Page 4 of Bright Dark Curses

We set out on foot at a good pace, and I had the inkling she meant for us to visit every paranormal shop in Olmeda within the next three hours. It being Friday evening, the streets were getting crowded, adding a lovely festive atmosphere to the town.

I breathed it all in—the signs and lights contrasting against the darkness of the early night, the snatches of music pouring out of open restaurants, the honks of cars as they got stuck in the evening traffic. Some of the narrower streets had already hung Christmas lights across, and I made myself a mental note to order decorations and lights for the shop.

Back home, I would wait until witchgiving was over, but I was a shop owner now. I had responsibilities toward my clientele.

On top of that, the thought of decorating for Christmas with Ian made my insides all warm and fuzzy.

If he ever came back, that was.

But surely he had to at some point, right? His life was here now. Not even the bounty hunters could keep him away forever—he had strays to alpha and a business to run.

“Why are we bringing the dogs?” Dru asked.

“Because they bring joy wherever they go.”

“I will maim you.”

I laughed. “Brimstone isn’t comfortable being alone with Fluffy and Rufus.”

“But you’re comfortable leaving him alone in the shop?”

“Give people the benefit of the doubt and they’ll surprise you.”

“By robbing you blind and setting your shop on fire,” she muttered.

“How’s Sharp Claws?” Last I heard, the seller had been a bit of a pain.

Dru grunted. “Almost ready for signing. Just need the PBOA approval before the guy changes his mind. Again.”

“I’m so happy we’re going to be shop-mates,” I said dreamily.

“I’m only doing it because of the free breakfast.”

I patted her arm. “Of course.” But we both knew better. No amount of free morning coffee and muffins would force Dru to do something she didn’t want to do. She wouldn’t admit it, but I knew she was more than happy to set up shop right next to me. After all, there were other spots in Olmeda she could’ve taken over, spots that didn’t involve tearing out a small industrial kitchen to transform a restaurant into a shop. “I can’t wait to see Sharp Claws. It’s going to be amazing.”

She smiled smugly. “It sure is.”

I tugged at her elbow and took us across into a forking street.

“Hope, what are you doing?”

“Just a small detour. Five minutes tops.”

Dru grumbled but allowed herself to be led off path. I’d hoped to visit after the shop closed, but this worked just as well.

Turned out, something was happening this weekend.

Something spectacular, amazing, and out of this world lucky.

One of my favorite romantic suspense books was being turned into a movie right here in Old Olmeda!

TWO

We arrived at a wide street, where a group of onlookers had gathered as the crew was finishing setting things up for a night shoot. A couple of trailers and trucks occupied a nearby side street, and tents were set up on the main one. A big camera crane was being assembled and people rushed around like busy bees.

Gone by Morning, a Lily Hale suspense mystery was the thrilling adventures of one Lily Hale, psychic and esoteric shop owner, as she investigated the strange death of one of her frequent clients with the help of Jack Larson, a PI who’d fallen onto hard times and was looking for redemption. A tale as old as time.

“Hope, are you serious?”

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