Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
My bedroom is ready to go upstairs, with a quilt my grandmother made on the soft bed and all my clothes organized in the closet.
The only thing left to do is return to my cottage to fetch the loom so I can get going on the tapestry spell.
Giles has been working in his office all morning, so I don’t bother to interrupt him. I just write a little note on a sticky and set it on the countertop.
Giles-
Ran an errand. Back soon.
-B
Going back to the cottage terrifies me, and that makes me so dang mad. It used to be my sanctuary. Now, I can’t stand the thought of stepping foot inside it. But the loom is there, along with some of my supplies, and I have to get them—I can’t put it off any longer.
So, with my bag and keys in hand, I walk down to my car and climb inside. But unfortunately, when I turn the key, nothing happens.
It’s just…dead.
“Are you kidding me right now?” I mutter and glare at the steering wheel. “I just had you tuned up last month, and you had a clean bill of health. Come on, start for me.”
I try the key again with no luck.
“I can’t walk over there and carry the loom back,” I whine as I step out of the car and give the tire a good kick.
I guess I’ll have to interrupt Giles, after all.
I find him at his desk, reading something on his computer, his glasses drooping on the bridge of his nose.
“Hey,” I say softly. He turns to me, and I cringe. “Sorry to interrupt. My car won’t start.”
He pushes the glasses up his nose and stands. “I needed the interruption. I’ve been reading for so long I think I’m going cross-eyed. Let’s go check it out.”
“Thanks.”
Giles follows me out to my car, and I gesture at the pile of rusty bolts that’s trying to pass off for an automobile.
“I just had it tuned up, but it won’t start. I turn the key, and nothing.”
“I can give you a ride if we can’t figure it out. Where were you headed?”
“I have to go to the cottage to get the loom.”
Giles freezes with the car door open and turns to scowl at me. “You’re absolutely not going to the cottage alone, Breena.”
“It’s fine. Whatever was there is long gone. It’s just a house, Giles. No big deal at all.”
“No.” He shakes his head emphatically. “Absolutely not.”
“Do you always tell women what to do?”
“Only when they’re being ridiculous, and I care about their safety,” he quips, his voice completely calm and mild. “You were terrorized in that house, Breena. I’ll go with you to get the loom.”
He tries to start the engine, and it purrs right to life.
“Hey!”
“See? Even the universe is telling you not to go by yourself,” he says as he steps out. But he doesn’t go back to the house. No. Instead, he circles the car and climbs into the passenger seat. “Let’s go.”
“Are you going to lock the house?”
With a smug smile on his sexy lips, he waves his hand. “Done.”
I sigh as I lower myself into the driver’s seat. “You were busy, Giles.”
“Not too busy. This won’t take long.”
Resolved to having him with me, I pull out of his driveway and head to the other side of town, where my cottage sits.
“It really is in a great spot,” I whisper as it comes into view. “On the edge of town, not much foot traffic, hidden back in the trees.”
“It’s a great spot. A great house,” he confirms and reaches over to take my hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
I park and take a deep breath, allowing myself to feel sad that I lost my sweet home because of something horrible.
“The next place will be great, too.” I glance his way and offer him a bright, fake smile. “It’ll be fine. It’s just a house.”
“Right.” He kisses my hand and then lets it go, but I feel the touch all the way to my toes. It’s electric how he lingers in my body, even after he’s gone. “Just a house. Let’s get this over with, okay?”
I nod and open my car door, immediately feeling it. The energy, even though it’s gone, created such an indelible mark on the area that I can hardly breathe as I approach the house.
“Do you feel that?” I ask Giles.
“Yeah. Here.” He retakes my hand and presses a big chunk of black tourmaline into my palm. “Do not, under any circumstances, put that down. I cast a special protection spell on it just for you.”
I smile up at him, delighted that he would go out of his way to do that for me. “That’s so sweet.”
“And necessary.” His lips are tight, his expression grim as I turn to unlock the front door.