ll hang it in my window.” She linked her arms around his neck. “It’s also a reminder that I am one lucky girl.”
He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t think it’s luck at all.”
She rubbed her nose against his. “Really? What’s your theory?”
His smile faded, but his eyes shone. “We were never supposed to be apart, so the universe conspired to bring us back together. This time, it’s going to be right.”
Finally, she believed. “So it’s fate?”
He gave a nod. “Fate, a little magic, and a blue moon.”
“Quite the mix of ingredients.” She glanced pointedly at the mistletoe ball hanging above their heads. “But don’t forget Bliss.” She’d known there was a reason she hung it there. This reason: this moment. Like everything else that happened since they’d met again, everything had fallen into place and led them down paths that ran together by fate’s design.
He followed her gaze, and then tightened his embrace. “Believe me, I’ll never forget. It’ll be part of every day we spend together, which will be every day from now on.” After reaching into his jeans pocket, he drew out the silver ring he’d given her so many years ago.
“Oh, my gosh. It looks like new.” More beautiful than before.
“The promise still holds.” He arched his brows and held it up in silent question.
She nodded and he slipped it on her finger. Still a perfect fit. Just like him.
It made sense, crazy as it might sound. Without leaving the present, they had somehow circled back to the past to undo their mistakes.
He touched his lips to hers in the sweetest kiss, so sublime nothing else existed—like he’d taken her over that big blue moon.
Oh, yeah. She believed. In Bliss, anything could happen.
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Cate Masters has made beautiful central Pennsylvania her home, but she’ll always be a Jersey girl at heart. When not spending time with her dear hubby, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company. Look for her at http://catemasters.blogspot.com, and in strange nooks and far-flung corners of the web.
Cate loves to hear from readers. Email her at: [email protected]
Charmed
Brought together by accident, bound by fate—and magic. Love works its charm over Bruno DiCesare and Melina Weaver during his transformation from beast to man. But love likewise blinds them to the secrets each holds. Bruno thinks his secret will devastate Melina. Melina’s afraid Bruno will hate her for what she’s become. Neither guess the greatest danger lurks outside their door—and could force them to choose between love and life itself.
Betting it All
Norah Hawkins wants a new life as far from her old one as possible, but where can she ever find that chance? When a letter arrives promising her the deed to property in San Francisco, Norah packs her bags and flees the broken shards of her troubled past.
With its anything-goes atmosphere, 1906 San Francisco suits Irishman Gerard MacKenzie just fine. He loves tending bar in Norah’s saloon, and verbally sparring with the shrewd businesswoman for more privileges and work. Her beauty, wit and sass make his blood boil with need.
But disaster looms over their promising new lives when a terrible earthquake buries their dreams and threatens to shatter their future. Norah and Mac must rebuild their lives from the ruins and they’ll need each other more than ever, but can their ties to each other save them or tear them apart?
A Hard Day’s Knight
A 1Night Stand Story
Some days, it’s best to lay low. Lance Knight finds out the hard way – when he encounters his longtime foe, witch Morgan le Fay, at Medieval Merriment. Her curse kept
him wandering the world for centuries. When he also meets Gwyn McCartney there through a 1NS date, he’s struck by her resemblance to his true love, Guinevere. It gives him hope for the first time in centuries. First, he must face Morgan to break the curse, and he has only one hope: his sword, forged in the fires with Excalibur and imbued with magical powers by Merlin.
Gwyn McCartney’s had it with dating. Her friend’s setup through 1NS with Lance Knight irritates her, especially when Lance acts bored at Medieval Merriment – her employer and greatest fantasy. When a wench threatens Lance – a witch, he says – her fantasy world seems all too real. After Lance kisses her, she knows she has to battle Morgan le Fay. Can she free him, or will she lose him forever to the witch’s curse?
