Witching For Hope: Premonition Pointe, Book 2

by Chase, Deanna

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Lance got to work, and thankfully any new thoughts he had were drowned out by a hair dryer that was in use by another stylist.

  An hour later, Lance pulled the drape off of Hope’s shoulders and spun her around to see her new look in the mirror.

  Hope let out a gasp of surprise. Her dark curls were indeed shorter, but he’d cut it into a sexy bob that was shorter in the back and longer in the front. “You made me look gorgeous.”

  “Nah. That’s all you, sweetheart,” he said with a flirty smile. “I just did a little maintenance. Are you ready for that waxing?”

  She nodded and followed him into the back where he handed her off to Carrie, one of his longtime estheticians.

  “Hi, Hope. Nice to see you again,” the tall woman with long dark hair said. She smiled at Hope, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, making Hope wonder what was wrong. Carrie was one of those perpetually happy people, and it was highly unusual to catch her having a rough day.

  “You, too. It’s been a while. You have your work cut out for you.”

  Carrie gave her a small smile. “No worries, I’ve got you covered. Lie down here on the table and we’ll get you fixed up. Lance says you need a chin waxing.”

  Hope nodded. “You might as well do the lip and eyebrows, too.”

  “You’ve got it.” Carrie went to work with her torture wax, and when she was done, she eyed Hope. If I can talk her into getting her brows and eyelashes tinted, that would be enough for rent this week.

  “Let’s do it,” Hope said, wanting to ease the worry in the woman’s eyes.

  “Do what?” Carrie asked, frowning.

  “Oh, um, the works. You know, whatever you can do to spruce this up.” Hope waved a hand around her face, trying to cover for accidentally answering the woman’s private thoughts.

  “Ah. Got it.” This time when Carrie smiled, her blue eyes twinkled. “I was just wondering if you’d be interested in tinting your eyelashes and brows. I could also do a facial if—”

  “All of that sounds great.” Hope had heard the relief in the woman’s voice when she’d said she wanted more services. There was no doubt she was under financial strain, and whatever Hope could do to alleviate her worries, that’s what she’d do. It didn’t hurt that she’d be all sparkling and new for the open house at Lucas’s store that evening either.

  “Perfect.” Carrie got to work, waxing, tinting, and using a bunch of products on Hope’s face. When she was finally done, Hope figured she must’ve taken at least five if not ten years off of her face. “Okay. Your eyelashes and brows are good to go. But the rest of your face might be a little red for a couple days. The waxings and facials can do that sometimes, but then after twenty-four to forty-eight hours, you’ll look like a new woman.”

  Hope swallowed a groan. Of course.

  Chapter Four

  Hope stared in the mirror and wondered if it would be unprofessional to wear a bag over her head. When Carrie mentioned there might be some redness for a couple of days, what she must’ve meant to say was that Hope was going to look like a roasted tomato. Whatever she’d used for that facial definitely didn’t agree with Hope’s skin.

  After dabbing on some more makeup, Hope pulled her bangs over one eye, opting to let her hair hide as much skin as possible. It was better than the bag option at least.

  “Hope?” Lucas called. “Are you back here?”

  “Coming.” She walked out of the bathroom and down the hall to Lucas’s office. She found him leaning over his desk, reaching for something. And dammit, his backside was really filling out his jeans. She leaned against the doorframe, just taking in the view. She deserved that much at least, right?

  “Have you seen my order book?” he asked without looking back at her.

  She couldn’t help it; she grinned. Lucas had always had a knack for sensing her presence. “It’s at your front counter. I put it there in case you get any special orders tonight.”

  Lucas straightened and turned to look at her. He’d been busy in the back sanding a credenza when she’d arrived to start prepping his store for the open house. His black and white speckled hair was sticking up in random clumps, and there was sawdust covering his T-shirt and jeans. “Ah, that was good thinking. But I need to check a note.” He moved toward the door, glanced at her, and smiled appreciatively. “The new haircut looks great.”

  Hope’s insides lit up with the compliment, and she automatically raised her hand to touch her silky curls. While the facial had been a mistake, Lance had made her hair look better than ever. In addition to a great cut, he’d also used some sort of product that made the curls soft and shiny all at once. “Thanks.”

  “And happy birthday. I hope it’s a good one.” He winked at her and swept back into the showroom.

  Hope’s heart swelled with the knowledge that he’d remembered, and she followed him almost as if he were a magnet. The draw to him was still just as potent as it had been when she was eighteen. Only back then it had been exciting, and now she was just unsettled. He’d broken her heart twice. If she let him in again, she was certain this time it would end up shattered.

  Stop it, Hope, she silently scolded herself. There was no point in thinking about Lucas that way. She’d already vowed that she wasn’t going there again. She just needed to get through the night, and everything would be fine.

  She walked back into the showroom and checked the buffet of crab puffs, shrimp, and salmon bites.

  “Where’s the beef?” Lucas said from right behind her, making her jump.

  “Holy shit,” she said, pressing her hand to her chest. “I didn’t know you were standing there.”

  He pressed his hand to the small of her back and reached past her for a shrimp.

  “You didn’t have any input on the menu, so I just went with a seafood theme. If you want beef, next time I’ll—”

  “The seafood is fine, Hope,” he said with an easy smile. “It was my lame attempt at a joke. Forget it. I should stick to woodworking.”

  Hope just stared at him, dumbfounded. Then, when his words finally sunk in, she let out a cackle that turned into a full fit of laughter. When she finally got herself under control, she wiped at her eyes and asked, “Did you really just make a joke about that old commercial from back when we were kids?”

  He shrugged, and his lips turned up into a sexy half smile. “It got you laughing didn’t it?”

  “Yes, but I’m laughing at you, not the joke.”

  Lucas’s smile widened. “Whatever it takes to put that sparkle in your eyes, Anderson. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

  His words sobered her, and she moved to the end of the buffet, pretending to check the napkins and paper plates.

  Lucas cleared his throat. “I’ll be right back. Going to clean up.”

  “Yep. I’ll make sure the doors are open at six,” she said, checking her phone to make sure she hadn’t missed any messages. As part of the open house, she’d invited a number of local businesspeople who might be interested in his woodwork. The list included interior designers, realtors, and even a wholesale buyer for an upscale online furniture store, as well as the lifestyle reporter from the Premonition Pointe News. If any of them had questions, she wanted to be available.

  If there was one thing Hope knew how to do as an event organizer, it was how to create buzz and opportunities for connections. And that was exactly what she was going to do for Lucas.

  Because if his business is successful here, he won’t leave. Hope scowled at her traitorous thought. She did not need to be thinking of a future with Lucas. That was just not going to happen.

  There was a knock at the door, and Hope hurried to answer it.

  “Hey, Hope,” Kendall Vonn said as she followed Hope into the showroom carrying her guitar. Her long red hair was pulled up into a neat bun, and she was wearing an elegant red sheath dress.

  “You look nice tonight,” Hope said. Usually the singer was wearing a T-shirt wi
th a long cotton skirt while she busked down by the riverfront.

  “I know how to clean up when I need to.” She grinned at Hope. Then she glanced around the showroom. “Where’s McHottie?”

  “McHottie?” Hope raised an eyebrow.

  “Please.” Kendall rolled her eyes. “Like you don’t see how smokin’ Lucas is.”

  “Oh, I know exactly how hot he is,” Hope said, unable to keep the words from pouring out of her mouth. “We dated on and off for over ten years.”

  “That’s right,” Lucas said as he reemerged from the back, dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt. His hair was damp, and he wore that cocky grin that told Hope he’d heard every word of their conversation. “She knows all my secrets.”

  “Oh hell,” Hope breathed and turned her back on him. This was the last thing she needed.

  Adorable. His voice sounded in her head, making butterflies flutter in her gut.

  Damn. Taken before I even had a shot, Kendall thought.

  Hope smiled to herself, because even though she kept telling herself she wouldn’t be getting back together with Lucas, there wasn’t any universe where she could picture him with anyone else. And wasn’t that selfish? But in that moment, she couldn’t bring herself to care. She cleared her throat and pointed to the area near the front counter. “Kendall, I thought you could set up and play in that corner over there.”

  “I’m on it.” She walked over and started setting up.

  “You’ve done a wonderful job,” Lucas said. “You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

  Hope waved a hand. “Don’t speak too soon. Let’s see who shows up first.”

  “Knowing you, at least half the town will be here.” He leaned over and pressed his lips to her cheek.

  Hope leaned into the kiss and swallowed a sigh as her face tingled from the contact.

  The bell chimed on the door, and from that moment on, the next three hours flew by as Hope reintroduced Lucas to all of the attendees as Premonition Pointe’s premier furniture maker.

  The place was a who’s who of the coastal town. A few members of the city council, the president of the chamber of commerce, and even the mayor were all in attendance. Hope made sure to greet them all and then moved on to a group of part-time summer residents who lived in the same beachside subdivision.

  “What I want to know is why no one has snatched up that glorious specimen,” a tall redhead said as she took a sip of champagne.

  “Someone did,” Grace said, appearing from behind Gigi, who was standing quietly among her new neighbors. “But he moved to Boston, and you know how long distance goes.”

  Hope wanted to groan with exasperation. Yes, Lucas was a catch, but was every single woman in the town going to set her sights on him?

  “So he is single then?” the redhead asked.

  Grace shrugged. “He’s not married, but I don’t think he ever got over the one he left behind if you know what I mean.”

  Grace, Hope mouthed and gave her head a tiny shake.

  But her friend ignored her. “I’m pretty sure he’s hoping to rekindle that romance, so buyer beware if you’re thinking of asking him out. Those first loves are killer. Men never seem to be able to let them go.”

  “Once he gets a taste of this, he won’t even remember that other woman’s name,” the redhead said, eyeing Lucas as if he were a steak. A predatory smile claimed her lips. She turned in Lucas’s direction, and then after glancing over her shoulder, she added, “Watch and learn ladies.”

  Hope had to stop herself from reaching out and yanking the woman back. But instead of making a complete fool of herself over the man, she slowly let out a breath, pasted a smile on her face, and said, “Excuse me. I need to introduce myself to a few more people.”

  But instead of mingling, Hope checked the refreshments, making sure everything was stocked, and kept her attention on the redhead who’d plastered herself to Lucas’s side.

  Lucas did a double take when the woman placed her hand on his chest. And Hope smiled to herself when he gently removed it and appeared to politely dismiss her as he scanned the room and met Hope’s gaze. He gave her a tiny wink and then went back to talking to one of the interior designers Hope had invited.

  “Looks like Lucas is definitely off the market,” Grace said, appearing beside her.

  “No he isn’t.” Hope rolled her eyes.

  She chuckled. “Just keep telling yourself that.” Grace squeezed her arm and added, “Owen’s here. Do you mind if we take off, or do you need me to stay for moral support?”

  Hope glanced over at her friend’s boyfriend, who was talking to Kevin Landers, his boss. He was tanned, and his dark hair was styled in a deliberate messy windblown look. He was everything Grace’s ex wasn’t. Younger, sexy, attentive, and most of all, he adored and appreciated Grace. Hope had never been happier for her friend. “Go on. Have a great night.”

  “Love you.” Grace gave her a hug and whispered, “This event was fantastic. It’s going to launch Lucas’s business. You know that, right?”

  “That’s the plan.” Hope pulled back and nodded to Owen. “Now go have some fun with that man. Let me live vicariously through you.”

  “You don’t need to live through me.” Grace eyed Lucas. “Your man is right there.”

  Hope gave her friend a pointed look. “Go.”

  “All right.” Grace brushed her auburn locks out of her eyes and said, “See you tomorrow for brunch?”

  “Yep.” Hope watched as her friend pried Owen away from Landers and couldn’t help the tinge of jealousy when he wrapped his arm around her and pressed a kiss to her temple. It wasn’t that she was envious that her friend had a hot younger man who adored her. She just missed that intimacy.

  She glanced at Lucas again as memories of a thousand kisses slammed into her. A small ache formed in her gut, and she let out a disgusted sigh. This was not the time for memory lane. She straightened her shoulders and went back to work, mingling with the guests.

  * * *

  “Lucas,” Hope called toward the end of the event as she waved him over. “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet.”

  He was chatting with a pretty blonde who Hope thought might be one of the interior designers she’d invited from a couple of towns over. The designer leaned in and gave him a lingering kiss on the cheek that seemed more of an invitation than a friendly goodbye. Hope’s irritation flared to life, and she had to order herself to stay put instead of physically hauling the woman away from him.

  Dammit. She’d known working with Lucas was a bad idea. Here she was trying to be professional, and she’d spent the majority of the night ready to claw people’s eyes out over the man. She needed to get a grip.

  Lucas turned his attention to Hope, and as his gaze swept over her, that cocky half smile was back, indicating that he knew exactly what she’d been thinking.

  Hope did her best to paste a neutral smile on her face and turned her attention to the tall man with the thick dark hair standing beside her. “Kyle, this is Lucas King, the owner of Against the Grain Interiors.” Her gaze drifted back to Lucas. “And Lucas, this is Kyle Epps. He’s the buyer for Lux and Comfort. They specialize in limited-run furniture and accessories.”

  “Hello.” Lucas shook Kyle’s hand, and the buyer immediately started praising some of Lucas’s more unique pieces. He inquired about an ornate coat tree and a hand painted accent chest.

  Pleased with herself, Hope moved to the front door to thank the guests for attending as they started to leave. She was in the middle of hugging Joy goodbye when she heard, It’s perfect. It’s a new business in town and the ideal place to use to move the drugs. With his history with the town, no one will suspect a thing.

  Hope froze. Move drugs?

  Everything seemed to slow down as she scanned the crowd of polished guests, trying to figure out who exactly was trying to use Lucas’s shop as cover for running drugs.

  Her gaze landed on the mayor and her husband, a couple r
ealtors, Gabrielle, the town’s lifestyle reporter, a few designers, and more than two dozen people she didn’t recognize. And not one of them had a huge sign that said Drug Dealer hanging from their neck.

  Chapter Five

  By the time Hope locked the front door after the last handful of guests left the showroom, she had a pounding headache. She’d spent the last forty-five minutes straining to hear everyone’s thoughts. At first when she’d tried to open her mind, she’d struggled. All she’d heard were snippets of thoughts that didn’t make much sense. But as soon as she realized all she had to do was ask the universe for access, thoughts flooded in. It had been forty-five minutes of pure hell.

  The thoughts were so loud and overwhelming that she’d felt as if she were standing in the middle of the room while everyone shouted at her at the same time. And putting the genie back in the bottle had proven to be near impossible. If that was what her mother felt like all the time, it was no wonder she’d run away to get some peace.

  “Hope?” Lucas said from behind her.

  She jumped, turning to him and placing a hand over her racing heart. It seemed impossible that she hadn’t heard him coming. Not after what she’d just experienced by purposely trying to invade everyone’s thoughts.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to startle you. I was just going to say that you don’t need to stay. I can clean all of this up.”

  “What? No.” She frowned and shook her head. “I’m the event planner. It’s my job to clean it all up and make sure the place shines before I leave.”

  “You’ve already outdone yourself.” He gave her an appreciative smile. “The caliber of clients you attracted is going to jumpstart my business here in a major way. I’ve already made appointments to work out details with over a dozen people next week. Damn, Hope, it’s already clear I’m woefully underpaying you for the service you provide. In fact, I think I’m going to give you a commission for every client you brought me with this event.”