Under Her Spell

by Isabella Ashe

  Bryony tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling that he was mocking her. "Nothing conclusive," she said. "My older sister Vivien did fall head over heels in love with the guy who slipped it into her drink. They got married last December. Then again, Vivien and Kevin been friends since they were kids, and he's always had feelings for her. She realized she loved him back right after he tried the potion, but that may have been a coincidence."

  "There have been other marriages?"

  "Yes, four or five more." Bryony smiled, barely suppressing laughter as she remembered the crowd of locals demanding vials of her elixir once word got out. "Marriage fever seemed to spread like wildfire. Every confirmed bachelor in town was guarding his drinks, you can be sure. But a couple of them got distracted and ended up husbands."

  "A fate worse than death," Zach said. His smile softened his sardonic words, but Bryony caught something in his tone to make her think he wasn't really joking. She wondered again why he was so interested in her concoction. He didn't seem to believe in either love or marriage. What did that leave? Bryony's eyes swept his body again and she felt her heart hammering in her chest.

  Perhaps he wanted a love potion to lure women into his bed. Bryony had a hard time believing he needed assistance in that area. Maybe he had a certain woman in mind, someone who would not succumb to his obvious charms. Someone unavailable. Maybe the woman was married, or demanded a commitment he wasn't willing to make.

  Bryony scanned the face of the man before her and tried to decide whether he would stoop so low. He stared back at her, a look of slightly amused condescension on his rugged face. Picking up a bottle of love elixir from the velvet-lined case on the counter, he rolled it on his palm. "So, what's in this stuff?" he asked.

  "If I told you that, I'd be out of business."

  "Ah, a secret. Then the ingredients are magic, not the process?"

  "I don't know," Bryony said, beginning to feel annoyed. "I just followed the recipe in the book. I don't even know if it's magic. I just know that it seems to work. If that's not enough for you, don't buy it," she said.

  "But you do believe in magic? Supernatural powers? Witchcraft? Did you use black magic to make this?" He thrust the bottle under her nose.

  Bryony pursed her lips into a frown and snatched the love elixir from his hand. Her fingers brushed his palm, and she shivered. "To answer your first question, I do believe in the possibility of magic. But I don't dabble in the black arts. If that's the sort of thing that interests you, you'd better look elsewhere." She gave him a hostile glare at him and pointed toward the door.

  Zach took a placating step back. "No, that's not what I'm looking for," he said.

  "Why are you asking all these questions?"

  "I'm just curious, that's all."

  "I see." Bryony's anger ebbed. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked.

  He scooped up a handful of the crystal-cut bottles. "I'd like to buy these."

  Bryony narrowed her eyes as she counted the love potions. Three bottles.

  He wanted to make three different women fall in love with him? He'd just confirmed her worst suspicions. She raised her eyes to her customer. He gave her a slow, secret smile that she would have found quite erotic under different circumstances.

  "No," she said.

  "What?"

  "I said no. Put them back."

  "Am I to understand that you are refusing to sell me your merchandise?"

  "That's right," Bryony declared, hands on her hips.

  His brows drew together in an affronted frown. "Why?"

  "It's my store. I don't have to explain." She lifted her chin and met his gaze straight on, her eyes clear and fearless. They stood staring at each other for a long moment. Despite her outward calm, Bryony's stomach churned and her lips quivered almost imperceptibly.

  He backed down first.

  His jaw clenched and his mouth narrowed with displeasure, but he placed the bottles one by one back in their nest of wine velvet. With exaggerated care, he closed the lid of the carved mahogany case. "There. Satisfied now?" he asked, arching his eyebrows.

  "Yes, thank you," Bryony answered. She couldn't believe his gall. "Will there be anything else?" she asked through clenched teeth.

  "Obviously not," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Unless you'd like to sell me something else. Deadly nightshade, perhaps? Maybe a little hemlock? Since you've clearly taken a disliking to me, I might as well end it all."

  Bryony realized he was teasing her now, and she glowered at him. Still, she couldn't help noting the sparkle in his eyes and the way they crinkled at the corners with suppressed laughter. She suddenly realized how ridiculous they were acting, like children. Slowly, she allowed a tentative smile to creep across her face.

  "That's more like it," Zach said. "Now, how can I convince you to change your mind about parting with some of your elixir?"

  "Tell me what you want it for," Bryony said.

  "Aha," he cried, realization dawning. "So you think I'm up to no good -- that I'll force innocent women to fall in love with me, and then use them for my own pleasure." He rolled the word "pleasure" over his tongue until Bryony could barely breathe. She couldn't keep herself from imagining what a night of pleasure with this man might involve.

  "Not at all," she said. "I just -- I only want to make sure it's used ethically, that's all. Magic is not something to be trifled with."

  "Ah, magic. That seems to be a subject you know something about," Zach said.

  "Well, not really," Bryony said. "Some of my customers are very knowledgeable about magic, witchcraft, astrology, and all of that, but I'm just a beginner. I find the concepts interesting, but . . . . Frankly, I'm not sure I believe in the supernatural."

  Zach's face fell a little in confusion. "You don't? But you -- this shop . . . ."

  "I inherited it," Bryony said. "When my best friend from high school got married a few years ago and moves to Los Angeles, she sold Heart's Desire to me at a very good price. I didn't have a clue about any of this." Her sweeping hand gesture took in the herbs, sacred images, Tarot cards and the rest. "I'm open to the possibilities. I think there's a lot about our world we don't understand. Things like alternative medicine, the healing power of herbs, the importance of beauty in the world. But true magic? Who knows?" She shrugged.

  He frowned, and Bryony wondered why he seemed disappointed by her answer. "Don't you think it's unethical to sell people things you don't believe in?" he asked.

  "Absolutely not," she said. "If people need magic and fantasy in their lives, I'll give it to them."

  "You'll encourage them in their delusions, you mean."

  "If you want to put it that way. I think we all need a bit of magic and illusion to make our lives bearable. Don't you have any, Mr. -- um --"

  "Call me Zach," he said, extending his hand. Bryony hesitated, then let him envelope her slim fingers in his rougher ones. His palm was smooth and cool against hers. Bryony felt a current flow between them, sending a pleasant tingle up her arm and making her insides jangle with excitement. She dropped his hand as if it had burned her.

  "I'm Bryony," she said, her voice husky.

  "I know."

  "Oh, of course." She colored and dropped her eyes.

  "Perhaps we should start over."

  "Yes, let's," Bryony said. She raised her chin to meet his gaze and returned his smile. She searched her mind frantically for something to say, something that would break the thread of tension between them. "Are you staying in town, or just passing through?"

  "I think I'll stay for a while," he said. "That is, I've just now decided to spend a few days here. Can you recommend a good bed and breakfast?"

  "Sure. There's the Cypress Point Retreat, of course, if you're on a budget. Nice and clean, but nothing fancy. Or you might try Whale Cove. Then there's the Sea View Inn -- that's the best in town. It's really gorgeous, and the woman who runs it, Georgina Barker, is my godmother. Also my sister's m
other-in-law. But then you don't care about that," Bryony said, realizing she'd been rambling.

  Zach was watching her with a slight air of amusement. "I do care. This is a very small town, isn't it?" The way he said it, it wasn't a compliment.

  "Well, yes, but I love it," Bryony said, feeling rather defensive. "I've lived in Cypress Point all my life, except for when I went away to college. And then I couldn't wait to come home."

  "I can see that. The way you talk about this town, the local Chamber of Commerce must love you."

  "They do," Bryony said. "I'm the president."

  "I should have known." He laughed, a low, sexy rumble. "I think I'll try the Sea View Inn. I'm sure you can give me directions?"

  Bryony did. He thanked her and turned to go, then stopped abruptly. "Don't think you've seen the last of me," he said. "I'm going to get a bottle of your love potion before I leave. You can be sure of it."

  "We'll see," Bryony said, but she couldn't keep the laughter from her voice. She watched him walk out the door with an odd pang of regret. He was a mystery, all right, this Zach -- she couldn't think of his last name. Then she remembered he hadn't given it. Odd. Well, she would find out soon enough. There weren't any secrets in Cypress Point. Her attractive stranger would discover that soon enough.

  Bryony picked up her book, but soon found she couldn't concentrate. Her mind kept drifting back to a certain pair of dark eyes in an arrogantly handsome face. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut to block out the vision of his square shoulders and the slim hips atop long, muscular blue-jean clad legs. It didn't help.

  She tried to remind herself that he was nothing but a tourist on his way to somewhere else. He'd be gone by next week. Better to forget him and concentrate on running Heart's Desire.

  In the two years since her parents had disappeared, she'd thrown herself into learning the business. Now it provided her with a small but adequate income, and had ceased to be her all-consuming obsession. Promoting Cypress Point as Chamber of Commerce president had helped fill the void for a while.

  Still, she wanted something more out of life. Romance, passion, love . . . .

  She sighed and pushed the thought away. No use daydreaming about that. She wasn't in love with any of the men in Cypress Point. She'd known them all her life, and the few she'd dated hadn't made the sparks fly. They were friends and nothing more. That left only the tourists passing through, and Bryony wasn't the type for casual flings. Not even with the ebony-haired customer who'd just walked out of her store.

  Especially not with him.

  CHAPTER TWO

  "They have a lot of nerve, thinking they can just come in here and destroy the lagoon," Bryony said.

  "We won't let it happen," Vivien said. "Don't worry, Bryony. I know we can stop this thing."

  The Lowell sisters were on their way to get coffee after a tumultuous Chamber of Commerce meeting. They strolled slowly along Cypress Point's main street, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights and the cool light of a nearly full moon. Waves crashing ashore filled the night air with their dull roar. The town's many restaurants were crowded to overflowing. Music and laughter spilled out onto the sidewalks.

  "If they build a resort on the spit between the ocean and Kinney's Lagoon, they'll disturb the birds who migrate to those wetlands," Bryony said, pushing her hair out of her face. "I don't know why the Mandell Corporation thinks they'll get away with it."

  "They've got money," her sister said. "Lots and lots of money."

  "That's what worries me. Did you hear Peter Burke tonight? He says he believes Mandell's promises about respecting the environment and keeping away from the lagoon. But he's really just interested in all the tourists a resort would bring to Cypress Point."

  "Burke's restaurant's losing money," Vivien reminded her. "More tourism means more customers."

  "He could try hiring a decent chef," Bryony said, but she saw her sister's meaning. Fighting an outside corporation, with its rich backers and powerful allies, would be difficult enough. Without the town behind her, she didn't have a chance. Still, no matter what, she wasn't about to give up without a battle.

  Her eyes grew distant as she remembered birdwatching in the lagoon with her father years ago. The first time she'd spotted a peregrine falcon she had shrieked with delight, causing hundreds of surprised dunlin, ruddy ducks, and grebes to rise into the air like bits of paper blown before a fierce wind.

  Vivien spoke as if she had read her sister's mind. "I wish Mom and Dad were around," she said. "They'd be up in arms about this."

  "Dad would have written a dozen letters to the editor by now," Bryony said.

  "And Mom would have filed a lawsuit or two."

  "They'd be up all night plotting and planning." Bryony was laughing, but her tears trembled in her eyes. She would never stop missing them. They had been so in love, even after 30 years of marriage.

  The sisters fell silent, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Bryony leaned her head back and gazed up at the stars as she walked. They shone bright against the black velvet of the sky. Even the lights of Cypress Point couldn't blot them out.

  A breeze rustled through the cypress trees on the ridge to the north, the trees that gave the town its name. Bryony had always thought they looked brave and lonely as they battled the fierce winds that wracked the coast in winter. They made her feel a twinge of loneliness herself.

  At the Seashell Cafe, she was glad to step through the double glass doors into the flood of light and friendly faces. Half a dozen people called out greetings as the Lowell sisters crossed the restaurant to their favorite table. Many of them, like Bryony, were business owners who had just come from the Chamber meeting.

  She caught several snippets of conversation as she made her way through the crowd and was gratified to discover that most of them were heatedly discussing the proposed resort. At least it wasn't a forgone conclusion.

  Bryony and Vivien settled into their booth and gave the waitress their orders. "So," Bryony said, after they had sipped their coffee, "I had an interesting visitor at the store today."

  "Tall, handsome, brown eyes?"

  Bryony threw her older sibling a puzzled glance. "How did you know?"

  Vivien grinned. "You should know better than to try to keep a secret in Cypress Point. Kevin's mother told him all about this guy. Seems he registered at the Sea View Inn and mentioned your name."

  Bryony's stomach fluttered, but kept her eyes on her cup and tried not to sound too interested. "Did he?" she asked, as if she couldn't care less.

  "He did." Vivien waited patiently, her green eyes dancing with mischief.

  Bryony sighed and gave up. "All right, I'll bite. What did he say?"

  "Oh, just that you recommended the Inn. He's a writer, Georgina says. Plans to stay a week or so. I forget his name."

  "Zach," Bryony said.

  "That's right. Zach . . . . Connor. Or Calendar. Something like that. Wait -- Callahan. Zach Callahan."

  Bryony wasn't listening. She was staring past her sister, her eyes riveted on the man who'd just walked through the front door. "Speak of the devil," she said.

  "That's him? Where?" Curious, Vivien swiveled her head to get a good look.

  "Viv! Don't be so obvious," Bryony hissed. It was too late. Zach had spotted her and was making his way through the busy cafe, swerving to avoid a waitress carrying three slices of strawberry pie. He strolled toward Bryony's table with long, purposeful strides. She saw pleasure soften his dark eyes as he approached.

  "I told you we'd meet again," he said, smiling. Even in the crowded restaurant, his words had a kind of intimacy -- he meant them only for her, as if no one else existed. Zach's eyes flicked briefly to Vivien and then back to Bryony. Her hair fell down her back in a thick braid tonight, and she wore a delicate cashmere sweater that matched her soft green eyes.

  Bryony felt her heart hammering in her chest as she caught the musky scent of his cologne. She tipped her chin up to meet his gaze and smiled shyly. For a m
oment, their eyes locked and they were utterly alone in the room. Bryony was shaken by the intensity of the attraction. She had never reacted to anyone like this before. It was as if every nerve in her body had suddenly gone on alert, ready for his touch.

  "Hello, Zach," she said, tightening her hands around her black ceramic cup and drawing comfort from the warmth of the coffee against her palms. "I haven't changed my mind, you know."

  "Changed your mind about what?" Vivien asked, glancing curiously from Bryony's face to Zach's. "And don't you think you'd better introduce us?"

  "Oh, sorry. Zach, this is my sister, Vivien Barker. Vivien, Zach."

  "Won't you join us?" Vivien asked.

  Zach raised one inquiring eyebrow at Bryony. "You don't mind?"

  "Of course not," she said, trying not to sound flustered.

  He slid into the booth next to her. The sleeve of his button-down denim shirt brushed her bare arm. Bryony gulped and squeezed over as far as possible, but she could still feel the heat radiating from his body.

  "Your sister refused to sell me any of her love potion," Zach told Vivien. "She suspects me of harboring evil intentions."

  "And are you?" Vivien asked, choking back her laughter. Even Bryony had to smile.

  Zach adopted a sober expression and placed his hand over his heart. "On my honor, I swear I'm not."

  "Bryony? What do you say -- will you take this gentleman at his word?"

  "Oh," Bryony said, blushing furiously. "Now both of you are mocking me. Fine, fine -- I'll sell him some. But don't blame me if he uses it for no good."

  "No, I think he's honest," Vivien said. "A hard man, perhaps, but definitely honest. You seem like the type who tells the truth, even if it hurts."

  A smile quirked the corner of Zach's full lips. "You've barely met me, and you can say that already?"

  Vivien nodded. "I'm a good judge of character. Aren't I, Bryony?"