Something rustled behind them, and from the corner of his eye, Beau swore he saw a cat’s tail dissolve into the hedge.
“Did you see that?” Abby asked.
“You don’t think it was, do you?”
“Wouldn’t put it past her,” Abby said.
They walked toward the vanishing point. Abby called to Scarlett, but there wasn’t any response. When they returned to the bench, Abby gasped.
“You have to be kidding,” Beau said.
The doll was on Beau’s jacket
“Now what?” Abby asked.
“Have you read the Harry Potter books?” Beau asked.
“Huh?”
“Doesn’t matter. Abby, you can’t leave Cat’s Paw Cove. I know you’re used to a more exciting life, and maybe this town is too quiet for you. But if it’s a job you’re worried about, with your gift for organizing, we’ll find one for you. And I need you. And I don’t mean just to keep my books. I didn’t know what was missing in my life until you came into it.”
Abby giggled. “Now who’s rambling? But that was so sweet. And you’ve been talking to me for at least two minutes without one hitch.”
Beau’s smile broadened till his mouth hurt. “I guess I should have trusted my heart to find the right words all along.”
“God knows I haven’t a clue about making a relationship work,” she said.
“I’m no expert, either. But I’d like to try. First, we start by trusting each other.”
How long had the words been building up inside? Too long. He paused to catch a breath.
“You were right. I had to believe in myself before anyone else could. I can do anything as long as I have you with me. Abby Blessing, please believe I am in l—.”
Abby touched her fingers to Beau’s lips. “Careful. Take it from someone who knows that word has power. Don’t say it unless you are absolutely sure.”
“I am absolutely sure. It’s been a short time, I know. And I can’t explain it.”
“Kiss the man!” Came a voice from the bench.
“Yes, ma’am.” Abby flung her arms around Beau’s neck and drew him close for another kiss. He moaned against her tongue and pulled away.
“Aww,” she giggled. “Just when it was getting good.”
He traced her lips with his thumb. “Are you sure?”
“I admit I’m a little nervous.”
“About us?”
“No!”
“Staying in Cat’s Paw Cove?”
“No!” She lowered her voice. “It’s that word.”
“Go ahead, try saying it,” Beau coaxed softly.
“Wait.” She reached into her boot, pulled out a small cloth bag, and removed a stone from it.
“This is the lapis Luna gave me. It ensures there’s no more curse.” She squeezed it in her palm. “Ready or not, here we go. Beauregard Grayson, I. Love. You. Too.”
After nothing happened, she threw herself back into his arms and covered his face in kisses. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
At that precise moment, in unison, every light in the maze went out. The fountain shut off. Abby and Beau, locked in their embrace, stood in the pitch-black moonless night.
“Noooo!” Still holding the stone, Abby wiggled free of Beau’s arms. “I thought the curse was gone. Luna promised.”
“Hang on. I’ll call the main house.” Beau tapped a number and waited for someone to answer. “Hey, are your lights on inside?” After a moment, he continued: “Got it. Umm. Huh-uh. Right. Thanks.”
“The lights inside are out too, aren’t they? I can’t believe it. I spoiled the night for everyone.” Abby powered through a dozen more sentences before Beau drew her back into his arms.
“Calm down. You didn’t do anything. It’s five after ten. A timer shuts off everything in the maze at ten o’clock.”
Abby quieted. “You sure about that?”
“Yep.” He kissed her forehead.
“Completely sure?”
He kissed her nose. “Yep.”
“Well, then.” She reached her arms around him again. “Where were we?”
Beau held a finger up. “Just a minute.” He put the doll into his coat pocket. “No chaperone required, thank you.”
The doll muttered something unintelligible then went silent.
“Remind me to one day tell you how a cat, another redhead, and that doll were in cahoots to make this night happen.”
He dipped his head and touched his lips to hers, and this long delicious Valentine’s Day kiss lasted through three more songs.
About Candace Colt
Candace Colt writes contemporary paranormal romance. As an only child, Candace filled her world with real—and imaginary—friends. Little did she know that some of these friends would make their way into her stories many years later. Candace lives in a small town on Florida’s west coast that’s a whole lot like a real Cat’s Paw Cove.
Stay connected with Candace:
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Also by Candace Colt
Cat’s Paw Cove Romance
Familiar Blessings: Book One in The Magic Potter Series (Meows & Mistletoe: A Holiday Anthology)
Nocturne Falls Universe Stories
The Falcon Finds His Mate
The Falcon Tames The Psychic
The Falcon’s Second Chance
The Psychics Say I Do (Merry and Bright: A Christmas Anthology)
The Falcon’s Christmas Surprise (Winter Wonderland: A Christmas Quartet)
More Cat’s Paw Cove
Stay longer at Cat’s Paw Cove! Read all of the books in the series:
A Witch in Time
by Catherine Kean and Wynter Daniels
Christmas at Moon Mist Manor
by Kerry Evelyn
Familiar Blessings
by Candace Colt
Gambling on the Artist
by Wynter Daniels
Her Homerun Hottie
by Wynter Daniels
Hot Magic
by Catherine Kean
Love Overrules the Lawyer
by Kerry Evelyn
Meows & Mistletoe: A Holiday Anthology
by Sharon Buchbinder, Candace Colt, Darcy Devlon,
Mia Ellas, Kerry Evelyn, Kristal Hollis, Debra Jess, and Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Table of Contents
Magical Blessings
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Reader Letter
Blurb
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
About Candace Colt
Also by Candace Colt
More Cat’s Paw Cove
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