Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(28)

“Twenty-five years. Wouldn’t leave Charming Cove for all the money in the world.”

“It’s a gorgeous place,” I said, looking out the window at the darkness. The full moon lit up the night, shining on the sea that I could see far in the distance. “I don’t suppose you know any handymen or contractors in need of work?”

“For Lavender House?” She scoffed. “Not a chance, darling. That place is haunted.”

“Not haunted, exactly. It’s been enchanted to have a personality, and it’s grumpy about the poor state of affairs it’s been left in.” At least, I was pretty sure that was the case.

“Well, as soon as it stops smacking the workers on the arse with floorboards, they’ll start working there. Can you guarantee that?”

“No, definitely not.” I sighed, totally able to see why people wouldn’t want to work there. I had a lot at stake, and a family connection. A paycheck couldn’t compete with that.

We reached Charming Cove, and Anita turned onto Foxglove Lane and headed toward the wine bar. She pulled over right outside. “Call when you want a ride home,” she said as I handed her the fare.

“Will do. And thank you.”

She nodded. “Anytime.”

I straightened and turned to Potions & Pinot, excitement thrumming within me. I was actually more excited than I’d been for my first date with Tommy. Even better, this excitement had less of a sickly feeling of nerves. Back then, I’d been a kid with my first boyfriend. Now I was a grown woman about to drink a bunch of wine with some new girlfriends. That was a different kind of excitement, and an easier one.

The bar itself was dimly lit by a quirky collection of vintage chandeliers, and the muted teal and burgundy walls gave it a cozy ambiance. Plants decorated the walls, sitting on shelves of varying heights.

I spotted Emma and Holly almost immediately. They sat with two other women at a high-top table, and there was one seat remaining for me. I walked over, already smiling.

“Isobel!” Emma stood and pulled out the barstool for me. “So glad you could make it. Love the dress.”

“Thank you for inviting me.” I grinned at everyone.

Emma made the introductions, explaining that the red-haired woman was Aria, granddaughter of Cecelia from Seaside Spells. She owned the Enchanted Garden outside of town and supplied most of the potion ingredients for the town’s businesses. The dark-haired woman was Tabitha, aunt and primary caregiver to Catrina, the feisty eight-year-old.

“She’s a real pistol,” I said before sipping the glass of white wine that Emma had poured me. “I like her.”

“Me, too.” Tabitha took a gulp of her wine. “Now, if I could just get her to stop picking fights with the local boys, we’d be in great shape.”

“They’re bullies,” Aria said. “And she always wins.”

Tabitha smiled and shrugged. “Good point. She’s a peacekeeper.”

I didn’t ask how Tabitha had come to be the primary caregiver of her niece, but since they didn’t mention Catrina’s mother, I assumed it had to be a sad story.

“So, we hear you’re fixing up Lavender House.” Aria leaned forward. “That’s a big job.”

I blew out a breath. “No kidding. But I think I know what’s got a bee in its bonnet.” I told them what I’d learned today, but no one had any idea about who had enchanted the house. It had happened long before our time.

“It’s pretty impressive you were able to figure that out,” Emma said. “I didn’t get a hint of an enchantment.”

“And you were able see something with the curse revealer spell that even my grandmother hasn’t seen before,” Aria said before turning to the other women. “Gran told me that she saw a blue glow. It should have been green or nothing.”

“See?” Holly nudged Emma, a gesture that was blatantly obvious.

“I’m getting to it, Holly,” Emma said to her. She turned to me. “My very impatient friend over here mentioned talking to you about joining our coven. I think it’s a great idea, especially considering your unusual talents. You’ve got power, Isobel. If you’re interested, I’ll talk to the other members.”

“I would have talked to them if I could have,” Holly said. “But I’m just an apprentice, and it would have more weight coming from Emma.”

“Thank you,” I said, loving how included I felt. “But I’m not sure about my powers. I don’t know what my talent is.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Emma said. “It definitely sounds unusual, and the coven could benefit from a talent like yours.”

“Once I figure out what it is.”

“Just consider it. If we think there’s room for someone new, I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks.” I grinned.

We spent the rest of the night gossiping about work and relationships. Aria was married, and Emma would be getting hitched in the summer. Tabitha and Holly were single, but both had options on the horizon, as they put it.

“What about that werewolf you live with?” Holly bobbed her eyebrows up and down. “He’s quite fit.”

I remembered the sight of him walking out of the sea. “He is indeed.”

“Total lone wolf,” Tabitha said. “Every woman in town thinks he’s a catch, if you ignore his grumpy personality, but he hasn’t given any of us the time of day.”