Page 34 of Wicching Hour

I kissed his cheek. “Sorry about that.”

He shook his head. “Not your fault.”

There was a knock at the studio door.

“Come in,” I called.

“Ms. Corey?” Melissa asked.

“Yup,” I said. “I’m up here. Do you need me down there?”

Declan growled, making his opinion on my moving quite clear.

“No, ma’am. I just wanted you to know that we were done. We’re all loaded up. We’ll make sure your art is delivered in perfect condition.”

“Thank you! Oh, there are cookies cooling on the stove. Please take them all and share them with your crew.”

“Thank you.” I heard footsteps crossing the studio. “They’re delicious. I had a hard time keeping their heads on business once they smelled what you were baking.”

I grinned, snuggling into Declan. “Good. I’m glad you all liked them. Hopefully, Milo liked his tea.”

“Oh—I’m not sure he ever had any,” she said. “Doesn’t matter. We hope you’re feeling better soon.”

“I’m fine. Declan is feeling particularly protective right now. That’s all. I’m good.”

“Thank goodness. The crew will be happy to hear that. Also, I was thinking. Instead of our returning in November to pack and ship all those octopuses, how about if we come every month and pack up whatever you have ready? You won’t have to deal with all the space they take, and we won’t have to pack that many all at once. I’m afraid of something getting broken.”

“That’s a great idea. Let me check with my agent and see if we can do partial shipments early. We’ll get back to you,” I said, rubbing my hand up and down the arm Declan had wrapped around me.

“Sounds good. Thank you for choosing us, and we’ll see you again soon,” she said before the door closed behind her.

I waited a few minutes and whispered, “All clear?”

“She just went out the back door…is walking across the deck…and is now being rushed for the cookies. We’re clear.”

I flicked my fingers, locking up.

Declan adjusted me on his lap so he could see my face. “You want to tell me what you saw? Because you came out of that one ready to fight.”

SEVENTEEN

Age-Old Betrayals

“Yeah, but I might as well tell you all at the same time,” I said, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I swiped and dialed Mom first.

“Hello, darling. Did your artwork get packed up?”

“Hi, Mom. Yes, it did. I’m calling because I have some things I need to talk with you and Gran about. Do you have time to talk?”

Mom’s voice became muffled as she spoke to someone. “All right. Roseann’s going to cover the shop for me. I’m in my office now. Did I tell you I was hiring your cousin to help in the shop?”

“You didn’t.”

“She’s smart as a whip, but when she’s not talking to customers, she’s sneaking away to read. It’s currently a contest to see which of us will break the other first.”

“My money’s on you, Mom. Let me loop in Gran.”

The phone rang a few times and then, “Hello, dear.”

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