Page 4 of Spooks & Specters

There were fewer blooms, but each one was a stunning display of nature’s beauty. There were no delicate pink roses among this arrangement. Just pure red. The color of love.

With each step, the sweet fragrance of the flowers grew stronger. It was a rare occurrence nowadays to find flowers with such a potent scent.

He couldn’t resist stopping to inhale deeply, savoring the delicate combination of floral and earthy notes that filled his senses.

“That’s a St. Ives vase, I think,” Beckett said.

“Wow, those smell good.” Kit glanced at the vase. “A what now?”

“St. Ives vase. They’re handmade in France and take about eight to ten months to create. They’re considered art and stupid expensive.” Beckett lowered his voice. “Hudson collects jewels, gold, and silver. But it’s Connie who collects artwork. I’m guessing that vase came from his, ah, personal collection.”

Beckett did the air quotes with his fingers when he said the word personal.

Hoard. Beckett was talking about Hudson’s and Connie’s hoards. “Holy shit.”

Shortly after Kit came to stay with Hudson, Connie officially moved in. Not long after that, Hudson built a room for Connie’s hoard. Even though the two dragons loved each other, they wanted their own separate places for their treasures.

Kit wasn’t a dragon, so he didn’t completely understand it, but it didn’t matter if he did or not. This was what madehis mates happy. He’d visited both hoards and blushed in remembrance. Ever made love on a pile of gold coins? Kit had. While it might sound cool, it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

He’d also made love surrounded by artwork from the greatest masters ever. Connie’s hoard had a bed, and Kit had dropped some pretty strong hints to Hudson that his hoard needed one too. Hudson had agreed.

“Oh damn, if it’s that expensive, I’m taking that straight back to my office.” Kit found the card attached to the flowers and opened it.Roses are a reminder that even in the midst of thorns and challenges, love can still bloom. With love, Hudson and Connie.

“Oh my God, they’re killing me.” Kit sniffed as he showed the card to Beckett.

“That’s beautiful.”

“This has been the best Valentine’s Day ever.” Kit slipped the card back into the cardholder and picked up the vase. “I’m leaving the other flowers out here for the public to enjoy.”

Beckett nodded. “That’s probably what they intended. That way you’ll have roses in your officeandwhen you come out.”

“Wow, that was incredibly thoughtful of—what in the world?” Kit gaped at the man who just walked inside the bookstore carrying a huge teddy bear.

Chapter Two

AND WHEN Kit said huge, he wasn’t kidding. It had to be at least three sizes bigger than a regular teddy bear. The brown bear was holding a big red heart that saidI love you beary much.

“I’m looking for Kit Meadows.” The delivery guy zeroed in on Kit since he was holding a vase of flowers. “That you?”

Kit bit his lip as his eyes started watering. Seriously. Best. Day. Ever. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Where you want it?”

“Lord have mercy.” For a split second, Kit thought about leaving it up front so the people in the bookstore could enjoy it, but there were a lot of kids in there who had sticky fingers. “My office please.”

Beckett was snickering as he followed the delivery guy and Kit back. The guy dumped the bear where Kit pointed and left.

Kit set the flowers on his desk next to the cards and collapsed in his chair. “The words on the heart that the bear is holding? The wording is very close to what was on the card Connie sent.”

“They really went all out, didn’t they?”

Stunned, Kit could only stare. “I’ve never had anyone go to this extent for me. I’m kinda in shock.”

“And you haven’t gone on your date with them yet, either.”

“Jeez, you’re right!”

“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, Kit. When a dragon loves, he loves fully. And on that happy note, I’m going to go back out front so you can have a few minutes alone.”

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